TheVagabondMBA
Observer
Very nice!!
Chevy Express AWD build...ghetto blaster to dirt road master
- Thread starter Andrews11
- Start date
Very nice!!
CherryBomb
New member
What year is your van? I would agree with standing room. I use mine for same as you, skiing (I'm down by Mammoth in CA) USFS dirt roads and Baja/ desert trips. After 3 weeks in Baja with the family I could really see the benefit for being able to fully stand up, not to mention when prepping for a pow day!
Andrews11
New member
Finally made some serious progress as I am trying to get a late season ski trip in with the van. I ended up welding some 2x2 angle iron around the cutout and then bolted that to the van frame where the reinforcements were cut off. For the front lift H bar I ended up cutting through the sheet metal exterior and mounted it to the thicker metal about and inch below which was much stronger. For the rear hinges I didn't trust the thin sheet metal especially in windy conditions and with little space I had to geta little creative. I decided to use a 1/4" plate behind the exterior sheet metal to drill and bolt tough to reinforce, then I welded supports from the 1/4" metal plate to the thicker frame to reinforce even more. I still don't like how the hinge base does not line up perfectly well with the roof lines and can't sit flush with the roof, which is unavoidable and with the 1/4" backing plate should be good, but I think ill eventually add a temporary support brace in the inside when it is really windy just so I sleep a little better at night. I also decided to completely redo the interior to make best use of the new space so I just gutted it and started from scratch.
Andrews11
New member
Built cabinets with 3/4" plywood, used a vinyl type sheeting for the exterior and found some nice black rubber edging to give a nice finished look around the edges. I tried to maximize space this time and ease of accessing below the bed so I figures plastic totes that can slide out are cheap and convenient. Last time around I had hinges on the bed top to lift and get below the bed, but that became a PITA even time you needed something. I plan to use some slider doors below the bed to just slide the totes out. Same idea in the rear. I also added a sink and propane stove so I could cook inside. After starting to build the cabinet I realized most storage would be lost under the sink for the water storage so I figured it would be better to mount in the rear, access easy though the back door and run a water line back to the front. I also just received my webasto heater so ill be installing that and hopefully finishing everything in a week so I can hit the road.
Roamin' Chariot
New member
Andrew11 ... you're rig is looking good. I am loving my "Savanagon" for travel and camping. I just noticed your question from March 15. This info may be too late ... sorry I was asleep at the wheel and didn't see your question on rear hinge mounting. I just built a spacer to take the load from the sheet metal to the for-aft side beam. Can't seem to find a picture. I'm sure you already figured this out.
Attached are some pic's of my interior so far ...
