Featured Van: Jason & Amelia’s Original Ford Transit Campervan Conversion

When Jason and Amelia began searching for a campervan to buy, they spent months looking — but couldn’t find a single one that truly fit their needs. Every van on the market was either poorly designed, overpriced, or missing the sense of warmth and practicality they wanted for full-time travel.

So they decided to build their own.

That one decision sparked the beginning of Vanlifer. What started as a personal project quickly became the foundation for everything the company stands for today: smart design, thoughtful craftsmanship, and a passion for creating beautiful, functional spaces inside vans.

The Vision: A Modern Home on Wheels

The goal was simple — design and build a van that felt like home. It needed to be warm, well-lit, functional, and reliable enough to handle months of travel across Europe.

Working from a blank slate, Jason created a full CAD model of the layout before cutting a single panel. Every piece was CNC-cut from 100% birch plywood for accuracy and strength, setting a new standard for how campervan furniture could be made.

It proved that anyone wondering how to make campervan furniture can achieve professional results with the right materials, design software, and tools.

The Ford Transit van conversion layout centred around a fixed double bed at the rear, spacious under-bed drawers, and a clean, open living space that made the most of the Transit’s width — the perfect setup for a 2 berth campervan.

Standout Features of the Original Ford Transit Campervan

Perfect for anyone exploring Ford Transit van conversion layout options, this original build highlights the functional details that shaped Vanlifer’s modern kits.

European Birch Interior

Built entirely from 100% birch plywood, every surface was finished to perfection — routed, sanded and sealed for durability. The cabinetry and bed platform were precision-cut on a CNC machine, setting a benchmark for Vanlifer’s future Ford Transit conversion kits in NZ.

HPL Countertops & Clever Lighting

Durable HPL benchtops offered a smooth, modern look, while warm 12V campervan lights gave the space a welcoming glow. Evenings inside felt calm and cosy — exactly what the couple had envisioned.

Dometic 2-Burner & Sink Combo

A compact Dometic two-burner stove and sink combo unit provided reliable cooking and washing facilities, ideal for long-term travel without taking up excess space.

Electrical Independence

A 240Ah lithium battery paired with a 240W rooftop solar panel and campervan inverter gave true off-grid independence. The setup powered lighting, small appliances, and a tablet station — complete with a peg board mount for iPad movie nights.

Comfort & Warmth

Fully insulated and carpeted throughout, the van stayed comfortable even in Norway’s icy conditions. Soft campervan curtains added privacy and warmth while keeping light levels easy to control during long summer days up north.

Roof Ventilation, Storage & Table Setup

A large Dometic Heki roof window at the rear provided fresh air and starlit views at night, while hidden ball-bearing drawers beneath the bed made smart use of every centimetre of space. Inside, a folding campervan table leg system transformed the living area into a workspace or dining area — a feature still used across today’s Vanlifer kits.

Outdoor Living

A side-mounted awning created instant shade — a setup that inspired our later guides on how to attach an awning to a campervan safely and securely.

Six Months Across Europe

The van became home for a six-month adventure across Europe — from sunny coastlines to frozen mountain passes. It never missed a beat. The design proved itself: efficient, comfortable, and perfectly suited for life on the road.

Every stop drew attention. Strangers asked who built it. Soon, people began asking if Jason and Amelia could make one for them — and that’s how Vanlifer was born.

For those travelling long-term, the build even included a cassette toilet and grey-water setup, which later helped inspire Vanlifer’s guides on how to empty a campervan toilet correctly and meet New Zealand’s green warrant standards.

From the UK to New Zealand: The Start of Vanlifer’s Campervan Kits

Before starting Vanlifer in Auckland, Jason worked with several UK campervan manufacturers, helping design and prototype campervan conversion kits and modular furniture systems for brands selling across Europe.

That experience shaped Vanlifer’s approach today. Every Vanlifer kit is CNC-cut, tested, and refined to suit New Zealand conditions, balancing the practicality of European builds with the rugged durability Kiwi travellers need.

These days, Vanlifer’s campervan conversion kits NZ are used in rental fleets, DIY builds, and professional workshops nationwide.

The Original Ford Transit Conversion: Quick Spec Overview

The Result

This original Ford Transit was more than a campervan — it was the prototype that launched Vanlifer. This Ford Transit custom campervan conversion combined engineering precision with a personal touch, proving that great design can transform a simple van into a home that feels natural, comfortable, and enduring.

From the first CAD render to the final road trip through Norway, it embodied everything Vanlifer stands for: creativity, craftsmanship, and a love for adventure.

Today, Vanlifer continues that journey — from 2 berth campervans for sale to 2 person campervan hire builds for New Zealand rental fleets, and even export-ready kits for the Australian market.

For anyone dreaming of hitting the road — whether you’re wondering how old you need to be to rent a campervan, if you can lease a campervan, or where to start building your own conversion — this is where it all began.