Exquisite Off-Road Camper Van Features an Exotic Wood Interior and a Panoramic Loft Bed

Dave is the owner of this van, as well as the owner of the San Diego-based UDO Custom Vans, with UDO standing for "Unidentified Driving Objects." Dave is all about alien-related stuff, so the design theme he chose to follow for this van's interior is a spaceship – you'll see that once we get inside.

What we have here is the "Blue Dream," a fully transformed 1994 Ford Econoline. Even though its looks might suggest otherwise, it's, in fact, a two-wheel-drive. Dave lifted the truck, equipped it with all-terrain tires, and added a significant roof raise to make more space inside.

The entire van is wrapped in Raptor Liner coating, making it extra durable when facing all conditions. The blue paint is also a nice touch that makes the van pop. Dave made several modifications to its exterior – he added a side ladder, a surfboard mount, an outdoor shower on the side, and a winch at the front in case he gets stuck off the beaten path.

The thing with older vans is that they come standard with various exterior storage compartments, which come in very useful when building a camper van. To make extra room for storage, Dave fitted a spare tire, a tire bag, and an Aluminess box attached to an American Back Road bumper.

Even though the exterior is well-equipped, the genuinely distinctive personality of this van shines once you head inside. You'll notice a fully wooden interior consisting of three types of wood: ply, bamboo, and Purple Heart. They go really well together, and the craftsmanship in blending them is instantly noticeable, especially when you glance at the van's ceiling. Black elements and a custom black and brown upholstery complete the look.

Just by the main door, you'll find a small cabinet with a propane tank inside, which feeds the shower's water heater. Another large box blocking part of the entrance houses a Nature's Head toilet and also serves as a shower box. You step inside, hang a curtain from the ceiling, and you can enjoy a hot shower inside the van. There are more comfortable solutions than this, but it does the job - lots of camper vans of this size don't even have an indoor shower.

The kitchen sits directly opposite the toilet/ shower box. It features spacious showers and cabinets, a decently sized sink, a two-burner gas stove, and a fridge/freezer box. A fantastic design element is that the fridge box also serves as a step to get into the loft.

The loft is located directly on top of the driver's cabin and is a beautiful addition. Even though it's pretty simple, Dave added a panoramic feel by integrating windows on all sides. The extra bed means that Dave can accommodate an extra soul on board, such as his kid.

Before we check out the rest of the interior, I'd like to point out that lighting was critical for Dave when designing the van. And it shows as the whole interior is beautifully and subtly lit up. Dave explained that he prefers indirect lighting over conventional direct lighting, as it helps set a proper mood. The lighting also helps create the spaceship vibe Dave aimed for. Moreover, the black epoxy countertop has a finish that reminds you of a galaxy.

Next up, we have the bedroom, which is exceptionally large considering the van's size. Dave fitted a queen bed that can also be transformed into two separate benches, both large enough to sleep a person. He was able to install it by adding a flare space on the side of the van.

If you're like me, I bet you're wondering what the hell that cylindrical thing hanging over the bed is. No, it's not a giant toilet roll holder – it's what Dave describes as "the first-ever UDO airlock cylindrical cabinet." It can be opened, revealing three separate storage spaces. On the opposite side, also near the ceiling, Dave fitted a cargo net, mainly using it to store surfboards.

The remaining space under the bed and between the benches can be used as a garage. One of the benches holds a 25-gallon (95-liter) water tank under a storage cabinets. The other bench is home to a diesel heater and a portable electrical system.

All in all, Dave managed to take this Ford van's tiny interior and breathe new life into it via the raised roof and numerous creature comforts, all integrated into a beautiful-looking package. Too bad we don't know the price for this bad boy - it's probably on the higher side.