Assuming a part-time schedule (weekends and a few evenings a week), a build of this complexity—especially with the massive 24V power system and AI compute integration—will likely take 10 to 14 weeks.
Here is how the build is structured as a 10-part video series, pacing the project at roughly one episode per week to stagger spending and workload.
The messy, loud, and foundational work.
- The Vibe: Finding the van, the purchase, gutting the interior, deep cleaning, and applying sound deadening.
- Timeframe: 1 Week
- Status: In Progress / Completed: Van purchased on July 4, 2026. Old equipment demo completed July 5, 2026. Original carpet saved to use as a subfloor template.
- The Vibe: The terrifying process of cutting into the sheet metal. Installing the Maxxair fan, the J1772 EV charging port, and the water fill inlet.
- Timeframe: 1 Week
- Status: Completed: Maxxair fan, J1772 EV charging port, and water fill inlet are successfully installed.
- The Vibe: Running the rough wire conduits, bolting the furring strips, laying the XPS floor foam, installing the OSB subfloor, and stuffing the walls with ROCKWOOL.
- Timeframe: 1 Week
- Status: Completed: Plywood subfloor cut, test fitted, and installed. Plus-nuts installed, framing strips measured and cut, walls stuffed with ROCKWOOL.
The most expensive and technical phase. This is where the van comes alive.
- The Vibe: Unboxing the big Victron gear and LiTime batteries. Building the electrical cabinet in the garage area and wiring up the massive 24V architecture.
- Timeframe: 1.5 Weeks
- The Vibe: Mounting the 880W of Hyundai solar panels to the roof. Connecting the MPPT controller, the alternator charger, and testing the J1772 shore power handshake.
- Timeframe: 1.5 Weeks
- Status: Completed: Solar installation is complete.
Where the van actually starts to look like a home.
- The Vibe: High aesthetic reward. Laying down the TrafficMaster vinyl plank flooring and screwing in the beautiful 1/4" Birch plywood wall panels.
- Timeframe: 1 Week
- Status: Completed: Walls are officially closed.
- The Vibe: Building the massive bed platform that creates the garage beneath. Constructing the sliding partition door, and hacking IKEA SEKTION cabinets (scribing, reinforcing, and bolting) to create a custom-fitted, durable kitchen galley on a budget.
- Timeframe: 1.5 Weeks
- Status: In Progress: Finished installing the front door and partition wall. Bed platform framing and surface are complete (ventilation holes pending).
- The Vibe: Tapping the van's gas tank for the Espar heater. Plumbing the 16-gallon tanks, water pump, and mini water heater. Dropping in the fridge, induction cooktop, and the OGO composting toilet.
- Timeframe: 1.5 Weeks
The unique selling point of this specific build.
- The Vibe: Installing the GEEKOM Mini PC and ASUS eGPU in the garage. Setting up the dedicated 12V exhaust fans to keep the hardware cool while running heavy local AI workloads on solar power.
- Timeframe: 1 Week
- The Vibe: The cinematic final tour of the completed van. Taking it out to the wilderness, stress-testing the power system with the AI server, and enjoying the first night under the stars.
- Timeframe: 1 Week