Ford Transit Custom Campervan Build – Part 2: Installing Windows.

Welcome to our family camper van build adventure! We’re transforming our Ford Transit Custom into our very own camper van, tackling every step together as a family. With our two young lads getting stuck in alongside us, this project is as much about bonding and learning as it is about creating something amazing together, for us all to enjoy. Join us on this exciting journey as we share every triumph, challenge, and tip along the way – don’t forget to subscribe and follow our story as it unfolds! 🙂

Tuesday 21st January 2025. Well, the thing about building a van conversion is, things don’t always go to plan 😂. In my perfect plan, the pop top was part 2, unfortunately due to 1,085 different issues (maybe a slight exaggeration 🤔), it actually ended up being the windows that got installed first… Best laid plans and all that!

Ford Transit Custom Camper Van Build. Part 1: Stripping the Interior.

I decided not to take any power tools to the van’s side and left this bit to the professionals. I’ve mentioned several times now the local company who has agreed to work with me on a hybrid build, and their first task was installing the windows! They are conveniently down the road from me, had good reviews, and I figured I could easily drop the van to them without going miles out of my way, and then cycle home. The fact that they’ve been so helpful and friendly has been an added bonus!

My van currently has no windows in the back at all. I’ve chosen to have Windows all round, with a ‘faux’ window on the very rear, drivers side. Glass will be fitted, but a window won’t be cut, as I’m planning to have storage here and it means an extra panel to insulate. The tailgate will be getting a window, and the two windows at the front will both be opening windows. Apparently there are no ‘faux’ windows for the Transit, so the window that won’t be cut will have standard glass and the fitter will just prime the area it fits to black.

So, Monday morning, bright and early, I dropped the boys to school, then drove the newly christened Vangelina off to the local converter for her first spa day! (Maybe cosmetic surgery day is a better term 🤔)

On Tuesday afternoon my phone pinged and I looked down to see photos of a very nice orange van with windows. Then it dawned on me that this was our van! I was blown away at the difference fitting the windows had made, I honestly couldn’t believe it was the same van!!

I picked up the boys after school that day and we all headed to the unit to see our new-look van – everyone seemed very impressed. It’s a big change and a big step in the journey to becoming a Campervan.

Rather excitingly, our sound deadening and insulation pack from Combe Valley Campers had arrived just before we went to pick her up too, so things are really starting to move forward. We won’t be doing any of the insulation though until the pop top is fitted. What a day!

Amazingly, it’s also less than a week to go before I’ll be dropping Vangelina off to get her pop top fitted. Due to how difficult it was to find a tested, affordable long wheel base Transit pop top, I’ll actually be making a journey to Ellesmere for this. I’ll let you know more about that in Part 3!