2021 Chevy Express unicell Box Van
The Story
We purchased the Unicell in 2022 as our summer build project.
This vehicle is a 2021 Chevy Express Unicell box van made by Chevy and outfitted with the single fiberglass piece box by Unicell. While it’s year is listed as 2021, it was actually manufactured in 2022 after 2020 production delays.
What first drew us to this type of vehicle was it’s single fiberglass piece body. Not only is this body style designed by Unicell to be more aerodynamic (which saves gas money!) but it’s also one continuous piece with no seams. Leaks can be a big issue with box trucks but this body style completely removes that risk!
During the build process, we documented every step in a 22 part build series. We sat down every week to talk about our product choices and show you what it takes to convert a regular moving van like this into a dream home. Throughout the series we showed both our triumphs and setbacks and talked about everything we learned in the process.
This box van has been designed specifically with off-grid capability in mind. Over 1,000hrs of skilled labor went into the complete overhaul & customization of the interior and exterior of the Unicell. The box was custom framed with 1×2 steel tubing and each door and window was meticulously placed for the ultimate interior layout. We put our 5 years of nomadic living knowledge into this design with an emphasis on functionality and craftsmanship.
Originally, this vehicle was purchased and built out to be our new home. Life had other plans and mid-build we decided we would sell it when it was finished. The Unicell was sold and went to it’s new home in December 2022. Please know that we do not accept client builds or builds for hire.
The Unicell Build Series
Want to know how the Unicell was created?
We documented every step of the process in our Youtube build series!
This page contains affiliates links! If you click on them, we will receive a tiny commission. AND… we often have a coupon code for you! Win/Win! Rest assured, the products that we link are the ones that we USE, included in our build & believe in.
Build Details:
The basics
The Vehicle:
2021 Chevy Express 3500 Unicell Aerocell
Mileage: 1,200
Engine: 6.6L V8
Fuel Type: Gas
Wheelbase: 159 Inches
Clean New York State “Home on Wheels” Title
Bluetooth Hands Free Calling
Built-In Onstar Capability
110v and USB Cab Charging Ports
Vehicle Wifi Hotspot
Automatic Monthly OnStar Diagnostic Email Report
Backup Camera with Hidden Rear View Mirror Viewing Screen
Size:
Body Length: 23ft (24ft with Removable Bumper Step)
Interior Width: 7ft 8in
Exterior Height: 9ft 10in
Interior Height: 6ft 3in
Vehicle GVWR: 12,300lbs
POWER (24V SYSTEM)
(3) 400w Rec Alpha Solar Panels for a Total 1200w Solar Power
Custom Unistrut Roof Rack
560ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Deep Cycle Battery
All-In-One Solar Charger Inverter Which Includes:
- 3000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter
- 60A MPPT Solar Charge Controller
- 40A AC Battery Charger
- Built in Short Circuit Protection, Over Voltage and Under Voltage Protection, Overload Protection, and Reverse Protection
Overkill Solar BMS with Bluetooth Connectivity
Shore Power Hookup with 30amp Plug
(9) 110v outlets
(3) 4 Port USB outlets
(3) LED Dimmer Switches for Puck Lights
(2) Rocker Switch Panels
Marine Grade Stranded Wire Throughout
Blue Sea Systems Main Power ON/OFF Switch
Solar ON/OFF Circuit Breaker Switch
Victron Energy Lynx Distributor
WATER SYSTEM
10 Gallon Under-Mounted Gray Water Tank for Shower
7 Gallon Handheld Gray Water Tank for Sink Located Under Sink
3 Stage APEC In-Line Water Filter with Faucet
Single Handle Kitchen Faucet with Pull Down Sprayer
Ariston 6 Gallon Water Heater – 24v Heating Element Conversion (Find our full step by step water heater conversion plan here)
Full Standing Shower with Tile Wall & Glass Shower Door
Custom 26.5″ x 28″ Graded Stainless Steel Shower Pan
External Water Fill Hatch with Lock
1.5 Inch Gray Water Cam Lock Dump Valve with Dump Hose
Do you want A spreadsheet of every material we used in this build?
appliances
12 Inch RecPro Stove & Oven Gas Range
24v Off-Grid Capable 7,000BTU Split Air Conditioner
Thetford 565e Cassette Toilet
3.5 Cubic Feet Chest Freezer Converted to a Refrigerator Using Inkbird
23Qt 12v/110v Freezer
Dickinson P12000 Vented Propane Marine Heater 12,000BTU
Radiant Heated Floors with Thermostat
2 Maxxair Ceiling Vents
Porcelain Apron Front Sink Bowl
20.3 Gallon RV Under Mounted Propane Tank ASME Certified
House Design
Standard Full Size 8″ Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress
Den-Dry Mattress Underlayment
5 Way Convertible Furniture: Couch, L-Shaped Couch, Guest Bed, 2 Person Booth, 4 Person Booth
Handmade Drawers and Shaker Style Cabinet Doors
Cane Center Upper Cabinet Doors
Black Stainless Steel Drawer Pulls
Custom Rear Insulated Barn Doors with Locks
Heavy Duty Drawer Slides Where Applicable
Drawer and Door Latches Where Applicable
Teal Square Pattern Tile Bathroom Wall
Teak Shower Mat with Custom Stainless Steel Shower Pan
1.5 Inch Butcher Block Countertop Sealed with Waterlox
Pull Out Under Counter Cutting Board
Hinged Bed Platform to Access Storage Area Under Bed
Cedar Plank Ceiling
Framing of Box Reinforced with 1×2 Steel Tubing
(8) 12v Ceiling Puck Lights
Hand Woven Hanging Pendant Light
Custom Pull Out Pantry Storage
Custom Heavy Duty Removable (Zipper Close) Upholstery Fabric Cushion Covers
Custom Cushions with 4 Inch High Quality Upholstery Foam
Handmade End Grain Kitchen Table with Self-Supporting Leaf Extension and Lagun Table Leg
Jungalow Hypnotic Quilt & Pillow Sham Set
Custom Headboard Accent Wall
(3) Velvet Throw Pillows
Custom Cedar Shelf
Inset Knife Block
Under Counter Storage Compartment with Access Door
Custom Blackout Curtains with Magnetic Hem
Storage Compartment Lighting
Pull Out Pet Food and Water Dish Drawer
find all Amazon Available Components of this build here:
Exterior
Arctic Tern Wildlands Entry Door with Bear Proof Security Screen
Triple Deadbolt Locking System on Entry Door
Custom Hideaway Entry Steps
(2) Exit Windows in Kitchen Area
(1) Large Sliding Window Over Couch
(2) Small Sliding Windows on Rear Doors
All Windows Include Screens
Outdoor Shower with Hot & Cold Water
(2) Rear Exterior GFCI Outlets with Locking Cover
Rear Door and Entry Door Porch Lights
Rear Door and Entry Door Catches
Pull Out Moving Style Ramp
Custom Locking Propane Access Door
EXTRAS
Invisible Magnetic Projector Mounts & Screen (Projector Not Included)
Interior & Battery Compartment Temperature and Humidity Monitor
Carbon Monoxide Detector
Exterior Trim-Lok Drip Rail Gutter