Old Box Truck Was Ingeniously Converted Into a Fully-Equipped Camper With a Rooftop Yard

So, why would you choose a box truck conversion over a cargo van conversion? They're easier to design and build an interior because of the vehicle's straight-line construction. Moreover, they can carry a lot of weight, are inexpensive, and help you get away with stealth camping. If you want to go into more depth regarding the pros and cons of vans and box trucks (also known as box vans), look at one of my recent articles covering this exact topic.

The creation I'm checking out today comes from GTVans (which stands for Good Time Vans), a Long-Beach-based company specializing in camper conversions. One of the first things I do when discussing a new company is try to find some background on it, which is usually on the "About Us" page.

In this case, GTVans' "About Us" page starts with an extremely straightforward "Who cares about us? It's all in the build." It's funny because it's true – ultimately, people care most about the rigs they make and less about the people behind these results. Anyways, let's take a look at this box truck.

What we have here is a RWD 1997 Ford Econoline box truck sporting a 7.3-liter diesel engine. Furthermore, it boasts a lift kit, rides on off-road tires, and has duallies in the back – that should help it go off the beaten path despite lacking a 4x4 drivetrain. You should be fine if you don't go too deep off-road.

It used to be a mobile blood clinic, and it was then turned into an old-school-style RV. In 2020, GTVans got its hands on it, and a few years later, it reached its current form.

Believe it or not, when the conversion company acquired the vehicle, it had a mere 50,000 miles (80,467 km). It still has some minor details that need finishing, but the project is almost complete – GTVans said it's about 96% finished (at the time the presentation video was filmed).

This box truck is finished all around in a grey Raptor liner, a perfect solution against minor scratches and bumps. At the front, GTVans added an Aluminess front bumper with integrated Baja Designs lights and a winch. Moreover, it also replaced the original lights with Vantage Optics headlights. In fact, every single exterior light was replaced with LEDs.

Other notable exterior details are a rack above the driver's cabin that holds Baja Design lights, a door leading to an Aqua-Hot water heater, and another door leading to a sizeable garage underneath the bed. This is where you'll find the plumbing system, its highlight being a massive 58-gallon (220-liter) freshwater tank. What's more, the power system is located on the driver's side of the rig, but GTVans didn't reveal any specs for it.

You thought that was it? Well, the exterior accessories continue – at the rear, you'll find a spare tire carrier, a storage box, and a ladder. GTVans calls the roof "the yard," as it has a fake grass cover. I love how it looks, but besides its cool look, it's also a more comfortable solution for sitting. Moreover, you can practice your golfing skills on it. The roof also integrates an A/C unit and two fans.

Step inside, and you can almost forget you're in a box truck. Its interior has been modified beyond recognition compared to the dated one it had before. In fact, it now looks like a high-end and sleek studio apartment.

Regarding design, it's got white walls and a white ceiling with a bamboo insert, paired with black cabinetry and various other bamboo elements. What makes the interior look even better are the many light fixtures, including recessed lights integrated into the ceiling and under the cabinets.

Dead ahead as you enter, you'll find the seating area. It's got a long couch with a window behind it. If you want to accommodate guests overnight, you can extend it and turn it into a 6-foot-long bed. Furthermore, above, there are two sizeable overhead cabinets.

Right by the entrance, you'll notice the rig's control center. It has touch switches for the lights and displays that let you see the state of the utility systems.

For the driver's cabin, the builders didn't do any crazy modifications. They kept an open layout, so it's not separated from the living space. Moreover, the driver's and passenger's seats were reupholstered, and they can be swiveled. If you make them face each other, you can create a tiny sleeping space for a child or a pet.

The kitchen, located in the middle of the interior, was split into two parts. On the passenger side, it features a dual-burner induction stove, a sizeable bamboo countertop, and a black sink with a wooden cover. The opposite side houses a huge fridge, an overhead microwave, and a spacious closet perfect for hanging your clothes.

For storage, you can use the many drawers underneath the countertop, a pull-out pantry, and four overhead cabinets that run along the ceiling from the entrance to the rear of the interior.

The rear part of this box truck's interior is occupied by the bedroom and bathroom. Part of the bed was cut to leave some walking room, but it's still decently sized, large enough to fit two people snugly. Above it, you'll notice a large shelf.

I'm really fond of the bathroom design, both regarding its aesthetics and practicality. It has black tiled walls, a shower complete with a rain head, and a toilet. Moreover, the shower head can be pulled out through the window, mounted to an exterior attachment, and used outside. Funnily enough, GTVans added a USB plug and outlets to charge your phone when you spend too much time on the toilet. Of course, they come with covers so water doesn't get inside.

All in all, GTVans took an old and boring box truck and transformed it into one hell of a camper. It's cozy, off-road-capable, and it looks amazing inside out.

The company plans on selling the rig - I was really curious to find out how much it costs, but upon further investigation, I discovered that the company hasn't yet disclosed any price. However, if you're keen on getting your hands on this beast, I'm sure you can contact the company and work something out. You can find GTVans' contact info and more details regarding its services on its website.