Having trouble understanding this!

[Ladyrane]

Hi guys! I'm new, and what I'm doing is pricing, planning, and sketching out my van. I'm not looking to live in it, but I would like to travel for long periods of time with my kiddo and my cats. I LOVE what I see with the creativity.<br /><br />Here's my question: I don't understand how you guys are attaching these bed frames and shelves to the sides of the van. How do you know you're not destroying the electric system? Are you screwing or nailing that directly into the side of the van? These bed platforms all look like you're affixing them but I just am not seeing how that's happening exactly. I hope this doesn't sound too silly. That's the main conceptual problem that I'm having right now. Thanks for answering! Note that I haven't bought the van yet. I know what I WANT, but I am planning the total project. As a note what I want is a large passenger van.

 

[Les H]

Hi again. If you get the chance, look into the back of an empty cargo van. You will see that there are "ribs" on the inside of the skin, for support and structure.. Also, in a vehicle, most of the wires are run in a bundle ( vs one at a time , like when an electrician wires a house) , so when you find it, you PROBABLY have found MOST of them. If you do s rew through a wire, be sure to fix it properly before moving on or covering it up so you dont get a short or spark later.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I don't know how others are doing it, but after the insulation goes in, i plan to use the ribs of the van like studs in a wall.&nbsp;&nbsp; I'm adding a ply floor over the metal floor as well, so i can affix things to it.

 

[Ladyrane]

That makes sense! So you can screw or nail things into the ribs and it's probably safe then. Is there a tool that you use to locate the wiring, or do you just assume it's near the things that might be wired (like power windows, lights, etc.?)

 

[gp]

Hi. I put eyebolts through the floor and bungee the bed legs and other furniture to them. Makes it easy to remove or reconfigure furniture.

 

[sidat202]

Most of the wiring you would deal with are the wires that go to the taillights. They are bundled together and usually run along the bottom. In alot of cases they are run under the van along the frame. The only time you may run into wires along the wall ribs is if there is&nbsp;an overhead light.

 

[akrvbob]

A simple way to attach things is with "L" bracket to the floor. An L bracket is about 1/2 inch wide and comes in various lengths from 1 inch to 4 inches and more. i use self-tapping sheet metal screws with hex heads to attach them to the floor. You will need a drill to drive them with. Before you ever drill into the floor, you want to locate the gas tank. If you are working anywhere near it you want to be extremely careful to not puncture it. <br /><br />Use the shortest (and fattest) screw that will work. It depends on what is on your floor (like carpet and padding), but usually a 1/2 or 1 inch screw is about right. Buy both and start with the 1/2 inch. You can feel when it starts to bite on the floor. If the 1/2 doesn't bite enough floor, try the 1 inch. If that still isn't biting, get a bigger one. Some floors are ribbed and you are trying to drill into the lower rib. If so just move over and inch or two and you can go straight into the floor. Bob

 

[Guest]

I have&nbsp; installed&nbsp; a Lot of&nbsp; things in&nbsp; all types of&nbsp; vehicals .&nbsp; Vans&nbsp; Have&nbsp; U channel frames for&nbsp;strength .&nbsp; Theres&nbsp; really&nbsp; nothing there&nbsp; behind&nbsp; those&nbsp; channels .&nbsp; The main&nbsp; wire-ing&nbsp; is&nbsp;&nbsp;under&nbsp; the chassis&nbsp; and&nbsp; your&nbsp; inside lights&nbsp; will be in&nbsp; the roof&nbsp; typically. I use self drilling&nbsp; self taping&nbsp; screws&nbsp; and&nbsp;I use&nbsp;&nbsp; urathene adhesive&nbsp; between&nbsp; the&nbsp;&nbsp;item being installed&nbsp; and the&nbsp;channels.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Urathene adhesive&nbsp;&nbsp;Can&nbsp; install&nbsp; blocks of&nbsp; wood&nbsp; directly to the&nbsp; skin of the&nbsp; Van&nbsp;&nbsp; to&nbsp; attatch&nbsp; other things to&nbsp; very&nbsp; effectivly and very&nbsp; securly.<br />Just&nbsp; make sure&nbsp; the metal is clean&nbsp;,no&nbsp; grease, rust&nbsp;or loose paint, and clean it&nbsp; with&nbsp; lacquer thinner&nbsp; and&nbsp; a scotch bright pad. <br />&nbsp; Just&nbsp; make SURE your&nbsp; self drilling&nbsp; screws&nbsp; are not TOO long&nbsp; and go all the&nbsp; way&nbsp; through&nbsp; the van . <br />&nbsp; Another&nbsp; approach is to lay out&nbsp; you&nbsp; plywood side panels with&nbsp; what&nbsp;&nbsp; extra support&nbsp;&nbsp; you&nbsp; need where you need it&nbsp;using 2 x 4's&nbsp; or 1 x 4's,&nbsp; behind the walls, that&nbsp; are&nbsp;Glued&nbsp; and screwed in place&nbsp;&nbsp;. Then&nbsp; install&nbsp; the entire panel and&nbsp; self drill / tap&nbsp; screw into the&nbsp; channels.&nbsp; Its&nbsp; a very good idea&nbsp; to&nbsp; locate&nbsp; all your&nbsp; mounting&nbsp; holes LAST&nbsp; so they&nbsp; hit&nbsp; the channel dead on&nbsp;AFTER&nbsp;the&nbsp; test fittings. Get it to fit&nbsp; right&nbsp; first, &nbsp;then locate&nbsp; the channel mounting holes. &nbsp;Drilling&nbsp; through&nbsp; the&nbsp; floor&nbsp; you&nbsp; need&nbsp; to be careful&nbsp; and&nbsp; look things over&nbsp; from underneath&nbsp; the van&nbsp;&nbsp; to make sure&nbsp; you&nbsp; dont&nbsp; hit&nbsp; anything. like&nbsp; gas tank, Frame,&nbsp; hydrolic lines&nbsp;&nbsp; Wire&nbsp; bundles and&nbsp; soforth&nbsp;&nbsp;, and&nbsp; have&nbsp; axcess to the&nbsp; hole&nbsp;&nbsp; for&nbsp; nuts&nbsp; and bolts if your not&nbsp;using&nbsp; self drilling / taping&nbsp; screws&nbsp;. I typically&nbsp; dont use&nbsp; self&nbsp; drillers&nbsp;&nbsp;in the&nbsp; floor, I use&nbsp; Nuts&nbsp; and bolts &nbsp;.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

