Deal fell through .. A better one arrives.

[Calypso]

So the other MT45 deal fell through … but I got an even better one.
2001 P42 140,000 miles used as a contractors rig.
Decent Step Vans are near impossible to find up here in AK or beat to hell.
But I had to get a guy to do my deal… as he wouldn’t respond to a “girl”.

The MT45 had translucent ceiling and roll up door, huge metal bulkhead, massive metal shelves and this crazy wristband one had to wear, couldn’t get in until we jumped the dead battery to get band to open the doors, no history but used as delivery so heavy use stop/go city driving. The guy thought it was 16, but as soon as I saw it I knew it was less.

The P42 has solid roof, the side by side center rear doors, no bulkhead, insulated with lights, even wooden floor, wooden shelving held up by webbing (no structural brackets or modifications) fully documented service records.
And $5k less than MT45… and HALF of what he was asking.. my guy friend just offered half and he accepted! Silly fella, he could of gotten a lot more outta me, this silly girl is smart enough to know how to play the game.

But now here we Go … I’m actually doing this, it’s actually happening.

 

[PlethoraOfGuns]

Nice job! It's hard for many people interested in step vans to be patient and not end up with fiberglass roof and roll up door. You did great, welcome to the step van crew! Oh, and pictures!!! Please show us your goods!

 

[Calypso]

Nice job! It's hard for many people interested in step vans to be patient and not end up with fiberglass roof and roll up door. You did great, welcome to the step van crew! Oh, and pictures!!! Please show us your goods!

Thank you for replying. I have to get pictures off my phone. But since I did buy it somewhat remotely I hadn’t actually walked inside the cargo, and had assumed it was 7’ … it’s not it’s 6’. I’m 5’9” and the ceiling aluminum panels brush my hair, and I am not an 80’s aquanet girl. I’m not sure what’s behind them but it’s not any more than insulation would be. The floor is raised, which gives more clearance and more space for tanks and such. I guess that’s right. Idk, I’m a total newbie.

I had designed for 7’ having them perimeter ceiling for storage. Not only that and the hunchback walk, how a, I suppose to dance and get my grove on without lifting my arms or jumping?

I asked in another “room” “thread” channel? Whatever these are called. I as,Ed about if anyone had cut the roof and lifted it up, just extend the vertical ribs and place The whole roof back down and wrap with aluminum.

Is that crazy? I love her so much though. I’m in total shock… like I actually did this, I’m actually doing this, I’m making my own path to freedom. I’m super stoked and scared and s nervous to ask questions as I feel like a total idiot.

 

[Calypso]

I thought she had a wood floor, she doesn’t. There’s little holes to the road I guess for drainage or ?

There’s no door on the drivers side, nor jump seat (which I could pick one up if needed, but my dog said he’d rather be in his crate when driving.)

135,400 miles. 20,000 since 2014.
Idk what WP 31842 body type UT really means. It’s a p42 dually with 6 studded tires no rims, the ones on are summer but are good.

Idk… what do you think? I’m kinda sensitive so be gentle

 

[Calypso]

I thought she had a wood floor, she doesn’t. There’s little holes to the road I guess for drainage or ?

There’s no door on the drivers side, nor jump seat (which I could pick one up if needed, but my dog said he’d rather be in his crate when driving.)

135,400 miles. 20,000 since 2014.
Idk what WP 31842 body type UT really means. It’s a p42 dually with 6 studded tires no rims, the ones on are summer but are good.

Idk… what do you think? I’m kinda sensitive so be gentle

 

[AmargosaWayne]

UT is most likely Utility Truck.

 

[PlethoraOfGuns]

My van is 7' interior. I wish I had gotten the 6.5' interior so the total van height wasn't so high. 6.5' interior is probably the sweet spot for these things to live out of. 6' is kinda on the short side, I feel for you as I'm also 5'9". I think your best bet is to go light on the ceiling and floor insulation, but do good insulation. Go thick on the walls and watch to minimize thermal bridging.

Above your ceiling panels you probably have not so great fiberglass insulation. So maybe start with tearing that down and replace with better foam insulation. You live in a cold climate, will definitely have to compensate with a good heating system. The diesel heaters are very efficient and will suit your needs nicely. The floor height is normal for those. Under the floor is the chassis and stuff. There are side skirts on the exterior, and yes, behind them you can easily hide some goodies like tanks and storage and stuff!

Not having a driver side door isn't the end. I always go in and out through the passenger side door. But on nice hot days, I always drive with the driver door open, great air conditioning that way! But you live in AK, I don't think you need air conditioning! I see you also have what looks like a small door in the floor in the rear, right in front of the back doors. I think that is a hatch to access your fuel sending unit in the fuel tank, which is a nice future so you don't have to remove the fuel tank in the future. If that is the case, make sure that's accessible!

