What Does a Van Upfitter Do?

What Does a Van Upfitter Do?

If you've ever wondered what a van upfitter actually does, you're not alone. Van upfitters take basic vans — cargo, passenger, or otherwise — and transform them into purpose-built rigs. That might mean off-grid travel, mobile work, trades and tools, or just smarter weekend escapes.

At OZK Customs, we're not just a shop. We’re a hands-on design and build team that helps people transform Sprinter, Transit, and ProMaster platforms into exactly what they need. Whether you're looking for layout planning, electrical installs, insulation, or full custom builds, we upfit vans to match your lifestyle or business.

One of our OZK Customs buildouts — cabinetry, insulation, and power systems needed to navigate the outdoors

Types of Vans We Upfit

• Camper vans for part-time and full-time vanlife
• Cargo vans with shelving, lighting, and secure storage
• Work vans with tool systems, power, and safety upgrades
• Adventure vans with solar, water tanks, gear garages, and sleeping systems
• Commercial vans tailored for electricians, plumbers, mobile clinics, and more

If it has four walls and a drivetrain, chances are we’ve upfitted it.

Full or Partial Upfit? You Decide.

We offer:

• Full builds from layout to finish
• Partial upfits like wiring, insulation, flooring, cabinetry, or water systems
• Modular installs like bed systems, bike trays, or galley kitchens
• CAD + consulting services if you’re building out yourself

What’s Included in an Upfit?

Every upfit is different, but common installs include:

• Electrical: Victron, Battle Born, or Goal Zero integration
• Plumbing: fresh and greywater tanks, pumps, filters, and showers
• Heating + cooling: diesel heaters, fans, air conditioning preps
• Cabinetry: aluminum, birch, or modular L-track storage
• Gear zones: garage trays, bike mounts, roof boxes

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View More Recreational Builds

Want to see what's possible? Browse our recreational vans to check out real customer rigs and layout options we've built.

Our Upfitting Process

Whether you’re coming to us with a blank shell or a partially built van, our process is designed to meet you exactly where you are:

1. Discovery Call — We’ll ask about your goals, habits, platform, use-case, and timing.
2. Quote & Spec Draft — You get a transparent, line-itemed proposal with layout suggestions.
3. CAD Modeling — For full builds, we provide a 3D CAD plan and system layout.
4. Install & Upfit — Work begins in-house, by our team, with updates and photos throughout.
5. Client Handoff — You pick up at our Fayetteville shop and can stay overnight to test your new setup.

Who We Build For

We’ve upfitted vans for:

• Contractors needing tool drawers, inverters, work lights, and climate control
• Weekend travelers with removable beds, plug-and-play galleys, and solar charging
• Photographers with lithium systems, low-noise ventilation, and editing desks
• Healthcare providers with mobile workstations and climate-regulated interiors
• Families with seatbelt-safe layouts, kitchenettes, bunk beds, and climate insulation

OZK works across use-cases — no templates, just problem-solving and precision.

Real Customer Vans

The Mobile Clinic — A Sprinter 170 with a fold-down table, rear galley, battery system, and sealed storage zones. Designed for a traveling wellness team.

The Bike Van — A Transit with rear gear garage, Murphy bed, shower system, and dual fan zones. Weekend-ready and always organized.

The All-Season Rig — A ProMaster built for ski + desert camping: Thinsulate, diesel heat, pull-out shower, and battery warming system.

Upfit Costs and Timelines

Partial upfits (like electrical and insulation) start around $12,000. Full van upfits with cabinetry, systems, and layout design can range from $45,000 to $100,000+ depending on platform, finish level, and power needs.

Most projects take 8–14 weeks. We provide updates at every milestone.

Add-On Upfit Options

Many of our customers add features over time. We support modular upgrades including:

• Solar systems with Victron or Redarc
• Cassette toilets and interior showers
• Sliding galley modules for exterior cooking
• Pull-out fridge drawers and dual-zone coolers
• Suspension lifts and traction boards
• Awning and light bar installs

Whether you’re building for a weekend, a season, or a lifestyle shift, we’ll match the systems to your goals.

Looking for inspiration? Check out our recreational vans to see more custom builds.

Ready to Upfit Your Van?

Whether you’ve already got a van or are still figuring out your layout, OZK Customs is your van upfitter — with deep experience, a personal process, and nationwide pickup options.