Attaching aluminum to the roof conducts heat around your isulation. I had a van where cupboards were framed in aluminum. Parked in the sun you could not touch the cupboard frame
Maybe adding some 1/8 foam tape used for piping insulation could help reduce the heat transfer. I'm looking in to this since I'm planning to build a micro camper and I need all the headroom I can get on a Transit Connect.
When you said you were going to seal them on the front and back that made my day. People have a habit of just slapping wood up all over the place but forget that it's an organic, breathing material that in a space like oh idk a vehicle with human body heat and moisture, will grow mold. Not to mention lack of sealing will create gaps where dust can get into the negative vacuum behind the boards, filling the empty cracks and spaces in your van/whatever else with human skin cell dust among other stuff. It's just smarter to seal the boards and trim and stuff, it is healthier for you and it is healthier for the environment that is the interior of your van build.
Tried to go buy a new Mercedes van yesterday. Called to make sure it was available and the salesman informed me there is +$10k up charge over msrp on in stock sprinters at the moment due to the shortage. Guess I’ll be waiting a little longer to start my journey…
I have a friend named Steve Savage totally into van conversions your video actually help me awesome ideas that I had thought of you have a simpler approach thank you for your video
Much easier to take all your wood and sand and stain at the start then cut/drill and install. But really good looking. Looks like a cabin. As an electrician we say its better to have to much light as you can turn them off if you want. But to few there is nothing you can do about it. White lights match fans and cabinets and fade into wood. The silver are shiny and stand out.
EXCELLENT IDEA!!! I never considered "metal" fur strips. But something did bug me for a bit. Two words when it comes to corrosion control, and you will instantly know my meaning... Dissimilar metals Not a big deal in this situation, obviously...., but using steel might be cheaper while being the same material as the van.
As always I feel you do amazing work. I may have used some silicone on the aluminum strips to both hold a little better but mostly to keep squeaking away
My favorite van build channel! You let all us dreamers know that we're capable of making this happen. I'm jealous of your space since I'm going to have to be creative when I start my box truck build, but for helping all of us out you totally deserve it. PS I'd go with the white, matches the cabinets and doesn't stand out as much
Cool that I stumbled upon this video at the same time that I'm framing out my ceiling. I am using aluminum strapping as well but a bit thicker for rigidity. I'm shorter😁 Also running them length wise but I assume the final will be the same. Happy building friend 🙏
I made my ceiling with magnets after watching your video a while ago except I used thinner, but wider magnets. The same thing happened when we were in Florida a few months ago. It just got too hot in the van and the whole ceiling fell down the same way from the jb weld not adhering. I fixed this by getting magnets with a countersunk hole in the middle and using very small screws so they didn't show on the nice side of the planks. I used wood glue on each screw too just for some added strength. So far the ceiling is holding up super well.
Nice! Good idea. I forgod the countersink screws as I didn’t think I’d find ones small enough not to poke through. I bet if you epoxied the screws + magnets it will last!
YAY! Another great video at just the right moment in my build. I think I've said this before, but I really appreciate your mistakes - knowing what to avoid and knowing I'm not the only one who makes silly mistakes :-) I've been trying to figure out my ceiling and walls and I think you have given me a direction to pursue. Finally, thank you for acknowledging your good fortune to have such a great workspace. I YEARN, LONG, PINE to have a shop. When I finally have one, I will acknowledge my good fortune too. THANK YOU, Seven. You are providing a REAL SERVICE. :-)
Love the "furring strip" solution! I'm also tall (around 6'3") and am currently converting a promaster. Hadn't quite figured out the best way to save head room but looks like I'll be picking up some aluminum bar on the next trip to the hardware store! Much appreciated!
Anyone that wants to go the magnet route, you can buy disc magnets with countersunk holes in them. So you can put a few drops of glue (for squeaking and than screw them into your surface for full support.
Total newbie here... why couldn’t the planks be sanded and sealed before (or during?) the first fit so they didn’t have to be taken out again for those steps?