The stock jump seat was terrible. I threw that thing out and bolted in a real seat. Found a seat out of an old two door Jeep that slides forward and back quite far to make it easy to get around behind it.

You're doing it right! So excited for you. It came with a hula girl, so how bad can things get? Ask lots of questions. Most people here will help you. Ignore the ignorant people who just want to burst your bubble. Step vans are so much fun to work on and build. I'm keeping a decent writeup on my step van if you want to check it out. Lots of photos of all the ins and outs of these things. Didn't do everything right, but I did it, and adapted from many mistakes. Everyone is in that boat, and it's ok, nobody is perfect. I've learned a lot along the way and would love to share the knowledge!

 

[kklowell]

If you haven't already, and you've got lots of time for some very interesting reading, you absolutely should check out that "Cummins canoe" link! Hopefully, now that you actually own a step van, it doesn't scare you.

 

[Calypso]

Thank you so much for your response. What a nice warm welcome supportive feeling it gave me. I feel powered up!

The drivers side has a huge roll down window so that’s good. I did take note how easy it is to lock the door from the outside, so I need to watch that as I’m already prone to locking keys in cars. Find a hidy hole for a spare or something.

The jump seat, there are two big metal pipes that look like where a seat supports slide into. Idk, thinking I can have interchangeable table there as a sometimes desk and have a great view while I study.

I do need to get a thicker skin towards others… and just let them be with their own attitudes, not take it personally. As well as accept help and advice without getting butthurt from those well intended. It’s more than just rebuilding a van for me, this is part of an internal healing regrowth process.

The beauty of it all is that we can each do what’s best for us, and we’re the only ones who have to live with it, both good or bad choices. That’s my stumbling block at the moment.. choices. Too many. It’s overwhelming to go from having no voice, no choice … to anything and everything and it’s all up to me, for me. What do I even like or want?

I have no deadline, and given myself at least a year timeline. Of course a lot of that focused in the summer, finding inside work space is hard during winters.

Thank you for the information and invite to see your process. I am very much a visual learner so pictures and videos really help me, esp when it comes to the electrical and plumbing systems.

I look forward to engaging more with this community, and coming out of my shell a bit.

I really am very hopeful and excited for this adventure and it feels good to have that life jolt back.

 

[PlethoraOfGuns]

You're doing it right! Good luck!

 

[Calypso]

I think these cross members and pipe are able to come out. They are not attached to front or rear, and attached to sides through to exterior. I’m not exactly sure hat they are but they’re below the ceiling panels which I imagine has some insulation. Anything I need to consider before I try and take them out? What is a bare ceiling suppose to look like?
Thanks

 

[PlethoraOfGuns]

Those are clothes racks, not structural. Remove them.

Above ceiling insulation and roof structural supports.

 

[AmargosaWayne]

Is that a big magnet in image#3?

 

[Calypso]

Is that a big magnet in image#3?

Yes, can’t get it off it’s so strong. I just scoot it around for now, with much effort. No idea what it’s used for but would not want to get my hand caught between it and anything else. My friend got it off once and it shook the truck when it slammed back from a few inches away.

 

[Calypso]

Those are clothes racks, not structural. Remove them.

Above ceiling insulation and roof structural supports.

Gotcha.. okay. Thank you.
Now to the business of the insulation debate, which has my head in a storm. But I’ll get in there and try and rip it all down and out…. Then figure out how to insulate and wiring… guess I should do the floor first or figure out plumbing first.

I’ll take out shelving and rack .. plug up side holes … do a good clean, maybe take to a self car wash that has a hand sprayer. Don’t have water where I’m at and it’s freezing.

I can just pull that stuff down or snip the rivets? I think I need some metal working tools.

 

[PlethoraOfGuns]

Yep, you gotta gut and clean that thing. Once you have a clean slate, you can get some measurements and see much height you're really dealing with and what you're going to do for floor and ceiling insulation. Then grab a chair and sit for a few days, staring at the monster you just unleashed and let the creative juices flow out of yer noggin!

What are those black fasteners that are holding up your ceiling sheets? I had these things, they were terrible!

I tried unscrewing one with a screwdriver and it took me 5 minutes. The rest I just ripped out with a pryer and a hammer.

 

[Calypso]

the first two things I took to van .. my camp chair and tape measure! Haha.
And lots of paper with many pencils and a ruler …
It’ll be a while to get it cleaned out until it warms up. But I can get ceiling down and measure.

I’ve got all the time to sit and dream. It really has given me a boost … I need a straw for all these creative juices.

 

[kklowell]

I'm a little envious of your project!