Van build

[lordnose]

The seat/box that will contain the toilet (purely there as a just in case, never plan to use it)

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And in its final location.

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Shitters in.

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Finally completed the floorplan.

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And started templating and measuring for cutting the worktop tomorrow.

Cheapo timberboard for the worktop

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Hi-tech contouring tools.

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Good enough.

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[lordnose]

It's an OK job. Would have been better with more tools and knowledge but I think it's fine.

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Now for a few coats of Danish oil before cutting the stove and sink holes. (bonus vegetable garden)

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The stove cutout made and a dry fit to see if it's good enough.

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[lordnose]

Moved on to the gas fittings.

Cut the drop vent through the floor.

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Rigged up the gas locker.

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Made fire.

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Checked it all with a gas detector and had to tighten a few fittings. Going to get it properly pressure tested also.

Then onto cupboard bottoms and wiring in the fridge.

Fridge is a Dometic 12v compressor model, pulls a few amps when it's running. It comes with a 12v cigarette plug, but I wanted it hidden away and it seemed to come lose constantly, so I cut the fucker off and hardwired it in.

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Then on to the super awkward bottom panels. Nothing square, lots of cutouts.

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Looks OK though.

 

[Darren Scout]

You have done a amazing job with your van. The dometic fridges are the greatest invention ever, make sure it has plenty of ventilation.
I tore out the interior of my van because I needed room to haul lumber and tools, plus a riding lawnmower. I miss have it ready for living in.

 

[lordnose]

Thanks man, that's nice of you to say. I'm gonna see how the fridge gets on, if it needs more ventilation I'll cut a vent in the floor.

 

[lordnose]

Got that sinking feeling.

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Dry fit, looks fine. Only about 4mm clearance around the sink so the cut was a bit nerve wracking but it's worked out well.

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Sealed the sink in with silicone. Pretty pleased with how neat it is.

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[lordnose]

I haven't forgotten the thread, it's just been a slow week for progress. Expect a new update tomorrow or saturday!

 

[Matt Derrick]

what kind of van is this and how much did it cost?

 

[lordnose]

It's a 2004 Renault Master, cost me £1995.

 

[Deleted member 23824]

Nice. I think Renault pulled out of the US market decades ago.

 

[lordnose]

Yeah I don't think I've ever seen one in all the times I've been over there. In Europe they're one of the biggest van manufacturers, but unlike the Citroen I don't think it's rebadged and sold in the US at all.

 

[lordnose]

Added a high cupboard in the corner on the kitchen. Just simple 2x2 construction the same as everything else.

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And started on cupboard doors from pallet boards.

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Fit is pretty good.

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Finished up the rest of the doors and fitted them.

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One is a little warped but that's easy enough to fix, and the hinges could use a slight reposition, but they're pretty much done.

 

[lordnose]

It's been a slow week because the power on the road I live on all went out and blew up half my stuff, but I did make a couple of important bits of progress.

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[lordnose]

Apologies for slower updating, had to get a job to tide me over during covid so not working on it as much.

Pretty pleased how these doors handles came out though.

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[dprogram]

That's amazing!

 

[MatatuPuncher]

Just read this entire thread in one sitting. My dog, what a great build. Well done and thanks for the effort of putting all this together. I hope there will be more to come.

 

[lordnose]

Don't worry, I've not forgotten the thread, I've just been working and only making slow progress. I'll post an update over this weekend!

 

[lordnose]

Better a week late than never...

Fitted tiling above the kitchen. Decided to use CT1 rather than tile adhesive cos the bulkhead flexes a little and I don't want them falling off.

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Looks pretty good.

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Got the bracing welded in for the spare finally.

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Bit of cheapo rattle can.

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Bolted the carrier back up and for reasons lost on me 2 of the bolts cross threaded half way down the bolt, so I had to cut two m10 stainless bolts out. Absolute pain in the arse.

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Then moved on to the floor - I bought some cheap self adhesive lvt online. I was quite apprehensive about laying it but it went down super easy in an hour or so.

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Fully stabbed myself in the finger with a brand new blade in Stan during the process, but fortunately most the blood went under where the floor now is, and the 2 or 3 splatters on other stuff should wipe off.

Headboard on the bed. I only have a shot from the back. I've not detailed the process but by this point we all know it's some PSE timber screwed to ply and painted with green emulsion.
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Also got the panel on the bottom of the sliding door.
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And the cushions + mattress arrived.
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Excuse the mattress sticking up, I didn't want to shove it into the space until it had finished expanding. It'll only stick up a few cm above that top board when it's fully seated.
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Mattress fully expanded and in place.

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And lined the back doors with some recycled coffee sacks.

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And to top it off we took the van out for a night finally for a shakedown run.

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[Deleted member 23824]

Man, that thing is really looking great. How did it do on your overnighter?

 

[lordnose]

Yeah pretty good actually. Main issue was that I need to sort out some kind of blind for the side window at night to keep it a bit stealthier, and a couple of super minor things like door catches not quite working. It's pretty much ready for serious long term travel at this point, but I think I'm probably stuck working until covid comes to an end sadly.