Epic Coin Grip Flooring in our Sprinter Van Conversion

[@LastChanceTinyHouse]

Looks like its going to be highly entertaining watching your build. I'm a custom carpenter and instead of pointing out things I've already seen that you could have done better, I just say to myself, life's a journey and we learn as we go. Great effort.

[@Levi_Allen]

you don't like how we cut our plywood? then this build is going to be painful for you.

[@LastChanceTinyHouse]

@@Levi_Allen Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying your creative spirit. I wish I could be there to help you but I also do believe in the school of hard knocks. You don't learn unless you fall a few times. It's how you get back up that defines you. I remember when I knew little or nothing about woodworking and tools. It was a time of exploration. I built a tiny house and still learned tons of stuff. I could offer one bit of advice, although I'm not sure if I should. Like I said you gotta live and learn, but here go's nothing. You have three water tanks that will ride smoother if their spread out over you axle rather then all on one side. Think about it.

[@Levi_Allen]

I’m happy to learn and soak in as much as I can through the process. In that section of the video I mentioned the layout won’t make sense at the beginning. The tanks are there specially to help balance out all the heaviness that will be on the driver side. Think about it.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

So good. I think we will do something similar next time around. Also, 10/10 to Janelle for detail work with the jigsaw.

[@GraphicMill]

You two are too adorable! With all the TLC you are putting into this project, you are going to be so attached to this mobile homestead. It's like a Tiny Home!

[@knoptop]

Super refreshing to see this in my feed. So many video creators I follow only talking about video gear, love watching the gear get used to share other passions!

[@Levi_Allen]

UPDATE: I should have been more clear and explicitly mentioned that the holes were already in the floor. We were just making them bigger. We didn't get to choose where they were. *There is heaps of comments saying that we should have drilled through the plywood into the metal so our holes lined up.* I'm getting bored replying to all them. So that's the reason. Holes were already there, and I'm not about to make 30 new ones. Our current strategy is to map the holes out onto the plyood is something I learned from a friend, and that is just thread in a bunch of bolts with heads cut off and then lay the plywood down to have the bolts mark on the plywood where the holes are.

[@JeffSelck]

I knew there was a reason you where doing it that way lol I wasn't about to question it. "There is a method to Levi's madness" lol

[@gone4good]

I've been hearing(/saying/thinking) this a lot lately: *Everyone is a critic.* And I believe you do it right - how ever. And it is a learning process, I envy you in the vanmaking, the handyman within me is getting spring fever...

[@scottslotterbeck3796]

Makes sense.

[@cory-micek]

Not only is the Van Build impressive, but these sweet edits and videography are amazing! Enjoying watching these. Cheers!

[@SledorFish]

Truck bed liner paint works great on floor boards as well and you can touch it up as needed if it gets damaged.

[@endeavor4adventureafamilyv846]

Great breakdown of the whole build! The whole tool b-roll is amazing! Also those track-saws like that are so nice to use and make like a heck of a lot easier! Cant wait to see this all come together!

[@CrispyNeal]

Honestly loved finding your channel a few weeks ago. I will be following this build closely. You both are so easy to watch, and fantastic storytellers.

[@BacktoDustStudios]

Just wanted to let you know that I love the van series! I've been blessed to have traveled through 48 out of 50 US States over the last decade, with the majority of those years pulling an Airstream. I live for the road, I just am not able to get out as much as I'd like. Keep up the great work!

[@EpicholidayDe]

I love this series! You two make a winning team for sure. Thank you for all the good vibes you're sending out. Janelle & Levi, you rock.

[@richardbohlingsr3490]

The floor looks really nice and professional. Great job so far.

[@godwinpacetti1558]

I hate to say this in my first comment but I think you will learn to hate that coin grip flooring. I worked for a boat company that built 5 oil field boats and each had that type of flooring in the wheelhouse. They looked great when new but the crews soon learned that the flooring was near impossible to keep clean and almost impossible to mop. But I hope you have better luck with it in your van. Great channel and really looking forward to watch your progress with the build. Dean

[@Levi_Allen]

I've seen it in vans and I like it a lot. There is a big difference for me between the large coin grip and small. The large seems to pocket up the dirt more.

