Promaster Van Build Series Scribing Interior Cabinet Design Construction for Vanlife Conversion

During any van build or van conversion cutting materials to fit is going to be a challenge. All vans, Mercedes Sprinter vans, Dodge Promaster vans and Ford Transits all have one thing in common. There is nothing straight or true inside the van cabin. Vanlife will be much better if things fit well. You’ll find you need to scribe in almost every part of the build. The floor has to be cut to match the shape of the van sidewalls and around the wheel wells. The walls of all vans are not straight in the front to back direction but also bow in and out as the rise in height towards the ceiling. Learning to cut things to follow the curves of the van interior is a skill that will be the difference between a swanky van and one you may not want to show off. A professional look is so easy with just a little practice. Being able to fit things will be handy for Vinyl panels, wood panels even at time 80 / 20 aluminum will need to be scribed. Having a tight fit will reduce squeaks. Scribing well will also create more interior space. Space you can use for your Dometic Fridge, or Renogy Solar MPPT charge controller without feeling pinched for room. There are many different ways to scribe, different scribing tools can be purchased and a times you even have to make a tool to use as a scribe.
See the cupboard construction here: • Van Conversion DIY Upp...
Purchase a scribing tool here: www.etsy.com/c...

[@vizio213]

beautiful work!

[@VanOfAction]

Thank you so much 😀

[@Kikis_Bread]

Absolute gem of a channel. Thank you so much for posting these videos, they're amazing.

[@VanOfAction]

Hi Kikis_Bread thanks !!! such a nice comment to read .... be well and stop back .... Dave

[@kevingalloway9338]

Another brilliant video full of useful tips

[@VanOfAction]

Kevin - Glad you think so! Be well

[@RoadPeace]

Great Tips!

[@VanOfAction]

RoadPeace - thanks for stopping by. Hope you're well.

[@arlenmargolin4868]

Well I wish this sort of video was around when I built my first motorhome out of a Dodge tradesman Maxi van that I cut the roof off and put a cap on but I spend so much time in that what was that back in 1979 but I lived in that thing for 20 Winters while skiing some of the Rockies but I wish I would have learned some nice tricks like this especially scribing tricks

[@VanOfAction]

Arien - thanks again for stopping and taking the time to comment - sounds like you had a great experience with your van - be well my friend.

[@arlenmargolin4868]

I don't know I see a lot of people building Vans these days with some 3/4 in lumbers that seem a little heavy and with the price of gas going up I would think people would want to use more of that thin cedar you were showing us of course it's not very structural but it sure would be nice to lighten up all that weight

[@VanOfAction]

Hi Arien - thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment. Let me explain my thoughts, maybe it'll help. I used 3/4" plywood for all the structural framing for several reasons. 1. Safety - I wanted to be sure that whatever cabinets or cupboards I built were going to stay where I put them. 2. System Integrity - I wanted to know that there was enough wood in the structure that whatever I attached to the plywood (ceiling boards etc), the screws would have enough meat to grab onto and stay in all the vibrations and temperature changes the van will experience. Veneer core plywood is much stronger and much more stable than the solid wood that many people use, it won't shrink and release fasteners. Regarding the weight. All in - I used 2 sheets of 3/4" plywood for all the framing ( 120 pounds) and 1 sheet of 5/8" plywood for all the upper cabinet cases ( 48 pounds ) So the weight I added is equal to 168 pounds. You could probably do it cheaper and lighter but I don't believe the economy of gas consumption out weighs the comfort of knowing everything is going to stay where I put it. That's my 2 cents - Love to know your thoughts ..... Be well and stop back.

[@arlenmargolin4868]

@@VanOfAction well this all makes sense as far as using 3/4-in lumber to hold all the items that you need to count on staying tight I'm sure if you got to look at the vehicle that I put together you would probably have had a couple of reactions, one being a good laugh but a lot of people were kind of taken back by the amount of weird attempts at making things work especially since my carpentry skills were in, let's say early stages. There's no way to say this but damn I feel a little jealous of your vehicle and I've seen quite a few of them because also being a solo cruiser I see that vehicle as the perfect getaway, sanctuary, /habitat. My last thought is would you ever think of mass producing this exact vehicle because I think this particular model would satisfy the masses and from what I understand people that can't produce this quality of construction are waiting months to have a vehicle made for them. I really think you could have a lucrative career giving people their dream escape vehicle because you and I both know this is more than a trend these vehicles seem to be one of the only alternatives they have for a dwelling that is cost-effective. Should you ever start producing these things, I would love to send in a resume and be part of something so satisfying in a world whose needs are perpetually changing.