FIELD MANUAL · UK + EU · EDITION 01
Convert a van.
Not your sanity.
Every cable, every clearance, every certificate – in one regulation-aware guide. Plan it. Build it. Pass the habitation check.
Reference Build · Sprinter L3H2
PHASE 01
Plan
Vehicle choice, layout, weight, budget.
PHASE 02
Prep
Strip out, rust treatment, insulation.
PHASE 03
Systems
12V, 230V, water, gas, heating.
PHASE 04
Build
Floors, walls, cabinetry, kitchen, bathroom.
PHASE 05
Sign-off
DVLA reclassification, hab cert, MOT.
What's inside
Everything a self-builder actually needs. Nothing they don't.
Step-by-step guides
14 chapters covering planning, prep, systems and sign-off. Written like a workshop manual, not a blog.
Technical diagrams
Wiring schematics, plumbing layouts and floorplans. Print, mark up, and tape to the workshop wall.
UK + EU regulations
DVLA reclassification, EN 1648, EN 1949, BS 7671, habitation, type-approval – linked back to the standards.
Toolkit
20+ tools with the exact model recommendations our editors actually use on a build.
Interactive planner
Track every step of your build. Sign in with email or Google – we save it across devices.
Glossary + FAQ
Demystify the jargon. From GVW to BMS to drop-out vent – we explain it once, properly.
PLAN MODE
Track every screw, every certificate, every kg of payload.
The build planner stays in sync wherever you are – on the workshop floor with a tape measure, or in bed at 11pm with a tape recorder full of ideas. Free, no subscription.
Where to start
Don't read the whole manual. Read Chapter 1.
Planning costs nothing and saves everything. Spend an evening on Chapter 1 before you buy a van.
Read chapter 1 · Planning & LayoutDisclaimer
VanBuildIQ is an informational guide. LPG, 230V hook-up and DVLA reclassification require qualified inspection. We always tell you when – and why.