Building A Bench Seat w/Toilet, Storage, Electrical Compartment & More!!

Almost every van conversion has a bench seat, so I made this video to show YOU how to make one. It's important to have a multi purpose bench seat, so this one has a toilet, an electrical compartment, a drawer for storage, and more!
Product Links:
Dewalt Jigsaw (THE BEST) - amzn.to/2EnvNFF
Dewalt Random Orbit Sander - amzn.to/35trEfo
Wood Sealer (Water Based Polyurethane) - amzn.to/2RUvgDj
Laveo Dry Flush Toilet - thd.co/34qv6pJ
Support the channel on Patreon: / seven_osavage

[@michaelcyclemtb]

Dude, you got some skills. everything you seem to do is so perfect. it is really impressive!

[@frontlinemedia4270]

He's an engineer, my guess

[@GoodieJoy-hh9uc]

Gives me ideas, like putting a shower and toilet in the bench seat, thank you Seven.

[@64maxpower]

I'm over 2x your age and a Carpenter. I'm humbled and impressed by your work. And your video.

[@MsJacquese99]

I believe that the paint is sooo good because that primer is NO JOKE!!! Love it!!

[@msannthrope1863]

Beautiful job

[@fearsomebunny]

And interact I will! No cringe. :) Been binge watching all of your videos. You do a really good job at the work itself while taking the time needed to explain everything. I will actually "steal" some of your ideas for my own van. I've watched a lot of vanlife builds and your videos are top notch.

[@seven_o_savage]

Love it! Steal away! really glad you found the video helpful.

[@guillermofergu]

I really appreciate the lengths you go to make things just right for you. it's awesome!

[@seven_o_savage]

The best part about DIY 🙂

[@beardedfarmer860]

Great watching what you have built . Well done . I Can never see to much detail .. or other videos of so specific parts you have built in more detail . All looks good and a great show , thanks

[@seven_o_savage]

Thanks Bearded Farmer! I just uploaded an extra long video with extra detail (upper cabinet install). I’d be interested in your feedback on that one :)

[@Gaden6893]

I'm seriously considering a van build in the next year. I'm pricing/planning it out now and your videos have been a godsend of good instruction. Thank you sincerely.

[@lesliegranowski2683]

Great work

[@dennisgodaire485]

Nice bench ... I like that you put in the toilet ... it will come in handy, someday ... Considering windows ... the two that you've placed look great ... I'm doing something similiar, even adding a third on the last part of the passenger side. To create more privacy, the window behind the my drivers side will have a limo tint. Thanks

[@seven_o_savage]

Yea I ended up purchasing insulated "black out" window covers as well

[@brianlyttle8252]

Thanks your brilliance is greatly APPRECIATED! Sail on!

[@flybyairplane3528]

SEVEN,,LOOKING GOOD, nice multi purpose bench, Cheersbfrom NJ,🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@CaliforniasGoldCoast]

Hi Seven from Santa Barbara, CA.. Great job, Thanks for sharing.. You nailed it!

[@ybenjira]

Pretty sure he screwed it

[@schoobusz7744]

Great build. I want to build a very similar bench. Not a lot of good bench build videos out there. Very helpful

[@williamirizarry1113]

One of the best channels for van building, if not the best. Thank you!

[@kevinmiller5546]

Great bench. Really like the design. After seeing it realized it is almost exactly what I need. Captured some of the video frames and going to copy almost to the "T". Thank you so much.

[@rose8662]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make these videos. I feel like I'm learning so much! Sad that you don't get any compensation 😒💖

[@seven_o_savage]

It's comments like these that motivate me to keep going. Thank you!!!

[@wanderlust62]

Nice workmanship! I needed this step by step, with reasoning, to use as a guide for what I want to do with the passenger portion of my SUV. The bench has multiple functionalities and looks great! (Actually, drop the "really", skip "good", go back to "well" and your sentence is an A+ from this ole' teacher! 😉)

[@seven_o_savage]

So awesome!! Thank you 🙏

[@lesowen3]

Helpful video, thanks dude.

[@age_of_reason]

''Taking a deuce." Haha! I haven't heard that since high school and that is a damn long time.

[@corycaulk2630]

Just know that your vids are timeless Seven! Thanks for sharing your ideas and craftsmanship. You've inspired me with this bench.