Ceiling looks beautiful! Did you have any problems with fit after using the polyurethane, or needed any sanding? The thickness of a layer of polyurethane can actually hinder tongue fit in the groove to not sit as deeply as it would with a dry fit. But it does look like your edges butt up pretty well. Hope you’re able to stay safe where you are. 👍
White bezel for the lights is super clean, and seems to flow best with the rest of the build. Also, maybe some wood filler for the screws for those who don’t want to see them?! As you mentioned the pine is soft and able to be hand torqued, perhaps tighten them a bit deeper, and then apply some wood filler?! -Either way, gorgeous! Stay safe, Savage… We’re not through this “season” (🌲 🔥 💨) yet… Love from Oregon. 🤙🏼
HA HA I love your Geeking Out Enthusiasm accomplishing the steps leading to your finished project. As always, SAVAGE Perfection‼️Recently, watched your Local News Ongoing Fire Status and be SAFE‼️
In home design 3” makes a difference, in vans 1/4” makes a difference, especially if your 6-5. 1/8” aluminum I is a heat conductor but you gain 5/8” if you used 3/4” wood that’s a better insulator of heat. Love your videos, keep up the good work
Great video! How did it hold up over time? Did the tongue and grove loosen or squeak? I’m a maniac when it comes to noise….. anything you’d change 2 yrs out?
Looking great, nice work! Stay safe over there in Tahoe too. We have family who also live in the area, and it doesn't sound very enjoyable at the moment. Hope it clears up soon for you guys.
3 mm birch plywood sawed in planks glued on another 3 mm birch plywood attached to ceiling with sunken bolts in blind rivet nuts, cheap light, beautiful
Birch is too heavy for ceiling unnecessarily, there are better lighter options, even for floor it is enough pine marine plywood, although birch is stronger ofc, one adds weight
This is such an awesome approach to keeping the height in the van and reducing weight. One thing I didn't see you mention though was your process for screwing the metal strips to the van. It looks like you weren't using self tapping screws so did you go through and drill a small pilot hole for each and every hole in the metal strip?
He mentions they are #4 screws at 3:41. My guess is that he drilled through both the aluminum and van at the same time to both create a pilot hole as well as line up the aluminum with the van.
I had this same question. I slowed the video down at the part when he puts the screw in and i was able to see he does in fact use a pilot hole@@JohnPaulEnsign
you could always fill the screw holes with some wood filler and sand them down (and obv apply finish after) to make the holes even less noticeable. I think that ceiling would look really pretty with a slightly darker, warm treatment like Osmo wax finish
Maybe because he emphasized absolutely flat when mounted furring strips? I kinda agree with you - it would have been nice to try aluminum pops in the countersunk holes. For the minimal cost, I would like to have seen thicker strips and deeper countersinks if needed.
how well did the boards stay up since they all didn't start and end on a "stud"? it looks like some were only screwed to 1 stud, plus the tongue and groove i guess
@@captainblood3634 I drive both the Transit and Sprinter for work. I'm a chauffeur. We transport people to and from the airport and weddings. I haven't had any problems on the hills here in New England. We have a 2017 Ford Transit diesel and it seems quicker than the Sprinter at the start. But it did seem to bog down once on a hill. All the vans are quiet on the road. Better built and quality for the Sprinter.
![Eminem - Somebody Save Me (feat. Jelly Roll) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Vwa0HenQMi4/mqdefault.jpg)
Silver looks so clean with the gray van
Attaching aluminum to the roof conducts heat around your isulation. I had a van where cupboards were framed in aluminum. Parked in the sun you could not touch the cupboard frame
Maybe adding some 1/8 foam tape used for piping insulation could help reduce the heat transfer. I'm looking in to this since I'm planning to build a micro camper and I need all the headroom I can get on a Transit Connect.
Appreciate the update on your former van’s magnetically mounted ceiling.
The white lights match the fan shroud and cabinets, so I would go with that. Looking really great!