[@Levi_Allen]

The overall stickiness seems to play a big factor as well

[@godwinpacetti1558]

Yes the boats I was referring to had the large coin grip flooring. Going to be interesting to see how your flooring works out.

[@tc2882]

Maybe someone has pointed this out already, but... If you cut the plywood flooring first and underlying frame, then laid-out the holes for attachment on top of those, drilled through the plywood and through steel floor, THEN painted the holes and added the plusnuts, there would be no alignment issues. Yeah, hind-sight is 20/20, but maybe to help the next person do it a little easier. Really like your build videos, all these nomads have me thinking about heading out in my (fast approaching) "silver years."

[@Levi_Allen]

except the holes were already in the floor

[@AsTheWheelsTurn]

@@Levi_Allen didn't we just watch you all drill the dang holes?

[@Levi_Allen]

AsTheWheelsTurn read the pinned comment. We were making the current holes proper size. The previous floor was held down with rivuts that were removed

[@AsTheWheelsTurn]

oh gotcha… well I'd just put the screws in the holes that you have, put some paint or grease on the heads of the screws and carefully set the plywwod in place, this would give you marks on the bottom to drill holes.any way you do it its gonna be tricky but I'm sure you'll get it!. @@Levi_Allen

[@chrisluehmann3094]

To figure out where the holes need to be, get some spare long bolts in the same thread as the nutserts, cut the heads off and then thread them into the nutserts. Then lay the floor board on top and gently hammer where the bolts are. They will leave a mark in the wood and you can flip the board over and drill from the bottom. That way you know exactly where they go with maximum accuracy. Great work so far!!

[@Levi_Allen]

That was my current plan. Just feels very time consuming. I might be able to just mark with a skinny pen through the bottom of each nutsert... Thanks for sharing your idea

[@andis.4808]

@@Levi_Allen make a mark around the holes with an lipstick and press the new wood floor on top afterwards. so you have the perfect marks on the bottom of your plywood flooring and you know where to drill trough. Greets from Germany

[@basheuberger]

You are doing a nice job. Small tip: use cardboard to make templates for the roof etc, this works faster and much easier as wood.

[@Levi_Allen]

yeah, we didn't expect to make 3, we used a new technique to get our first and thought it would be close to perfect

[@MostynFaulkner]

The idea of the short bolts in the floor and laying the plywood on and tapping on it to make marks works great. Next time drill small holes in the plywood in the van first then take the plywood out and enlarge the holes and then use the inserts. Just either way works. Go for it.😎😎😎👍👍👍

[@Levi_Allen]

The small holes were already there from the previous floor, we had no choice where they put them unfortunately. We could have sealed them all up, but decided not to

[@MostynFaulkner]

@@Levi_Allen, Ah, yes. Way to go with what you were delt. I hope everything goes smoothly.

[@ProjectFreewheel]

Sprinter is looking so siiiiick! Devastated to be selling ours, but new adventures await. Can't wait to do another van in the future. Another rad edit Levi, floor is looking mint.

[@H2Dwoat]

Hi, that was great jigsawing by Janelle, she instinctively let the saw do the work not forcing it too fast. Great job 👍👍. I’m enjoying the build series so far.

[@sp10sn]

That grippy floor does not sweep easy. Man, I hate that stuff. I mean... congrats! Well done! 😉😁🤣

[@JordanPike]

These episodes are so good J&L. Really looking forward to seeing it all come together! Inspiring!

[@FuriousChknShiz]

I love how you are being yourself and making this great content but I also love how you guys are pretty much dominating the van build section of KZbin. Super dope. Much love. Watching them all 👍☺️

[@matthiebert5682]

Loving the series! Can't wait to see the finished product! Not a ton of KZbinrs in the Fraser Valley but got to say you're my favorite!

