← The full 5-build comparison

The plan: diesel + lithium.

A step-by-step on how to actually action it — buy a V6 high-roof diesel, drop in your existing 12 kWh battery, build in Melbourne, live in Europe, bring it home.

The decision

Diesel, V6, high-roof LWB — a Mercedes Sprinter 519 CDI (or a VW Crafter 50 TDI410 / 4Motion if you want easy AWD), with your existing 12 kWh 48V lithium repurposed as the house bank.

Why diesel: you're 50/50 on the big overland trips, you don't care about the EV "ethos" (it's a tool), and your 12 kWh gives a diesel rig EV-style living power anyway — so diesel preserves every option (Central Asia, outback, Africa) at no real extra cost, and it's the only branch you can actually buy this week. See the full comparison and reasoning →

Do this week.

Four low-cost moves that turn the decision into momentum. None commit you to anything.

  1. Go sit in two vans near you — settles Sprinter-vs-Crafter feel in one afternoon (check standing height, bed length, garage):
    Lead2019 Sprinter 519CDI LWB high-roof — Preston $59,990 · 149,200 km · already has DC-DC charger, 2,600W inverter, roof solar, suspension seats
    AWD-capable alt2024 VW Crafter 50 TDI410 LWB — Coburg North $74,990 d/a · 13,941 km · near-new, warranty to Jan 2029
    Backup2020 Sprinter 519CDI LWB high-roof — Thomastown $49,990 · 203,136 km · cheapest, high km
  2. Set saved searches so new stock comes to you: Gumtree — Sprinter 519 · Autotrader — Crafter (VIC).
  3. Audit the 12 kWh battery — confirm it's LiFePO4 and a format you're happy bolting into a vehicle (off-grid 48V is often rack-mount, which needs proper vibration mounting if you go 4×4). Price the house replacement bank so it isn't a blocker.
  4. Get one rough shipping quote (Dazmac or Taurus) for a fitted van Melbourne → UK — your real number to replace the ~$17–23k estimate.

The roadmap.

Eight phases, ~9–14 months from "buy" to "first night in a Spanish field." Costs are AUD unless noted.

Phase 1

Buy the base van

Now · a few weeks
Now
  • Target a V6 (519 Sprinter or Crafter 50 TDI410) LWB high-roof — not the 4-cyl 316; you want torque under a heavy build.
  • AWD decision: if yes, the Crafter 4Motion is the clean factory route (a true 519 4×4 doesn't exist in AU). If no, a 2WD 519 on all-terrains + a rear diff lock covers ~90% of overland.
  • Pre-purchase inspection: service history, rust, AdBlue/SCR health, timing-chain history, odometer plausibility.
  • Sprinter = the most globally-serviceable platform (best for the overland option); Crafter = nicer drive, thinner remote service network.
$50–77k (near-new V6 ≈ $75k)
Phase 2

Sort the house battery first

Now · before pulling the 12 kWh
Dependency
  • Buy + install the replacement house bank for your off-grid house first, so removing the 12 kWh doesn't leave the house short.
  • Confirm the 12 kWh is LiFePO4, 48V, and mountable in a vehicle (vibration-rated restraint, BMS intact).
  • 48V is ideal for the van: thinner cabling, efficient inverter, plays nicely with DC-DC + solar.
Cost = new house bank (you'd planned this anyway); van build saves the battery spend
Phase 3

Fitout in Melbourne

2–3 months
Next
  • Build the 48V system around the 12 kWh: Victron 48V inverter/charger, DC-DC alternator charging, big solar, induction cooktop.
  • Insulate hard (R-13+ walls, R-19+ ceiling); diesel heater plumbed off the main tank (free fuel).
  • Plumbing, fixed bed + rear garage, then joinery. Weigh at a public weighbridge.
  • Build it to read as a campervan (fixed bed, kitchen, water) — that's what keeps it LCT-exempt and simplifies the round trip.
$40–50k materials (your labour; battery already owned)
Phase 4

Test in Australia

1–2 months
Later
  • Melbourne → east-coast shakedown loop. Stress-test heating, cooling, power, water.
  • Fix every annoyance now — repairs in Europe are 3× harder.
$2–4k fuel + campsites
Phase 5

Ship Melbourne → UK

2–3 months
Later
  • 40 ft High Cube (or flat-rack for the high roof), sole use. Diesel = no EV freight friction, widest choice of lines.
  • Professionally clean before loading ($200–500) — far cheaper than a dirty-arrival biosecurity re-clean.
  • Get two written quotes (one AU-side, one UK-side). Marine all-risks insurance ~1.5–2% of value.
$17–23k all-in
Phase 6

Europe — Temporary Admission cycling

12–24+ months
Later
  • UK + Ireland first (no Schengen clock for you), then mainland EU under TA, ≤6 months per cycle.
  • Use Balkans / Morocco / Turkey for the "off" period — rests both the van's TA clock and your Schengen 90/180.
  • Keep repairs/mods minimal if you want the duty/GST-free "unaltered" re-import home.
  • Diesel here means no charging anxiety and onward overland is on the table whenever you want it.
€8–12k/yr fuel + insurance + campsites
Phase 7

Ship UK → Melbourne

2–3 months
Later
  • 40 ft HC / flat-rack again. Same drill in reverse.
  • A Carnet de Passages for temporary AU entry, or a Reimportation import approval if bringing it home permanently.
$17–23k all-in + insurance
Phase 8

Back in Australia

1–2 months admin
Later
  • Standards path = Reimportation import approval via ROVER (not the Personal Import Scheme).
  • Returned unaltered + same owner → strong basis for 0% duty + GST-free; campervan → LCT-exempt. Get a broker's written ruling.
  • Biosecurity inspection on arrival — the pre-ship clean is what saves you.
$1–3k inspections, broker, cleaning

Confirm before you commit capital.

The few things worth a written answer before big money moves.

Open items