 

[Lifemagician]

I don't know how others are doing it, but after the insulation goes in, I plan to use the ribs of the van like studs in a wall.

<br /><br />This raises a question I have been wondering.&nbsp; How do I find out where the ribs are in a conversion van which is fully lined.&nbsp; I do not want to remove or replace the lining, but I do want to remove the back seat/sofa, and build in a bed.&nbsp; I want the bed to be attached to the sides above the wheels, so I have <strong>all</strong> the space underneath for storage.<br /><br />So my question is, how do I find out where I can drill?<br /><br />1998 Ford E150 HiTop Conversion Van<br /><br />Lifey

 

[sidat202]

I&nbsp;assume your not working with aluminum.<br />Depending on how thick the paneling is, you might be able to use a strong magnet to detect the ribs. Also if you push on the paneling and it flexes, you can go along and if it doesn't flex in when you push. There is probably a rib there. One other idea is to go the wrecking yard and find a van like yours. Find a point to measure from and measure the ribs on each side.

 

[Ladyrane]

Oooh, good tip, thank you.

 

[Seraphim]

Used to rap on walls with my hand to find wood studs: the sound becomes less hollow when you rap over a stud.&nbsp; Might work with ribs: just listen for the change in the sound.

 

[bob144]

so wat im hearing to put duck tape on my bed frame for no squeaking wheres the fun in that lol

 

[munchausen]

I was thinking about this as well for my completely gutted Econoline. I plan to put a queen size bed inside across the rear wheel wells. The bottom of the van is pretty rusted so I think anchoring into the floor might not work. But the wheel wells are pretty good. Should I try to anchor to the wheel wells and the ribs? Is this a bad idea? <br /><br />I know the rust is pretty bad to have and it will only get worse if I don't take care of it. But I bought the van for a grand and the way I see it, I don't pay rent for a few months it paid for itself. Even if I buy some wood for the bed. So rust it is for a while...

 

[Guest]

There is&nbsp; a rust&nbsp;&nbsp;neturailizer &nbsp; you&nbsp; just&nbsp; spray on , comes in&nbsp; a&nbsp; rattle can . It&nbsp; stops&nbsp; rust&nbsp; and&nbsp; the surface&nbsp; after treatment&nbsp; can&nbsp; be painted . It&nbsp; turns&nbsp; all&nbsp; rust&nbsp; black and it does&nbsp; stop it . get&nbsp; all&nbsp; the&nbsp; loose&nbsp;flakie&nbsp; stuff off first &nbsp; <a href="http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/s_...iew/Loctite-Extend-Rust-Neutralizer-Spray.htm">http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/s_...iew/Loctite-Extend-Rust-Neutralizer-Spray.htm</a>

 

[PYSCHOWard]

A rust neutralzer, or atleast a heavy coat of oil based primer inside the van,&nbsp;and a used oil undercoat sprayed under side will extend the Life of rusty metal fairly well.