Find me a van then...

[weeksy]

I got 34mpg from the first tank. As it was not the sort of conditions today that need the screen/windows clearing with the air-con i thought i'd switch it off when i was out.

Over a 2 hour trip.
2023-01-05_12-51-18 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

Got to be happy with that... mostly motorway and sitting at 67mph on the Cruise control.

[weeksy]

2023-01-09_12-49-11 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

2023-01-09_01-05-26 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

2023-01-09_01-05-32 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

2023-01-09_01-21-02 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

[MrLongbeard]

Screw a couple of rows of https://www.first4magnets.com/magnet-ma ... 2|ps_2_679 on them, should help stop small parts growing legs and going missing when you're working on the bikes

[weeksy]

Oh man this starts getting fun when you get to the bigger pieces.

I'm doing the side piece behind the driver... it's top to bottom in height and about half a van length. I'm not quite sure how this one will go.

I've got it cut out, laid and the glue now drying with the carpet on.... Then need to flip it and do the edges onto the back side, then re-fit and screw back in.

I REALLY don't like drilling towards a van panel... i know i shouldn't drill through the side of the van, but it still makes me nervous !

2023-01-10_08-42-05 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

[weeksy]

2023-01-10_09-10-01 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

[weeksy]

2023-01-10_10-21-08 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

Side done... that's it till this evening/afternoon. Wheel arch next and then over to the passenger side later in week

[Count Steer]

Looks a bit gloomy in there. May I recommend one of these? https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-rech ... 00lm/339pg

Is it a sound deadening kit you're fitting or are the boards already in there and you're padding them with carpet tiles? (Or cutting the boards as well?).

[weeksy]

Looks a bit gloomy in there. May I recommend one of these? https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-rech ... 00lm/339pg

Is it a sound deadening kit you're fitting or are the boards already in there and you're padding them with carpet tiles? (Or cutting the boards as well?).

Boards/Ply already are in place, so i'm just removing them, carpeting them and re-fitting them. I didn't bother with sound deadening stuff, it's a van not a Lexus. I don't think it'd ever reach the status of a car no matter what i do with it. It's not carpet tiles, it's just a 5m x 2m length of carpet you then need to cut, glue and re-mount.

Lighting is something i'm debating. Whether to do with a 12v setup and get a grown up to wire it in. Or even an LED that can plug into a USB battery pack thing. It's the sort of thing that whilst i may get things done this week, this month, i may then find in the coming months that i change my plan, swap things about and do things slightly differently.

[Taipan]

Not sure I really see the point of carpeting the panels? That's more something people do with campers, than utility vans. It's certainly not the most durable of coverings and I doubt it'll be looking good in a few months time. I think you'd have been better off just painting them white for better light reflection. You can easily repaint after it gets scuffed etc.

[weeksy]

Not sure I really see the point of carpeting the panels? That's more something people do with campers, than utility vans. It's certainly not the most durable of coverings and I doubt it'll be looking good in a few months time. I think you'd have been better off just painting them white for better light reflection. You can easily repaint after it gets scuffed etc.

Was as much an experiment as anything. See how it looks, see how it lasts and address it from there.

Whilst it is a utility vehicle, it's also a van we use day to day and will be sitting in, around, potentially even one of us sleeping in it at times.. lunches, meals there'll be a fair bit of time with the van this year potentially.

[weeksy]

2023-01-10_12-40-03 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

Got slightly spoiled by the backing of the carpet tile on the top of the wheel arch, i didn't use the carpet i've used everywhere else because i wanted to put something harder wearing on the top as that's where we'll be sitting with muddy arses and with boxes being lobbed on there etc. But the carpet tiles have a thick black base, which is what we can see on the top of the wheel arch. I'm not convinced yet that it'll get left like that

[MrLongbeard]

But the carpet tiles have a thick black base, which is what we can see on the top of the wheel arch. I'm not convinced yet that it'll get left like that

Turn it over, use a sharp knife and a steady hand and cut a chamfer out of the backing, resultant leading edge will now be thinner and more cooperative to being formed over the edge of the wheel arch

[Count Steer]

Given the hammer that it'll get, toolboxes, muddy bums etc I'd be tempted to use the stuff that they call 'coin plate rubber matting' that you can get for garages and maybe hang a couple of washable patio cushions nearby to stick on top if you want a comfy seat.

[weeksy]

Given the hammer that it'll get, toolboxes, muddy bums etc I'd be tempted to use the stuff that they call 'coin plate rubber matting' that you can get for garages and maybe hang a couple of washable patio cushions nearby to stick on top if you want a comfy seat.

Good plan. I've just tested the theory with some gym matting i've trimmed to size and i have to say, yeah i like it.

Nice thought, thanks

[Rockburner]

BTW Weeksy, how are you getting on with the Ryobi stuff? I've ended up with quite a bit over the last 6 months or so and it seems pretty reliable.

[weeksy]

BTW Weeksy, how are you getting on with the Ryobi stuff? I've ended up with quite a bit over the last 6 months or so and it seems pretty reliable.

I rarely use the drill mate, but when i do, it works. It's the only power tool i own, so can't comment on anything else.

[Count Steer]

Given the hammer that it'll get, toolboxes, muddy bums etc I'd be tempted to use the stuff that they call 'coin plate rubber matting' that you can get for garages and maybe hang a couple of washable patio cushions nearby to stick on top if you want a comfy seat.

Good plan. I've just tested the theory with some gym matting i've trimmed to size and i have to say, yeah i like it.

Nice thought, thanks

Coolio.

[cheb]

For the lighting I'd suggest a hand held rechargable inspection light. They usually have a magnet so can be stuck to steel in the back. I've go a Lidl one that charges via a usb connection, the as on my phone, satnav and ebook.

[Couchy]

For led lighting the 12volt self adhesive strip you get for under kitchen cupboard lighting works great. Just connect a strip into the rear light that’ll come on when you open doors. For a working light one that charges from the 12v socket e-while you drive works well

[weeksy]

2023-01-10_04-01-12 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

Getting there.. 1 panel and the wheel-arch left to do. Getting dark now though so it can wait until another day.