If you asked us a year ago what the hardest part of converting a van would be, we probably would have said cutting the first hole in the roof for the fan, or maybe figuring out the intimidating 12V electrical system. But as we stare down the barrel of the next six months, a new, looming reality has set in.

We were recently asked a profound question: “What is the biggest challenge you will face in the next six months?”

For us, the answer is crystal clear. It isn’t starting; it’s finishing. Our biggest challenge is navigating the tedious, exhausting, and crucial final 10% of our DIY build on our 2023 Dodge Ram ProMaster camper van conversion so we can finally launch into full-time vanlife.

Let’s be real, the major construction is exciting. Framing walls, installing subfloors, and seeing the big pieces come together gives you massive dopamine hits of progress. You feel like a champion builder every weekend.

But over the next six months, the glamour fades. We are entering the phase of the build that veteran van lifers warn you about—the phase where progress slows to a crawl, and decision fatigue is real.

If you’ve been following our journey on our YouTube channel, Wherever We Land, you know we’ve made huge strides. But here is why these final months are going to be our Everest.

The “Final 10%” Syndrome in Van Builds

There is an old adage in construction: the last 10% of the work takes 90% of the time. We are about to find out just how true that is with our ProMaster camper conversion.

Over the next six months, we aren’t just “building”; we are refining. The biggest challenge will be maintaining momentum when the tasks become minute and fiddly. We are moving away from sledgehammers and saws and towards tweezers and tiny trim screws.

We have to tackle the intricate details that turn a metal cargo van into a livable home. This means agonizing over upholstery choices, ensuring every cabinet door latches perfectly so it doesn’t rattle down the highway, and the mind-numbing task of cable management behind walls that no one will ever see.

Specific Hurdles on Our 2023 Ram ProMaster Timeline

Looking at our project board for the next six months, a few specific van build challenges stand out that are going to test our patience:

• The Electrical Finalization: Sure, the batteries are in and the solar panels are on the roof. But now we face the challenge of crimping every final connector, testing every outlet, and programming the inverter. One loose wire in a DIY electrical system can mean hours of troubleshooting later.
• Plumbing Precision: It’s one thing to run PEX pipe; it’s another to ensure the entire system is leak-proof under pressure before we seal it behind expensive cabinetry. The anxiety of the “first water test” is looming heavily over the next few months.
• The Aesthetic vs. Functional Battle: We are at the point where we have to make hard choices between making the 2023 Dodge Ram ProMaster look like an Instagram-worthy van and making it highly functional for actual road life. Sometimes the prettiest trim piece is the hardest to install.

Battling Burnout and Staying Motivated

Beyond the technical aspects of this DIY camper van conversion, the true “biggest challenge” of the next six months is mental.

Van build burnout is very real. We both work full-time jobs, and every free evening and weekend is dedicated to the ProMaster. It’s easy to lose sight of the end goal—freedom and travel—when you are covered in sawdust at 11 PM on a Tuesday, frustrated that a drawer slide isn’t aligning correctly.

Staying motivated when the tasks are boring and repetitive will require serious discipline. We have to keep reminding ourselves why we bought this 2023 Ram ProMaster in the first place. We have to keep visualising the first morning we wake up by a mountain lake, opening the back doors to a view that isn’t our driveway.

Join Us as We Tackle the Finish Line

We know the next six months are going to be a grind. There will be mistakes, there will be do-overs, and there will probably be a few tears of frustration. But we are committed to seeing this 2023 Dodge Ram ProMaster build through to the end.

We aren’t just showing the highlight reel. We are documenting the real struggle of what it takes to finish a high-quality DIY conversion while balancing regular life.

If you want to see if we actually overcome this massive challenge and make it to the road, you need to join our community. Head over to YouTube and subscribe to Wherever We Land. Hit the notification bell so you don’t miss the upcoming episodes where we tackle these final, grueling stages. We’ll see you on the build!