Long Distance Hiker Builds Van To Live In - Ford Econoline Budget Conversion

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I bought a van! And built it out in two weeks. Two whirlwind weeks converting this Ford Econoline e150 into something I can live in full time. I still need to do solar, and finish electrical, but figure if I keep putting off making this video, or others until 'everything' is done I would never have made it! So here we are, I've been living in it for over a month now, and I love it!
Neemor has tried the van thing, Darwin has tried the van thing, John Z has been doing the... ultralight van thing. It's time I give it a go! I'll be hiking the Florida Trail, Ouachita Trail, Arizona Trail, and Pacific Crest Trail this year if all goes as planned, never know. Driving, and living in my van between hikes. I hope to see some of you out there!!
I feel backpacking and long distance hiking has somewhat trained me for this change, I already live a more minimalist life, and frankly for so many years now have been spent in a tent or a tarp this is actually a huge step up! No more rent, just a small car payment, and insurance. No more searching for apartments, and no more being limited by living in just one place. Certainly a lot of things will be harder, but I think a lot of things will be better as well. A huge change I'm excited to fully realize.
I tried to keep everything simple, cheap, and budget friendly! Nothing crazy fancy, but to me it's great.
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THE BACKPACKING GEAR I USE:
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If you'd like more info about me, my hiking, or painting:
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Опубликовано:

21 окт 2024

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Комментарии : 381

@dynomike1964 3 года назад

I like birding also have been looking for the elusive Large Breasted Mattress Thrasher.

@bencotton3050 4 года назад

Jupiter congratulations on the new home. A suggestion on the paintings: keep the originals and sell signed prints in an online store. Mucho demand

@JupiterHikes 4 года назад

I basically do this! I sell some prints on my website and a lot of originals! I figure there's no point in hoarding them all to myself, and if it brings someone else joy to own them that makes me more happy than holding on to it. Always sad to see them go still. Jupiterhikes.com if you're interested

@MikeOlin-f3u 2 месяца назад

You should do it your way, nothing like the touch of an original. Paint because of the joy it brings you.

@61shotbeehive 4 года назад

8:52 You're doing it right to keep everything super simple and super cheap. Well done. And you seem happier than anyone I've seen in a $45,000 conversion

@nelsonbernier9335 2 года назад

Your Van Build is what I have in mind if I ever do the Van-Life. A bed platform and a simple kitchen with storage area. Nice! 🤩

@williamsobolewski1361 2 года назад

You just gave the perfect explanation of why I choose this, couldn't have worded it better

@williamsobolewski1361 2 года назад

Thank you Forrest much love 🙏 brother

@mhayes6864 3 года назад

It is beautiful as is! It shows who you are. Practical and humble n true to self...and very organized, Keeping life in the right perspective and doing and enjoying what you love! Love your artwork! It also shows who you are, simple beauty and clean lines. Thank you for sharing!

@MrMknotoff 4 года назад

But of course...an ultralight RV.

@ellief4277 4 года назад

Omg.

@joehanika 4 года назад

“Budget build.” Respect! Doesn’t have to be high end. 👍🏻

@realTimHernandez 4 года назад

This dude is a living legend.

@bigtomsvan4817 4 года назад

Van build that works!

@yarrowup 4 года назад

I’m a long distance hiker and i just bought a 2008 ford e350 extended to convert. So great to see another hiker/vanlifer! Nice build.

@UmurCanKaya 4 года назад

Jupiter in a van... This is like a crossover episode of my most frequently watched youtube contents.

@_Tree_of_Life_ 4 года назад

Right?!

@blackrockbrewing5141 4 года назад

I'm building 2003 extended E350, so I was interested in your build info. However, I gave you a thumbs up for your appreciation of the history and local wildlife of the areas your visit, says good things about your soul my friend. Thanks for sharing:)

@anitasimmons3599 4 года назад

Congratulations, awesome home. I'm not a thru hiker but I am a long distance hiker. My husband is not a wilderness person. I have lured him out some, but after 34 years of marriage, I have realized he's a home body. At least he supports my need to hike. I love your art and your videos. Thank you for being a creator, and putting yourself out here.