[@mr.c6383]

you did a good job on the fit, function & finish of the cabinet

[@Albeare]

Mate, well done. I have a 2006 Iveco Daily swb here is Spain and your van has similar dimensions. You have provided me with some great inspiration. Thanks for videos.

[@chrisnomad]

Nice job!

[@MySonsMother]

Your workmanship is superb on video. I wish I could do as much, but being almost 64 and new disabilities, I no longer have the patience or abilities I once might have had. The drawer is handy for tp, e.t.c. When the video first started I had thought you might use 80/20. Did you know they sell paneling for their product? If I had room in my van I might would build a bench like yours, but instead I'll have a swivel passenger seat and hide my toilet under my bed. I think you should make plans to sell as a download for these things.

[@diannemccarthy8685]

hope you put a layer of sealer on the outside bottom. waay important to have a good dehumidifier solution.

[@baltescamilla853]

Nice clean design, like your design for the expanding 80-20 bed frame👍🏼

[@frontlinemedia4270]

I had the same idea as you. Skeleton, and wrapped

[@hetheringtonfamily8798]

Thank you this is awesome

[@Blztrls]

I’m just about to build a similar bench for my van although I’m going to only use plywood sheets on the outward facing panels to save on weight and wood. Also going to make the back shorter so it doesn’t block the window.

[@ortiz7c]

Nice bench!

[@traida111]

need some lower back support on that, when i do mine i might try and match the angles of my gaming chair

[@Hunter357mag]

Very well thought out and executed-great strength and weight savings the way you framed it.

[@peterdods425]

I love your channel. Great stuff. Doesn't the wood bar get in the way of your legs when you're trying to sit down to take a poop? I watched further in the video and I guess you fixed it. Smart move bro lol

[@caroleboulet4587]

Your so talented with builds. I’ve gotten a few good ideas from watching your videos.

[@patrickjobling8676]

I dont know much aboot cabinet makin .. but looks to be pretty dang cool ...😁pip pips and carryon

[@respectall4551]

This is a master piece. Your genius man.

[@QuixoteCoyote]

it's too nice

[@nirwin]

Very nicely done! I was curious where you went to get your dimensions for it though? Seems like ergonomics can be very specific!

[@crankyoldbutchbuildsout2013]

Nice work! Going with this bench build for sure! Thanks man!🥳☮️

[@jaguiar4567]

Great Video Steven. I am in the process of buying a sprinter and retrofitting myself.

[@Joiviews]

Dude. Good job. Those looked like a piece of Ikea furniture. Noice. I just did all my framing for my benches with 2x2s. Hoping it'll come out ok, cus I have no idea what I'm doing 😂

[@toomuchyoutube]

good job , cant wait to start mine

[@meowzic]

Do you have a link you found that inspired the ergonomic measurements for your bench build?

[@erikaamac2727]

Great Work! Thanks for sharing!

[@lqqkitslory]

Great stuff! Was looking for ideas and you’ve given me some! 👌🏼

[@dannygrissom1]

Sweet. Thanks for sharing

[@erikaamac2727]

Fantastic Job!!

[@LillaHusVanlife]

Great build on this...there are too few videos that show just a seat for storage...loads of builds seem to be pull out beds, which isn't what I'm after for mine. Spot on with the tip on good ergonomics, by the way..I have a few measurements to go by now.. ;)

[@joshzigler5197]

killing it man. appreciate you taking the time to put these videos together.

[@bc2198]

So it sounds like pine was a better choice over 80/20? I wanted to figure out the weight verses strength of each. Thanks for your videos.

[@frankstidham1439]

Great job. Well planned. When you build the upper cabinets would you use 1/2 on bottom for strength & 1/4 on sides, front & top? Thanks for sharing.

[@forgottenknowledge8917]

I'm trying to build a VW Caddy for less than 1000 dollars in Australian money. A bed and floor and kitchen bench has cost around 800 so far so I'm close to my goal

[@seven_o_savage]

So cool!

[@monag2328]

Love how you engineered everything. What type of toilet did you decide on?

[@seven_o_savage]

Thanks Mona! I got a laveo dry flush toilet

[@douglasharley2440]

@@seven_o_savage why not a composting toilet?

