Biggest Drawers Ever & More Wiring! | Blake Builds Van Life Ep.5

[@gmbn]

What features would you have in your ultimate MTB van? Let us know 👇

[@Oven-u2v]

A tablet stick near the steering wheel?

[@francisdee9955]

A massive sound system!

[@user.shralp4555]

A much off drawer

[@joshmcdonald2796]

tiny tool garage

[@Beets82]

@@cmahoney_photo yes was thinking similar should wrap the wires in a cloth auto tape to stop them rattling and rubbing against sharp edges and to run sprare wires for future or for if a wire gets damaged it can be swapped.

[@ericcoxtcu8037]

Unrelated to the van build: every time I watch a video of Blake I think about how much I want to see more crossovers with Hank from GCN. The one video with the fist bump counter was simply glorious.

[@ramostott190]

Thanks for broadcasting your mistakes. It's so valuable on a human level to see someone struggle, persist, learn, and grow. That Blake Samson optimism doesn't hurt either. I'm really enjoying this series.

[@chiefsilverback]

It's done now, but when Blake pulled out that loom he had just installed he should have taped a spare length of wire, or some string to it that would have pulled from the garage end, then he could have used that to pull the full loom back through with much less hassle.

[@grantt82]

came to say exactly the same thing!

[@PaulisMediocre]

Also came here to say this 👍

[@marcusolsson287]

Same here. He should run a pullstring before he install the cupboards as well and if it survives the selftaper screws it could make the wire pulling later so much easier

[@Arachnoid_of_the_underverse]

Flexible plastic conduit would have been good to help protect the wiring from damage.

[@carlstanton2550]

@@Arachnoid_of_the_underverse kopex, although I would personally run metal kopex (Flexible metal conduit, incase you don't know what kopex is).

[@irvsstella]

Not only did I enjoy the video Blake, with all the tradesmen and women commenting on tips, it's making this an enjoyable pursuit. I'm planning on converting a coach and all this info is invaluable! Keep up the good work, great show!

[@timmykowalczykowski5840]

Great bluild! Love the progress! As a electrician myself I would advise you to have the wire bundles in a braided sleeve before you put them in the van wall. While driving the van around rubbing can cause damage on the outer layer of the wires. Keep up the good work!

[@thewrx2600]

yep, or some sort of protective conduit

[@DallinVanBlerkom]

Super jealous, not just of the van but of the skills and attitudes.

[@donbridgewater2988]

Blake, it is always best to just tack weld everything together, completely before you weld it up. Build everything as far as you can just tacked together, test fit the drawers and rollers then weld it up.

[@dorkysaur]

Hahaha wiring is a nightmare but when you get it right the satisfaction is overwhelming. I am excited to see the final build with all the storage and bikes installed. Amazing episode and congrats with the new baby.

[@theknights1512]

This little series is great because seeing Blake do it and making some mistakes gives you much more of an insight to just how difficult and time consuming it can be.

[@piz83]

If I'd done the electrics like that I'd have struggled too! 🙂For all the 12v stuff some 2 core cable fed inside some split tubing for extra protection might have made your life easier but it's all fun eh...until the wife reminds you of the family holiday deadline! I'm very jealous of the welding skills, doing great Blakey!

[@William.N]

I love watching Blake Builds but I want to give props to whomever is choosing the music. It really makes the video even better!

[@RaynerGuitar7]

Hey Blake. Girlfriend and I built a van over lockdown for adventures. Two bikes under the bed and rock climbing gear. The I can’t do this before doing that and so it’s very familiar to us. Looks great and it’s cool to see metal frame work. I too really enjoyed cutting the windows and fan holes. It’s very satisfying. Looking forward to seeing it done. It’s great that you’ve got help on hand. The electronics to me awhile to get my head round and my dad helped me being an ex car mechanic. Keep smashing it out you’ve got this. I’ve got no advice because you seem to be doing great.

[@loadedbikes8877]

Coming on nicely Blake!

[@philipwoolgar2011]

Hands down awesome series! Nothing but respect for this monster project! Man your Patients is on another level! Keep it up!

[@darian.explores]

We added big, deep drawers in ours and that was a gamechanger.

[@jamiewall9076]

9.50, that mug! it needs soaking in bleach it can't be safe to drink from! great video again keep them coming, you did this at Christmas, its now February and so the gifts keep coming!

