Hi everyone,

I was wondering what the community thinks of the kits by adventure wagon and wayfarer van kits.
Adventure Wagon Kit
Wayfarer Van Kit

It seems like the prices are high compared to some of the completely dyi builds I've seen in this forum, but for someone like me who is not all that experienced in all the skills required to build out a van it looks like a good way to jump start.

Thanks

I am going with an Adventure Wagon interior kit. I work long hours, travel quite a bit for work (not during COVID), live in a postage stamp apartment, have no access to a garage, and I'd have to buy some additional tools to do a really good job, so this approach is a good fit for me. Ya, it's expensive. And I've had to wait for it for a long time (still waiting, although I just made my down payment yesterday), but I have no regrets about committing to the investment. I've saved several thousand dollars doing some other things myself, and I'll install the AW kit myself, which saves another $6K.

 

The money they charge is not that bad. Whatever you think you can build a van in time wise quadruple it and you've got a good idea. Those 28 day van builds on youtube are either crap or fake.

 

Not familiar with the Wayfarer kit but have seen the AdventureWagon kit being installed (on a Sprinter). Impressive design, quality and attention to detail. Keep in mind you still have to sort electrical power, kitchen, water, and venting on top of the $12.5K kit so you will gain DIY experience regardless.

 

I was originally going to go for the wayfarer kit, I don't think its a bad option if you don't want to do your own build. but the more i thought about it, and did a cost estimate as to what it would cost me to replicate what they have, it ends up being quite expensive compared to DIY.

I ended up going the DIY route, and have spent almost the same as the Wayfarer kit, but have a 400ah lithium electrical system, radiant floor heating, and the provisions for hot water when I get to the plumbing. I also have allot of time into it, and I'm nowhere near done.

if you set your goals to keep a simple build like they have, and not let it scope creep like mine, i think you can have something simple and functional without too much time, and a decent amount less money. if you want something that looks nice, and ready to go without all the time figuring out your own build, then I think the wayfarer kit is a good option.

 

That Adventure Wagon kit sure doesn't get you much for $12k. Just a bunch of molded panels and L-track?

 

Yeah, molded panels & L-tracks. Also comes with a few other things like Electrical harness, Pre-cut thinsulate.
$12k does seem expensive, but it should save a lot of time with pieces that are already engineer to fit nicely together.

..live in a postage stamp apartment, have no access to a garage, and I'd have to buy some additional tools to do a really good job, so this approach is a good fit for me. Ya, it's expensive.

I am in the same boat. Would be interested in how everything turns out for you, hopefully favoriably.

 

If Adventure Wagon's Transit kit had been available, I for one would have used it. As it was I used their MOAB and supports and then pretty much replicated what they provide in panels, L-track and wiring. The neat thing about their L-Track system s that they provide bracing and guides - which makes installing the L-track much less of a PITA.

IMHO, for a relatively quick start to a professional looking build, that weighs far less that the typical 600lb of DIY wood frame and paneling - they can't be beat.

 

The neat thing about their L-Track system s that they provide bracing and guides - which makes installing the L-track much less of a PITA.

Can you expand on what makes their L-track much less of a PITA to install? And were you able to come up with a modular build that was compatible with your various uses?

Zenvanz seems like a lot more for the money but I don't have any personal experience with either of the 3 options.

I've seen Zenvanz, but they only make stuff for Sprinter.

 

Zenvanz seems like a lot more for the money but I don't have any personal experience with either of the 3 options.

 

Not saying buy those exact kits, but maybe get in contact with one of them since they seem to be able to produce panels at a reasonable price. I'm guessing if there's a market, they'll build it, but maybe they aren't familiar w/ the DIY van market.

 

Actually, they look like one of the more reasonably priced builders I've run across. Labor costs.

 

These have been discussed here on the forum in the past a few times.

