Where to get a ply lining kit?

[Skyliner33]

I am looking for a ply lining kit. I bought one from Custom Shop Designs, however I am going to return this as I am not happy with the fit for a few reasons.
Firstly my tailgate release button, wont fit in the cutout.



Secondly the rear panels are not a good fit behind the rear wheel arch, they dont follow the wheel arch very well, but more importantly they are too short.




So my question to the many converters on here is where can I get a better fitting set please?
@BognorMotors @Eclipse Campers @slidepods @Absolut5

Thanks in advance

 

[Eclipse Custom Vans]

Hi @Skyliner33 it looks as though they have templated the full height rear panel and this is wider than the smaller panel you show. We always do these to the size of the smaller panels and then we use a fillet at the bottom of the panel where you say it’s too short. Sometimes we have a pipe going through hence why we leave the gap and fillet it as required. Typically if we are using ply we are fitting behind furniture so we screw it in place, and then carpet line on top, it is still a good fit however. The rear latch won’t fit on even 6mm ply so you need to scallop out the rear wo make the clips fit.

Ply panels are strange as each person has a different opinion, for example we don’t use the OEM clip positions when using ply panels. Also the rear upper panels we make to fit behind conversions so are screwed in place and are not OEM shape, but we shape them to fit. If you are just carpet lining the panels then that is when you would use a full height rear. But bear in mind that the full height rears are not full length as you are asking for, probably as they are over 1220mm so wider than a standard sheet material.

We can make panels for you but would need a chat to determine exactly how you intend to use and or finish off.

Rgds

Ian

 

[Skyliner33]

Hi @Skyliner33 it looks as though they have templated the full height rear panel and this is wider than the smaller panel you show. We always do these to the size of the smaller panels and then we use a fillet at the bottom of the panel where you say it’s too short. Sometimes we have a pipe going through hence why we leave the gap and fillet it as required. Typically if we are using ply we are fitting behind furniture so we screw it in place, and then carpet line on top, it is still a good fit however. The rear latch won’t fit on even 6mm ply so you need to scallop out the rear wo make the clips fit.

Ply panels are strange as each person has a different opinion, for example we don’t use the OEM clip positions when using ply panels. Also the rear upper panels we make to fit behind conversions so are screwed in place and are not OEM shape, but we shape them to fit. If you are just carpet lining the panels then that is when you would use a full height rear. But bear in mind that the full height rears are not full length as you are asking for, probably as they are over 1220mm so wider than a standard sheet material.

We can make panels for you but would need a chat to determine exactly how you intend to use and or finish off.

Rgds

Ian

Thanks, for the in depth reply. A few options there.
I wanted the panel wider than my OEM. But also to reach the floor. As shown in in this photo.






The panel I bought from Custom Shop Designs is not accurate to the OEM panel in my opinion. It narrows off at the front, not following the wheel arch. I realise that you cant get a full hight panel out of a 8'x4' sheet, and thats why they have stopped short. My initial thoughts were I would want a lower panel and an upper panel in two parts, see pic:

I couldnt find anyone willing to cut me two ply panels like this, so my thoughts are to buy a full height panel (I have now found a company that do this cutting out of a piece of 10x5' ply) and then either a) fit it as one piece or b) cut it myself and fit it as two pieces as per the photo.

For now its just going to get a pop top and rear seats (sliding Reimo variotec are my first choice, if they are not too high like the RIB). But eventually some sort of kitchen units.

 

[Eclipse Custom Vans]

For conversions we fit 2 panels as you have shown, the upper is not an OEM type which is why people probably won’t do it. This way means the panels are recessed as much as possible giving a better finish.

If you want to call me we can see if we can help you out.

The Variotech 3000 system is nice and we fit these often, bear in mind that they can cause issues for furniture as the furniture needs to be straight and depth compromised. It’s all do able of course just more to think about. Also the REIMO system is bonded so you can’t fit yourself, need to have correct training and tooling.

All the best,

Ian

 

[Skyliner33]

For conversions we fit 2 panels as you have shown, the upper is not an OEM type which is why people probably won’t do it. This way means the panels are recessed as much as possible giving a better finish.

If you want to call me we can see if we can help you out.

The Variotech 3000 system is nice and we fit these often, bear in mind that they can cause issues for furniture as the furniture needs to be straight and depth compromised. It’s all do able of course just more to think about. Also the REIMO system is bonded so you can’t fit yourself, need to have correct training and tooling.

All the best,

Ian

Thanks Ian,

I only just spotted your reply. I will give you a phone call in the morning, or afternoon if I can’t manage the morning.
off hand do you know the height if the Reimo 3000?
thanks again.

 

[Skyliner33]

For conversions we fit 2 panels as you have shown, the upper is not an OEM type which is why people probably won’t do it. This way means the panels are recessed as much as possible giving a better finish.

If you want to call me we can see if we can help you out.

