i was surprised I'm 6"1 and used to standard ford and gm even old dodges but premasters the tallest of low roofs . equal to the interior height of the older p10 step vans which were 7 and 8 ft long from driver seat to rear i wanted larger than suv and minivans but might occasionally camp in it but its not getting full conversion but will get portable equipment i already own
Sweet build yeah we’re under 5’9” me and my wife so was wondering about the standing we’re waiting for someone to make a mni pop top lol so we can stand in the cooking area. We’re not carpenters either but we’re thinking 80/20. Did I mention we were thinking the 118” model lol
Lisa is 5’9” and she can’t stand upright. We don’t mind it but of course it’s not for everyone. The 118” would limit what you can do, but that thing would drive almost like car and fit anywhere. It’s all about what you’re willing to sacrifice. We were okay giving up some comfort for the mobility a small van offers along with the ability to fit in my garage.
Great video! I was thinking of purchasing a Chevy Express or GMC Savanah but getting a good look at this van changed my mind. I'm 5'8" (NBA NEVER CALLED!😪) i Own a home on a private lake, so travel and weekends like you, It's perfect. Thank you! Always Thumbs up!!!
Short top is only a problem, if you need to be standing. So I understand that those who lives in their van, has high ceiling. But what you can do, is mount a folding table on the back of the kitchen, so that you can stand outside when the weather is nice, to cut and prepare food. I have a low top car too, and the only issue, is when I'm changing clothes. Getting pants on while sitting, isn't the easiest manoeuvre. 😉👖
We thought about mounting a folding table, but decided go the route of installing the 2nd mount for our lagoon table which can spin around to the outside, I’m not sure which is better, but I agree that a prep area outside helps when you can’t stand upright in the van. We usually set up an aluminum collapsible table just outside the van, so I can leave it up even when we close the slider. Getting dressed is probably one of my least favorite parts of a low roof, but I still love it. Thanks!
Wondering what brand of rear view mirror camera you got? I just got a 118” wb low roof and it doesn’t have rear windows. I think a camera is probably cheaper but I need it on the whole time I’m driving, not just when backing up.
I have the AKASO Mirror Dash Cam 2K - 12'' Front and Rear View Mirror Camera for Cars with Backup Camera GPS Module Night Vision. I bought it on Amazon. It really wasn’t very expensive. I’ve been happy with it, but I had to replace it once because my first mirror failed after about 6 months. I’m sure there are better quality mirrors out there, but this does the job. It displays as a rear view mirror while I drive, but it also has a front facing camera for recording as needed.
It is wired. I wired it in along with all the other wiring in the van. I mounted the camera near the center light above the rear doors. I also wired mine (optional) into the reverse lights to enable it’s backup camera function with lines. If mine fails again I might go to a wireless model.
I chose to build this short roof van specifically to fit in my 8’ garage. It fits perfectly for me and I have a couple of inches to spare. I have a true 8’ garage door opening and the van with roof mounted equipment is about 7’10”.
Short/Lower vans just look cooler and save on gas but mostly as solo vanlifer whos travel range is only 600 miles I like smaller short vans because I'm all about stealth and access.. being able to do a 3 point turn in a tight space, squeeze through a 8' dirt path, park at retail spaces or low parking garages is way too important and sure its what real van life is like for most. My design considers that when you factor the footprint of the bed, the counter and the cab, the actual space you can actually stand and walk in is tiny. Also considering I personally will always be warm weather van (95% No snow and never under 30F), I realized my roof vent was always open, so I redesigned roof with a custom open screened roof opening under a solar panel where I can stand even at 6'2. Rain water never gets in and the van is always ventilated (yet dry and bug free)
Thanks! I know it’s currently tough to find a good deal on any vehicles. We really were lucky to buy our van when inventory was high and prices were low while the government shut everything down. I hope the prices drop for you soon.
Lots of good ideas and love the liberty theme. If I get a van, it has to be a low roof to fit in my carport, so this was helpful!
Thanks!
Your video is great! Love the patriotic theme. You guys did a great job! 🙌
Thank you!
i was surprised I'm 6"1 and used to standard ford and gm even old dodges but premasters the tallest of low roofs . equal to the interior height of the older p10 step vans which were 7 and 8 ft long from driver seat to rear i wanted larger than suv and minivans but might occasionally camp in it but its not getting full conversion but will get portable equipment i already own
Love your van built. I am still looking for the same used van for a good price waiting for prices to drop.
