It doesn't take much to get started. There are a few reasons for this:

• it is common wisdom in the vandwelling community that it is cheapest to “start with what you got”. Have a car, or pickup, or van, or something else? Start there.
• real world testing will realign one's daydreams with reality. You can start with an overnight in your driveway, then an overnight somewhere else. Weekend in the driveway, weekend somewhere else. Maybe a weeklong jaunt.
• building a van or car out is an iterative process: do something, try it out. Change it, try it out. Rinse and repeat.

minimal