That dark ceiling on the other van was absolutely gorgeous!
My vote is for the white trim lights as they match the fan trim.
Exactly!!
When you said you were going to seal them on the front and back that made my day. People have a habit of just slapping wood up all over the place but forget that it's an organic, breathing material that in a space like oh idk a vehicle with human body heat and moisture, will grow mold. Not to mention lack of sealing will create gaps where dust can get into the negative vacuum behind the boards, filling the empty cracks and spaces in your van/whatever else with human skin cell dust among other stuff. It's just smarter to seal the boards and trim and stuff, it is healthier for you and it is healthier for the environment that is the interior of your van build.
Tried to go buy a new Mercedes van yesterday. Called to make sure it was available and the salesman informed me there is +$10k up charge over msrp on in stock sprinters at the moment due to the shortage. Guess I’ll be waiting a little longer to start my journey…
Can I ask what MSRP for that vehicle is over there?
Was it a MWB, LWB or XLWB you looked at?
I have a friend named Steve Savage totally into van conversions your video actually help me awesome ideas that I had thought of you have a simpler approach thank you for your video
Much easier to take all your wood and sand and stain at the start then cut/drill and install. But really good looking. Looks like a cabin. As an electrician we say its better to have to much light as you can turn them off if you want. But to few there is nothing you can do about it. White lights match fans and cabinets and fade into wood. The silver are shiny and stand out.
#common sense, to treat the wood before cutting and applying, saves on time. Additionally, you loosen the screws screwing and unscrewing more Times.
The white lights look better, very Scandinavian with the natural pine.
EXCELLENT IDEA!!! I never considered "metal" fur strips. But something did bug me for a bit. Two words when it comes to corrosion control, and you will instantly know my meaning... Dissimilar metals
Not a big deal in this situation, obviously...., but using steel might be cheaper while being the same material as the van.
As always I feel you do amazing work. I may have used some silicone on the aluminum strips to both hold a little better but mostly to keep squeaking away
My favorite van build channel! You let all us dreamers know that we're capable of making this happen. I'm jealous of your space since I'm going to have to be creative when I start my box truck build, but for helping all of us out you totally deserve it. PS I'd go with the white, matches the cabinets and doesn't stand out as much
I like having the two colors to add a bit of demarcation between the two spaces
Nice job. Silver / chrome is the correct choice.
Love the white light as it keeps the white trim from the max air fan uniform throughout
Cool that I stumbled upon this video at the same time that I'm framing out my ceiling. I am using aluminum strapping as well but a bit thicker for rigidity. I'm shorter😁 Also running them length wise but I assume the final will be the same. Happy building friend 🙏
I admired the magnet episode ceiling too, seemed easy for my first build.
Thanks for the aluminum flat bars idea! It helped me save a couple of inches in my build.
I made my ceiling with magnets after watching your video a while ago except I used thinner, but wider magnets. The same thing happened when we were in Florida a few months ago. It just got too hot in the van and the whole ceiling fell down the same way from the jb weld not adhering. I fixed this by getting magnets with a countersunk hole in the middle and using very small screws so they didn't show on the nice side of the planks. I used wood glue on each screw too just for some added strength. So far the ceiling is holding up super well.
Nice! Good idea. I forgod the countersink screws as I didn’t think I’d find ones small enough not to poke through. I bet if you epoxied the screws + magnets it will last!
Can you share the link for the magnet with holes?
Very helpful and concise information. My husband was worried about not having enough head room, so using the aluminum fur strips is a great solution.
the bad thing is that there is no thermal break and the cold will transfer through the van, furring strips and to the wood!
YAY! Another great video at just the right moment in my build. I think I've said this before, but I really appreciate your mistakes - knowing what to avoid and knowing I'm not the only one who makes silly mistakes :-) I've been trying to figure out my ceiling and walls and I think you have given me a direction to pursue. Finally, thank you for acknowledging your good fortune to have such a great workspace. I YEARN, LONG, PINE to have a shop. When I finally have one, I will acknowledge my good fortune too. THANK YOU, Seven. You are providing a REAL SERVICE. :-)
I started to build my van roof basis in your video. I using the same materials you used. Thanks for share so cool ideas and concept.
