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Good for you, man. Sounds like you've taught yourself a lot of valuable skills, including the value of DIY. You're absolutely right, knowing how it all went together makes it easier to deal with on the road should something go awry.
There's a ton of stuff out there that can be had for far less than it cost new, both parts and whole items, from folks who geared themselves up more for the look, then learned they--or their partner in a lot of cases--don't really like being outdoors or living out of a vehicle as much as they thought they would.
I've used everything from a VW Beetle to pick-ups, station wagons, and a '69 Chevy Carryall Suburban to go on extended adventures. After literally decades of travel like that, and could finally afford a bit more, I chose to put it into pieces for a good trailer and basecamp rig but still drive the same diesel cargo van I've had over eight years.
Good luck out here, man, hope to run across you on the road someday.
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