interior discussion thread .................

[matthew2riches]

Nobody said it was going to be easy

[redcube]

fill it with tools

[AndyJ2506]

I'm a builder/plumber by trade so i'm pretty handy with tools as i have so many of them I'll happily do or help with the inside and supply all my tools for the build. Is there anyway we could get a pop up roof for more space inside cause we could have a pull out bed up above then so we could put a little kitchen in and poss a loo and sink unit

[Luke]

I'm a builder/plumber by trade so i'm pretty handy with tools as i have so many of them I'll happily do or help with the inside and supply all my tools for the build. Is there anyway we could get a pop up roof for more space inside cause we could have a pull out bed up above then so we could put a little kitchen in and poss a loo and sink unit

a little kitchen might not be a bad idea if the vans gonna be used for weekends away and shows it would be handy - we dont need to go the full camper route i dont think we'd have time but a day van with basics for a weekend camping would be ideal

[MONSTER 0NE]

you dont want the interior to be to specific to one taste as it might put people off, so keeping it simple and subtle so it appeals to a wide range and can be used for more than one thing, eg having stuff removable or switchable

[TIMO]

Just giving my opinion as a Carpenter/joiner

The work that Luke has mentioned:

New ply lining on all side walls, rear doors, floor etc

Build a bed with storage

Build and fit bespoke table etc

Unless you have some proper templates which you can used for the ply lining, even though the rear sides will be custom (due to the extra wheels).

To get all this work done to a high standard it will take around 2 days for one person without anyone being in the way and having all chippy tools there to get this work done.

i have experience with carpentry and house interiors too with loads of tools...theres nothing saying we cant have most of the stuff made up beforehand although some parts cant be made until the final " grafting " is complete though is there

[Luke]

i think the interior will be one of the trickyest parts - the team doing it will have a lot to contend with - on the friday the vans will be being joined together so they will have to work round the welders on the saturday they will have to work round the bodywork men but on the sunday they will get a clear day to finish it off

so far we have 3½ volenteers (for the interior build crew) but we have room for more

[TIMO]

i think the interior will be one of the trickyest parts - the team doing it will have a lot to contend with - on the friday the vans will be being joined together so they will have to work round the welders on the saturday they will have to work round the bodywork men but on the sunday they will get a clear day to finish it off

so far we have 3½ volenteers (for the interior build crew) but we have room for more

if it helps i dont mind switching where needed from bodywork to interior as and when needed

[Luke]

if it helps i dont mind switching where needed from bodywork to interior as and when needed

i think bodywork will need you more

but seriously on the sunday there wont be any bodywork left (hopefully) so you could move over and help out on the interior, what we'll do is divide us all up into teams and each team will have an area they need to do and they will be responsable for and we'll man it as to how many men we think it'll need to do that task once they have done it they will be able to move onto other areas to help out - or just sit back crack and open a beer

[TIMO]

if it helps i dont mind switching where needed from bodywork to interior as and when needed

i think bodywork will need you more

but seriously on the sunday there wont be any bodywork left (hopefully) so you could move over and help out on the interior, what we'll do is divide us all up into teams and each team will have an area they need to do and they will be responsable for and we'll man it as to how many men we think it'll need to do that task once they have done it they will be able to move onto other areas to help out - or just sit back crack and open a beer

i think it would be a really good idea if we had a leading hand for every aspect of the build ..ie a pro body, man a pro spanner , pro interiors etc ,, otherwise it would be manic,, or is that the plan

[Luke]

or is that the plan

yeah basically - it's hard at the moment to assign people to teams as we dont have enough in total yet* and there are so many multi skilled people volenteering but as we go along it'll become clear and before we start every single person will know exactly what they have to do and when

*if you are reading this and havent volenteered get your name down - even if you arnt a pro theres loads of lesser job that will need doing

[madbri]

I'm a builder/plumber by trade so i'm pretty handy with tools as i have so many of them I'll happily do or help with the inside and supply all my tools for the build. Is there anyway we could get a pop up roof for more space inside cause we could have a pull out bed up above then so we could put a little kitchen in and poss a loo and sink unit

a little kitchen might not be a bad idea if the vans gonna be used for weekends away and shows it would be handy - we dont need to go the full camper route i dont think we'd have time but a day van with basics for a weekend camping would be ideal

i agree with a kitchen/cooker in princable. only prob i c even though its not a camper insurance companys look at it as 1 once u throw a cooker and gas in its going to b hard enough to get insurance without this just my thoughts plenty of people will tell me other wise

[AndyJ2506]

I have an empty van at home so I don't mind knocking up some templates or some units in my spare time. You could prob make the units to fit the original van then make a u shape sofa bed or the likes to fit in the extra bit. That way we could have the cushions and most the carcasses made up before we start.
I do agree with you madbri in regards to the insurance but I think it would be worth it as campers/day vans fetch a lot more money

[xailsax]

Ok I have just seen this project and it seems dead interesting, I have listed myself as helping out with interiors and I was thinking we should talk styles and colours. Its seems clear we don't want it to be too outrageous but I think it should be striking, anyone seen things they think work well? Does it depend on the exterior? Anything that people don't think we should have?

Personally I think avoid patterns and go for blocks of bold colour as in such a small space pattern is too much. (Obviously not to fixed an idea but as a general rule)

I think no to fitting a kitchen but having a designated space for a decent camping stove, etc (I have a stove that I will photograph and show but its two rings that a canister fits that would slot in to a drawer easily).

I think its important that you can easily sit up on the bed, having lived in a truck with my bf he points out that its no good if the bed space is limited Also tracking down a comfy mattress and lining the walls round the bed with something less harsh than carpet I think is a good idea.

What about lighting? Power? Heating? I have no experience in electrics but I am guessing others will but what do we want/think we can do? Personally I think strips of lights are better than bulbs as in a small space they can be harsh on the eyes as they tend to be in your line of sight far more. We had a red rope light and it made it feel warm and bright but I feel there are potentially more solutions.

Well that some things to think about and I am sure it will develop over time,

Cheers
Ailsa

[Geof10]

cut out the reiforcing above the wheel arches and up to 6ft tall you can stretch out.I lined the bare skin with thin polystyrine
and carpet.The great thing is bed stays down ,use good ply and just one support mid way. gives alot of storage for suitcases.
the bedding stays.I have had vans for over 50 years and find this the best for a couple with a small van.The only problem is
if the one next to the doors needs the portaloo in night.