Ouray,
I read your post this morning and spent awhile today thinking how I might answer your petition. I even took time to read over my build thread for awhile.
What I found is that my drive to rebuild and finish my camper was mostly steadfast. Mine took a long time to do, because I wasn't able to stay on the project non-stop, due to the cold Colorado winters, and not having a big heated shed to work in.
So I think you are in a similar situation, with a fair bit of time already invested, but looking ahead at all that remains to be done.
I took a slightly different path than you have with only stripping the old camper down and rebuilding that, vs your having built a new flat bed for you truck first. Certainly time and money spent on that. and now on top of that, refocusing back on the camper.
I found that once I got the frame and the floor pack done, progress seemed to pick up at a faster rate, with some portions seeming to to move the project along quickly. For example, insulation, inside paneling, and exterior siding. All of these make you feel like real progress is happening, and the camper continues to take shape as you have imagined. Each part was like a short term goal. Just figure out how you are going to go about that part of the rebuild, and execute it, and check it off the list. And much of the time it is learn as you go.
The time I got the most discouraged was in building the lift panels, when the first set didn't work out and I had to start over. The rest of it , though rarely ever perfect, still met with my satisfaction. The roof as one project, the top (painting), and bottom (insulation, wiring, and headliner) was just kind of one project with numerous parts. The sideliner was another singular project, that though it took time, turned out well with taking time to get it right the first time, and allowing for some imperfections.
SO, to answer your question, should you continue? I'm afraid you're really the only one that can answer that. I understand the desire to just buy a shell, and do the inside build as you're able, while still being able to enjoy the camper now. I will say, that the inside build is much easier and seemed quicker to accomplish. Obviously, the budget partially dictates that. But the time frame you mentioned is also a factor. It's hard to predict how long it will take for you to finish your current project. And cost! I lost track of how much I spent on mine, but probably $4,000 - $4,500, keeping in mind that accounts for the inside build with furnace, stovetop, DC compressor fridge, and fantastic fans, along with the frame welding, exterior siding and all the tubular aluminum stock I added to the frame and roof. Mine would be toward the upper end of new camper cost, if buying one from the factory with how mine is equipped.
Sorry for the long answer, but I wanted to give you some perspective. I am completely satisfied I stuck with my project. It is very rewarding to reflect on my build, considering all it took to accomplish. It's fun to show it to others and explain the process, and even more, it's awesome to now go and use and enjoy the finished results, and start to build memories of adventure in the camper. So good luck with your decision, either choice is good, and will ultimately bring you satisfaction.
Poky