@Khethatipet 4 года назад

Cooler is also silent. Excellent choice. Nice van!

@melodywilliamson678 4 года назад

Awesome conversion. I just bought a Ford Econoline E250 and I'm of a similar mindset -- trying to convert in on a budget. It's really encouraging to see a van build that looks great but won't break the bank. Thanks for the inspiration!

@quash8 3 года назад

Nothing more custom than having exactly what you need for your specific lifestyle: hiking and painting. Much respect. I think starting with the idea of a bed and water keeps one from overdoing it.

@mattzeepk2993 4 года назад

Looks great! I like the more budget-friendly approach as opposed to many people who try to force a 5-star hotel room into a van! I’m sure you’ll be happy with all the places you have easy access to with a home on wheels 😊

@richardurbanite 4 года назад

I am so inspired by your less-is-more philosophy. You have put your priorities in order and it gives me encouragement to do the same. Many thanks for moving gently through the space.

@curtiswhitwam1 4 года назад

Happy for you! Super awesome! LMK if you come up for a springs trip.

@JupiterHikes 4 года назад

I will definitely be making my way up through the springs!! First while hiking the FT but then in late February or early March while road tripping

@newhiker3358 4 года назад

Congrats man. Its sometimes surprising to see we do not need to take up so much space or own so many items to truly be happy

@r.d.ontheroad-1094 2 года назад

Go and do the adventures you wish to do, and no one is tying you down, this opens up so many options! Good Luck !

@donitaforrest9064 4 года назад

Be Brief, Be Bright, Be Fun, Be Done! I like that 🌞😊🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌿🌿🌳🌲🌲🌲

@mtadams2009 Год назад

I worked field service for over 35 years and the job came with a van the company allowed me to use for personal use. I used to clean it out on Thursday night and remove as much of my parts and tools that I could. Come Friday night my van and I would head north to the Whites in NH. I would sleep at the trailhead and get up early on Saturday and come back Sunday night. I am now retired and miss my van. Thinking about getting another one and doing a simple conversion like yours. If you have ever seen Forstey Forest he converted his right in the Home Depot parking lot. I agree with keeping it simple. I don’t need much. Looks good as does your art. Take care

@versace.mitch69 4 года назад

Proud of you Jupiter. This seems like a great option for you! Hopefully I join you in this community in a couple of years!

@SimplicityEDC 4 года назад

Awesome video man!!

@mudmakerbydesign5424 4 года назад

Looks like an awsome start to a new spin on things. Enjoy, make lots of new memories.vans and mountains.. enough said. Thanks for the video. Doing a great job.

@k8wxq0 4 года назад

Very impressive work for only 2 weeks. Good job and good luck!

@jjanson50 2 года назад

Simple, functional, clean - perfect.

@chipmeister111 3 года назад

Live your intentional life man, thanks for posting the video.

@jeeping32810 4 года назад

Great video, great comment. SIMPLE! I hiked the AT in 2011, then built my shipping container tiny home in 2015. I know who you are and the things you feel. Listening to you is like hearing me talk. Which is a big relief. I liked what you said about the cabinets, "nothing has fallen out so far..." So why the HELL care about that?! Exactly. I will be buying a van soon... debating debating debating. The house is paid for and I have 10 acres. So I need a tractor... at least the decisions I make (like you) are intentional, rather that the way others flow/function. Keep it going and keep on being you!

@azcolby40 4 года назад

Big step. Nice view of Weavers Needle

@MervinM123 4 года назад

congratulations!!! My backpacking hero is becoming a van dweller that's really nice, I lived in my van for about 6 moths and it was a lot of fun and a big learning curve, i'm planning to continue when my kids grow older and more independent, in the meantime i'm doing the next best thing, hiking and backpacking in our beautiful Florida, I was just reading on your website the article about the Ocean to Lake trail (great article and info) because i'm planning to do the ocean to lake trial before I do a FT thru hike, as far as the van building project I think you're doing great, you're more into functionality than looks witch is a good thing to me, you're also doing what i recommend the most, witch is do it first and then figure out what you want to build in the van, I spent a few months building a set up on my van and after i started living on it I realized that there was quite a few things i really didn't need and other things i would have done differently. good luck on your journey.

