Build Thread: New Crafter for work
- Thread starter Jack T
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Yes good idea and a possibility. I will as always get it all done and throw it round a load of roundabouts at speed. This generally shows what needs more fixing/holding!
Getting on a bit further!
A plan was formed for the floor, wanted to create more storage so went false floor route. So laminated some some ply and pse for uprights. Still enough height to stand up on this. Gap down the side is for 8x4 sheets to slide in flat.
1200 long full extension slides with an ali angle to support drawer boxes.
This will get covered with phenolic ply eventually.
Next up was the drawer boxes. Went for birch ply for these for strength. Lots of routering! All rebated and glued together.
All glued up and slides fitted, t nuts again for this
And they fit!
Added some fronts to match and some plastic handles. Pretty pleased with the result. Should be really useful space.
Going to start using the van next week so need to get on with it!
A plan was formed for the floor, wanted to create more storage so went false floor route. So laminated some some ply and pse for uprights. Still enough height to stand up on this. Gap down the side is for 8x4 sheets to slide in flat.
1200 long full extension slides with an ali angle to support drawer boxes.
This will get covered with phenolic ply eventually.
Next up was the drawer boxes. Went for birch ply for these for strength. Lots of routering! All rebated and glued together.
All glued up and slides fitted, t nuts again for this
And they fit!
Added some fronts to match and some plastic handles. Pretty pleased with the result. Should be really useful space.
Going to start using the van next week so need to get on with it!
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Bit of progress with the van again. I might get it finished eventually!
So got the cover on the drawers and started focussing on the opposite side. Same plan timbers and rivnuts.
So with the timbers on it was time to scribe some ply again, not easy as the van seems to taper in all directions!
I had always planned for screwbox storage on this side but the left section I have not decided on yet. I will use the van it bit before I commit. I used some ali and t nuts for the boxes, seems to work well.
So with the first working day looming I finished what I could and got it to a workable state. Smaller steps sorted and euro boxes left and right at the top work well. The bucket storage and various other bits will be finessed as I go!
I put some trim around the bulkhead opening too, used this edging before, really good stuff. I also added a length of 21x41 unistrut at the bottom to add strength when putting timber/ladders etc through. Just waiting for the door back from the coaters.
So got the cover on the drawers and started focussing on the opposite side. Same plan timbers and rivnuts.
So with the timbers on it was time to scribe some ply again, not easy as the van seems to taper in all directions!
I had always planned for screwbox storage on this side but the left section I have not decided on yet. I will use the van it bit before I commit. I used some ali and t nuts for the boxes, seems to work well.
So with the first working day looming I finished what I could and got it to a workable state. Smaller steps sorted and euro boxes left and right at the top work well. The bucket storage and various other bits will be finessed as I go!
I put some trim around the bulkhead opening too, used this edging before, really good stuff. I also added a length of 21x41 unistrut at the bottom to add strength when putting timber/ladders etc through. Just waiting for the door back from the coaters.
Started using the van this week, really pleased with it. The racking is working out well, nice to have everything to hand after being in a hire van for 4 months. Engine is really strong, it wants 5th gear in 30 zones so plenty of torque.
Out in the wild!
Got these to go on at the weekend, hopefully should improve grip and looks.
Had them powder coated so sealed up the gap with sikaflex to match the satin finish.
Out in the wild!
Got these to go on at the weekend, hopefully should improve grip and looks.
Had them powder coated so sealed up the gap with sikaflex to match the satin finish.
top idea
I got the wheels fitted but don’t think they are for me. Had an issue with a stone puncture first day of use and they just make it look a bit like a monster truck! Each to there own though.
Think I’m going to go for the standard steels powder coated black with a less aggressive all season tyre.
Before and after (and now it’s back to before!
)
Each to there own though.Think I’m going to go for the standard steels powder coated black with a less aggressive all season tyre.
Before and after (and now it’s back to before!
)
Whilst thinking over the wheels I got a few more bits ticked off in the rear.
First off was the bulkhead door as it was back from the coaters. Put some edging strip round it as per the opening.
And in place with some magnets to keep it shut along with holding it open.
The seat looks in the way in the picture but there is a decent gap to the side to walk through and fit materials/ladders through. The door is wider than needed to get on to a solid strong flat point for the hinges.
Finished up Henry’s shelf too with some extra holes for the casters, roundabout tested and no movement.