[@jakou31]

i'm only watching Blake drinking tea and talking about holes during all long the video :o that's fine . 👍

[@dazmtb]

I think you should run som spare cable runs just in case you need them in the future. Take photos of where the cables runs are and where all the open areas are between the braces just in case you want to add any more electrical items or built in speakers 💭 Brilliant work and your handling the mistakes very well, I know I wouldn’t be so patient 😁

[@jimicob9143]

blake, I reaaaallly hope you treat/paint all those welded steel you got in your van (and every exposed metal when you cut holes in your van next time!!!), or your van will tend to rust like hell in near future! tip for the wires: I put them into cable hose before I put them through the van, that way its a little bit easier (still hard work), but the cables are better protected from the sharp metal edges of the van and also won´t cut open so easy from the vibrations later while driving - cheers

[@junka1975]

It's coming along nicely Blake. That lemon drizzle cake looked pretty tasty.

[@charleysweet]

Blake, you make me smile. thank you!

[@JH-hx9kg]

Yes Word of Advise for anyone else doing this put the cables in plastic flexible conduit before running it in through the van and when running it through the structure of the van use big blobs of silicone to hold it in place wherever possible or use expanding foam to hold the cables / conduit in place. As the constant movement of the van is will rub the insulation down to the inner core of the wire and can cause electrical problems for the whole van that are a nightmare to trace once all the finished cladding is on. All sharp metal edges of the van that the cable crosses over, use Duck / Gaffa / Foam Tape over these edges as again the movement of the van will slice through the cables and conduit in no time.

[@pauldfrance73]

Blake, awesome as always. Always so positive as well. But you should leave the swearing in lol 🤣🤣🤣 But what we all want, need to know is, what are the cars Martin has under the covers in corner of his garage? 😁

[@jonny8730]

Hi Blake, loving the van build. I've built my own campervan for camping/motocross. Always been something I wanted to do so second lockdown that's what I did. It was a long process and even today I'm still changing bits here and there. But love having it for camping trips! I look forward to watching the rest of your build videos!

[@robocopgk9211]

Showing your true African colours ‘hard working’ 🇿🇼🇿🇦- awesome work man… but come on boet..release the next videos sooner boet 😜 #anticipation #nextlevel

[@turnpike420]

Love the energy, Blake! The house of a van is a moving earthquake. Those wires need loom to protect them from the van’s sharp edges! I’m using Ancor Marine duplex for my 12V. It’s red and black with a sheath, inside a singe white sheath, AND I will use loom around that; plus extra protection where the wiring is in close contact with the van metal.

[@TCK71]

Loving this series!

[@markonmotoring]

Love watching Blake build stuff almost as much as I do bikes. Blake I hope you have some good security devices to install on this vehicle when it's done as my friend had his ordinary, run of the mill Transit stolen recently from outside of his home. It wasn't even tricked out like yours will be. Good luck with the build and keep up the good work.

[@matthewmcturk5546]

Looks good Blake will look good when it is done

[@gmbn]

Thanks, Matthew! It's going to look so sick! 👊

[@nafsucof]

i think just a little metal etching primer under that rubber strip around the window will help prevent that metal from rusting

[@MarkSouthee]

Can't beat a bit of homemade lemon drizzle cake 🍰

[@randombudd1429]

This is so exciting can't wait for the next episode. 😁

[@Oven-u2v]

I like that u are transforming that van into a awesome ultimate mtb van 🔥

[@420Schmat]

This has to be the best Blake Builds so far. I'm really enjoying it. But the inner child in me has to add... 16:31 That's what she said

[@benjybluehat]

Loving this series.

[@lostintransit5822]

An electric fan vent above the bed is a godsend in summer

[@Type1on2wheels]

Double pole means active/neutral or positive/negative are switched together. 2 way switching is having switches that turn of/off from 2 different locations. I’m assuming UK is same as Aus and requires motorhomes/caravans to have double pole switching on all 230V wiring.

[@aantonbailey9594]

Constantly watching for an update

[@prestachuck2867]

This might be the first GMBN/GCN video that features something that sounds like actual high quality music for the soundtrack. What the heck?!