@destinationsroadslesstraveled 4 года назад

I enjoy your channel very much. Spent many years hiking in Alaska and various areas of America. Lived on my boat for many years. Your art work is beautiful. But settled now in Southeast Asia. And now have my own RU-vid channel for those wanting to explore places few foreigners visit.

@78suntan 4 года назад

Good for you. Looks great good job.

@donitaforrest9064 4 года назад

Suggestions? Your kitchen cabinets.....a strip of velcro secured along the counter top, and a cut down navajo blanket sewn with velcro tabs to attach to it, would look nice and cover jugs. Other half of blanket could be used same way at the back to cover the garage.

@shaunamoose7809 4 года назад

Good for you dude, You come across as a humble genuine guy. Good luck on your new adventure. From one watercolourist hiker to another.

@ThisNomadicIdea 4 года назад

As long time backpackers, we bought a Van also and converted to a backpacking van. We have a Ford E350 Diesel. Congrats on entertaining the Van Life. We use our Goose Down sleeping bags as insulation on our ceiling held up with bungee cord.

@JupiterHikes 4 года назад

Hey that's a cool idea!

@TravelTourTaste 4 года назад

Hello we hope your well . we can only say what a great way to live . If we had no commitment we would swap places with you in a heart beat . what a great adventure. Keep doing what your doing . We have smashed that like button and have turned your notification on ., Kind Regards Sarah and Glenn

@greeneyedggirl 4 года назад

I have a 2003 E350 extended van and I totally love it! My first 10 months of full time van life I did the cooler thing too, but it just got to be a bit much. Thankfully one of the channels I follow went the same route and got a brand new, 54quart fridge/freezer for $399. I got the next model up which is 63quarts for $459, plus a $140 for a five year unlimited warranty from Amazon! It's 12volt and simps power and will not kill your battery as it senses the voltage and shuts off if the battery is too low. I'm putting solar on my van so that it will recharge my house battery, but I can run the fridge for 48hours of the starter battery as long as I drive it a bit every third day. It's really awesome to have and cheeper than having to get ice. Now I make my own! Lol.

@tybrady64 4 года назад

Compared to backpacking, you have a HUGE place to live. Congratulations!

@heretolevitateme 4 года назад

You know I've watched your videos forever and this last week I started watching a bunch of vanlife videos, and now this pops up, lol. I've seen some ridiculously expensive vans where people complain and I'm straight up thinking, "These people are clearly not hiker trash. They are living in a palace."

@thuymientran6676 4 года назад

I just built my e150 all by myself, never having even held any power tools. Ha ha, 6’2 sleeping diagonally, pretty creative. Necessity is the invention of creativity. Great cabinet work there. I cheated and bought a couple bamboo prefab cabinets from Ikea, and a couple of their slim ‘shoe rack’ and u them as misc storage. Love your vid & subscribed.

@max-zl1vm 4 года назад

Thanks for posting, Jupiter! I like your point of view. Happy trails

@drewwatts2803 4 года назад

Nice shot of Weavers Needle! It’s a gorgeous climb

@crunchyhikes5254 4 года назад

Radical!! Buck the system.

@nglabrdet 4 года назад

Came here to see your van build because I have the same van but with a cap. I lived in it for 3 months but now I have an apartment so I can build it out better. Anyway, you seem like a cool dude and im excited for your Florida trail so I subscribed.

@spencers-adventures 4 года назад

Great video dude! I just picked up an 08 E250 last month and am currently working on the build. Seeing what you did with all the scrap wood is really inspiring 👍

@jhonyermo 4 года назад

I am sure impressed. Seems to fit you and your life & hiking philosophy to a Tee. Excellent. Inspiring too. Living your life the way I wish had the gumption to do many years ago. Van-damn-tastic.

