My new home!

[frost506]

Hello everyone! Welcome to my new home.&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" />&nbsp;<br />I bought a 1989 GMC Vandura last March. It started out as a run of the mill conversion van, so I gutted it. I took everything out but the front seats and the walls. The walls were in good condition and insulated so I wanted utilize them. I framed out counters and a bed with lumber that I got for free on craigslist. I tried to get some carpet for free but could not find any good enough so I just bought new. I painted the wood and installed the carpet.&nbsp;<br />For a sink I took the idea strait from this site. I got a stainless steel bowl drilled a hole and installed a drain and plumbing leading to a 5 gal bucket. The fresh water is in a tank right above the sink with a spout so I almost have running water. It works just fine for what I need it to do.&nbsp;<br />For my electricity I have a deep cycle battery with a battery isolater and an 1100 watt converter. I wanted to get an AGM battery but my funds were limited. I also only have one battery right now again because of funds. I will get another one soon because I would like more battery bank.&nbsp;<br />Right now I have an air mattress but it gets cold. I have a thick blanket between me and the mattress but it is still cold at night so I will get some sort of foam mattress soon.&nbsp;<br />The best idea I had came to me totally by accident. I had one of those sterilite containers and I put it in where I was going to put shelves and it fit PERFECTLY! I liked it so much I went and got some more and if I were to do the build again I would design it around these.&nbsp;<br />So there you have it. My home. I have a few things I would like to do to it still like cover the windows. But will it ever really be done? I don't think so. I think I will always be looking for new things to add or improve on. I am also in the middle of painting the outside. Living in the north west with no garage has you limited on what you can do outside in the rain. The fortune I got while I was on a break from working on the van. I thought it was very appropriate and it made me smile.

 

[Guest]

Nice home. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> &nbsp;I dig the djembe drum. &nbsp;I was thinking of buying one but I already have too much stuff.<br /><br />My first road trip was in an '89 Vandura. &nbsp;I loved the green machine. (I painted it Crayola green and at night it looked black) &nbsp;<br /><br />Have a great time travelling.

 

[frost506]

Very interesting because I am painting it green as well! The drum does kind of get in the way. Maybe if it was just one or the other it wouldn't be to bad. I might hang them on the ceiling some how. Also impressive that you knew the correct name of the drum. Most people don't.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Nice work.&nbsp; I like your sink, simple yet effective <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[SirJoey]

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Looks cozy! Nice work!</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Welcome aboard!&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" /><br /><br /></strong></span>

 

[Lostinspace]

Nice use of the space. And great you can use found wood in the construction. All very innovative.

Wade

 

[yesican]

You done a great job with your van...I'm impressed.&nbsp; I have one suggestion (only because I bruised myself countless times from the one's I made), I noticed you have sharp edges on your counter tops.&nbsp; You might want to blunt the edges by just&nbsp;cutting the points and sanding.&nbsp; In tight spaces one seems to always bump into those buggers.&nbsp; I hope you have safe travels and great memories.<br /><br />Rae

 

[Pikachu711]

Frost506, nice conversion job! I liked that you used the suggestion of one of our members about the sink. That's looks very good! I may do the same thing.<br /><br />Good looking home you have!

 

[wildmountainhoney]

Awesome!

 

[blueberry]

Great job! I love that sink setup too, with the pipe going down to the bucket.

 

[WanderingRain]

really like that layout! And I love the little touches that make it a home. Very nicely done!

 

[thatguy]

Very nice home frost506. I am also considering a Vandura, actually the same year as yours if not a 88,&nbsp;90 or 91. fueleconomy.gov claims that the 89 Vandura G15/25 with the 5.7 350 and 4 speed auto gets 14 city, 17 combined, and 19 hwy. And the 88, 90, 91 years are very close at 14 city, 16, combined, 18 hwy. This sounds great to me especialy for a full size van, but is it true? Can a full size really achieve those mpg numbers? I know the diesel options bring that number up into the 20's. So my question to you is whats your fuel economy like so far? And what engine trans do you have.<br><br>Thanks in advance, thatguy.

 

[Ballenxj]

Right on. I like your sink set up, and was thinking of doing something similar. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> <br>-Bruce