My 1996 Dodge Ram Van

[Lucy]

So I've debated for a little while about whether or not to document my process here. You guys are pros, building and wiring and rigging up fancy things, and I'm not going to do any of that. I'm probably not going to do anything more impressive than stack a bunch of rubbermaids up.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>But I'm going to post anyway. Because whatever little I do I'm proud of, darn it. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>My van is a white 1996 Dodge Ram. It's got a V8, 110k miles. It's been fully flushed and inspected and freshened up, so I feel pretty good about it mechanically. I took a vote on my personal blog and have decided to name him Falkor. If you don't recognize that name, I apologize: my childhood and yours were obviously nothing alike. <img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif"></div><div><br></div><div>I knew in advance that the middle bucket seats had to go. There was also a TV/VCR combo in a big wooden block between the front seats that I yanked out.</div><div><br></div><div>From what I can tell it's popular to remove all the back seats and build from scratch. I debated about that, but got my answer when I looked at the rear bench and took some measurements: when the bench folds down into a bed the first two sections are slightly wider and slightly shorter than a twin bed. There is space under it, and without that unnecessary third section there would be space behind it. So, boom. I ended up unfastening the third section and removing it.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I picked up a couple of second-hand bed-toppers, one memory foam and one a fiberfill. Twin bed size, so they fit the bench though they do extend almost to the windows.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>And that's as far as I've gotten so far. I've got storage bins and shelves in my house that I think will work perfectly, I just need to assemble it all so it's comfortable and functional. Throw some twin bed sheets on the bench, and it should come together.</div><div><br></div><div>It's not much, maybe, but doing all this on my own really does make me proud, and makes me feel like I'm not as in-over-my-head as I thought I might be. I owe everyone on this forum a thank you for all the help you gave even when I was just lurking and reading your posts for tips. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></div>

 

[Seraphim]

<p style="margin: 0px;">No one here, that I am aware of, is a "pro". A group of people with different&nbsp; skill sets willing to share what they've learned from experience.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">You've got a nice beginning; stripping out what you don't need. The van looks in very nice condition. Now you've got to spend some time inside, and decide what you like it to become. Imagine living in it, having meals in it, getting up&nbsp;and performing yout&nbsp;morning routine in it, and deciding what type of layout would be best for you. Having posted images, it's easier for others to make suggestions, if you want them.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">While you've got all that uncluttered space, I'd ask what you plan to do for window coverings? Easier to install now than when you've got the interior more cluttered.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Also, do you plan on making that fron passenger seat swivel? Adds a bit of living space to the rear if it swivels, and now would be the time to change it - plenty of room to work at removing bolts...</p>

 

[owl]

<P>You should be proud! Folks on here are really helpful and creative.</P>

 

[akrvbob]

A very simple and cheap way to add organization is used furniture from a thrift store. Two that work well are desks and drawers. A tall chest of drawers gives you huge storage options. if you can find a desk with an upper shelf, (roll-top or computer) that will give you lots of storage, the more drawers in it the better.&nbsp; To secure it just get "L" brackets from Home Depot and screw them into the bottom of the dresser/drawer and then use self-tapping sheet metal screws to screw it into the floor. Make sure they are short enough not to go into anything underneath, like the gas tank!!<br><br>If you aren't handy, I'd suggest finding a handyman to build your bed and secure the drawers. Build the bed high enough that Rubbermaid 18 quart totes will slide in and out. Huge amount of storage under their. Find some simple conversions on the net or my websites that you like and print out the pictures. Any decent handyman can take the pictures and build you exactly what you want.&nbsp; It will cost you some money but it is like changing the fluids or brakes in the van, it is just part of being a vandweller. If you can't do it, you pay someone else to. Bob <br>

 

[cargovanconversion]

<p>Great work! Everybody has a different skill set and everybody has different expectations!</p><p>That makes it all so interesting.</p><p>I'm doing the same thing. Look at my website <a href="http://cargovanconversion.com" target="_blank">cargovanconversion.com</a> and maybe you get some new ideas.</p><p>Van.</p>

 

[Ricekila]

<P>You could have Square Dances in there now <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" align=absMiddle border=0></P>

 

[Rollin]

Lucy, I like your van. Your set up is just about like mine is. There is a lot on down the line I will&nbsp;probably&nbsp;change or add but I have&nbsp;nether the time or money right now. I&nbsp;figure if people are living&nbsp;successively in there cars, the van with the extra room is just going to be a plus.&nbsp;We gotta start&nbsp;somewhere.

 

[yesican]

<p style="margin: 0px;">I'm impressed...go girl!</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Rae</p>

 

[Lucy]

Thanks for the feedback, all. I decided to listen to Seraphim and worry about window coverings next. I'm going with a three-pronged system. Velcro strips around all the windows that can hold blackout curtains when I need privacy, and mosquito netting when I can have windows open. I also got some reflectix from Lowe's that I'll cut to fit into the windows themselves when the temperatures are crazy.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>I've been looking around thrift stores and craigslist for furniture, but I'm thinking I might just go with those plastic storage bin drawers for most of my stuff. They're basic, lightweight, big enough for my needs. I'm low maintenance. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I've decided that I don't need a kitchen, just a camp stove for boiling water for tea, instant soup and oatmeal, and heating cans of food. That means my 'kitchen' won't take up much space. I'll have a plastic container for grey water, something easily dumpable in restrooms when I'm not at a campground. And same with the bathroom. I'm going with the bucket and portable loo with cat litter. Good times.&nbsp;</div>

