krispychris79
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- Joined
- Apr 23, 2017
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First off let me say Howdy! I know I should have introduced myself in the newcomers corner, but I didnt want to overdo it with posts (immediately) lol
Brief Synopsis: I got into vanning maybe 3 years ago. I picked up an old 83 Chevy G20 on impulse and fell in love with the van lifestyle. One of our members actually purchased that van a month or so ago. Currently I own a 1989 Chevy g10 Shorty, I found him hanging out at a car lot, looking for a home. 89K miles, Cold AC, maintained fairly well, with no major issues besides the first week of owning it, the heater core went then the heater core housing broke.....when that happened and while I waited to find a housing I decided to rip the interior out and go full speed into converting "LiL Stubbs aka The Vantasy", into a cozy and livable interior.
Upon demolishing the interior, I found out it used to be a plain jane panel van that was converted. They had used household insulation, electrical and duct tape for wiring, and did a piss poor job cutting the support beam to fit the window. The floor was also riddled with holes since it also used to be a handicap equipped van. Oh! and they used some super strength Thors hammer indestructible adhesive to put everything on!!!
The first couple weeks were painful, and not having many tools or any practical hands on experience doing this sort of thing, I read and read various forums and blogs and posts I got him down to bare metal for the most part and began...
I started with filling the holes. My friend gave me his welder but that was overwhelming so I used coins and epoxied them to the holes. I then covered the holes with metallic bondo and sanded them down. I covered those with rustoleum. I then began laying dynamat in the cab part since I had taken the seats out. I then purchased some Noico on amazon which was waaaay cheaper and so far has dampened the noise just fine. I had left over Noico so I plastered it on the walls and the entire floor, with some left for the doors. After I laid the sound deadener, I put some Polyso Board on the walls. I then cut strips and glued them in the grooves of the floor. Then I went a little overboard and began using reflictix type tape to cover the polyiso board I laid in the grooves. My OCD kicked in and I ended up taping the entire floor!!!!!
Yesterday I finally went and bought a saw and two sheets of 3/4in plywood. Some say it might be too thick and I think Im going to agree but I wanted to be certain whatever I bolt to the floor will be sturdy. I saved the old template and cut it using some chairs as a plywood support (which ended badly, I cut through a chair, which happened to be our dining room chairs...wife isnt happy)
I also purchased some indoor/outdoor carpet from homedepot. It was very thin and I glued it to the wheel well. It came out ok, not perfect but I figure it will be covered by whatever type of bed/couch/entertainment center I plan to build.
Theres my back story and small intro and now my questions, thoughts that I would appreciate feedback on from like minded individuals
1. I cant afford to buy anymore wood but the template wasnt perfect and I have some gaps and in the rear as you can see from the photos there is exposed metal. I bought wood putty and bondo. Im thinking of using one or the other to fill in the gaps and where there are large spots of bare floor, cut some small pieces of wood, lay them in there and then bondo over it.
2. I was going to glue the floor down, or possibly leave it floating but I want it secure, so I tried a couple different type of screws. I went with sheet metal self tapping screws. The test one went right through the metal but didnt secure anything. I could lift the wood right out...What type of screws does everyone recommend.
3. Laminate flooring: I purchased some pergo click flooring and as a test I began laying it out. It says its floating as well but when I put them together they do not stay in place and they bow up...AM I doing something wrong? To be on the safe side should I glue them down?
Annnnd thats it for now. Once the floor is done I will move onto the walls and ceiling. Thanks for listening to my long winded post but I have no one to talk to about this project and its time for some advice.
ps: I also purchased some ACC Carpet for the front of the cab, supposed to lay right in there. I bought the stuff with the mass backing...MISTAKE!!!! that has been a pain in my ass and wont adhere to the floor and required lots of fitting. I got the passenger side in but am waiting until I can have a "pro" install the driver side.
Thanks
Chris
Brief Synopsis: I got into vanning maybe 3 years ago. I picked up an old 83 Chevy G20 on impulse and fell in love with the van lifestyle. One of our members actually purchased that van a month or so ago. Currently I own a 1989 Chevy g10 Shorty, I found him hanging out at a car lot, looking for a home. 89K miles, Cold AC, maintained fairly well, with no major issues besides the first week of owning it, the heater core went then the heater core housing broke.....when that happened and while I waited to find a housing I decided to rip the interior out and go full speed into converting "LiL Stubbs aka The Vantasy", into a cozy and livable interior.
Upon demolishing the interior, I found out it used to be a plain jane panel van that was converted. They had used household insulation, electrical and duct tape for wiring, and did a piss poor job cutting the support beam to fit the window. The floor was also riddled with holes since it also used to be a handicap equipped van. Oh! and they used some super strength Thors hammer indestructible adhesive to put everything on!!!
The first couple weeks were painful, and not having many tools or any practical hands on experience doing this sort of thing, I read and read various forums and blogs and posts I got him down to bare metal for the most part and began...
I started with filling the holes. My friend gave me his welder but that was overwhelming so I used coins and epoxied them to the holes. I then covered the holes with metallic bondo and sanded them down. I covered those with rustoleum. I then began laying dynamat in the cab part since I had taken the seats out. I then purchased some Noico on amazon which was waaaay cheaper and so far has dampened the noise just fine. I had left over Noico so I plastered it on the walls and the entire floor, with some left for the doors. After I laid the sound deadener, I put some Polyso Board on the walls. I then cut strips and glued them in the grooves of the floor. Then I went a little overboard and began using reflictix type tape to cover the polyiso board I laid in the grooves. My OCD kicked in and I ended up taping the entire floor!!!!!
Yesterday I finally went and bought a saw and two sheets of 3/4in plywood. Some say it might be too thick and I think Im going to agree but I wanted to be certain whatever I bolt to the floor will be sturdy. I saved the old template and cut it using some chairs as a plywood support (which ended badly, I cut through a chair, which happened to be our dining room chairs...wife isnt happy)
I also purchased some indoor/outdoor carpet from homedepot. It was very thin and I glued it to the wheel well. It came out ok, not perfect but I figure it will be covered by whatever type of bed/couch/entertainment center I plan to build.
Theres my back story and small intro and now my questions, thoughts that I would appreciate feedback on from like minded individuals
1. I cant afford to buy anymore wood but the template wasnt perfect and I have some gaps and in the rear as you can see from the photos there is exposed metal. I bought wood putty and bondo. Im thinking of using one or the other to fill in the gaps and where there are large spots of bare floor, cut some small pieces of wood, lay them in there and then bondo over it.
2. I was going to glue the floor down, or possibly leave it floating but I want it secure, so I tried a couple different type of screws. I went with sheet metal self tapping screws. The test one went right through the metal but didnt secure anything. I could lift the wood right out...What type of screws does everyone recommend.
3. Laminate flooring: I purchased some pergo click flooring and as a test I began laying it out. It says its floating as well but when I put them together they do not stay in place and they bow up...AM I doing something wrong? To be on the safe side should I glue them down?
Annnnd thats it for now. Once the floor is done I will move onto the walls and ceiling. Thanks for listening to my long winded post but I have no one to talk to about this project and its time for some advice.
ps: I also purchased some ACC Carpet for the front of the cab, supposed to lay right in there. I bought the stuff with the mass backing...MISTAKE!!!! that has been a pain in my ass and wont adhere to the floor and required lots of fitting. I got the passenger side in but am waiting until I can have a "pro" install the driver side.
Thanks
Chris
