!986 GMC C6000 "Home is Where You Park It", Off-Grid Box Truck Conversion

Forget everything you know about van life.. this is truck life.

This 1986 GMC C6000 hauled other people's furniture in its first life. Previous owners began the conversion as a COVID project, and then we wrapped the electric, plumbing, and bathroom. Ending in a livable, all-electric, off-grid camper. The title is clean and the title was converted to an RV.

The engine is a 366 "Tall Deck" V8 with a 5-speed manual transmission. This is a commercial truck chassis, not a converted cargo van. You get real headroom and real floor space. Sitting at just under 117,000 miles currently. The cab has a CarPlay screen for navigation and music. Extra 12V fans keep the cab comfortable on long summer drives.

Living Space

Enter through the residential-style rear door. There is no roll-up cargo door here. This door closes and locks like a house door. Inside, you stand in a living room. A couch with an attached chaise lounge unfolds flat into a sleeper sofa. Thus you get seating in the day and a second bed at night. Wood paneling and laminate flooring give the interior a cabin feel, not a camping-in-a-box feel.

Climb the ladder to the over-cab loft. It holds a queen-size bed and a wall-mounted TV, in position for a lazy morning or a movie night. An awning on the passenger side gives you shade outside. Floor-mounted E-track runs through the kitchen and hallway. Use it to secure gear, bikes, or cargol. The original U-Haul loading ramp is still on board, and it's super helpful when loading heavy items.

Kitchen

The galley has a double-basin sink, a refrigerator, a microwave, and cabinet and counter storage. The truck is electric only for cooking, heat, and hot water. It does not use propane. No tanks to swap, refill, etc.

Bathroom

The truck has a full bathroom, not a cassette toilet in a closet. You get a corner shower unit, a porcelain toilet, and its own sink.

Climate Control, the standout feature

This part separates the truck from most do-it-yourself (DIY) conversions. The previous owner worked as a professional HVAC technician, and added a Trane/Mitsubishi 120V residential inverter mini-split. The unit heats and cools like a house system. It is quiet and efficient. Most conversions use only a roof vent fan or a window unit.

Power System, fully off-grid capable
E-Lektech 300Ah 12V lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery bank
Renogy 3000W inverter
Victron Energy SmartCharger
Victron Energy SmartShunt for real-time battery monitoring
Charges from shore power, no solar panels installed, but could easily be added later.

The battery bank runs the mini-split, the refrigerator, the microwave, the water heater, and the lights. You do not hear a generator once. Connect to shore power when you get the chance, then go.

Water Systems
Fresh water tank, approximately 40 gallons
Combined gray and black water tank, approximately 50 gallons
Electric water heater


Why This One

Most box-truck conversions stop at a bed and a cooler. This one has a full bathroom, a house-type HVAC system, a full kitchen, and enough battery capacity for real off-grid life. It is more than a weekend camper in a parking lot. If you watch the skoolie and van-life scene and want more floor space and more comfort, this is that truck.

Serious inquiries only. Ask me build questions, or ask for more photos.