[@mikecolesvids]

I discovered your vids a while back when we were building out our Sprinter (The Colemanvan) . It’s awesome to not only see ya building again but to have witness your evolution as a film maker. Thanks for sharing and yes life is better when you make stuff! Best YT catch phrase ever by the way!🏆

[@JesseDriftwood]

Watching you do this reminds me just how bad I want a new travel van, but equally how bad I don't want to do the work myself :)

[@Levi_Allen]

You can do it Jesse!

[@scottslotterbeck3796]

You'll miss out on all the fun! My plan is to get a near-new Chevy Express, have a dome top or pop top installed, then s-l-o-w-l-y build it out, starting with the floor. I need to have a work-camper van combination, so I have so innovation ahead (removable bed platform).

[@24hourtravellers]

That's a good idea for the floor, I remember that's what the first airport in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia used as their floor back in the 70s. As a kid when walking on it with sneakers I would trip & go flying coz of the rubber on rubber grip. 😂 Durable lasts forever wont ever rot kind of stuff. Good sound deadener too!!

[@SimonBraeck]

Hi Levi! I really enjoy following your van build. The last few years I’ve fallen in love with outdoor film making just like you and also spending time on the road in a mobile home. We’re actually building a 1986 VW Vanagon at the moment, kind of funny as it goes parallel with your build! Good luck with the progress😊 Let’s see who completes the van first, haha

[@dimensionsofearth]

Life IS better when you make stuff! You guys are killin it on the van build!

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

Awesome! Also, thanks for your hand written title tutorial! So stoked to incorporate this type of title into my videos!

[@josiahjots1376]

Most high quality van build playlist on youtube, aka, in the world.

[@occasionalexpeditions]

J & L, The amount of thought that you have put into this build is amazing. When watching videos in the same vein to yours I'm usually very tempted to chime in and make suggestions (but normally restrain myself,since the work has likely been done for weeks/months by the time the video is published). However, you've thought about this all quite extensively, and obviously done a lot of research. Even though you say this isn't a "HOW TO" video series I'm glad you verbalize your "WHY YOU DO" it the way you are. For example, you said why you put in the coin grip the way you did, and that if you were using laminate you may want to do it another way. Stay humble, and keep making stuff! P.S. I have enough shirts and sweatshirts, Got any stickers for sale that I can stick on my truck?

[@pappysproductions]

I really liked the questions and answers in the description. Great video, as usual.

[@yankey4]

Looks good guys. Thanks for letting us be a part of it. God Bless..

[@qvfd153]

Loving this van build series and your filming style with it!

[@rick2bees]

Film artist builds a van instead of van builder films his build !!!! #masterofcrafts

[@mauriceaustin3442]

awesome video guys!! Keep them coming

[@emilyhunt6467]

Great job...would love to help someone do something like this! Can't wait to watch entire series. You are both so good together. Not always easy to work so well together, but you guys are doing it. Love your personalities. Also, Levi, love how much you like to share your gift of filmmaking with the world! Finding it very helpful with the stuff I'm doing, especially the lettering in the corners behind the paint splatter look. I downloaded your free ones and I'm using them in my daughter's wedding video---can't wait to see what she thinks of them! So cool!

[@TheCanadianBubba]

You two work so well together ! Thanks for letting us tag along !

[@annewinning5151]

Terrific build out video! A team makes the dreams happen!

[@Gusinabus]

I left the vinyl floor in my bus in order to keep its durability but it was tough to even sweep out, so I just added laminate wood flooring and live how easy it is to keep clean. Durability is still in the assessment phase :)

[@brendanlister883]

Looking super cool!

[@senglebe]

You’re going to want those holes holding the floor down to be oversized. The plywood will grow and shrink with temperature and humidity. Typically on vans we install for customers we either do a floating floor or have the plus nuts and holes at the outboard edges of the vehicle nearest the walls so they are furthest from the “walking area”. I’d recommend a pan head screw and washer to cover the oversized holes. You could use a small wood boring bits to get the fastener heads to sit flush on top of a washer (again make sure the overall diameter will let it grow and shrink. Don’t over torque them or you’ll cause the wood to prematurely fail.

