For sale is Ethel, my newly converted 2017 Ford Transit connect LWB 1.5l Diesel

Ethel is a Luxury off grid micro camper that sleeps 2 comfortably. She has been lovingly crafted to the highest specification, and for the right single person, this could actually be a livable full timer, or also a perfect long weekender for a couple. A small and economical van that blends in nicely and is a real talking point when you’ve opened the doors, nobody quite expects what’s inside!

Vehicle details
2017 Ford Transit Connect Limited (top spec) long wheel base
Drives like a dream – 45MPG+
88,500 miles
Just Passed MOT 3 weeks ago with no issues
Top spec Limited version 120BHP
Full service history
Automatic Headlights, Fog Lights, DRL’s, 15” alloy wheels
Air Con, Heated drivers seat
DAB radio, Bluetooth AUX
Heated windscreen
Electric Folding Mirrors
Rhino Roof Rack
Fantastic Looking van in black with small accents

Conversion Specs in a nutshell
– Multifunctional seating area for 3, converting into a small width, full length double bed
– Jackery 1000 (100ah) all in one lithium power station connected to 12v system and 240v sockets
– High spec recycled plastic bottle insulation, extremely well insulated
– Space saving and super efficient kitchen, dining and workspace area with solid oak worktop
– Solid wood used throughout the build, all handcrafted and to high spec
– 6ft pull out storage drawer on industrial runners, with ton’s of storage space, designed to be used as an outdoor kitchen
– Over cab storage area
– Motorhome Wi-Fi 4g router
– 250w Electric Heater
– 250w electric heater (probably never need to use it)
– Dometic CDF 26ltr fridge
– Primus 2 burner hob
– 30ltr fresh water supply and 3ltr waste water
– Rhino roof rack with multiple anchor points
– Stitches + steel back door awning

Conversion details
I purchased Ethel in November 2021, she is the 3rd van that I have converted and thought this would be the one that I would keep, but getting a company car so thought I would let somebody else enjoy her. I wanted a stealthy, go anywhere, economical van that could actually be lived in for prolonged periods of time. The transit connect stood out to me for its size and reliability and I went for the best one I could find at the time, the top spec model with low miles, full service history and HPI cleared, not even an advisory on the MOT. The conversion has taken me about a year from start to finish, other projects meant I needed to take breaks from converting her and I wanted to give it my full attention. The conversion was completed in March and is yet to be slept in, however I am using it as my daily vehicle.
Layout
With Ethel, I wanted to create a warm and cozy space that functioned well as a relaxing area, a cooking space, a sleeping space for 1 or 2 people, a workspace and a space that opened well into the outdoors, I think this has been done well within the limitations of such a small space. The sofa / bed is made from a real 20cm thick memory foam bed, cut into 5 separate segments (super comfy) it has an undercover completed with a thick cotton coversheet, the sections can be changed and maneuvered to accommodate different sleeping/seating arrangements as pictured. The length of the bed is a king size, the width of the bed can be made into a small double once extended, I am 6ft 5” and fit in laid down when stretched out.
To the left hand side of Ethel, you can find the multifunctional kitchen, workspace/dining table. A bespoke made unit made from solid wood, complete with a solid oak worktop, a pull-out extended worktop and 2 large drawers for food, pots and pans storage ect. There is also a solid Riverstone small sink and rechargeable electric tap that feeds through the 30ltr fresh water tank, this sink is too small to be used to wash dishes but a normal sink wouldn’t fit in a van this size without compromising the bed space, washing up can be done using the pop out sink outside the van.
Cooking
I have incorporated a space in the van to house a Primus 2 burner hob, a great stove that I have used in my previous builds, and they look fantastic with the wooden accents it really fits in nicely with the look of the van. Included in the sale will be a set of Sea to Summit kettle, frying pan and boiling pan, perfect for this small kitchen.
Refrigeration
Working your way towards the cab you’ll find the Domestic 26ltr compressor fridge located under the space for the 2 burner hob, the fridge is super efficient and runs off of the 12v system. It fits very snugly into a pull out drawer and is top loading so perfect to its location for easy access to everything in there.
Power
Above this is the space for the Jackery power station, this is the first time I have used a Jackery power station and it will be the way I go for all future builds as well, they are so convenient and last significantly longer than other leisure batteries, it can also be unplugged and used in the house, garden or take it in the car, it really is an amazing system. It can be charged in the house, via solar panel or by the 12v in the car whilst driving. I have an 8 gang fuse box wired into the 12v socket of the Jackery and that powers the 4 LED roof lights, the fridge, the Wi-Fi unit and the phone chargers.
There are also two 240v sockets located on the worktop that run from the Jackery and power most appliances up to 800w.
Jackery now do a 2000ah version of the explorer, which could easily be swapped over if you require more power.
I also have a campsite charging cable at 25m, this can be used to charge the Jackery when on EHU.

Storage
With a van this size, you’d think storage would be an issue, not with Ethel, there is a large storage bin behind the cab, a huge space above the cab and a mammoth 6ft x 1.5ft x 1ft slide out storage drawer that comes from under the bed. This storage area has solid wood lids that turn it nicely into an outdoor kitchen area.
From the side door you can also access under the false floor which has a huge space currently holding 2 chairs and a table.

Roof Rack
On buying Ethel, the first thing I sorted was the roof rack, I knew with a van this size, I needed to be able to maximize the available space and the Rhino roof rack ticked the boxes, it’s a beast! It has 12 crossbars allowing you to fit almost anything you could think of to the roof, it also has a roll bar on the back so that you can easily slide things onto the roof like a surf board or a paddle board.

Ventilation
Ventilation is another thing I thought long and hard about on this build, what did this space actually need and in the end, I decided against installing a roof fan, this was for 2 reasons, firstly, it would eat into the headroom significantly, and 2, because of the open plan style of the van and the sleeping position, I thought it would be a better idea to have a constant, natural airflow though the van, I decided on a portable 12v fan with a 12 hour battery life to put at the end of the van, and then installed wind deflectors on the front windows, this way air flows through the van at 3 points and keeps everything fresh inside the van, I used this method on my previous van that I’d used constantly for 2 years and condensation had never been an issue.

Wi-Fi
Installed in the van is the Motorhome Wifi 4g portable router. My idea with this van was to be able to create a space for someone to live and work for extended periods of time so a stable and reliable internet connection would be essential, I have used Motorhome Wi-fi in my other builds and it is fantastic!

Other things to note
The passenger seat can be collapsed to the floor providing a huge storage area upfront if it’s just the driver, I have actually fit my bike in here before with the wheels off when my roof carrier broke.

Projector
The last thing I wanted to do to this van is put in a tiny, horrible TV with dangling wires everywhere, so I actually made a projector screen out of black out material the fits against the back door, I use a Xgimi mogo pro projector in conjunction with the Wi-Fi and it’s a brilliant little set up, you get a 40” screen that just folds away when it isn’t needed, the Projector isn’t included in the sale of the van but I can definitely recommend this one if you wish to have a projector.

Any questions please send me an email