The Variotech 3000 system is nice and we fit these often, bear in mind that they can cause issues for furniture as the furniture needs to be straight and depth compromised. It’s all do able of course just more to think about. Also the REIMO system is bonded so you can’t fit yourself, need to have correct training and tooling.

All the best,

Ian

Hi, I've tried to call a few times but each time the phone is engaged. No worries, I understand you are very busy at the moment.

 

[bobbybasic]

Hey Skyliner, did you ever solve this problem?

How about something like this set with the half height rears - VW T5 SWB HALF HEIGHT PLY PANEL KIT TAILGATE VARIANT - STYLE 4 - Plyworx UK

Then you could buy a single full height rear and cut it down yourself. Or maybe Eclipse could supply with just that part?

 

[Skyliner33]

Hey Skyliner, did you ever solve this problem?

How about something like this set with the half height rears - VW T5 SWB HALF HEIGHT PLY PANEL KIT TAILGATE VARIANT - STYLE 4 - Plyworx UK

Then you could buy a single full height rear and cut it down yourself. Or maybe Eclipse could supply with just that part?

I bought a set with full height LWB panels, as above a bit short. However I spoke t a few converters, and all had slightly different thoughts but I came to the conclusion that I will carpet the metal ans see how those panels look, then if really not happy just buy the 2 LWB half heoght panels, or make some, and cut my full height panels in half.

Cheers

 

[bobbybasic]

Good plan involving minimal self-cutting.

What furniture will you be fitting?

EVO say not to use a single piece of ply - just in case you were thinking about using them

 

[Skyliner33]

Good plan involving minimal self-cutting.

What furniture will you be fitting?

EVO say not to use a single piece of ply - just in case you were thinking about using them

I had thought about evo, wonder why they advise against a single piece?

 

[bobbybasic]

I asked them this, they said because of potentially greater flex/movement across a single panel.

So because of this I'm going to get half height rears then make a separate extra upper piece like Ian suggested above.

 

[Skyliner33]

I asked them this, they said because of potentially greater flex/movement across a single panel.

So because of this I'm going to get half height rears then make a single piece like Ian suggested above.

Ah makes sense. I was thinking of two pieves so I can carpet the lower half of the van and suedeline the upper half.

 

[bobbybasic]

Hey Skyliner, whats the latest on your ply panelling problem? Any joy?

 

[Skyliner33]

Hey Skyliner, whats the latest on your ply panelling problem? Any joy?

No, not really, I still have the ones in the van as in the first post. And still not happy with them. :/

 

[Eclipse Custom Vans]

Heres an example of an how we do ply lining. One photo is 1/3 window on a LWB It differs from van to van, but gives you an idea. Thse are from a number of years ago so cant recall if these are CNC cut, we CNC them and floors these days

Cheers
Ian

 

[Skyliner33]

Heres an example of an how we do ply lining. One photo is 1/3 window on a LWB It differs from van to van, but gives you an idea.

Cheers
Ian

View attachment 125147

View attachment 125148

View attachment 125149

View attachment 125150

Thanks Ian,

Thats how I would like my ply. However I could not find anyone who wanted to supply CNC cut panels like that. They all want to just do the big 1piece ones.

 

[bobbybasic]

Yep me too - I'm also in the market for the SWB version of this if you can supply these Ian?

 

[Eclipse Custom Vans]

I can supply chaps, just mega busy at the moment and on holiday next week. Let me work something out and I'll let you know

would you guys want the holes for OEM fixings or screwing in? The top panel is screwed in but bottoms could have OEM holes if needed

 

[Skyliner33]

I can supply chaps, just mega busy at the moment and on holiday next week. Let me work something out and I'll let you know

would you guys want the holes for OEM fixings or screwing in? The top panel is screwed in but bottoms could have OEM holes if needed

OK, that gives me a few days to attempt at chopping up the ones I have and seeing how much of a mess I make. I would want OEM position and size for holes.

 

[bobbybasic]

Thanks, for the in depth reply. A few options there.
I wanted the panel wider than my OEM. But also to reach the floor. As shown in in this photo.


View attachment 116593



The panel I bought from Custom Shop Designs is not accurate to the OEM panel in my opinion. It narrows off at the front, not following the wheel arch. I realise that you cant get a full hight panel out of a 8'x4' sheet, and thats why they have stopped short. My initial thoughts were I would want a lower panel and an upper panel in two parts, see pic:

I couldnt find anyone willing to cut me two ply panels like this, so my thoughts are to buy a full height panel (I have now found a company that do this cutting out of a piece of 10x5' ply) and then either a) fit it as one piece or b) cut it myself and fit it as two pieces as per the photo.

For now its just going to get a pop top and rear seats (sliding Reimo variotec are my first choice, if they are not too high like the RIB). But eventually some sort of kitchen units.
View attachment 116595

I ended up cutting my own panels from 3.6mm ply using the old ones as templates, and then added in the extra section running round the wheelarch.