Bodyguard Van Liners — Ford Transit High Roof (WB 148") - Extended Van Window Wall Liner Pack

Complete the interior of your extended wheelbase high roof Ford Transit van with our latest interior kit. Ideal for recreational vehicles, passenger and commuter transit, and wheelchair accessible van conversions. Bodyguard products are available in the standard grey or white at a premium. This...

bodyguardvanliners.com

 

I like the Wayfarer kit since I'm not handy enough to try the DIY route. Does seem pricey and I'd probably want a lot of the add ons, but looks pretty slick. I like the efficient use of space with them.

 

I think the kit seems like good value but I wish the website had more detailed specs of what you are getting, such as 12v socket type, location, wiring etc as well as more info on the panel upholstery and fastening.

 

I have been told by Hailey at Adventure Wagon that they will have their full series of install videos for the Transit kit posted on YouTube by December. These videos have been a long time coming. If you have watched their series on the Sprinter install, you can probably anticipate a similar level of information.

One of things about their kit that I think is probably a hidden value, (if it the same as the way they do the Sprinter) is the fact that the Thinsulate is pre-cut and labeled for each compartment. From what I have read about others installing Thinsulate, it can be difficult to cut and can if using scissors, be tiring after a while. Then there is the measuring of all the different size space and transferring those measurement to the Thinsulate. How many trips in and out of the van would that take?

 

I'm leaning to purchasing an AW kit, but need them to release the Extended+High configuration! I don't imagine needing the flexibility that their system allows, but appreciate the strength-adding aspect of their design.

Another nice feature of the Adventure Wagon kit is the rear panel pockets they have for the Transit that maximize side-side width... this seems like a difficult thing to execute cleanly as a DIYer.

I'd like to learn more details about what they do for the 'window shroud' panels/trimming when you have rear side windows.

Are there any other companies offering a DIY kit for Transits besides AW and Wayfarer?

 

Another nice feature of the Adventure Wagon kit is the rear panel pockets they have for the Transit that maximize side-side width... this seems like a difficult thing to execute cleanly as a DIYer.

Are you talking about what is shown in this picture?

As for other companies offering DIY kits for the transit these were the only two that I've come across. They were both release pretty recently as well.

 

Does anyone know if they will offer Low Roof wall brackets? The website only states MR/HR configurations.

 

I don't think they will offer those. They have never offered them for the Sprinter and they have offered kits for them for a while.

 

They just put a TON of videos up which have pretty much every single detail elaborated on during the installs. Around four hours of install videos in the past few days.

Adventure Wagon

Adventure Wagon is the leader in Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van interior conversion kits. We offer a modular interior conversion kit that will transform a Merced...

www.youtube.com

 

I picked up my Adventure Wagon kit Friday. Will start on it this weekend. I can barely summon the energy to watch any installation videos after driving from Portland to San Francisco with a fairly heavy load, on wet roads, in high winds, while still getting used to taller tires, in a 10.5-foot-tall van, with my wife and two dogs.

 

What an adventure. Glad I'm too far away to consider driving to pick it up. Please post pictures and stuff - would love to follow your progress!!

 

Wow - that's a lot. I feel like you wasted the opportunity to get cracking on the install while the van was en route back to Cali.

 

OK, I've got about 16 hours of work into the Adventure Wagon installation project.
I am pretty handy, so nothing has been beyond my capabilities, but it's not a trivial install.

