How to Panel Back Corner of GM Van Interior

[unckybob]

I have a GM G10 cargo van and I intend to panel the inside. The ribs on the sides and roof are all the same size so I can see that makes it easy. I can just get some 1/4" plywood and screw it to the ribs. It ought to flex around the ribs to the same shape.<br><br>But that won't work around the back corners of the van. The shape is too complex.<br><br>Does anyone have any suggestions for panelling the back corners of a van? Has anyone seen any other websites that discuss this? Or seen any YouTube videos? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Seraphim]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Can you post a photo of the corner? I had a 77 Dodge which I didn't frame, but I used 1/8" panelling and the screws pulled it into shape. As I recall, I just squared off the back corners, trimming the panels to shape against each other. Made a posterboard template first.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">In the middle of the walls I feared the screws would pull through the panelling, so I cut a wide strip of plywood which ran horizontal, ran the screws through the, and covered it with carpet for aesthetics.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Carpet was 'in' during the 70s</p>

 

[Ricekila]

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[unckybob]

<img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8147/7133513559_89a0851e1e_b.jpg"><br><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7237/7133511685_e6e2f16133_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7237/7133511685_e6e2f16133_b.jpg"><br><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/7133511531_41f032ecff_b.jpg"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7061/7133511513_3ab312bdbe_b.jpg"><br><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8005/7133511507_8778dd37b8_b.jpg"><br><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8011/7133511487_fcd94b508b_b.jpg"><br><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7222/7133513565_4f27e4d496_b.jpg"><br>

 

[karl]

Well, I tried to take and upload a pic of my 95 gm and how I handled it ....but the gods are agin me tonight...<br>anyway, my bed covers the lower portion where the bracket covers the clearance light and the filler tube, that space is for storage so I didn't panel down that far....<br>Normally I strap the sidewalls with 1/2" plywood strips to attache paneling to, but this one was for me, and I wanted to do it as cheap and quick as possible, so I screwed directly to the ribs with 1/2' plywood only at joints where 2 sheets met between ribs.<br>I installed the sides first, letting them run an inch or less past the rear door jamb, then roughly scribed the rear panels to the shape of the wall curve, slid a length of undersill trim from vinyl siding (home depot) over the edge of the rear panel(I ran the grain horizontally there also so that it bent easier to the curve of the door jamb), pushed it snug to the sidewall and marked down the door jamb from the back with the door open, cut inside that line half an inch or so, slid another piece of trim over the panel edge, forced it tight to the corner and screwed in place....the trim pieces allow some error and can be adjusted for a tight fit....there is nothing behind the corner, but the bends of the paneling keep everything in place. It does go easier with three or more hands...<br>clear as mud, I'm sure....will try again to load pics when I am less tired and figure out where I went wrong....<img src="http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k490/woodi20/Lurch/NovaScotia101.jpg"><br>

 

[unckybob]

Thanks, Karl.<br>

 

[Ricekila]

Either take some large oak-tag sheets a tape up a pattern in the corners. The transfer to your paneling or thin plywood. Then noting where you'll need light bulb access later - using self tapping Philips screws - screw them down. Take them off trimming to fit - and cut your access holes - backing up the edges with scrap pieces - eather pop out doors or install small flush mount hinges <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><br><br>Then pack the inside with insulation and put it all back together ---<br><br>Or - if your like me - a right angle kind of guy - using 1 X 2's - box out a simple frame - trim paneling to fit - make access doors - insulate ---<br><br>As we say in Yiddish -- "Bingo" <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/comp.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><br>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">If you want curved corners, try this.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.amazuluinc.com/tambor-paneling-natural" target=_blank>http://www.amazuluinc.com/tambor-paneling-natural</a></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Bob</p>

 

[Seraphim]

Another option, especially with those cables and that brace,, would be to make two 45 degree angles at the back corners, rather than a 90. That would give you a little space in the corner for the cables.

Either way you'll need to use some 2x2 strips for the panelling to be attached to.

 

[cargovanconversion]

<p><img src="http://cargovanconversion.com/wp-content/gallery/removals/044.jpg"></p><p>I haven't started with the walls yet (<a href="http://cargovanconversion.com/?p=470" target="_blank">cargovanconversion.com</a>), but the old plywood panels are covered with a foam backed fabric, which is very forgiving with regard to the accuracy of the cut panels and you don;t always need edge banding either.</p><p>Van.</p>