[@martmanize]

Hi Levi, a little tip for the future, re putting holes in the ply after having inserts put in the floor, put set screws into the inserts, just proud, then lay the ply wood on top and give the area a tap with a hammer, then the imprint of the set screws will leave a mark on the wood, you can then remove the ply and drill them, they will be in the exact place, no messing. Great series, really enjoying your journey. Mart, from the UK.

[@Levi_Allen]

That's our current strategy! Thanks for the input

[@David_Hammond]

Love the passion you guys have for this, makes me wanna build something and make a series myself ! 👊🙏

[@DerSascha]

Hey Levi, I love to see the progress on your Van (espescially your intro with the current images of your van)! And I really adore the way you involve your wife into the wole project. Therefore I belive the both of you are so much more connected to it, which is so beautiful. And what I've seen in the last scenes assueres my me in my belive that you two will build a great van, which will give you back so much quality-time. I am so stoked in advance to see more of your van-build videos! Best whishes to you and your wife from Germany Truely yours, Sascha

[@atomicsmith]

Watched a couple of your videos and love your style and the sound of what you've got planned. Subbed. Can't wait to see how it turns out!

[@michellegonthier460]

You two are doing great! Enjoying your journey.

[@MrSpinnerbug]

Looking good. Good to see you both working together on it....that has to make it fun...even though it is work.

[@treydrobinson]

Your videos are the best, my dude! Super inspiring.

[@HiethGeorge]

Nice Floor used similar in our horse boxes.... T-Shirts have arrived thanks alot Levi thinking of doing an unboxing .... as after all life is better when you make stuff .... cheers n gone H 🤘👲🐶📸🎥🇬🇧🇨🇦🤘

[@queendidine]

Loving the series! Cant wait to see this all come together!

[@TuckerPearce]

Another awesome excellent episode, I can’t imagine figuring out how to line up the floor with the holes you put in. Well done... 🙌🏼

[@ge2719]

Just make a cardboard template of the shape and then it easy to mark the holes in that then transfer them to the wood

[@injectionAI]

these videos still provide value to this day🖤

[@mattarseneault]

Man are these episodes ever fun....

[@ScottBell]

Good stuff, love that grippy floor.

[@MikeDancy]

that high pitched whine at 330 or so killed my ears.. just a FYI :) that would have been the perfect time to plug epidemic sound

[@qers]

Just started following your journey today and I already get treated with an upload.

[@bigdudeps]

You guys are so cool together! Keep up the great work and the great vibes :D

[@DznByLimbo]

So Im not new to the vanlife section of youtube but I am new to your channel. I really love your videos though. Great editing! Looking forward to more videos!

[@porchfrontstudios9476]

You both are so adorable! Love the series Levi! Keep it up man!

[@ThomMinnickArt]

building mine out tomorrow!

[@cokolino2]

Cant wait for solar/electrical

[@scout665]

Lookin good! Be fun to see what kinda road home it’s going to be. Do we have a first trip planned for it yet?

[@stillrandy]

I think it pays in the long run to be using your van for a while first, before you do the major build on it. You are doing a great job.

[@stephanegenest6793]

Hey Vancouver from Quebec city, nice old van see you next year on the road.

[@MikeBaxterABC]

Tip for everyone .. if you have an air compressor now?? The air powered rivet nut setter only costs double that of a decent manual one.

[@Tom-mb7cf]

Really nice idea using those rivet nuts. Defo going to use them on my van

[@rhysburmann8166]

Just subscribed! Great project and great narration! I look forward to seeing your build. I myself would love to do this. Just soaking up your great advice!! Thanks!!

[@TrailstoSails]

Couple of questions on the floor, is the small coin version textured or smooth coins ? Did you glue the coin flooring, if so what glue did you use? Thanks!

[@Jenna_K]

Cool flooring. I’m curious how it looks day in, day out in terms of dust, etc. great video ✨

[@MakeTestBattle]

God I love this series. It's like the Alec Steele of Van Build vlogs.

[@davidjondoh8671]

I could swear that I heard you guys say previously "NO MORE YELLOW"!

