A custom GearJunkie van has been years in dreaming. Then, in 2020, we put our plans down in one place and contacted VanDoIt to bring our adventure dream vehicle to life.
Pull into a popular trailhead or a ski-resort parking lot on any given weekend and you’re bound to see the silhouette of a tall-roof van. Mercedes Sprinter, Ram ProMaster, Nissan NV, Ford Transit: These oversize models now dominate the adventure market, from weekend warriors to van-lifers who exist fully on the road.
GearJunkie joined the club a couple of years back. Multiple editors, contributors, and gear-testers on our team own vans for their equipment-hauling capabilities and comfort as a place to hang out, cook, and sleep.
We have VW Vanagons, a Mitsubishi Delica, a Chevy Express, and even a few minivan conversions where a dirtbag writer can slip into a parking spot and camp on the sly.
![van-rooftop-tent ford transit with rooftop tent](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/07/van-rooftop-tent-700x467.jpg)
The options go on. People tinker and build their own vans out, or they hire a specialist to engineer the interior to exact specs. The end result is an escape pod, a movable adventure home, and a gear-hauler with tables and shelves, drawers, hooks, lights, a clothesline, water tank, heaters, and fans.
On top is often a solar array, wired to a power station and batteries inside, completing the circle for survival and comfort for days spent off the grid. Here’s a look at how we jumped in with both feet to the adventure van lifestyle.
Vandoit: Ford Transit Adventure Van
Vandoit exists as an alpha company within this great swirl. Based in Blue Springs, Missouri, and with decades of experience in the automotive space, the company pivoted into adventure vans with a new division launched in 2017.
Three builds by Vandoit now occupy the GearJunkie and AllGear orbit, including the van featured in this story as well as models owned by staff editor Seiji Ishii and the Editor-in-Chief of Bikerumor, Tyler Benedict.
![ford-transit-off-road-adventure-van Ford Transit Camper Van](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/07/ford-transit-off-road-adventure-van-700x466.jpg)
![vandoit-conversion-ford-transit-van Vandoit logo](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/07/vandoit-conversion-ford-transit-van-700x467.jpg)
GearJunkie Custom Adventure Van
Power, Electricity, and Features
![ford-van-rv-control-panel ford-van-rv-control-panel](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/07/ford-van-rv-control-panel-700x467.jpg)
Electricity Required: Powered Features Continue
Power Station, Batteries for Van
![van-rv-power-station van-rv-power-station](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/07/van-rv-power-station-700x467.jpg)
![ford-van-computer ford-van-computer](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/07/ford-van-computer-700x467.jpg)
Upgrades and Luxuries Included
Roof Rack, Exterior Features in Van
![camper-van-ford-transit camper-van-ford-transit](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/07/camper-van-ford-transit-700x467.jpg)
Light Bar Bumper, All Terrain Tires
![ford-van-lightbar-bumper ford-van-lightbar-bumper](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/07/ford-van-lightbar-bumper-700x467.jpg)
![ford transit off road tires BF Goodrich KO2 All Terrain tires](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/07/ford-transit-off-road-tires-700x467.jpg)
Custom Adventure Van: Budget, Costs
![transit-van-ford-rear transit-van-ford-rear](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/07/transit-van-ford-rear-1-700x467.jpg)
Why Ford Transit for a Campervan?
![transit-van-minnesota transit-van-minnesota](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/07/transit-van-minnesota-700x467.jpg)
Vandoit: ‘World’s Most Modular Campervan’
![camp-ford-transit-van camp-ford-transit-van](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/07/camp-ford-transit-van-700x467.jpg)
Converting the Ford Transit to Adventure Van
![vandoit-ford-transit-van vandoit-ford-transit-van](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/07/vandoit-ford-transit-van-700x467.jpg)
Vandoit Van: Final Thoughts
![ford-transit-van ford-transit-van](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2021/07/ford-transit-van-700x466.jpg)