[@davidlundy5007]

Nice job

[@jenniewilliamsmural]

Your excellent video series has really helped me a lot. If you are able to answer - where have you vented the toilet an how is it going? I have a Natures Head left from our 6 months in a tent. On the fence about including in this build - but perhaps I shall after watching you encouraging video.

[@seven_o_savage]

Thank you! My toilet is a dry flush toilet and therefore doesn’t have a vent (it vacuum seals off each usage). If you needed to vent it though you could route a tube out through the body plugs underneath the van and avoid drilling any holes!

[@jenniewilliamsmural]

@@seven_o_savage great info on the body plugs - I had no idea until I saw your plumbingvideo. Very helpful!

[@mikeramirez4707]

nice toll boxes

[@marieo15]

Great Video!! I love the bench! Do you happen to have any measurements listed anywhere please?

[@jwang9988]

Love your videos. Thanks for sharing your van build experience. One question that I havethat's unrelated to this video is your 2019 Sprinter buying experience. I'm sure these newly designed Sprinters are in high demand. Did you buy one that was on a dealerships lot or custom order with the options you wanted. Do you think you got a good deal? Thanks!

[@seven_o_savage]

Hey Jim, I had to sacrifice every option I wanted... including a radio (mine was a base model with a radio delete). I’ve heard some 4wd reservations are being fulfilled in the next few months though. If this is the time that works for you to build one out, I suggest you send it and buy one off of the lot!! Most options can be done aftermarket.

[@I3ayIey]

Seven do you have the measurements for this bench?

[@DaDavidVids]

I'm absolutely impressed and subscribed. I actually feel the video should be longer and go more in depth that's to how you made it. How are your cuts so straight? Did you use the table saw? I also would have painted all services just for longevity, but to each their own. What did you end up storing in the top part?

[@BargainBeautyAmy]

👍

[@jamesgoodwin2450]

What about the space behind, is it usable or just to lose stuffs in hahahahaha great build by the way

[@dubious6718]

Behind what? There is a wall behind the bench

[@jamesgoodwin2450]

Dubious where the window is,there is a small gap

[@ryanmfahey1]

Nice bench. Can you go elaborate a bit on the scribing technique you used @3:07?

[@seven_o_savage]

Hi Ryan, I simply used my hand and a pencil. I stick out my pinky and keep it in contact with the wall in order to keep the pen equidistant from the wall.

[@nailbuzz1919]

can you provide the measurements the bigger bench and the middle part please.

[@lmichellemybell]

What hardware did you use for your soft close drawers? Love your channel by the way! We're doing a build now and you've been one of our top resources!

[@kanaiyya]

Do u have prior experience in carpentry or in building houses? I always wanted to buy a sprinter and convert it myself but am always afraid to move forward as i have zero skills. But, you make it look pretty easy. Keep up the good work

[@seven_o_savage]

Hey Amar, before taking up the van project I had never made anything with power tools. Learning everything as I go. As long as you’re willing to learn a lot and overcome mistakes it’s very feasible!

[@max4296]

very cool, straightforward design and well explained. would you do anything different if you were building a bench for this space now with everything you've learned since the vid was made?

[@seven_o_savage]

Yes i would just use 1/2 plywood and wood glue for an on-road build or 80/20 for off road like I am with the current build

[@no5x937]

How do you empty the toilet?

[@Madders23]

Brilliant as usual. I’m going to make this. What did you mean when you cut a bit at the front of the toilet as it looks the same as the rest of the bench.

[@seven_o_savage]

Thanks Marie, since the bench was so tall I cut a piece off of the front of the toilet section about 3”

[@Madders23]

@@seven_o_savage ahh I see what you mean. That’s great. Thanks so much. Makes sense to me now. I am going to start on my own van soon, so watching all of your videos. Thanks again 😊

[@H2Dwoat]

Hi, great job 👍. Could you describe the method you used to scribe the back of the cabinet to the van?

[@MrGarda42]

Genuinely curious as to how you managed to get that back curvature so perfect?

[@seven_o_savage]

Good question Mr Garda, I used my pinky to trace the curvature! Check out the upper cabinet build where I go over how to do this in a bit more depth.

