van build

Cedarizing and Flooring by Ray Phung

The last couple steps that went into this van conversion are the wood panels that went on the majority of the van and the flooring.  Both were installed after all the electricity was wired and the furniture built.  I really wanted the overall look to be a "cabin-on-wheels", and I love the look, feel, and smell of wood.  So choosing these finishing looks was easy.

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Plumbing by Ray Phung

I was not super stoked on figuring out the plumbing.  If you've ever done a plumbing project, you know it always takes a million trips to the hardware store to get all the right fittings.  So I waited until the end to get it done.  But having running water and a working sink is important, and in all reality, it wasn't super difficult. 

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Kitchen by Ray Phung

Building out the kitchen turned out to be easier than the storage shelves.  The kitchen cabinets have shorter sides (less warping!) and are smaller in general.  I felt like it was easier to ensure everything was perpendicular and square.  Also, I chose to overlay the cabinets doors which I feel better hides imperfections. 

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Storage Shelving by Ray Phung

Next to wiring the electricity, building cabinets was something I was really nervous about.  I have not done a lot of wood-working, and cabinets require a lot of precise skills.  The last thing I want are lop-sided cabinets with wonky shelves that don't stay closed.  In reality, the cabinets only took a couple weeks to do, and for the most part, turned out pretty well. 

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Deconstruction and a New Beginning by Ray Phung

The first steps we took in the van was taking all the old old stuff out of it, and strip it down to it's bare frame.  In it's former life, the van was a fleet vehicle for a Philadelphia company called Kint Beverage Concepts, who I believe installs CO2 systems for bars, fountain machines, etc. Unfaded outlines of letters still exist in the paint of the van, and one can make out the website, email, and phone number if seen in the right light.  

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