Westen Champlin Turned A $4,000 School Bus Into The Ultimate VIP Road Trip Rig
If there’s one thing YouTuber Westen Champlin is known for, it’s ignoring conventional wisdom. The influencer has built a massive following by proving there’s almost always a crazier, and often cheaper, way to do things. So, when his growing crew needed a comfortable vehicle for cross-country road trips, Westen wasn’t about to spend $150,000 on a luxury Mercedes-Benz Sprinter conversion. Instead, he did what only Westen Champlin would do: he bought an old school bus.
Westen Champlin’s Wildest Budget Build Yet?
The retired school bus came equipped with a 6.6-liter Duramax diesel and around 130,000 miles, but its biggest selling point wasn’t the engine—it was the $4,000 price tag. While most people would see an outdated people-hauler, Westen saw the perfect blank canvas for an over-the-top VIP transporter that could haul his crew, camera equipment, and plenty of snacks across America.
As expected, the build quickly spiraled into something far bigger than a simple cleanup. The factory seats were ripped out and replaced with plush reclining leather captain’s chairs complete with USB charging ports and fold-out work tables. The walls were wrapped in carpet and leather, LED lighting was installed throughout the cabin, premium JL Audio speakers brought the party, and a rear bench folds flat into a bed for overnight road trips. An onboard inverter even provides household-style power so laptops, batteries, and editing equipment can stay charged while cruising down the highway.
It’s Exactly The Kind Of Build Fans Expect From Westen
One of the reasons Champlin’s videos resonate with millions is that he rarely takes the predictable route. Rather than chasing flashy brand names or luxury badges, he focuses on making projects fun, practical, and just a little bit ridiculous.
From the outside, the bus still looks like something that should be picking kids up for school. Open the door, though, and you’re greeted by what feels more like a rolling lounge, complete with luxury seating, custom finishes, premium audio, and enough room for the entire crew to travel in comfort.
Even after factoring in the interior upgrades, custom wheels, sound deadening, electrical work, and countless finishing touches, Westen estimates the entire project came together for roughly $14,000—a fraction of what many luxury van conversions cost today.
Of course, because it’s a Westen Champlin build, the maiden voyage wasn’t completely drama-free. A seized rear brake eventually caught fire during one of the first trips, but after replacing the brakes, the bus was back doing exactly what it was built to do: eating up highway miles with the crew onboard.
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