what we've done so far,

[ilovemyvan]

Hi everyone,<br><br>The following is an album in Picasa of what we've done so far&nbsp;on&nbsp;the van. I'll let you know when I add pictures to it if you're interested.<strong><br></strong><br><strong>Click on the photo&nbsp;for full size</strong>&nbsp;<a id="yui_3_7_2_1_1368640153331_2005" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sre...p;authkey=Gv1sRgCJPPjPPowM6_fg&amp;feat=email" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sre...p;authkey=Gv1sRgCJPPjPPowM6_fg&amp;feat=email</a><br><br>Suggestions are most welcome.<br><br>Blue Skies<br><br>Nicole<br><br><span style="color: rgb(136, 136, 136);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">EDITED</span> 5-21-2013 : I added 15 photos.<br><br><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">EDITED </span>6-18-2013 : I added 17 photos to the album</span>

 

[my_vantasy]

Nicely done&nbsp;and what an excellent job documenting your work!&nbsp; I can't wait to see the rest of the project.<br><br><img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif">

 

[ilovemyvan]

Hello my_vantasy<br><br>I love your user name, real cool.<br><br>Thank you for your words of encouragement. I enjoy the journey but I know I'll enjoy the adventures more.<br><br>Looking forward to see your vantasy....soon hopefully&nbsp;<img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif"><br><br>Take care<br><br>Nicole

 

[ilovemyvan]

Hi everyone,<br><br>Well it turned out to be a fun weekend. It's so rewarding to see the outcome&nbsp;after so much time&nbsp;thinking and researching&nbsp;a project. The back door paint job needs some finishing touches and the storage cabinets&nbsp;are far from finish but...I'm having fun!<br><br><br><img class="bbc_img" style="left: 32px; top: 16px; width: 640px; height: 480px; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-...AAAAAEy88/dPsy_nAfEoU/s640/100_5065.JPG?gl=US" rel="lightbox"><br><br>I'll never get a job offer from a Body Shop after posting this photo but I'm still happy with the results. I've reach a point in my life were&nbsp;"good enough is GOOD ENOUGH". When I pulled off&nbsp;the painters tape a bit a paint came off with it (right off the window,&nbsp;right of the hinge and around the license plate box). I have to figure out a way&nbsp;to cover these areas. I'm glad the primer stayed in place&nbsp;. Also there is quite a line showing the transition from the existing paint job.&nbsp;I think I'll try&nbsp;a wet&nbsp; fine sand paper on that, probably should try it inside the door first.<br><br><img class="bbc_img" style="left: 32px; top: 16px; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-...AAAAAEy9E/v8PbVGqGrzE/s640/100_5066.JPG?gl=US" rel="lightbox"><br><br>The above were in the van in the front, back and sides of the turtle top. I modified them in order to transform wasted space into storage space.<br><br><br><img class="bbc_img" style="left: 32px; top: 16px; width: 640px; height: 480px; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-...AAAAAEy9M/cA2vsRkO7b0/s640/100_5067.JPG?gl=US" rel="lightbox"><br><br>Sox cut the doors for me, (I've given up trying to use the skill saw). The small doors will open up, the other 2 will drop down. <br><br><img class="bbc_img" style="left: 160px; top: 0px; width: 384px; height: 512px; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-...AAAAAEy-M/Hk6WTPiXggU/s512/100_5061.JPG?gl=US" rel="lightbox"><br><br>All the rough sanding is done, a little bit of fine sanding and then I'll finally be able to start playing with the stain, hopefully I will be able to make everything look kind of the same color.<br><br>You can look at the Picasa album, on the first post, for more details on the projects.<br><br>As usual, suggestions are welcome.<br><br>Thanks

 

[ilovemyvan]

Hi guys,<br><br>I added 17 photos to the Picasa album, you can see them by clicking on the link on the first post. <br><br>We went away with the van for a long weekend and came back with a few new ideas on&nbsp;how to set it up. I'm glad with did that. <br><br>Cheers <br><br>Nicole<br><br>

 

[Ballenxj]

Hello Sox &amp; Nicole, you two have done a wonderful job of repairing and fixing Precious up. Take a bow. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> <br>-Bruce

 

[ilovemyvan]

Thanks Bruce for your kind words. I lost my camera so I can't show you the finish product. Hopefully I'll find it soon.<br><br>Take care<br><br>Nicole

 

[MK7]

I really like your space saving conversion with all the wasted space on the high top. Thanks for the details with each picture too.