Some initial thoughts - EDITED #3 below

1. Installing Maxxair Deluxe Fan - I already have two fans installed so not a factor for me right now, but it did involve cutting a 14x14 hole in the van and some wiring.
2. You have to drill A LOT of holes in the interior of the van. I live in CA so I am not super worried about rust, but it's a consideration. I am careful to rust protect every hole, and I do my best to clean up all the metal shavings with a vacuum and a magnet. I'll never get it all, but I get most of it wherever possible.
3. The center vertical A Frame pieces require drilling into double thick hardened steel near the roof of my HR van. This straight-up sucks but it's not the end of the world. On day one, it took me hours to drill a handful of 25/64" holes. I still haven't figured out an easy way to do this, because a battled a couple more on the other side of the van on day 2. I eventually started with a 1/4" cobalt bit, and increasing bit size one at a time (fractions) until I got to the 25/64 bit. I thought that to get through the steel you have to generate a lot of heat, and a lot of force. [I later learned this was my problem. To get through the boron steel or any of the sheet metal, you have to SLOW the drill down and let the bit do the work. Don't use too much force. Some suggested you might even use some oil to lube the bit to prevent ruining the bit. But by the time I learned this I had already gotten the holes drilled and blunted two bits.] By the time I finished with the A Frame I was pretty good at drilling the holes and installing the rivnuts. Just be ready for a battle with that hardened steel.
4. the 3/16th stainless steel pop rivets are also hard to deal with if you have a one-handed manual riveter. I was using one, and had to order a better heavy duty riveter. Now it's much easier. See pic below. I am now using the Astro 1423. It's great. I just don't see the value of plopping down $300 on the Milwaukee power riveter, but if you have one, that would be awesome.
5. Be sure you are following directions (which ain't always easy when the instructions are in video form, not step by step written instructions -- call me old school) -- I had to drill out 4 Rivnuts on day 2 because I forgot to one cinch nut clearance hole (cinch nuts are going to be used to attach the L Track to the A frame. You have to drill a clearance hole to allow the bolt to fully seat in the L Track). That sucked having to drill out the rivnuts.
6. I am using the Astro 1450 nut setter for the Rivnuts. I do not have an air compressor, so the pneumatic setter wasn't an option for me and again I don't want to spend a lot of money on tools I have no room for and will probably use sparingly if at all. the manual 1450 works really well, and will also work with plusnuts.

 

Great review!

I'm really surprised to hear this. I was under the assumption that their interior finish kit used a lot of the factory holes and didn't require expanding them. :-(

I'll be in a lot of places where humidity will be a problem (British Columbia and Tennessee) so I was hoping to not have to worry drilling/expanding a bunch of holes. :-(

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

1. You have to drill A LOT of holes in the interior of the van. I live in CA so I am not super worried about rust, but it's a consideration. I am careful to rust protect every hole, and I do my best to clean up all the metal shavings with a vacuum and a magnet. I'll never get it all, but I get most of it wherever possible.

 

You have a Harbor Freight near you? A rivnut gun and compressor would be around $150, less if you use coupons. Don't know if they're great long-term, but probably better than hand.

 

Yeah, I do, but It's 45-60 minutes from me. Thanks for the suggestion, though. I am actually good with hand tools at this point. I have not had good experiences with Harbor Freight's power/air tools. And, I don't have any room for any additional power tools -- definitely not an air compressor capable of delivering the power you need to efficiently seat a rivnut.

 

Thank you for sharing your efforts and experiences, J_of_Today. Once you get to installing the wall panels, please let us know how dust-absorbent the fabric is, and how easy it would be to vacuum or clean otherwise.

 

And speaking of fabric lined walls... how will they do with condensation? They look great but I have concerns that they might start to absorb moisture and possibly get moldy?

 

Good points, I'll do it. Meantime, you might be able to glean this info from the Sprinter forums as these kits have been available for Sprinters for a while now.

 

Is it safe to assume that you don't have the power sliding door?

 

I do not.

 

It's bee a while since my last update; mainly because I was on vacation. I recently finished the ceiling speed struts. I'm now running my own wiring in lieu of the AW wiring harness because my power supply is in the back of the van.

The 1/4 inch rivets used in the ceiling struts are a challenge with a hand riveter. I highly recommend using a pneumatic riveter.

If you are doing the work alone, the center struts outlined below will be a challenge to hold up and get the first 3/16th rivets that hold them in place. I used a ratcheting cargo bar on top of a 5-gallon bucket to hold them up and that made things a lot easier. Helped on the fore to aft struts too, but AW includes some custom clamps to hold those up while you work.

 

Here's what it looked like when I tried out my car camping mattress.

 

Nice! It doesn't look great, but once you get to the point you're at, it's fully functional, correct?

 

Well, you'd freeze because it's not insulated yet, but yeah, you could have all the LTrack in for tie-downs and the bed is functional.
Right now I am running the wiring so once that's done I'll do the insulation and install the wall panels.