Originally Posted by
runcible
Not for nothing, but the present and immediately-preceding generations of Toyota Siennas are pretty highly regarded at work. They are a pretty bomber surveillance setup, especially with the middle seats removed. Further, like all dual-slider minivans in the fleet, they're pretty awesome vehicles for staging a vehicle assault team....
Presently doing a cost workup on a Toyota Sienna, current generation; as that would streamline many of the potential modifications desirable for a camper van that must address the needs for more than just myself. Required options will/would include AWD, the 1500W inverter that will spike the price significantly, the full-size spare tire and housing, and possibly the lift option, which if not purchased will be handled through spacers. I still have to fire up the CAD for it, but I think I can fit some near 5' long benches in the back, running along each side after I pull the 3rd row of seats; each bench then able to unfold flat and interlock with the other to create a sturdy bed platform. After that, a small power station to charge off of the van and handle higher draw appliances, an emergency toilet, a basic sink, a fridge, and some basic storage; and it'd be a pretty low-mod build. 80/20 track would provide for quite the weight-savings versus a plywood build, and having pull-out drawers that can be accessed from above have a lot of allure from the access-dynamic side of things. Further, with the ease of movement for the 2nd row of seats, one can height-match the bench-bed with the 2nd row for uninterrupted support to a mattress, without having the bed platform consume all available space or losing the ability to have a third +/- fourth occupant.
While I generally eschew roofrack storage because of the aerodynamic drag and access dynamic (e.g. I'm shorter than about every SUV out there), several strong options have been identified by the user base - namely the Thule Force XXL.
(There's only one company that I know of that can do a pop-top for a current generation Sienna, and one that *might* do a permanent high-roof mod, but at that point, that might call for a second vehicle just for the amount of time away at the shop and the inherent specialization that goes with such a mod.)
There's also been some really interesting work with a permanently attached rooftop panel, that in theory could ensure that even if you exhausted the gas in the tank, you'd be able to crawl your way to the next station, given appropriate weather and sunlight; and would stretch your time off of the beaten path while enjoying environmental control during your sleep cycle.
It's getting pretty difficult not to imagine consolidating the household fleet into a Sienna and RAV4 Hybrid (non-Prime).
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