[@flybyairplane3528]

Seven O'Savage , if you follow THIS OLD HOUSE, MR SILVA, uses a pair of ‘devide RS, or a compassions to trace out obscure areas that he then applies it to the wood for a ‘perfect fit’ ... Cheers From NJ 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@dlfleischerlmt]

Does toilet work well? Thinking of getting one.

[@longhairmullet]

Too bad you didnt include the footage of installing the drawer slides or whatever it was you used? Didn’t even pull out the draw to show what it was? Nice bench though, thanks for showing what you did, hough I still think a slide out style bench to bed option is useful to have as well.

[@MySonsMother]

But hard to poop under, lol.

[@peterdods425]

what about extending this bench so that it goes underneath the slide out bad a little bed so you can have a place for your house guests? Lol

[@seven_o_savage]

haha that would totally be possible! I'm thinking of putting a big drawer that slides out from the back behind the bench eventually

[@peterdods425]

@@seven_o_savage your build is sick af

[@morriscorreia7282]

What are the dimensions where can I find them

[@EWOverland]

How you are doing the corner joints ?

[@shareethornberry8385]

What is going in the back compartments?

[@pterodactylptroll]

How did you anchor the bench to the van floor? Will you be putting seat belts in the bench and have it safety rated?

[@exercise4health]

Nice work! Question: How did you attach the side pieces of plywood to the frame? Did you put screws in from the inside? Glue?

[@briancollis9352]

Hi, interesting video, you mentioned that you found a design for an ergonomic bench online, could you let us know which one you used, please.

[@seven_o_savage]

I can't remember exactly but I just googled around for "ergonomic bench dimensions"

[@claire4301]

Hmmm.... Any excuse to take ya top off for more likes huh, i see how it is, lol joke. But seriously the bench is looking sharp, you should be extremely proud of yourself, your very skilled for someone just starting out, cant wait for the next vid, ty for sharing.

[@seven_o_savage]

It’s funny... once I started building a van I somehow ended up being shirtless all the time 😛. Thanks @cla ire!! Appreciate all of your support!

[@marsshaw799]

Hey man did you bolt down on the floor and the wall too. I’m wondering if it won’t slide back and forth or side by side when you have to hit the brakes so hard in case ?

[@seven_o_savage]

I’ve screwed the galley into the floor but have forgotten until now to screw down the bench seat. No sliding thus far, wall plusnuts are enough for now.

[@debberkebile4396]

can you tell me what latches you used on the bench back so that they would open upwards. Black latches?

[@seven_o_savage]

SOSS mortise hinges: amzn.to/2KBVSqT

[@debberkebile4396]

@@seven_o_savage thank you. I. Just starting out on my build and want to build a bench for my toilet also. I thought about having it slide out on a shelf. May still do that.

[@debberkebile4396]

@@seven_o_savage I am throughly learning from your videos. I appreciate all you have put into your channel

[@seven_o_savage]

Awesome Deb, thank you!

[@vidguy007]

My van is smaller than yours, and my toilet is in the bathroom where the shower is. Bathroom is 22x32 in the rear left side corner. Just big enough is the right size. Watch my opening video to see that interior.

[@mylabelle6436]

Dear you are my Long Lost WOnderful/Brillant Son I'm sure of it. lol

[@flybyairplane3528]

SEVEN,, Iforgot what part of the country, you live in, but what are you using for insulation? Stay well,Cheers From NJ 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@mair815]

I am new to your channel and I hope things have changed as you went along but the music track is very distracting and too loud.

[@vanlifeembracingdiversity5431]

Alot of steps were not included 😥

[@shantaymadison3808]

Splendidly to see Woodglut have new plans which helped me save some money and energy for this construction.

[@tonybucca5667]

SOooo...do you have to lift out your toilet to empty it? Ugh! Your back could have been 3-4 inches shorter so you wouldn't have to reach behind to open your window. NICE carpentry work!

[@DrinkWhiskeyRaiseHell]

SOooooooo hottttt

[@mikestone9129]

LOOK HOW SHORT YOUR HAIR WAS BACK THEN;-)

[@clarktferrill]

You have a stuck record playing in the background...please turn it off ...that is very annoying. ...OK that said proceed..

[@Hipporider]

The chipmunk music.... please, make it stop! Great video otherwise 🇦🇺