[@savageshutter7211]

ya wierd huh....theres mad yellow lol

[@lyfandeth]

The grandaddy of "coin grip" and perhaps the inventor, is the Pirelli tire corp. Famous for the revolutionary antislip, easy clean, Pirelli Tiles. Black 12" squares (in the US) of what you call coin grip. FWIW.

[@mrkrause3]

Great job guys! You should be proud!

[@DarkaIrKO]

Jenelle is really awsome in the videos! Your lucky Levi;D

[@ScullyPop]

What a great series y'all have. Such aq near channel. You have another fan. Scully

[@TheBengineer3712]

Looks good! What flooring did you chose? And did you consider gluing the floor? We glued down 1" polyiso and then 1/2" ply and almost 2 years ago and haven't had an issue. I built wood boats for a summer and they are put together largely with glue, so figured if it's worked there for couple hundred years, it ought to get us through a decade or two. 😉

[@viorellunganu824]

Looking good.I would recommend some kind of insulation

[@SparxSLX]

Great work, keep it up.

[@jonezZz14]

Check out Armaflex XG or AF for insulation. Don't know if it is available over there but German van builders are loving it.

[@seancollins6524]

Looking good. Watching from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@scottadamson6116]

Keep Cruising Along Buddy!

[@Levi_Allen]

Thanks homie

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

great job. we will need a few additions to ours.

[@bornfreefreedom4900]

Nice building. 😊🚐🌟👍😊👍👍👍👍

[@matt_n_kat_things]

Looking good! How did you end up aligning the holes in the plywood with the things you drilled and installed in the floor?

[@BrianRogers_]

looking great!

[@JeffSelck]

looking good Guys! keep it up!

[@softdorothy]

Like the cross nuts. Like the ASCII art in your description. Is the coin floor really *epic* though? It seems like everything on KZbin is epic - so nothing is. Freaky bandsaw.

[@LovellxParis]

Levi! The coin grip floor is due for update. How has it held up this past year?

[@Levi_Allen]

It’s held up fantastic! Great value in my opinion. Yes it shows dust, but it is the floor sooo....

[@UlreyProductionsfilm]

So sweeeeeeeet love the progress

[@JerseyStyle7]

good stuff, looks great, ty for vid guys

[@TimAndShannonLTD]

Great video series! Love your style. You're going to coat the plus nuts where they are exposed to the elements under the van with something I hope?

[@Levi_Allen]

They are zinc coated, not to worried about it.

[@austinhrossowyc8929]

How did you attach the coin grip rubber to the wood to keep it from shifting? Did you use adhesive or screw it down?

[@toddbarry7303]

Hey Guys, Love following the build series, I have a suggestion you may already be aware of, a Webasto Diesel Heater, check them out. They are used in campers, motorhomes and busses around the world and even here in Australia, they run off diesel and burn a minimal amount but generate amazing warmth in the cold. Worth a look.

[@PatrikRasch]

Levi you legend, building the dream van of my life !

[@MikeBaxterABC]

5:28 Awesome!! Track Saw ... I bought on for my van build too even though I have a table saw already ... I didn't go all out for a name brand like Makita, but got a store Brand popular in Canada at Home Hardware called "Benchmark" :) (just $199.00 CDN$)

[@Levi_Allen]

That is awesome!

[@freespiritvanlifelala1927]

Hello there, Just wondering if you waterproof seal the plywood under the coin mat???

[@chriswills9530]

One way of making sure your holes for the floor and flooring match up is to dry-fit the flooring and only then drill down through a pilot hole. Remove flooring and then drill the holes you need to the right diameter and depth and proceed. Keep makin', peeps.

[@Levi_Allen]

Check my pinned comment

[@chriswills9530]

@@Levi_Allen Dude; tired of saying the same thing over and over and over and over and over...what's wrong with you? ;-)) You done it so you done it right; fair play and carry on... Stay safe people, doing great.

[@YhAFbwts]

why not rivnuts into the ceiling ribs for attaching your ceiling planks? As usual good looking video.

[@gone4good]

Inspirational!

[@frankiejr]

Hey Levi, read the comments and couldn't find anything about it so here goes: Did you adhere the flooring to the ply somehow? If so, how? Thanks!