2012 Ford E450 100% Off-Grid Full Conversion

This one of a kind shuttle bus conversion Is the optimal home on wheels for anyone who wants to live in it full time, or take it on weekend adventures. We obsessed over every detail to make this as comfortable and functional as possible for 2 digital nomads and a mini golden doodle. We lived in this bus full time as we drove the bus all over USA, Baja California Mexico, and up to Canada

A new engine and transmission were installed in 2018 by the original municipal that owned and maintained their fleet. It’s estimated the new engine and transmission have about 80k miles on it.

FULL ALBUM

https://photos.app.goo.gl/7eNGQWFUf5oiSEVA6

ENGINE/TRANSMISSION

Indestructible 6.8L Triton V10 gas engine.

302k on the body, estimated 80k on the engine and transmission

The municipality put in a new engine and transmission in 2018.

We didn’t experience a single engine/transmission issue, not even a check engine light, in our 20,000 mile trip through desert, high altitude mountains, extremely hot and below freezing temperatures.

I needed a vehicle that was guaranteed not to have a single issue as we were planning to do several long desert drives with no cell reception, so I had two mechanic shops both perform a thorough inspection of everything from the engine to the brakes. Every suggested repair and update was performed: brakes (master cylinder, pads, calipers, pressure sensor), engine (belt, blower, resistor, spark plugs, spark plug boots, tensioner, and test gasket), and wheels (ball joints and alignment).

Air Conditioning

A/C system was completely serviced and updated in April 2022, and blows ice cold. Powerful enough to keep us cool inside even while driving through 100+ degree heat.

Storage:

• TONS of storage space. We didn’t compromise at all while living in this bus (suitcases, large kiteboarding gear, bbq, chest freezer, mountain bike gear, mini oven, food, etc.):
  • under the table
  • inside the bench
  • under the sin
  • under the bed
  • “chest” at head of the bed
  • compartment above the driver and passenger seats.
• 2 full sized closets.
• Dog den/storage nook under bed

Work/eating space

• 6 foot wide baltic birch table that faces outwards. Perfect for working or eating while enjoying the view. The table converts into a couch.
• Window in front of table unlocks and automatically opens with a gentle push on air struts
• 2 USB outlets under the table
• 1 12V cigarette lighter output under the table (used with a USB car charger powerful enough to charge our USB-C Macbooks)
• Cell phone signal booster (antenna on top of the bus) powered by a switch to turn on/off.

Driving

• Backup camera with 8 inch screen
• Passenger seat with seat belt
• 3 cup holders

Kitchen

• Kitchen sink with hot/cold water
• Baltic Birch butcher block
• 5000 BTU air conditioner (we used this when we were hooked up to shore power). Enough to cool the bus down up to the high 70s.
• gasOne stove (we wanted to be able to put away the stove for more cooking/preparation surface)
• Kitchen window unlocks and automatically opens with gentle push
• Highly efficient 12V TruckFridge fridge with freezer

Bathroom

• Full shower with hot/cold water
• Natures Head compostable toilet ($1000 value)

Electrical:

• 200aH AGM battery
• 400W of solar (purposely left space for one more 200W solar panel on the roof if needed)
• 2000W inverter
• 40A DC to DC charger (charges the batter at 40 amps while the engine is running)

We found this to be more than enough for us to live full time in this bus on our trip.

Sleeping

• Top quality 12 inch mattress. The most comfortable mattress either of us have ever slept on.
• Shelf and storage at head of the bed
• Back window that unlocks and automatically pushes open with air struts
• Double door at foot of the bed opens.

Floors

• RMAX R-3.2 0.5 inch insulation under floorboards
• Vinyl floors

Electric doors with remote

Brand new awning installed in October 2022.