AWD Foundation Build-2025 AWD Crew Van- Foundation + basic build look like for a family?

Vans are becoming super expensive just for the van and typical builds are pushing $150-200k with rear seating. How do you build a functional van for a family focused on pure ROI on functionality on a budget but do it right?

What we will be starting with a new 2025 AWD Crew Van, these are in extreme shortage till 2026 spring. MB has very limited vans with seats, less than 1% of the orders for 2026 will have seats.

Will be adding some rear windows...

To improve handling in snow and dirt...New Falken Wild Peak Tires INCLUDING spare, great tire, very good mileage wear as well and quiet. This really improves off road and snow traction, but a want not a must have.

Aluminess Touring steps -pet friendly and making it easy to get in/out of the van

Installing a Max Air fan with remote and 250w of solar on the factory rails proving 2nd source of charging and ventilation inside the van for those hot days.

224 ah DC Powered aux power system that will be charged by the alternator and the solar system to be able to run the removable fridge, fan, and even a heater (if added in later) all the time. DC Outlets throughout the van allow phone, laptops, and simple electronics to be charged as well. Must Have.

DC usb/usbc and 12v cigarette lighter outlets throughout the van to power DC Accessories

LETS MAKE IT QUIET, I HATE A LOUD VAN

We used only top materials, Dynamat Extreme that has NO TAR in it like most do and 3M Thinsulate. We not only do the walls, but we do the doors as well. We begin all the interior wiring as well during this stage. In this photo you see beginning of this stage, take notice how much material we use...not just a few patches. This really makes a huge difference! In this photos the window had not been cut in yet. Must have.

Even all the doors...we just don't use insulation, we use top of the line sound deadening (Dynamat) and 3M Thinsulate

Front doors before; just showing detail of what we do that makes our vans so quiet, This is example of another build...we did the same thing in this build.

We use more material in one door than most do in two...it makes a very big difference! Dynamat the doors and insulate them as well , before panel goes back. This is a step many skip in their builds or do only half of what we do.

front door inner panel insulation, we also upgradedd teh speakers at this time as well

Will be upgrading the front speakers with an adapter kit from DIY van...stock vs aftermarket. We put "DS" Kicker 6 1/2 inch. in this van as they sound a bit better with stock radio vs CS thats shown, but you can see the difference in size and quality its signficant. We also will wire in rear speakers as well. This helps with the sound, adding an amplifier and sub makes a very big difference. The stock head unit power is pretty bad, so you only get about a 25% improvement over stock even when adding rear speakers. Want, not a must have.

Size comparison vs stock. Stock on left/upgrade size on right

Adding rear speakers is a bit of work, you have to take dash apart, get special pins so you can add rear lines, take the harness out and then run the wires directly to the outputs and run wires to rear doors. All factory correct when done, however you will need to take the van to a dealer if you want to add rear fader control. This is how you correctly do this, no splicing any wires in...that is a sloppy shortcut that doesn't allow you to add an amplifier later correctly. Want, not a must have, but should be done during the build if want to add later.

Even adding rears

Will be installing a Roost Vans lower wall brace kit for the bed with a flip up panel for easier access

Magic of the internet and many hours later, the upholstered panels and the magic of moving forward with a bunch of wiring. LED lights are now installed, wiring is done, and the fan trim ring is installed. The L track is also installed for the cabinets. This was a lot of work to this point. Must have.

LOTS OF STORAGE for your families gear.

Most vans lack enough storage for a family...we will be Installing Van Essentials semi rigid REMOVABLE cabinets. These have an insane amount of storage and if you bump into them they unlike a solid cabinet don't hurt your head

You never have enough storage no matter what right?

Will be even improving the flooring significantly with high end Interwoven Compass Luna Metro flooring now cut and ready for install. Special glue is used and careful cutting of the material is needed. The floor material alone is around $900 for this floor.

With extended dual seat rails. (for two rows of seats)

Floor modified and longer rails installed so two bench seats can be put inside of the van to fit up to 8 people, even with the bed with one panel flipped up! Want, not a must have.

Roost Vans Flip Up bed...They are height adjustable up to 36" (clear a mt bike) and are removable by loosening 4 bolts on each panel. Super nice beds. A custom mattress is also in the van specifically designed to use with the flip up panels! Bed is a must have.

Large queen size bed

Flip up couch rear facing

A place to hang out, and eat...not taking up gear space.

 Lagun table and extended tracks with swivel seats- makes a perfect dining area w/o moving any gear. Must have.

Lagun table and Scopema swivel seats

Open interior, seats remove easily

Huge amount of storage under the bed...and a very comfy custom mattress specifically made for the Roost Flip Up bed.

22 gallon water tank under van keeps interior open for gear. Want, easily added later.

22 gallon water tank and non heated shower

Aluminess Touring Steps Dog and kid friendly are now on the van! Want not a must have.

Video Overview (Touring Steps are not added in this video, but are now on the van)

Another version of same van...starting with a crew but with a different bed option; Adwag MOAB Bed and showing how two rows of seats can be added

Preliminary Build Cost Breakdown, estimated build cost around $33-35k

Some of the items planned on this build:.

Extended two position seat rails on floor

Swivels

Table

Floor

Floor Insulation

Speaker upgrade front/rear

Tires

Fender Mod

Water

Aluminess Step

Roost Flip up bed with Matress

Rear Windows vented/screened

Insulation/sound deadening

Solar

Aux DC AGM Power system

Msl outlets/wiring

The van will be set up to easily add a heater under the passenger van...and even an amplifier to greatly improve sound in the future! Heaters are about $3300 installed.