 

[ilovemyvan]

Thanks MK7.&nbsp; It surprises me how much wasted space there was. It's also convenient that it is on the&nbsp;higher part of the van, no need to bend down every time we need to get something. <br><br>It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks....I never in my life had to make sure that I didn't hit my head on&nbsp; things, one benefit of being short. Well I keep on hitting my head on the front storage area. I'm getting mad at myself,&nbsp;you would think that&nbsp;after hitting it a zillion times, ok I exaggerate only a million, I would remember!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br><br>Sox and I are working on 3 projects at the moment. None progressing very quickly. Sox&nbsp;was&nbsp;putting down a 1/4 inch board&nbsp;on top of&nbsp;the hard foam on the floor. He had to stop because he needs to&nbsp;install&nbsp;the swivel passenger seat first. He is now working on attaching the swivel&nbsp;mechanism that we found at the junkyard to a base plate. He stayed after work a couple of times this week to make a custom part for it. I'm looking forward to see the result.<br><br>For my part I'm working on the cabinet/kitchenette unit.&nbsp;I was almost finish but I didn't like the counter top and then I saw&nbsp;Devin's conversion video on Youtube. His counter top swivels and adds a lot of working space, so back to the drawing board.&nbsp;I'm hoping&nbsp;to have it done early next week.<br>Hoping everyone has fun working on their projects or adventuring this weekend <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/crazy.gif">&nbsp;<img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif"><br><br><br>Nicole

 

[caseyc]

I recently added an additional removable table to my van.&nbsp; This time, I asked the conversion shop to make the table top slightly different, as I wanted the ability to swivel the table.&nbsp; I requested for a rectangular shaped table top (roughly 22" by 30"), and instead of only having one metal insert located at the&nbsp;center bottom of the table top, I requested for 2 metal inserts. One metal insert (for the pole to slip into) directly center of bottom of table, plus another metal insert off to the far side of the bottom of table. This way, if I want to have swivel ability for the table top, I simply place the 24" pole into the far side of the metal insert. But if I don't want swivel ability, I then place the pole into the center.&nbsp; It's actually easier said than what is written here, hope this makes sense.&nbsp;

 

[ilovemyvan]

Hi Casey, it's sound interesting. Do you have any picture?

 

[caseyc]

Hi SoxAndNicole,<br><br>Your wish is my command! <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif">&nbsp; I've attached 2 pictures of the same removable table in my van. <br><br>Notice the silver metal insert beneath the table?&nbsp; I have 2 of these inserts installed under the table, side by side to each other.&nbsp; One insert dead center beneath table, and the other insert off to the side.<br><br>When I want to have the table be able to swivel, I simply insert the 24" pole into the insert that is off to the side (as opposed to center).&nbsp; I can then swivel the table top to a different position.<br><br>Here's a picture (and link) of what the metal insert underneath the table looks like, plus the pole for inserting into the table (and floor insert).<br><br>Hope this helps to visualize things better.<br><br><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Russell-Edelb...sed-Base/dp/B004OHV0UO/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_13" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Russell-Edelb...sed-Base/dp/B004OHV0UO/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_13</a><br><br><img style="display: inline; cursor: pointer;" id="main-image" class="bbc_img" alt="" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/310ZNV9g8EL.jpg" rel="lightbox">

 

[ilovemyvan]

Pretty clever.

 

[Ballenxj]

Good idea on the swiveling table. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> <br>-Bruce