@JupiterHikes 4 года назад

heck yeah man thank you as always!!

@selenajones1712 4 года назад

.....swamp gal here... Way ta go dude ...itll work

@pleasepleasethebees 4 года назад

Yassss! Hoping we can see a mix of both hiking and van life videos from you. Congratulations!

@emsdad18 4 года назад

I am so envious. Go for it man! That van can enable you to be exactly where you are meant to be.

@agentofficerthomasa.porter107 3 года назад

You did great & hope to enjoy your journey as you do more of your RU-vid Programs. You got spunk & I really enjoy people who have spunk in their life journey. Safe Travels. always, Tommy :-)

@Dragonfly7189 4 года назад

I like your thought processes, enjoy your life

@domo3552 4 года назад

Respect! Already a nomad (without van, but someday?), but I'm still really inspired by this! Love the simplicity/purity concept, & also your attitude 'to live more intentionally' - *that's* what its all about! Best wishes for this next chapter!

@stevehisey389 4 года назад

You and Joey Cocanato are living the life, congrats. Miles not millions.

@tombrockhoff3081 4 года назад

nice van

@NoloPrime 4 года назад

Jupiter, I'm opening an art Booth at the Daytona Beach Flea and Farmers Market in February. The basic idea is to help some of my artist friends get their work out there. I would be honored to display one of your pieces (not for sale) as you are an incredible inspiration to me personally! No pressure of course! ❤️

@ifonlyseethrumyeyes8957 4 года назад

Good luck man! You're livin' a dream

@mattjames1138 4 года назад

This makes so much sense! Not surprised, but glad to see you were able to make the jump!

@JeremiahStringer 4 года назад

Super cool man! My wife and I are looking to do the same thing where I can thru hike the AT and she can do a supported hike. I’m not attempting any type of special challenge. Just don’t want to be away from each for so long. We were apart while I completed my thru hike of the LT and it was hard not seeing each other so we thought van life would be pretty cool

@AlanDampog 4 года назад

looks awesome! nice van camper!

@CursedClips 4 года назад

glad ur see doin good and building stuff to make your life more and more efficient, u a legend never forget that

@jacksonbox40027 3 года назад

Favorite and simple van conversion!! Love it. I want to do the same.

@armadilllo 10 месяцев назад

That's funny, I went camping in my e350 and had all these plans and watched hundreds of videos to get ideas for a conversion. Went out today and realized how fun it was to just grab my motorcycle/ backpacking gear and throw it in along with an ice chest and sleep on my mat on the floor. The only thing I added was an awning to sit outside in the rain and blazing sun. So nice to come home and just carry my backpack in the house instead of all the crap I used to take.

@uloutdoors 4 года назад

dude is living the dream

@ShashanaCO 4 года назад

Cool van

@ariw9405 4 года назад

Good for you great job! I continue to live vicariously through you. You are amazing

@geoknee 4 года назад

Wow James! This is so cool! You did an excellent build! Hopefully you can come out to Palm Springs sometime and hike the local mountains. They are awesome. I’m sure you experienced a bit of it along the PCT. I can’t wait to see your next adventure! Happy trails!! Kudos to the girlfriend, cool fish!

@JupiterHikes 4 года назад

I will most certainly be in your area this next year!! Maybe we can meetup sometime

@870Slager 2 года назад

Always wondered what one of these would look like if a backpacker designed it. 90% of these conversions are wayyy over the top. This one is exactly how I hope to do it one day.

@mikecunningham2384 4 года назад

Good luck with the van.

@CSI752 4 года назад

That’s cool man, awesome van ,love the set up, looks cozy, you made it truly yours! 👍

@Tom_Bee_ 4 года назад

Epic. Good luck and happy trails

@BlackAdam2784 4 года назад

Really, really enjoyed this video. And I very rarely say that.