Love the "furring strip" solution! I'm also tall (around 6'3") and am currently converting a promaster. Hadn't quite figured out the best way to save head room but looks like I'll be picking up some aluminum bar on the next trip to the hardware store! Much appreciated!
You are so much fun and such a good guy! Great work on this one its been a huge help to me, thank you:)
Anyone that wants to go the magnet route, you can buy disc magnets with countersunk holes in them. So you can put a few drops of glue (for squeaking and than screw them into your surface for full support.
Your videos and the sharing of any mistakes are both super helpful to me. Thanks,
White lights. It’s looking really good!
Looking nice! The white lights match your other finishings better thus far. (imo)
i hope you are safe. i saw on the news that Tahoe is under evacuations from the fires there. Stay safe!!
I am safe and am making a video about it. Thank you 🙏
Awesome work Alek!
You should include how much materials in each episode cost too!
I like the white better than the silver
Nice job 👏 Personally I prefer the white lights. They match better to the furniture. I think you will have more harmony on the looks
Total newbie here... why couldn’t the planks be sanded and sealed before (or during?) the first fit so they didn’t have to be taken out again for those steps?
With all the blue tape you have, blue will looks very cool.. 😁 White will be my next choice.
Ceiling looks beautiful! Did you have any problems with fit after using the polyurethane, or needed any sanding? The thickness of a layer of polyurethane can actually hinder tongue fit in the groove to not sit as deeply as it would with a dry fit. But it does look like your edges butt up pretty well.
Hope you’re able to stay safe where you are. 👍
I literally watch your videos exclusively as I plan my build because I am also 6'5".... Tall People problems
Wooot! So glad to help
White bezel for the lights is super clean, and seems to flow best with the rest of the build. Also, maybe some wood filler for the screws for those who don’t want to see them?! As you mentioned the pine is soft and able to be hand torqued, perhaps tighten them a bit deeper, and then apply some wood filler?! -Either way, gorgeous! Stay safe, Savage… We’re not through this “season” (🌲 🔥 💨) yet… Love from Oregon. 🤙🏼
silver 🙋♀️
love this series, thank you for sharing all your tips, cannot wait to see the result
White lights go well with your color palette. Nice work!
HA HA I love your Geeking Out Enthusiasm accomplishing the steps leading to your finished project. As always, SAVAGE Perfection‼️Recently, watched your Local News Ongoing Fire Status and be SAFE‼️
Thanks 🙏 will have some updates soonish
Silver lights, thanks for the video, very informative.
In home design 3” makes a difference, in vans 1/4” makes a difference, especially if your 6-5. 1/8” aluminum I is a heat conductor but you gain 5/8” if you used 3/4” wood that’s a better insulator of heat. Love your videos, keep up the good work
So glad I found your channel! I’m about to tackle a transit connect build!
🤙🤙 nice!
Great video! How did it hold up over time? Did the tongue and grove loosen or squeak? I’m a maniac when it comes to noise….. anything you’d change 2 yrs out?
I think the silver works better, as the white won’t perfectly match the white of your furniture and maxxfan surround.
Looking great, nice work! Stay safe over there in Tahoe too. We have family who also live in the area, and it doesn't sound very enjoyable at the moment. Hope it clears up soon for you guys.
3 mm birch plywood sawed in planks glued on another 3 mm birch plywood attached to ceiling with sunken bolts in blind rivet nuts, cheap light, beautiful
Birch is too heavy for ceiling unnecessarily, there are better lighter options, even for floor it is enough pine marine plywood, although birch is stronger ofc, one adds weight
@@fl7290 mmm it is 6mm in total meaning, I can lift the ceiling in total by hand, as i did in my camper
Just what I needed to see!!! Thank you.
