Overall progress
0%
Enough to sleep in. Not enough to stop seeing every unfinished edge.
Complete 2
In progress 3
Planned 5
/life / van
Rolling micro-shelter
The Shimmy Shack is becoming a room.
A 2025 Ford Transit high roof extended. Katie and I picked it up in March 2025, then immediately began the long tradition of measuring twice, changing the plan, and pretending that was always the plan.
Near-term focus
Finish insulation, get every window cover done, and bring the floor up through the subfloor. Summer comfort first; cabinet philosophy second.
The van
Model
2025 Ford Transit
Config
High roof, extended, AWD
Engine
EcoBoost
Power
Bluetti AC200L + B300K, about 4.8kWh
Roof
Flatline Van Co. rack, 400W solar, Starlink
Nights slept in it
About 14
Trips
Shakori Hills, Charleston, local loops
Current mood
Useful, unfinished, already beloved
Build chapters
A progress log with sawdust in the margins.
chapter 01
Planning and design
planning100%
Layout decisions, measurements, and way too many YouTube rabbit holes. Layout mostly settled: kitchen by the sliding door, bench seat with slide-out fridge opposite.
chapter 02
Demo and prep
demo100%
Stripped the factory liner, treated the metal, and got everything ready for insulation.
chapter 03
Insulation
insulation75%
Butyl for sound dampening, Thinsulate for thermal. Most walls and ceiling are done; the headliner still needs to come out, and the floor is bare metal.
chapter 04
Electrical
electrical50%
Bluetti AC200L (2048Wh) + B300K expansion (2764Wh) for about 4.8kWh total. Four 100W Callsun panels are wired in series on the roof rack. Shore power sits at the rear bumper, and a Victron 1200VA pure sine wave inverter handles drive-charging.
chapter 05
Window covers
window-covers15%
Custom insulated covers for every window. Half of the rear windows are done; front windows and windshield still need their turn.
chapter 06
Flooring
flooring0%
Insulation board over bare metal, then a plywood subfloor, then a vinyl finish layer that can tolerate dirt, coffee, and bad decisions.
chapter 07
Windows
windows0%
Three windows to install: one in the sliding door and two bunk windows in the rear, all operable for ventilation.
chapter 08
Wall paneling and headliner
wall-paneling0%
Walls, ceiling panels, and headliner, after the headliner comes out for final insulation.
chapter 09
Furniture and build-out
furniture0%
Kitchen by the sliding door. Opposite that: a bench seat that converts to a bed, above the ICECO 75L dual-zone slide-out chest fridge/freezer. A composting toilet likely tucks in nearby.
chapter 10
Climate and ventilation
climate0%
A roof fan over the kitchen area and an under-bench AC unit, keeping the roof clear for future solar expansion.