Custom-Built, $160K Starflyte RV Is an Off-Grid 4x4 Beast With Countless Creature Comforts

Aux Built is the creator of this impressive machine based on a 1998 Coachman Starflyte RV, a Ford-based Class B motorhome. Aux Built took things to the next level, outfitting the once boring two-wheel-drive vehicle to help you go anywhere you want, whether it's on tarmac, rocks, dunes, or more.

Before we go any further into detail, let me tell you about the financials of this rig. You can find many 1998 Coachman Starflytes for sale. Of course, prices differ depending on the mileage and equipment. However, most vehicles are listed between $12,000 and $25,000 (€11,019 and €22,957).

When dealing with a 25-year-old vehicle, you must change and upgrade various components. But Aux Built has really addressed almost every single part of this vehicle. You might not be able to tell straight away, but Aux Built has invested a staggering amount of money into the conversion. The total costs add up to an impressive $160,000 (€146,883) - let's take a closer look at its features, and you'll understand why so much money was poured into this beast.

Let's start with the modifications that take this vehicle to the next level when it comes to going off the beaten path. This unit is equipped with a Ujoint off-road six-inch lift kit, a Dana 60 front axle, an SSBC big brake kit, and an NP 271 transfer case. What's more, its leaf springs were custom-made for the vehicle, and you'll also discover a Firestone Air Command III air bag system, useful both in off-roading and highway driving scenarios.

This Ford Econoline van serves as a good base vehicle for an off-road conversion. There are many companies making 4WD conversion kits for this model, and you'll also find a good supply of available parts.

The camper rides on 20-inch wheels wrapped in 37-inch Rodian MTX tires, which can each support 3,970 lb. (1,801 kg). Furthermore, the axles have been regeared to 5.13 to compensate for the tire size and for the rig's air drag.

All of the components I mentioned above, as well as those mounted underneath the vehicle, have been hand-sanded and coated with PR15 paint, which serves as an extra layer of protection but also as an aesthetic touch.

At the front, Aux Built mounted an Aluminess bumper complete with a 12,000-lb. (5,443-kg) winch. For better visibility, Aux Built added Vantage Optics custom headlights.

Just like many other off-road mobile homes, this RV is finished with a Raptor liner. You'll notice it on the body, bumpers, roof rack, grille, and roof rack. Moreover, Aux built went for a Beige/ Quick Sand color, one you might also spot on Toyota vehicles, paint code 4V6.

At the rear, you'll find a custom steel bumper with step inserts, a Class 3 hitch, and a backup camera. On the left side, the builder added a ladder, while the right side houses a custom rack. In between, there are two aluminum steel boxes mounted on a swing arm.

And that's not all - behind the two boxes, you'll discover a tiny pass-through door that leads inside. Other notable elements include an emergency window that can be fully opened, flood, reverse, and tail lights, and an outdoor shower.

On the side of the vehicle, you'll discover porch lights, an awning, and an outdoor radio. If you climb on top, you'll be stepping on a custom-made aluminum roof rack that's 16 feet (4.9 meters) long and 6 feet (1.8 meters) wide. It integrates three 100 W solar panels, a high-lift jack, a spare tire, an A/C unit, an axe, a shovel, and traction boards.

Still, there's plenty of space available to fit additional items. By the way, to bring the spare wheel down, Aux Built uses a custom-made pulley system.

The creator of this van wanted the interior to "have the quality and return-on-investment that the outside provided." And so, he employed Johnson Custom Van Solutions, a specialized company from San Diego, to bring his vision to life.

You'll notice wood all around the interior as soon as you enter. The cabinetry is built from bamboo, the ceiling is made of black walnut, the fiberglass walls have a textured vinyl finish, and the kitchen's black countertop is made of Richlite, a durable, versatile, and sustainable material made from paper. Oh, and the builders used cork for the flooring.

Let's start from the driver's cabin – the seats were reupholstered with a two-tone vinyl, and the side pillars, headliner, and visors were reupholstered with grey suede. Other notable features are front and rear cameras connected to a display on the dashboard and an audio system with speakers, two amps, and two subwoofers.

Aux Built can separate the driver's cabin from the rest of the living space using a curtain. Moreover, the passenger's seat can be swiveled to face the interior. Behind the two factory seats, you'll discover an additional double seat on a metal frame bolted into the vehicle's frame.

The electrical system is housed directly underneath the double seat – it consists of a 3,000 W inverter/charger, 500 Ah BattleBorn batteries with power partly fed by the 300 W solar panels on the roof, and an MPPT solar charge controller.

The control center for the utilities is located in one of the many overhead cabinets inside this van. It enables you to control and dim the lights, as well as monitor the utility system's capacities and the interior temperature and humidity,

Above the driver's cabin, you'll find an enormous overhead space, which is ideal for storing bulkier items. It's so big that it can accommodate children, even a shorter adult. And that's why the owner installed two reading lights and a mattress. It's not an ideal sleeping arrangement, but it does the job.

Next up, we have the kitchen, devised on the driver's side of the interior. It features a tiny counter that integrates a sink, a dual-burner induction stove, and various cabinets and drawers for storage. Underneath the sink, the builders fitted a garbage can, a fire extinguisher, and a four-stage water filter by iSpring Water Systems.

A lagoon table provides more counter space but can also serve as a spot for eating or working on your laptop. It can also be removed and placed on another mount near the double seat.

The rest of the kitchen, located opposite the counter, is designed for storage, with the exception of a 12 V Isotherm fridge/freezer. Around it, you'll discover a sizeable hanging closet, an enormous cabinet, and many deep drawers. As you can probably tell by now, storage is not an issue in this camper – there are overhead cabinets on the side measuring 12 feet (3.7 meters), as well as a three-foot (0.9 meters) cabinet at the rear.

The interior's rear boasts a layout we don't typically see in campers – the bedroom occupies one side, while the bathroom takes us the other. The bedroom has two setups: couch mode and bed mode. In the former, you can sit on an L-shaped couch with a six-inch memory foam mattress. When you want to set up the space for sleeping, you have to extend the 500-lb. (227-kg) drawer slides, rearrange the cushions, and you're good to go.

Of course, just like in most camper rigs, the space underneath the bed can be used for storage. However, most of the room is taken up by a six-gallon (23-liter) water heater and a 46-gallon (174-liter) freshwater tank.

The wet bathroom is straightforward yet spacious. It comes with a ceiling fan, an overhead light, a shower, a composting toilet, and a Raptor-lined floor. You also have a vanity area straight ahead as you exit the bathroom, consisting of a mirror, a shelf, and a countertop.

And that wraps the tour of this well-equipped and comfortable camper. Aux Built transformed this outdated RV into a fantastic tiny home on wheels. I'm aware that most people would never invest $160K to transform an old vehicle. However, its price is justified given how off-road-capable this rig is and how many features are packed inside.