I know that some compromises will have to be made considering space limitations, but I am hoping that I can come up with something workable.
After spending days searching the web and this forum I have made a basic plan which I would love any suggestions or advice on.
First off I would like to start with a passenger van so we get the back windows and dutch doors, '96 or new for the extra space, then strip out the carpet and possibly any plastic trim that cuts down on space and will not look horrible removed. Then I will add a plywood floor with cutouts where the quick release bench seat brackets are so that the bench seats can still go in and out.
I would like to do the basic layout like this but with some modifications (and without the paint job):
![Image](http://www.escapecampervans.com/Images/Malibu/Escape_Malibu_Campervan.jpg)
In order to do this I will leave the rear bench seat in during camper mode, behind It I will build a kitchen/shelf area that can be accessed from the rear dutch doors (I'm thinking fold down counters on either dutch door for cooking space) the kitchen will be basic with large water jug, cooler, coleman stove and dish/food storage. Probable make the top level with the back of the rear bench seat so it can be used from the seating/bed area of the van.
The middle bench seat I will remove and then I will build a rear facing bench behind the front seats (storage underneath) that will fold out to connect level with the existing bench seat, this should give me just under a 6' bed if the measurements I have seen online are correct.
On the driver side between the wall and bed I would like to build some cabinets about 1' wide, so with an overall width of 56" that would give me a 44" wide bed (just enough) I can store an auxiliary battery in these and mount an inverter to them for power.
Any pitfalls you notice in this plan? Alternate ideas that will get me the results I'm looking for? does someone have a measurement from front of the rear bench seat back to rear of driver seat?
Any suggestions on building the rear facing fold out bench? I am considering the rock and roll bed hinges that busdepot.com sells. Would these work for this plan since there will be no room for the seat to slide towards the driver seat, only towards the rear of the vehicle? Any tips on attaching cabinets to the van? I was thinking maybe have bolts coming up through the plywood floor that would fit into the bottom of the cabinets and tighten down with wing nuts. Thats kind of awkward when the cabinets are removed though... Any and all information you can help with would be awesome!!
Thank you!