VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
Cool build.
Cummins Canoe (A Stepvan Story)
- Thread starter PlethoraOfGuns
- Start date
screwball48
Explorer
I recall one and one half (kinda) the first was a full build out “Putts” if memory serves correct. The second Ujoint did a conversion on a unit with an Econoline chassis and running gear from the factory.
PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
Yea, Putts thread! He did a crazy awesome job! Above and beyond just a simple van build. His thread was definitely an enabler for me to go step van over regular van.
PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
Doing more interior work. The weather outlook is looking good, have a window coming up in order to paint this thing. Gotta do that before it gets too cold.
Ran these pieces of wood on the router table using a clamped fence to get them all shaved down the same so they fit snug in between the aluminum wall studs.
The idea is that these will sit flat and will give the bottom of the walls something to mount to and be sturdy.
Ran these pieces of wood on the router table using a clamped fence to get them all shaved down the same so they fit snug in between the aluminum wall studs.
The idea is that these will sit flat and will give the bottom of the walls something to mount to and be sturdy.
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PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
Ok, got a good span of sunny weather! Back to the exterior! Best to get at it while it's hot. Or just nice enough to apply paint.
The entire shell had flaking and bubbling paint all over. We used a wire wheel on Big Bertha and made quick work of all that. Did the entire body with this.
Oh great, she looks even worse now...
Time for another well needed bath. Of course start from the top down.
Ew, lots of paint dust and such came off. Not sure what all the red/pink stuff was about. When it pooled up, it looked like Pepto Bismol.
Boy, this is way too much work...
The entire shell had flaking and bubbling paint all over. We used a wire wheel on Big Bertha and made quick work of all that. Did the entire body with this.
Oh great, she looks even worse now...
Time for another well needed bath. Of course start from the top down.
Ew, lots of paint dust and such came off. Not sure what all the red/pink stuff was about. When it pooled up, it looked like Pepto Bismol.
Boy, this is way too much work...
PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
Oh gee willy, it's time for paint! We're going to have like a brand new van! After washing the van, we let the whole things dry for a day. Here we go...
Next, we taped everything off and wiped down all the surfaces to be painted with paint thinner. Not sure who got more high, us or the van.
Mixed up the paint and went to town with a brush and a roller. Because, you know, that's how you paint vehicles.
It actually doesn't look all that bad! Much better than the multicolor scheme it had before.
Don't forget the roof! we mostly just wanted to protect the seams with paint. The middle area of the roof is a solid, single sheet of aluminum. So we left that bare, and that should be fine forever.
Coat #1 done! Only took two people 6 hours to do! It is quite a bit of surface area. We like the 1950's delivery vibe that the color gives it.
Next, we taped everything off and wiped down all the surfaces to be painted with paint thinner. Not sure who got more high, us or the van.
Mixed up the paint and went to town with a brush and a roller. Because, you know, that's how you paint vehicles.
It actually doesn't look all that bad! Much better than the multicolor scheme it had before.
Don't forget the roof! we mostly just wanted to protect the seams with paint. The middle area of the roof is a solid, single sheet of aluminum. So we left that bare, and that should be fine forever.
Coat #1 done! Only took two people 6 hours to do! It is quite a bit of surface area. We like the 1950's delivery vibe that the color gives it.
PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
Drying time is looking to be a few days. So while we wait for first coat to dry, back to the interior stuff!
The stock body lights had all these quick connectors for the wiring. These will be covered with insulation and wood, no longer will ever be accessible.
So we replaced them with something a bit more permanent. These all in one heat shrink solder connectors are great, especially when you have so many to do! Definitely good time saver.
Then we did an electrical layout. First we taped the locations of anything electrical, then started throwing in boxes for the high voltage stuff. We used plastic boxes to avoid any bimetal corrosion, since steel and aluminum don't like each other. We tried to wire everything to code, but we couldn't find very much in the book on wiring bread vans!
The stock body lights had all these quick connectors for the wiring. These will be covered with insulation and wood, no longer will ever be accessible.
So we replaced them with something a bit more permanent. These all in one heat shrink solder connectors are great, especially when you have so many to do! Definitely good time saver.