Underneath there is the space for cable storage. I have had this steel bracket in two other vans and it’s always worked well. It had 3 columns originally but 1 had to go to get my ladders length in. Still will work fine though, should hold 8 drums.
Definitely need to add some lighting to the rear it’s proper gloomy. Just need to find time to get them from the shelf
First off was the bulkhead door as it was back from the coaters. Put some edging strip round it as per the opening.
And in place with some magnets to keep it shut along with holding it open.
The seat looks in the way in the picture but there is a decent gap to the side to walk through and fit materials/ladders through. The door is wider than needed to get on to a solid strong flat point for the hinges.
Finished up Henry’s shelf too with some extra holes for the casters, roundabout tested and no movement.
Underneath there is the space for cable storage. I have had this steel bracket in two other vans and it’s always worked well. It had 3 columns originally but 1 had to go to get my ladders length in. Still will work fine though, should hold 8 drums.
Definitely need to add some lighting to the rear it’s proper gloomy. Just need to find time to get them from the shelf
This is insane, Well done 
Got round to finishing up the near side, allowing storage of non boxed items.
In progress
And together.
Sorted out a load of the smaller bits too.
Somewhere to store tow ball, straps etc.
I had been finding getting in and out of the back whilst carrying weight a bit awkward. So added one of the factory grab handles on to the racking with t nuts from the opposite side.
Sorted the transformer out too, I find non slip tape useful to stop movement and it looks better than bare timber.
Bucket storage dealt with too, like these flat bungees, very useful.
That’s the joinery pretty much done, well done if you got this far! Next up is the electrical side when I can afford it along with a few external jobs.
In progress
And together.
Sorted out a load of the smaller bits too.
Somewhere to store tow ball, straps etc.
I had been finding getting in and out of the back whilst carrying weight a bit awkward. So added one of the factory grab handles on to the racking with t nuts from the opposite side.
Sorted the transformer out too, I find non slip tape useful to stop movement and it looks better than bare timber.
Bucket storage dealt with too, like these flat bungees, very useful.
That’s the joinery pretty much done, well done if you got this far! Next up is the electrical side when I can afford it along with a few external jobs.
Thanks, yes definitely need lights. I have them just no time to fit. Too many customers to keep happy at the moment tho!
No Idea on weight will have to weigh bridge it, I would imagine 3.1-3.2t normal running. It doesn’t feel any slower to drive! I will be running a trailer for any other major weight.
I'm very impressed, it looks fantastic in a functional way!
Well I have solved my wheel dilemma, tried the bigger steels and all terrain tyres again but definitely not to my taste.
So standard wheels off to the powder coaters, good job I have a guy just round the corner from me! Lost count of how much stuff I have had done over the years! Went satin black again as I like the colour on the van
Still wanted all season tyres as that’s the reason for all the changing. The standard continentals really don’t inspire confidence when even slightly cooler.
Went for Nokian Weatherproofs in the Cargo form. The SUV ones have taken some stick recently so it will be interesting to see how these go. Normally always run Michelin Agilis but fancied a change.
Sikaflexed the gaps again to aid longevity of the coating.
And on, these are 215s rather than standard 205’s so fill the arches better.
Excuse the dirt, it’s been lashing it down all weekend. Allowed a good test of them though. So far I’m very impressed, tyres feel very planted. Go through standing water very well and much improved over the continentals.
Will do a few thousand miles on them and see how they go.
So standard wheels off to the powder coaters, good job I have a guy just round the corner from me! Lost count of how much stuff I have had done over the years! Went satin black again as I like the colour on the van
Still wanted all season tyres as that’s the reason for all the changing. The standard continentals really don’t inspire confidence when even slightly cooler.
Went for Nokian Weatherproofs in the Cargo form. The SUV ones have taken some stick recently so it will be interesting to see how these go. Normally always run Michelin Agilis but fancied a change.
Sikaflexed the gaps again to aid longevity of the coating.
And on, these are 215s rather than standard 205’s so fill the arches better.
Excuse the dirt, it’s been lashing it down all weekend. Allowed a good test of them though. So far I’m very impressed, tyres feel very planted. Go through standing water very well and much improved over the continentals.
Will do a few thousand miles on them and see how they go.
They are tuff torque steels. I went for them as they are properly rated 1200kg and have a similar look to factory just bigger. They were end of line though so I believe them not to be available anymore. No issues with the drive/feel of them, handled nicely without excessive noise, just the look not for me.
They are sat in my garage ready to sell!
