Very well insulated and a very light build. Only 1,469 pounds more than stock. This is our vision for an overlanding and off-roading explorer camper van, not a live aboard.

Subscribe to our channel to follow our overlanding and off-roading adventures in the U.S. west.

AWD Transit Overland follows Jim and Katya Preston as they explore the U.S. West and could reach into Mexico, Canada, and Alaska in the future. Jim is a native of the Santa Cruz Mountains in California and Katya was born on a train in Siberia, Russia. They have traveled extensively since meeting in 1994 in Anchorage, Alaska and started traveling and camping in Ford vans since 1996. Trips included hot springs in northern Mexico and along the Alaska Highway in Canada to driving deep into the Brooks Range in Alaska above the Arctic Circle, and decades of road trips and overlanding in between.

With this channel they will show you their favorite overlanding trips along with exploring terrain that is new for them. This channel has three themes: Overland exploring quaint old gold and silver mining towns, remote backcountry exploring, and overland trips for hiking, exploring slot canyons, and mountain biking.

Keeping the vehicle weight down and the center of gravity low are critical for our off-roading adventures so we didn't build it out as a motor home.

Patreon:
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Instagram:
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Sponsors:
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Materials links:

Our interior build-out materials, including electrical, was about $7,000. Total build not including the $7,000, but including RV windows, vent, spare tire carrier, A/T tires, Van Compass hooks and rear shock lifts, off-roading wheels, awning, propane shower, GMRS radio was about $12,000 more. Van Compass lift for $3,000 to come. The AWD van with options was $51,840 not including extended services and taxes.


3M Thinsulate insulation SM600L: https://www.amazon.com/Thinsulate-Aco...

EZ-cool reflective Low-E insulation: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...

Duramax upholstery fabric: https://www.nationalupholsterysupply....

Closed cell foam: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B...

SM 90 adhesive spray: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...

FatMap sound deadning: https://www.amazon.com/Fatmat-Self-Ad...
VanRug flooring: https://realtruck.com/p/vanrug-van-ca...

Maxx Air fan: https://www.amazon.com/Maxx-Air-00007...

Motion Windows: https://www.motionwindows.com/ford-tr...

Method Racing wheels: https://www.methodracewheels.com/coll...

Aluminess rear spare tire rack: https://www.aluminess.com/products/dr...

Fiamma F45S awning: https://www.fiammausa.com/en/fiammast...

Brother sewing machine XR3774: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...

Van Compass front hooks kit, 2" lift, rear shocks lift kit: https://vancompass.com/collections/tr...

Equipment:

2022 Ford Transit 130" wheel base, medium roof, AWD, EcoBoost gas engine, 6,800 pounds with gear. BF Goodrich KO2 245/70/R16 tires. Not lifted except 1/2" from the tires in 2022 - 2024. Method Racing 703 wheels. Van Compass front bumper hooks and rear shocks lift kit. Aluminess spare tire rack. Motion RV windows. Maxair vent with fan. Fiamma F45S awning.

Single and double burner Colman stoves.
Yeti 45 quart cooler.
Mr. Heater and Flame King propane heaters - for now.
GMRS Midland base and portable radios. Call Gray Whale.