Then we did an electrical layout. First we taped the locations of anything electrical, then started throwing in boxes for the high voltage stuff. We used plastic boxes to avoid any bimetal corrosion, since steel and aluminum don't like each other. We tried to wire everything to code, but we couldn't find very much in the book on wiring bread vans!
Mwilliamshs
Explorer
Those all-in-one electrical connectors use a low-temp solder that's inferior to the normal stuff.
You should definitely support the wire so there's no weight on the connector and so its own weight can't cause it to break.
Keep in mind as you build a camper that everything is going to move and bounce.
You should definitely support the wire so there's no weight on the connector and so its own weight can't cause it to break.
Keep in mind as you build a camper that everything is going to move and bounce.
PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
Darn, I thought those would be better than the disconnect connectors. Thanks for the advice. I'll wireloom them and strap them up before insulation. How do ya'll do your electrical connections that you bury and never see again?
Betarocker
Adventurer
Your best connection will be solder and adhesive lined shrink tube. Nothing is guaranteed to not fail, even a continuous wire/cable could break mid-length.
Mwilliamshs
Explorer
I use uninsulated butt connectors and marine heatshrink as a minimum and add solder as deemed necessary.
This project makes me smile. I have spent 23 years driving Grumman Aluminum vans that are mobile kitchens in the film industry. I have driven them into some of the craziest locations in some of the worst weather conditions in the dead of night , these vans make me feel at home. The ones I drive are much longer than yours 30+fters with room 4-5 chefs working to feed the crew.Always though they would make a great basecamp biking /paddling camper. Also I am very long time canoe tripper 45+ years of canoeing starting at wilderness summer camps and often we had Grumman canoes for the 7+ days canoe trips. Once we had someone tip upstream of a small dam and the Grumman canoe broaches the dam blocking it 80% , A nearby cabin owner came to out rescue with a high lift off-road jack, with ropes and pulleys we jacked the canoe off the dam face and pulled away with ropes... Canoe only had a few dings but perfectly fine, tough canoes.
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PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
Well, we're gonna hope the connectors we used will stay. Time will tell. I will do my best to secure them.
Oh man, I can't wait to drive this thing terrible weather! I'm hoping to take it into blizzard conditions, just because! For years I never looked twice at step vans driving by. But ever since I got into one and drove them, I get excited just seeing a Fedex or UPS truck! Everyone looking for a van should just get a step van. I also enjoy canoes. I have an old 17' made by Grumman Aircraft. Very fitting if I were to carry the canoe inside the van for a river trip.
Oh man, I can't wait to drive this thing terrible weather! I'm hoping to take it into blizzard conditions, just because! For years I never looked twice at step vans driving by. But ever since I got into one and drove them, I get excited just seeing a Fedex or UPS truck! Everyone looking for a van should just get a step van. I also enjoy canoes. I have an old 17' made by Grumman Aircraft. Very fitting if I were to carry the canoe inside the van for a river trip.
MANUCHAO
Aventurero
I see you are using wire loom....
That'll offer plenty support for those solder connections...
If you got sections that you are concerned about..
Use some expanding foam spray close to the wires.. that'll give yah all the support needed...
Looking great..!!
??
PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
More wire loom! Working on the low voltage today! High voltage stuff is all ran and tied in.
First, we ran all the wires to where they are meant to go.
Oh boy, we had a mess. Lets tape everything together.
Then we pulled them out, and encased everything in wire loom.
Of course, properly secured all the wire loom.
Above the rear door, there is a channel behind some aluminum. This aluminum we were going to use to screw the interior to, and we didn't want wires falling into that space. So we cut some foam board and shoved into there.
No wires falling into the no-no zone!
Wire loom all done!
Hope everything is in the right spot.
First, we ran all the wires to where they are meant to go.
Oh boy, we had a mess. Lets tape everything together.
Then we pulled them out, and encased everything in wire loom.
Of course, properly secured all the wire loom.
Above the rear door, there is a channel behind some aluminum. This aluminum we were going to use to screw the interior to, and we didn't want wires falling into that space. So we cut some foam board and shoved into there.
No wires falling into the no-no zone!
Wire loom all done!
Hope everything is in the right spot.
