Photos of my Van Conversion - Part IV

[Cudedog]

I have been inspired both by "Mavericks" announcement of her new van, and also by Beth's posting of the photo of the interesting van conversion.

Thanks, to you both!

So I have decided to work on my blog today (am staying warm and just fine in my house with central heating!).

I have just posted "Part IV" of the conversion process (I tend to forget why this took so long to do, looking at these photos sure reminds me!).

Take a look: (THE VAN heading is a pull-down menu, and will show parts I to IV - and V, I hope later today:

http://heartdogs.net/wordpress/

Any problems looking, please let me know. I am new at blogging, and WordPress has a really steep learning curve (at least for me!).

Anne

[Bethers]

I cannot even begin to tell you how impressed I am with all you have done. I don't even know the names of the tools you would have needed, let alone how to use them.

Awesome job ... and it looks great. As the build was continuing I was wondering about the 2nd bed and how necessary it was. I can just imagine the extra space you have when it's out - and how nice it is to have it when you do have a companion with. Another great feature - making those so easily removable.

My hats are off to you.

[BarbaraRose]

Great job! I would say "camper van" over "motorhome" since it isn't self-contained.
I was also wondering about the second bed. But without it, you could put in a table of sorts for cooking, eating, etc. Also more room for a porta potti .

Do you have any lighting back there? Can you get out the back doors in an emergency?

[Cudedog]

I cannot even begin to tell you how impressed I am with all you have done. I don't even know the names of the tools you would have needed, let alone how to use them.

Awesome job ... and it looks great. As the build was continuing I was wondering about the 2nd bed and how necessary it was. I can just imagine the extra space you have when it's out - and how nice it is to have it when you do have a companion with. Another great feature - making those so easily removable.

My hats are off to you.

Well. . . thank you very much, Beth. You make me blush! Only this blush is with a smile.

I don't have any particular construction skills. I have just always liked to work with my hands, and have always enjoyed building stuff is all. The tools I used were these (none especially unusual or special):

hacksaw (just your normal, garden-variety): about $1.98
racheting screwdriver (could have used a regular one, but with the number of screws and bolts used, this was much easier) about $10.00
hammer (old hammer left to me by my Dad)
Cheapo electric jig saw: about $39.00
30-year-old electric drill (forget how much I paid for it)
A few dozen drill bits (because they would wear out quickly when drilling metal; also they broke a lot)
Safety glasses: about $2.99
Cloth Respirator mask: about 5.00 each (used several - replaced them when they got dirty. Didn't want to breathe sawdust and styrofoam dust)
Crescent wrenches and socket wrenches of various sizes (mostly used to drive in self-tapping screws into the metal)
Various clamps and holders for cutting the wood paneling

That's about it, really. Perhaps better - and fancier - tools might have shortened the construction process - or maybe not. Would I ever take on a project like this again?

Er. . . no, thank you.

But it sure was fun!

Anne

[Cudedog]

Great job! I would say "camper van" over "motorhome" since it isn't self-contained.
I was also wondering about the second bed. But without it, you could put in a table of sorts for cooking, eating, etc. Also more room for a porta potti .

Do you have any lighting back there? Can you get out the back doors in an emergency?

Hi Barbara!

Yes, definitely a "camper van" by definition. Hadn't thought of it this way, but you are correct I think.

I do have a porta-potti that lives under the dog crates, that I can drag out at night. I haven't had to use it yet because I have been able to park near the restrooms in the campgrounds I have stayed at thus far. I was very resistant to the idea of a porta potti for quite a while, until I got closer to completion and realized that I didn't want to have to hike a half mile to the restroom at pitch-black midnight.

The lighting I use thus far (I am looking for a small electric bed-side lamp for when I have hookups) is the Coleman rechargeable lantern recommended by Vickie, Mitch and others:

http://www.womenrv.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=11125

This really is a quality item, perfect for my needs so far, and the battery really does last eight or nine hours! Amazing!! Thanks again for the recommendation, ladies!! I never would have know about this one had you not suggested it.

I place the lantern on top of the dog crate nearest the bed; the dog crate is my "headboard".

Yes, the back doors offer an immediate escape route, whether the second bed is in there or not.

I also put reflectix on the windows at night - helps with the heating, and adds privacy.

Thanks for asking!!

Anne

[avalen]

thats great! makes me miss my old blue van that I did almost the same thing to. Almost motivates me to do another one cause I've got
all the stuff I need now to do it again, well, except the van

[MelissaD]

Would I ever take on a project like this again?

Er. . . no, thank you.

But it sure was fun!

Anne

I think that says it all With age comes wisdom and with that wisdom is the concept of..... I'll just buy one

On a serious note: well done.

[Deeann]

Anne, you did a great job on the van! You put lots of thought into building it. It will give you many years of camping fun and roaming the country. Let the adventure begin!

[snowball]

very impressive!
too much for my brain tonight but it looks really great
sheila

[gingerK]

Wonderful job! Love what you've done! The a/c unit was especially neat!