Picked up a new van!

[mykdee]

I thought I was done with vans. I sold the last van I built and was done, then the other morning (which was about a 3 months ago) I was contemplating selling the trusty old Civic, and was browsing on Craigslist and , there it was my next van! It was a 1993 Ford E150 conversion van, original owner in excellent condition garaged since day 1.
So I called and it was still available. I immediately posted the Civic for sale and had it sold within 4 hours, took the money and went and purchased the van. Paid $2500 with all service records, and the paint and interior are like brand new!! And you know how most of these vans are treated. Immediately after purchasing went and had rims and tires installed, exhaust and new cd player and speakers.
Will post pics tomorrow, and plans for this van. Here is the van when I brought it home.


OK so I have to admit I waited a while to post that I got a new van and have actually done quite a bit of work already! I built a platform in the back for sleeping on and 2 drawers to hold all my tools, also have 3 storage spots.

 

[mykdee]

Also started to build some cabinets for camping storage. Not trying to build some high end sportsmobile van, but something that works well for its intended use! Here are some pics of the build. I used 3/4" oak plywood.

 

[mykdee]

A few more pics of the back setup so far, also I will be adding a roof rack and awning soon. I also want to add some sort of water container that I can mount on the roof rack and the heat from the sun will warm the water enough to use as a shower for my wife and daughter! Any ideas? I was thinking about a PVC pipe container with adapters for a hose?

 

[CLynn85]

Congrats on the purchase. Great way to re-invent an older conversion van, it looks CLEAN too!

 

[HoboJen]

congrats! looks great, have to admit i'm a little jealous!

 

[mykdee]

Did a little more cabinet work in the van over the weekend. Removed the fourth captains chair, as we will never need it and added a cabinet with fold down desk top for our daughter to use. And at the other end I added a little desk top I can use for my computer or to do paperwork while at job sites.

 

[mykdee]

Here is a better pic of the cabinets.


Also I built a small homemade awning for out the back of the van!

 

[tgreening]

Those cabinets are looking great. Good job.

 

[ober27]

I really like the drop down desk, looks really convenient. Can you share some more details about your awning? Poles? Fabric? Center support?

 

[mykdee]

I really like the drop down desk, looks really convenient. Can you share some more details about your awning? Poles? Fabric? Center support?

The awning material was purchased at a large automotive fabric store, I was told it was for outdoor awnings for homes, it is UV resistant and water proof. The poles are just regular conduit from Lowes! As far as the awning is concerned.. I added grommets to the fabric and then riveted to the main crossbar, I then drilled a hole in the center of that bar for the main support bar. The main center support bar was then cut to the length I needed, I then added a a carriage bolt to one end to make it smooth, and added a long bolt on the other end so I could fasten it to the main crossbar. The center support bar runs in between the latch up top for the rear doors and out to the crossbar. Then I just cut two pieces for the legs.
I will take more detailed pics of how everything is attached...kind of difficult to explain!

One really nice thing is, it is actually strong enough to support itself without the side legs. I have had it out a couple times already in the wind, while I was out shooting from underneath it and it held up great. The conduit is a lot stronger then expected, it should hold up great!

 

[ober27]

Mykdee,
Thanks for responding. It would be great to see more photos when you have the time.