@matthoward1174 4 года назад

Love it ! Basic,.. but everything you need.

@DocEZEZ 4 года назад

Love the new home and keepin it simple!

@toothpastehombre 4 года назад

Welcome to the Vanlife club brother! I have a Ford econoline myself, solid rig. I am also super minimal in my setup, spent $1100 on the build out. Keeping it simple saves a ton of extra stress. Your new chapter in life is going to be a rich one, full of growth and new opportunities. I'm excited to see what you will bring to the channel- much love

$@seesfractals2462$

@seesfractals2462 4 года назад

Congratulations and happy trails!

@RoadToFreedom29 4 года назад

Yes mate well done on the move! One day this is what I'm hoping to do live in a van. It will be when my kids have grown up now tho. But one day my dream will come true for hiking long trails and living in a van!

@bereantrb 4 года назад

When I saw this in my feed I wasn't sure whether or not to expect another parody. But good on you, man. Simplifying is the way. I hope it works out well for you.

@1717jbs 4 года назад

Nice!

@accalloway1950 4 года назад

Thank You for the video. Wishing you grand adventures!

@arthurbiyokjr. 4 года назад

Stoked for you!! You're a rad soul, keep rocking. Luv ya Jupe!!

@zbsfm 4 года назад

wow jupiter this is awesome! long time follower here and it's great that you're following you van liffe dream :) glad to see this video.

@madratter 4 года назад

So congratulations !!! Looks great ! At 19 my friends and I built out a van and traveled 42 states in 6 months. Awesome times

@MojaveZach 4 года назад

That's awesome man, can't wait to do that myself

@1123-m5z 4 года назад

yes! this is a great minimalist set up! van life approached from UL backpacker’s eyes is preferred! watched like a gear video and you know van people never discuss specifics, it was dope to see what you actually use and not what you dont! love the cooler slaps, just thought and did the same thing to a wooden chest with my name painted on it that i have had since a kid, i keep all my backpacking gear in it here at home. Much love amigo I dont know how to say it but i feel a strong connection to you for how little i know you, ha ha maybe that means we will meet someday and share a path or a laugh! I know we share the same love for these beautiful places! peace buddha! aum mani padme hum

@iwazzabadboy1982 4 года назад

Bravo on the van....perfect fit for you..Look forward to more hiking vids this year...Exciting step forward ...🚶👍🏻🚶👍🏻🚶👍🏻🚶👍🏻🚶

@KaioshinAemi 4 года назад

Congratulations for you moving into conversion van. I had my Chevy Express 1500 done right. I only use it 5-7 times a year. That’s because I owned a home and living with my wife and our 4 kids. I’ll be traveling across the US soon, so this van is going to be good. I like your setup, it’s simple and works. Good luck and enjoy.

@ellief4277 4 года назад

"To all who have gone and never come back." I see it, I see the beautiful poem hidden here. ;)

@Go_Play_Outside 3 года назад

Cheers to that 🥂

@NoloPrime 4 года назад

Love it man. Nice work! Mad respect for you brother. So much respect! Live your own life! ❤️

@laurajphillips 3 года назад

Nice set up!

@elainemarkey3429 4 года назад

Congrats, Jupiter. The van looks awesome. You are going to have some great adventures. Can’t wait to see all your amazing videos.

@JohnDoe-cq3ii 4 года назад

Hell yeah congrats on the van! I bought a 2008 extended chevy express 2500 about 4 months ago. It was already converted into a budget build just using it as is but plan on adding a whole lot to it.

@BenjaminWilcock 4 года назад

Awesome man. Looking forward to seeing what new opportunities the van affords you. ✌️Ben.

@lukebergan6160 4 года назад

I'm excited for the oachita trail trek. I live in Arkansas and I've done the first 30 miles with my dad and brother and it was a wonderful experience. A beautiful area and a neat and challenging trail. There are views and little sweet creeks and they have quite a few shelters. Go for it man! Maybe it see you out there. My new palante pack is coming with me this time too.