Hodakaguy's 4x4 Sprinter Build

[Hodakaguy]

Extending the drivers side wire chase board out a bit more to clear the wiring.

Now back up to Mike's at VanLab to get more panel work done.

Mike fitting panels and preparing to cover them in automotive tweed.

Mike hates being on camera so he used the router to whip up a "Home Improvement Wilson Fence Mask".....now he's ready to be in front of the camera lol.

Hodakaguy

 

[Arjan]

seriously good !

Love that workshop....

 

[Hodakaguy]

seriously good !

Love that workshop....

Mike has a nice shop for sure!

Hodakaguy

 

[Hodakaguy]

Marine Grade Wire & Heat Shrink Terminals vs Automotive Grade.

In this video I highlight the differences between Marine grade wire & heat shrink crimp terminals vs standard automotive grade. I also cover the difference between standard crimping tools and specialized heat shrink crimp tools.

I use marine grade crimps and wire almost exclusively in all of my builds. This is the 3rd video in a series where I'm highlighting tools, materials and techniques I use while building out our vehicles.

Hope you find this information useful in your builds as well.


Titan Heat Shrink Crimp Tool - On Amazon here: CLICK HERE
Wirefy Heat Shrink Terminals - On Amazon here: CLICK HERE
Ancor Brand Duplex Marine Wire - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
Ancor Brand Primary Marine Wire - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
Split Wire Loom - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE

Hodakaguy

 

[Hodakaguy]

Back up to VanLab today to work on Panels. Mike is cutting my panels with his CNC machine....they are fitting like a glove!

Getting ready to install one of the new JBL speakers in the rear panel. There will be 4 of these in the rear of the van.

And installed. One 1 of the 4 installed but the sound is a 100% improvement over the OEM units....it sounds great!

Mike fabricating panels....going to look great!

Not sure if Mike is trying to protect his lungs or maybe he just doesn't want to be on camera lol.

Looks sweet!

More to come....

Hodakaguy

 

[Hodakaguy]

Day started of with an Awesome thunder storm....and one of the most vibrant red sunrises I've ever seen. This photo is straight out of camera.

More panel progress....

Drivers side lowers built and installed.....Nice!

This will be the power feed for our portable Dometic Refrigerator.

Time to get the forward ceiling panel wired back up with lights Mike did a bang up job on the new panel, it looks great!

Feeding the wiring on the Genuine Marine lights back through the panel.

And trim ring back in place.

Installing the 3 way switches

Getting ready to wire up the switches and lights....again lol.

Wiring up the lights to the switch.

Continued Below....

 

[Hodakaguy]

Continued From Above...

I decided to use Flag style terminals (Available Here: CLICK HERE) this time around as the clearance behind the switch is limited with the insulation in place.

These style of crimp tools work good on Flag terminals

Some heat shrink added and the connection is ready to make up.

I also swapped out the ceiling wiring terminals over to Flag style for more clearance.

A flapper wheel made quick work on removing the sharp points sticking through the panel on the back side, don't need those wearing on wiring ect.

While I was prepping the Panel my buddy Mike at VanLab was trimming the B pillar plastic trim to fit with the new panels. Had to take a little material off the bottom edge to get the pillar to sit flush with the thicker than OEM panels. Fit's like a glove now!

Next up It's time to fabricate some tabs that will apply pressure to the back side of the ceiling panels and make sure they sit tight into the L-track. Some 1/8" x 2" Aluminum flat bar should do the trick.

Cut and Drilled...ready to install.

Tabs Pop riveted into place.

Some foam tape added to the ends of the pressure tabs to make a snug fit on the back side of the panels.

Wiring attached to the 3 way switch, panel is ready to be installed.

Anchoring the panel into place with screws, these screws will be hidden by the Maxxfan trim rings. Here I'm using a solder iron to seal the fabric where I'll be drilling the hole, sealing keeps the fabric from fraying over time.

Right on the money!

Continued Below....

 

[Hodakaguy]

Continued from above...

Now it's on to speaker installation and installing the power port for the fridge.

Here's the power port setup that I fabricated for the fridge power. There is a Blue Sea Marine cigarette plug on the top (Available Here: CLICK HERE) and a PowerLet port on the bottom. The PowerLet ports are great as they snap into place and won't vibrate loose going down rough roads etc. I always install a Powerlet port on the end of the fridge power cable for reliability. (Powerlet Ports Here: CLICK HERE)

Wired in and getting ready to screw into place.

I'm installing these JBL speakers in the new panels...they sound soooooo much better than the OEM units.

Speakers going in...

And installed. The fit and finish of the panels are great! If your looking for custom panels or cabinets Mike does great work!

The L-track stops short on the front for a tight fit against the B-pillar plastic.

Slider door panel curing and waiting to be installed.

With a severe thunder storm warning in effect and thunder not to far away we decided to call it a day and get both of our vans into the safety of Mike's shop for the night. More progress tomorrow.

More to come....

Hodakaguy

 

[North]

Nice write ups! Really enjoying following your progress.

What material are you/Mike using for fabric backer on the interior panels?

 

[Stitebunny]

Very nice work!
I also was curious about the foam and fabric you are using.
I appreciate the videos and always find something new to learn in them.
Maybe a video on making/finishing wall panels?!

 

[Hodakaguy]

Nice write ups! Really enjoying following your progress.

What material are you/Mike using for fabric backer on the interior panels?

Thanks Mate. The fabric is Automotive Tweed and the panels have closed cell foam between the fabric and plywood.

Hodakaguy

 

[Hodakaguy]

Very nice work!
I also was curious about the foam and fabric you are using.
I appreciate the videos and always find something new to learn in them.
Maybe a video on making/finishing wall panels?!

Thanks Mate. I have a few more video ideas...just need to get some time to make them up. The fabric is automotive grade Tweed with closed cell foam.

Hodakaguy

 

[Hodakaguy]

Rear ceiling panel is in!....

Fabricating the rear tension strips. These tabs will apply pressure to the bottom side of the ceiling panel and ensure a tight fit against the L-track.

Installing lights and switches in the rear panel. Using the solder gun again to melt the fabric where the screw holes are located, prevents the fabric from unraveling.

Installing the rubber bushings on the back side of the panel to protect the wires from chaffing

Wired Up.

Continued Below....

 

[Hodakaguy]

Continued from above....

Installing the tension tabs

Powered up...

Pinning the panel to the center braces.

These screws will be covered by the fans trim ring.

And installed. The fit up is really good!

These aluminum tabs are temporary supports for the panel to keep it from sagging, eventually the panel will be supported by the rear trim piece. The tabs are held in place with VHB tape for now.

Couple shots with the Fisheye Lens.

More to come....

Hodakaguy

 

[fireball]

Amazing work, thanks for sharing all the little details, wish I could've convinced you to build 2 at the same time!