This is where we are so far on the build. I'm calling it PLAN B.
Have about 20 hours work init so far. Lots to do.

 

Great job! Question. When you installed the cabinet, did you have to remove the seat base? I was thinking about building mine for now so that it could easily be converted back to haul passengers. Perhaps the seat base could be used as a mounting bracket for the cabinet to the floor?

WOW you really made a good score with all the parts... Keep the pics and videos coming.

 

OH BTW, what are you going to do with that rear seat?

 

VGS is fearless, well done! I will be making some cabinetry for our van camper conversion soon, does your base cabinet have framing or just joined/glued panels? I have seen a few build outs that use really small framing in cabinets and others who just go with thicker ply panels and shoot them together with glue and nails or screws... tnx

 

Still have it but i cut the mounts from under the bottom bench.Still have them too.Could be welded back in easily.

 

It is all framed and screwed together and to the van also.

 

Update on the gal. She is road ready now.
Attachment 287667
Attachment 287668

 

Well the ole girl has been good to me. I thought since the inside was pretty much done I would give her a nice present. New set of wheels on her today. I'm really liking it. The rear is about an inch lower then the front so I think I am gonna raise the front 2"s and the rear 4"s that will give me a little more clearance all the way around and leave the back 1" higher then the front.

 

great looking van Steve!
How much time have you spent in it since you got it ready to live in?
Do you think you will add solar and roof vents in the future?

 

Sweet ride ,nice work

 

Dang nice.

 

Great looking Ol'Girl!

 

Spent a good bit of time in it. Solar os a for sure eventually. As for roof vents I think I will be putting then in the rear of the fiberglass roof above the rear doors. Thinking of using the rear heater I took out from under the back seat. Mount it to blow out of the van through the vents. Will be bypassing the heater lines and just moving the air from in the van outside.

 

You might want to think about buying your solar equipment now even if you are not going to install it now because if Trump adds tariffs to solar panels from outside US, the price may double.

Prospect of Trump tariff casts pall over U.S. solar industry
Prospect of Trump tariff casts pall over U.S. solar industry | Reuters

We have the same hightop and the highest point on the roof is that area towards the front but I don't know if the placement would make that much difference on removing heat. Having it over the bed i think you would feel the air flow much better. I don't know if you have removed it to take a look or not, but that drop down area over the rear section by the doors, at least on my van, covers an unfinished area of the hightop and mine had no insulation at all in it.

I really like your idea of leaving the original interior in the van. I have removed parts of mine just to check for insulation and reinstalled it. I believe once I get my plan together I will remove the original interior, insulate better, and then reinstall it.

I have read that one needs to be careful how they insulate and what materials you use because of condensation. That is partly why i ask how much time you have spent in it.. Of course though it hasn't gotten really cold yet and that is when the problem arises. Any thoughts on this topic?
What about heating plans?
If I understand correctly (and this has to do with condensation again), propane heat will cause condensation where a small wood burner will help out by drying the air. A little hard to stealth camp with a wood burner though!

I love the oven stove you have and you cant bet the deal. I thought about a microwave but it would just require more solar then I need so I think an oven/stove like you have would be great. Your model is expensive though if you had to bu one.
What do you think about this one?
Stansport 221 Stainless Steel Outdoor Stove And Oven New | eBay

How did you fasten your cabinet? did you fasten it to the ceiling in any way or just the walls and floor?

I think I ask this before, how was the seat base mounted for the set that you removed? I was looking at my seat bases and believe they mounted the seat bases and then installed the plywood over them. That means to remove mine, I would have to either remove the plywood or cut the plywood around the base to remove it.

i have lots more questions for you but Ill stop here for now! Keep the pics and progress updates coming..

 

I am going to go ahead and ask another question anyway.. What are your plans for solar and where will you mount your panels? I know the system is determined by each persons needs.
Thinking... disadvantage to roof mounted is that you must be parked in the sun for it to work! Disadvantage to portable is it takes up valuable space inside then not in use.
Perhaps roof mounted panels that can be easily unlocked from the roof rack and placed in remote locations? Then you need to keep in mind the great voltage drop with DC voltage which would require the extension cable to be sized according to its length.