1 / 15
Built to order
Foundation
A finished van shell. You pick the vehicle, finishes, and the building blocks — we deliver a fully insulated, ready-to-personalize platform.
- Sprinter 144 or 170 (4x4 or AWD)
- Pre-finished birch walls and ceiling
- Coindot textured floor (cut to fit)
- 3M Thinsulate insulation and sound deadening
- Cargo-ready blank slate — add bed, water, power as you go
Conversion cost starting at
$8,970
Conversion only. Does not include the base vehicle.
A typical Sprinter or Transit van costs around $68,000.
Customize your Foundation now
Schedule a consultation
A typical Sprinter or Transit van costs around $68,000.
~19.5-22.4 ft
Length
Cargo
Layout
2-6 weeks
Build time
AWD or 2WD
Drive
Want a complete build?
Our Duo and Family models come with full galleys, beds, electrical, and water systems installed.
What's included & upgradable
Seating
Included
- —
Available upgrades
Captain swivel seat (passenger side)
- Captain swivel seat (driver side)
Jump seat between front seats for 3rd passenger
Sleeping
Included
- —
Available upgrades
Bed: near queen, extendible to near king
Upgrade bed to bamboo
Pop-top
Shower and Toilet
Included
- —
Available upgrades
Exterior shower (curtain and plumbing)
- Exterior shower (curtain and plumbing) (copy)
Propane heater for exterior shower
Cassette toilet (Dometic)
Separating toilet (Joolca)
Dry flush toilet (Modiwell)
Dry flush toilet (Laveo)
Water cabinet (19" cabinet, 15" basin + 5gal fresh + 5gal gray + pump + plumbing)
Storage
Included
- —
Available upgrades
L-track in the garage (per run)
- L-track: Ceiling (2 full runs, surface mounted)
- L-track: Upper wall driver (full run, surface mount)
- L-track: Upper wall passenger (half run, surface mount)
- L-track: Lower wall driver (full run, surface mount)
- L-track: Lower wall passenger (half run, surface mount)
- L-track: Floor (2 full runs, recessed)
Interior & Style
Included
Prefinished birch walls
Coindot floor
Prefinished birch ceiling
Available upgrades
Upgrade to Oat fabric walls
Upgrade to Charcoal fabric walls
Upgrade to Gray Mix fabric walls
Upgrade to custom upholstered walls
Upgrade to Golden Oak Woodgrain
Upgrade to Dune (2tec2) floor
Upgrade to cedar tongue and groove ceiling
Upgrade to bamboo ceiling
Bug screens for rear doors
Bug screen for sliding door
Window covers (set of 7)
Ceiling mounted TV
Climate
Included
4-season insulation (synthetic)
Available upgrades
4-Season insulation (upgrade to wool)
Vent fan (front position)
- Extra vent fan (rear position)
AC Velit 10kBTU (requires 10kWh+, rear location)
- AC Velit 12kBTU (requires 10kWh+, rear location)
Wall fan by bed
Gas or diesel cabin heater
- Gas or diesel cabin heater (high output)
Sound deadening
Lizard skin thermal barrier
Electricity
Included
- —
Available upgrades
Secondary alternator charging system (4x charging)
Lighting package (ceiling, upper cabinet LEDs, reading lamp with USB)
Outlet package (USB, 12V, and 110V)
Addition outlet - interior or exterior (per outlet)
- Electrical foundation (panel + wiring + SAE connection)
- Ecoflow Delta 2 Max 2000 Power Station
- Bring your own battery
Windows & Flares
Included
- —
Available upgrades
Screened awning window (driver side)
Fixed glass window in sliding door
Bunk windows (set of 2)
Fixed rear door windows (set of 2)
Flarespace flares with slider window (passenger side)
Flarespace flares with slider window (driver side)
Adventure Gear
Included
- —
Available upgrades
Awning (Fiamma, short)
- Awning (Fiamma, long)
Roof rack
Side steps
- Side steps (long)
Ladder and tire carrier
Side ladder
Starlink Mini Roam - roof mounted
WeBoost cell signal booster
Rear door platform, ladder and tire carrier (driver side)
Rear door platform (passenger side)
Medium storage box (passenger or driver)
Ski-box (Sandy Van Boost box), incl moly panels
- Bike Rack (1Up horizontal for 2 bikes)
Bike Rack (1Up vertical for 2 bikes)
Van Compass suspension upgrade (stage 4/4.3)
Winch
Black vinyl hood wrap
Rocker panel black vinyl wrap
Safety
Included
Fire extinguisher
Smoke detector
Available upgrades
- —
Why start with the Foundation
An affordable alternative to Adventure Wagon kits
DIY kits start around $13,000 — then you spend weekends installing them yourself. The Foundation is professionally installed starting at $8,970, built by the same team that has completed 300+ full van builds.
Professionally installed, not a DIY puzzle
We do the hard work — insulation, panel installation, flooring, and structural prep. You get a finished interior that's road-ready, with mounting points already in place for whatever you add next.
Upgrade when you're ready
Start with the base build, add upgrades over time: beds, electrical, windows, ceiling finishes, even pop-tops. Every addition is installed by our team, so quality stays consistent as your van grows with you.
Built in Boulder, Colorado
Every Foundation is hand-installed in our Boulder shop — not shipped flat-packed in cardboard. You get the same craftsmanship we put into our $200K builds, scaled to a starting point that makes sense.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Vansmith Foundation build?
The Foundation is an entry-level van conversion that includes Coindot flooring, 3M insulated walls, laminated wall and ceiling panels, and mounting brackets for future upgrades. It is professionally installed on Sprinter and Transit platforms starting at $8,970.
How does the Foundation compare to Adventure Wagon?
Adventure Wagon sells DIY modular kits starting around $13,000 that you install yourself. The Vansmith Foundation is a professionally installed conversion starting at $8,970 with a clear upgrade path for beds, electrical, windows, and more.
Can I upgrade the Foundation build later?
Yes — the Foundation is designed as a platform. You can add bed systems, window installations, electrical packages, enhanced ceiling finishes, cabinetry and more over time. Every upgrade is installed by our team in Boulder, Colorado so quality stays consistent.
What vans does the Foundation fit?
The Foundation build is available for Mercedes Sprinter (144" and 170") and Ford Transit (148" and 148" Extended) vans. Use the configurator to select your van and customize options.
How much does the Foundation cost?
The Foundation starts at $8,970 with professional installation included (conversion only — you provide the van, or we can source one for you). Final pricing depends on your selected upgrades. Use the configurator for a custom quote.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. We partner with several RV lending institutions offering competitive rates. Visit our RV Loan Calculator to estimate monthly payments, or ask about financing during your consultation.
Do I need to provide the base van?
Yes — the price shown is for the conversion only. We can also source a Sprinter or Transit van for you as a complete van + build package. Get in touch to discuss options.
Ready to Start Your Build?
Our team in Boulder is ready to help you design the perfect van for your lifestyle.
Or call us at (303) 414-6834 · info@thevansmith.com