[@JamesMTBAdventures]

Another great watch 👍🏻

[@intherealworld7705]

20k views and 0 dislikes says it all what a top man Blake is 👍

[@Wannaridebikes]

Line it before the weld. Move welds so one area does not over heat and warp. Thin metal to a thicker metal to much weld can burn. Right through it. I’m learning welding. My first lesson move welds to not over heat. And line your lines with tape or rope so you know you are straight. Magnets as well use them.

[@patrickbarrett5790]

Coming along quite nicely! Cheers, lads!

[@garethwoods1562]

I'm in the process of building my own lwb crafter mtb/travelling campervan and loving the series so far with Blake. Top job man! Just wondering have you purposely left the insulation until after you complete your welding for fire reasons? Also, for your electrical install, you should wrap your wires passing through the body with split conduit. Bit late now, but multi strand wire should be used in vehicles as opposed to single core wire. Keep up the good work man! 🤙🏻

[@tuxieciclista]

Love Blake Builds!! Keep up the good work!

[@geoffyoung7822]

Blake has more patience than me I'd have been chucking my dolly's and teddies out the pram by now

[@BlackFlag94]

My anxiety levels are seriously and genuinely high watching these videos... it takes me back to rebuilding my entire garden with a brand new workshop, 30A SWA cable, lighting and 13A circuits, roofing, blah blah blah.. I need a cider!

[@abitrich]

Great series. Next episode looks good, but the one after will be awesome. I always loved watching Blake's 7 :D

[@zacharycollet3425]

Well if I got one thing to say about blakes builds is there isn't enough of them and there also not long enough. Other than that keep up the cracking work big man

[@mitchrich5015]

Mate surely one of those Park Tool cable routing magnet kits would have come in super handy here?! Missed a trick

[@thompsy2k6]

You're doing a fine job big fella, keep enjoying it

[@gmbn]

Thanks for the support, David! It's coming along so well! 👍

[@monique_ridemtb]

Love the series, the enthusiasm and effort going into this is great!. Question: How will you fill your 70litre tank? is there hoses going up to the side of the van to refill. Same concept as on Overlanding vehicles? Keep up the exciting series and work!

[@ЛёхаБукреев]

Don't forget to paint every metal thing inside after finish welding and drillind. No place to rust in this nice van!

[@tgnilsson1]

Thats a really nice build Blake 🙂

[@V.Dragnev]

Blake you are awesome, you do my dream ... van for camping and riding with family. Everything looks amazing and really like how you think everything in advance , well with few mistakes but amazing man. Just want to ask, why you dont use cable protection, because : - with vibration and time, cable is getting old and with contacting with metal can be destroyed at one point and short-circuit can happened. - prevent mouse from eating it :D yeah i know sound funny but its happens. You can put all the caballing in this protection soft pipes :) Just giving advice. Keep a good spirit and waiting for next episodes.

[@better.better]

"it's just that I'm used to the wife's cooking" 😬 looks like Jen's taking some heat from the competition. Blake you're brave man for leaving that comment in. hoping for you that she doesn't watch this

[@thefrannys9200]

This should be called the "Blake drinks tea" show 🤣🤣

[@chrisackermann3766]

Can you please put a red bull mini fridge in there and some really cool leds

[@francisdee9955]

loving the show🤟🏻 was just wondering if rust will be an issue, since you‘re cutting stuff out of the van…

[@unstealthypanda]

Pretty rare the internals will rust - of course depending on where you live. Should be okay for the interior, though

[@d-nicebikes]

Maybe I missed it, but are you planning to install wifi/satellite or something like that? I know satellites may be a bit dated, but depending on the build, it can have it's place. Either way, Blake, the wiring is where the skills are really tested, and it sounds like we are getting to the good stuff! Looking great so far, Mate! Appreciate your humbleness regarding your skill level, but lots to be proud of in being able to say you had first hand experience in building the 'Transugatti'.

[@yesyoucanTellme]

I love Blake's work.

[@RegenesismediaCIC]

Loving the series, when you do your run down of materials used are you keeping a tally of all the cake that’s powered the build? 🍰

[@rubenmehta1586]

love the series good job Blake

[@gmbn]

Thanks, Ruben! 👊

[@hammyh1165]

All that wiring needs to be in conduit or wrapped in fabric tape and strapped in place . Split flexible auto conduit is cheap and you can even put it in after , although not as easy. The conduit still need fixing in place too. Any bare wires should run through grommets in bodywork and all edges , wire or conduit runs over should have tape on the edges. All this cuts down on annoying rattles too. That wiring is going to be a nightmare in the future.