After drilling the pilot holes, did you put some rust-oleum on each hole ?
White lights. Matches fan.
Love this video again. I prefer the white lights.
This is such an awesome approach to keeping the height in the van and reducing weight. One thing I didn't see you mention though was your process for screwing the metal strips to the van. It looks like you weren't using self tapping screws so did you go through and drill a small pilot hole for each and every hole in the metal strip?
He mentions they are #4 screws at 3:41. My guess is that he drilled through both the aluminum and van at the same time to both create a pilot hole as well as line up the aluminum with the van.
I had this same question. I slowed the video down at the part when he puts the screw in and i was able to see he does in fact use a pilot hole@@JohnPaulEnsign
What screws did you use?
Your channel is the best! Thanks for all you do. And congrats on your move!
White. Looks fabulous! ❤️
If you dump the screws out and spray the heads with a similar color paint they would be less noticeable. The cieling looks great!
I think the white lights look better against the plank wood ceiling!
White matches the trim around fan
White for sure!!
Looks awesome!! White lights for sure. :)
I like the white!
Nice build dude! 👊🏼
you could always fill the screw holes with some wood filler and sand them down (and obv apply finish after) to make the holes even less noticeable. I think that ceiling would look really pretty with a slightly darker, warm treatment like Osmo wax finish
Great videos, sooooo helpful , Thanks
White lights silver look old fashioned
I prefer the white, it matches the fan. :)
Silver for sure!
Silver lights is the way to go buddy!
Looks great Alek! I like the silver trim myself.
Thank you for you informative vlogs awesome build , going to try to replicate on my transit. Awesome turn out on the Apocalypse van 🤙🚐
i’d also use 1 short white pan head every 8-12 “
carpe diem
White puck lights
The ceiling look great and I would go with white lights. Why did you not pop rivet the alum furring strips to the rib ?
Maybe because he emphasized absolutely flat when mounted furring strips? I kinda agree with you - it would have been nice to try aluminum pops in the countersunk holes. For the minimal cost, I would like to have seen thicker strips and deeper countersinks if needed.
i think the silver looks better against the wood but the white will tie in with the surrounding white fan border and walls.
Good work man!
I like silver but the fan trim is white. It’s a toss up for the winner.
White!
I can't wait for solar stuff vídeo
I thought you could not use SS screws in aluminum due to Galvanic corrosion ?
how well did the boards stay up since they all didn't start and end on a "stud"? it looks like some were only screwed to 1 stud, plus the tongue and groove i guess
I wish someone would demonstrate how to cut the MAFan frame down sizing it…:) you have a vid for that?
If you weren’t so tall, would you still put in the same roof. Are the metal furring strips just better regardless?
Silver!
white!
White
Curious about the Wilderness Vans box?
Nice progress considering you moved.
Tahoe is an amazing area.
Good eye, next video 😉
Where did you boy the metal strips for the ceiling
White
matches what you have the silver gives you a little offset
If the countertop is white, then I would choose white rim. Otherwise, i Ike the high school metal look (silver) to match the silver fridge)
Nice job!
Silver lights
The white matches the fan.
White, matches the max air
Looks great!!
Great video! I have to ask about the cute dog that is tied to your front bumper, is that a poodle?
He’s a super poodle that tows the van
White looks much better. Let’s get Savage!
how do you collect water at those furring strips?
Your next van should be the Ford Transit for the headroom.
And more horsepower. Good luck on hills with sprinter.
@@captainblood3634 I drive both the Transit and Sprinter for work. I'm a chauffeur. We transport people to and from the airport and weddings.
I haven't had any problems on the hills here in New England.
We have a 2017 Ford Transit diesel and it seems quicker than the Sprinter at the start.
But it did seem to bog down once on a hill.
All the vans are quiet on the road. Better built and quality for the Sprinter.
Go for the white lights
Look good
White lights look better since they match the fan housing.