 

[Seraphim]

<p>You sound like you're pretty much on track and don't need much advice lol.</p>

 

[Rollin]

Lucy, I just wanted to let you know that I also used&nbsp;Velcro&nbsp;for my window coverings along with " black " black out&nbsp;curtains&nbsp;on the doors only. On the big bay windows I used the blackout&nbsp;curtains&nbsp;along with a&nbsp;adjustable curtain rod and&nbsp;safety&nbsp;pin's.&nbsp; I had previously tinted all the side and rear windows with a very dark tint. Let my say that this combination works great and you cant see in or out. I also have a large&nbsp;curtain&nbsp;separating&nbsp;the driving area from the back.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>BUT hears the problem, I'm in Florida right now and it already been in the mid 90's. What happens is when the van is sitting all closed up in the sun is the&nbsp;Velcro's&nbsp;sticky backing starts to melt!!! If your not going to be in a hot&nbsp;environment then it&nbsp;shouldn't&nbsp;be a problem. But if you are, you may want to take this into consideration. As you can see in my pic they are starting to fall off the doors.</div><div><br></div><div>I'm now&nbsp;looking at having to run screws through the&nbsp;Velcro into the plastic window jam. Also I'm going to have to staple (sewing would be better (If I knew how)) the other half of the&nbsp;Velcro to the black out&nbsp;curtain.&nbsp;I would&nbsp;defiantly&nbsp;not&nbsp;recommend&nbsp;attaching the&nbsp;Velcro directly to the window. They just will not stay up in the heat.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

 

[Rollin]

BTW, For your&nbsp;information (if you&nbsp;didn't know)&nbsp;&nbsp;black out&nbsp;curtain's are black on one side and white on the other.&nbsp;I took green seer&nbsp;curtain (just for looks) and cut to size and hot glued to the black out curtain . Here again sewing would have helped. The hot glue seems to be holding up ok to the heat. Just gets a little&nbsp;tacky. We shall see what happens when the real heat comes.&nbsp;May have made a boo boo. Also the black out curtains + Velcro sure does add up quick $$$&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>In hind sight I'm wondering now if I&nbsp;shouldn't have just went with&nbsp;cardboard (painted black) and duct tape.&nbsp;Would have been a lot less time consuming and a whole lot&nbsp;cheaper. Plus like you I have the factory conversion blinds so you&nbsp;wouldn't&nbsp;see the&nbsp;cardboard. The reason I went with the Velcro is so I could remove the window covering while&nbsp;traveling or if I was camping&nbsp;somewhere that&nbsp;stealth&nbsp;wasn't&nbsp;a priority. Now I'm second guessing&nbsp;myself if it was worth it. Hope this gives you&nbsp;something&nbsp;to ponder.</div>

 

[Lucy]

<p>You sound like you're pretty much on track and don't need much advice lol.</p>

<div><br></div><div>Hey, I did say I was a lurker here for a while. I read people here give the same tips over and over again, they sunk in. I am quite sure I'm going to make some big mistakes now and then, though.&nbsp;</div>

 

[Lucy]

Thanks for the advice, Rollin. The velcro and curtains are almost done in my van, so too late to rethink it now. I'll be sure to have a plan B in mind for summertime, if things start melting. I plan to spend time in CA and AZ, so I'm sure it'll get toasty sometimes. The reflectrix might help with that, though.&nbsp;

 

[Seraphim]

We used sheet ABS plastic and cut panels to Velcro over the windows. White reflects hot sun back outside. On inside white reflects light source at night for greater coverage. Insulation can be added between panel and glass during cold weather. Might help in warm also. Use Velcro with industrial strength glue. Not the cheap stuff.&nbsp;

 

[Rollin]

Lucy, I'm thinking as long as you don't leave your blinds up&nbsp;during the heat of the day with the windows and doors closed you will be ok. Latter in the day as it cools down you will be fine.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>I also used the&nbsp;fuzzy&nbsp;side of the Velcro around the inside of the drivers and passenger windows. I attached the hard part of the Velcro to some plastic screen. For&nbsp;ventilation. I have had this up for about 3 weeks now ( just the fuzzy half ) and it is staying up just fine.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I guess that little bit of extra weight of the black out curtain is enough on a hot day to pull the blinds down.</div><div><br></div><div>Btw...I contacted Velcro and they&nbsp;recommend&nbsp;&nbsp;. "A 72 Acrylic adhesive" should work well the said for this application.</div><div>It's temperature ranges are -20-225 F.</div><div><br></div><div>Take care</div>

 

[Simran]

I made curtains out of material from JoAnnes Fabric &amp;&nbsp; used Elastic shock cord for curtain rods. When it gets too sunny I put reflectix behind the curtains. With the elastic curtain rods it is easy peasy to get the reflectix in &amp; out at will.<br><br>gus<br><br>

 

[Simran]

BTW Lucy,<br>Simple is a good thing; makes things easier to maintain too.<br>Nice looking van too!<br><br>gus<br>

 

[angeli]

Excellent van!&nbsp; It sounds like you are moving forward.&nbsp; Good luck!<br>

 

[PYSCHOWard]

<P>&nbsp;It looks like you have a great van to start with, all the mods will fall into place as needed. Simplicity is an Easier start, just the rest whenever.</P>