[@rohnakp2396]

Epic Gmbn 🔥🔥

[@carlstanton2550]

As an electrician,I'd be so confused wiring a vehicle.brown is a live,and nowadays we feed the switch 90% of the time, (instead of a feed to the ceiling rose).auto electrics are definitely more complicated in my opinion!

[@plusoem]

What did you seal the bare metal with

[@lukeyj8745]

Love The Van Build Mega 🤙

[@Flux_Flow]

Come on mate ! We need more Blake Builds episodes. We know it's completed by now or should be. lol

[@gmbn]

Hey @Flux Flow! Episode 6 is going live next Thursday so not long to go. Also Blake has had a child so the project had to be put on hold for this week. Stay Tuned! 👀

[@simonlotion1223]

@@gmbn great news x2

[@kenjordan6448]

whats better for mtb.......van or pick up?????

[@gmbn]

Great question! That could be debated for ages! 😅

[@matt_m126]

Everyone thinks cabling is an easy, quick job until they've done it once. 🍻

[@isaacschmitz4168]

Very interesting

[@takozamtbtrailscout7106]

Dear Blake, please wash your hands after grinding metal before you eat. Those metal and alloy dusts can accumulate and poison you. Cheers for the good work and God speed!

[@dominicbrown9172]

When's the next instalment?

[@SteelR4t]

Itemised billing for van upgrade.. Windows - £500 Wiring - £250 Water Pumps - £100 . . . . . Tea and cake consumed during build - £375,239

[@mjbbell]

Hopefully the item I bought on eBay for the van got to you ok 😁

[@TheBraddles82]

Why’d you start with a birds nest of wiring? Surely having it on individual spools would be a way better scenario

[@johnster187]

Let the cake battle commence!!! Hope you've told the wife, her cake is better Blake or you my friend are in the dog house...... 🙂😉

[@germurphy4986]

Wiring needs to be in a conduit. Otherwise you are looking at a fire down the line.

[@haashimhussain4385]

When a hydraulic brake has leaked do you need to buy a brand new set or can you fix the broken brake

[@better.better]

this isn't GMBN Tech channel, you're better off asking Doddy over there. but depends on where & why it's leaking. if it's leaking because of a bad hose then you replace the hose & the fluid and away you go. there's a whole video over on GMBM Tech to show you how to do that. personally I don't know much about brake levers or hydraulic calipers for bicycles beyond what I've just mentioned

[@amazon4716]

No insulation?

[@diamondsink2000]

Make sure you go under the van and respray the underseal where you have welded. It will burn it off and rust. Transits don't need any help in that department.

[@drb2323]

That cake looked amazing

[@doctorpc4x4]

@Jen #Jen ask Blake about your cooking

[@jonathanzappala]

It’s cool and fun to watch, but I’d stay at hotels and spend less money or in this case time (which is money).

[@jamieman_7914]

When's the next episode?

[@TunedIn1]

What's the point of asking for pointers for what you should be doing when this was filmed well over a month ago.

[@JB50713]

Just seeing all that wiring gives me anxiety! Lol

[@benetcrabbe7812]

Nice

[@plainuser48596]

Hey Blake, I still do not see or hear anything about sound insulation. You really should think about it, else it will be unbearable riding back there

[@nosreuter]

What is that horrible SOUND at 2:55 😱 ?

[@curtrichardson8002]

My friends Mom has the biggest drawers.

[@rexcorkil]

How do you spell DRAWERS, GMBN editors?! Doh...

[@Arachnoid_of_the_underverse]

Just be careful with how much weight you are adding to the van, every pound increases your fuel usage.

[@noviceinvestoruk2955]

Drawers.

[@tooloocoo1648]

Blake … what other wives and girlfriends 😂

[@camperp195]

Sort your tea mug out blake,its gross! 😂

[@donbenincasa7442]

✌🏼❤️🍻🥳

[@reezone2310]

It's Blake the builder?! Can he fix it? Bob the builder might be cringing after watching this video😷😁