Van build

[lordnose]

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

And in its final location.

Shitters in.

Finally completed the floorplan.

And started templating and measuring for cutting the worktop tomorrow.

Cheapo timberboard for the worktop

Hi-tech contouring tools.

Good enough.

 

[lordnose]

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

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

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

 

[lordnose]

Moved on to the gas fittings.

Cut the drop vent through the floor.

Rigged up the gas locker.

Made fire.

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.

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

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.

[t

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.

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

 

[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.

And started on cupboard doors from pallet boards.

Fit is pretty good.

Finished up the rest of the doors and fitted them.

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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

Looks pretty good.

Got the bracing welded in for the spare finally.

Bit of cheapo rattle can.

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.

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.

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.

Also got the panel on the bottom of the sliding door.

And the cushions + mattress arrived.

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.

Mattress fully expanded and in place.

And lined the back doors with some recycled coffee sacks.

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

 

[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.