Nice setup 👍
Thanks!
Sweet build yeah we’re under 5’9” me and my wife so was wondering about the standing we’re waiting for someone to make a mni pop top lol so we can stand in the cooking area. We’re not carpenters either but we’re thinking 80/20. Did I mention we were thinking the 118” model lol
Lisa is 5’9” and she can’t stand upright. We don’t mind it but of course it’s not for everyone. The 118” would limit what you can do, but that thing would drive almost like car and fit anywhere. It’s all about what you’re willing to sacrifice. We were okay giving up some comfort for the mobility a small van offers along with the ability to fit in my garage.
Pleasure way use to make one on the pro master same chassis with pop up low roof just discontinued this year 2023 you may be able to find one new?
Thank you for your explanation and perspective.
Great video! I was thinking of purchasing a Chevy Express or GMC Savanah but getting a good look at this van changed my mind. I'm 5'8" (NBA NEVER CALLED!😪) i Own a home on a private lake, so travel and weekends like you, It's perfect. Thank you! Always Thumbs up!!!
Thanks for the feedback.
Good video thanks I’m just about to start a low roof build I’m also 6.1
vanlife4ever!
Good build
Thanks!
Short top is only a problem, if you need to be standing.
So I understand that those who lives in their van, has high ceiling.
But what you can do, is mount a folding table on the back of the kitchen, so that you can stand outside when the weather is nice, to cut and prepare food.
I have a low top car too, and the only issue, is when I'm changing clothes. Getting pants on while sitting, isn't the easiest manoeuvre. 😉👖
We thought about mounting a folding table, but decided go the route of installing the 2nd mount for our lagoon table which can spin around to the outside, I’m not sure which is better, but I agree that a prep area outside helps when you can’t stand upright in the van. We usually set up an aluminum collapsible table just outside the van, so I can leave it up even when we close the slider.
Getting dressed is probably one of my least favorite parts of a low roof, but I still love it. Thanks!
Hi Clay and Lisa. Still a GREAT build! Quick question: is your fridge the CRX 50? My Dante has a crush on Haley. :) Thanks!
Thanks! The refrigerator is a CRX65. 😁
Would a person that is 5'3 able to stand up straight in a low top van?
Almost. I just measured the floor to ceiling height. In the center of the van I measured 5’2” and that slopes off to 5’1” near the sides.
Wondering what brand of rear view mirror camera you got? I just got a 118” wb low roof and it doesn’t have rear windows. I think a camera is probably cheaper but I need it on the whole time I’m driving, not just when backing up.
I have the AKASO Mirror Dash Cam 2K - 12'' Front and Rear View Mirror Camera for Cars with Backup Camera GPS Module Night Vision. I bought it on Amazon. It really wasn’t very expensive. I’ve been happy with it, but I had to replace it once because my first mirror failed after about 6 months. I’m sure there are better quality mirrors out there, but this does the job. It displays as a rear view mirror while I drive, but it also has a front facing camera for recording as needed.
Thank you so much! Is it wireless or did you have to string wires to the camera on the rear?
It is wired. I wired it in along with all the other wiring in the van. I mounted the camera near the center light above the rear doors. I also wired mine (optional) into the reverse lights to enable it’s backup camera function with lines. If mine fails again I might go to a wireless model.
Do you know if this van can fix in an 8’ garage?
I chose to build this short roof van specifically to fit in my 8’ garage. It fits perfectly for me and I have a couple of inches to spare. I have a true 8’ garage door opening and the van with roof mounted equipment is about 7’10”.
Short/Lower vans just look cooler and save on gas but mostly as solo vanlifer whos travel range is only 600 miles I like smaller short vans because I'm all about stealth and access.. being able to do a 3 point turn in a tight space, squeeze through a 8' dirt path, park at retail spaces or low parking garages is way too important and sure its what real van life is like for most. My design considers that when you factor the footprint of the bed, the counter and the cab, the actual space you can actually stand and walk in is tiny. Also considering I personally will always be warm weather van (95% No snow and never under 30F), I realized my roof vent was always open, so I redesigned roof with a custom open screened roof opening under a solar panel where I can stand even at 6'2. Rain water never gets in and the van is always ventilated (yet dry and bug free)
Love your van built. I am still looking for the same used van for a good price waiting for prices to drop.
Thanks! I know it’s currently tough to find a good deal on any vehicles. We really were lucky to buy our van when inventory was high and prices were low while the government shut everything down. I hope the prices drop for you soon.