Installing A Roof Fan On My Transit Connect!

This week I decided I wasn't a fan of not having a fan... Watch me struggle with saw blades as I learn how to instal a fantastic fan!
Fantastic Fan: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Thanks for watching!
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@justamanwithavan

[@MrManhound]

I am enjoying watching this build,its good that you are showing every little detail even where you went wrong and how you sorted it. I felt for you when you were cutting the hole for the roof fan and the saw blade kept coming off...I imagined the saw getting flung as far as possible.

[@GiggleFishy]

This is great - you are showing everything, including mistakes, which helps people learn. You scared the heck out of me on that roof with a saw - you must have great balance. 😀

[@GiggleFishy]

Oh, and I've subscribed.

[@michellevillasenor4712]

Thank you! You're to the point....great job , enjoyable to watch. I'm converting a 2013 ford transit that I pick up TODAY! Yipppeeeeee! And I'm going to do as much of it MYSELF 😁 your videos are a life saver! TY ✌🏽️👍🏼✨

[@zeilstar]

Lol the saw blade was cracking me up!!

[@ashleechirgwin8373]

soooo glad im not the only one that has a jigsaw that does that!! doing awesome job!! :)

[@andyman3309]

Great video man - I'm getting ready to install a Dometic fan in my Transit Connect and will follow your instructions to a T.

[@snoman1999]

Liked 👍🏽 and Subscribed... Yeah I agree it's nice to see someone who's not an expert showing the process we other non experts can follow (including the issues) 🚐❤️

[@KpexSmith]

Great job, I have 2 fans I need to get in mine. I want to make sure I can put them in the right place. Need to off set them so I don't hit my head on the opening knob. 😂

[@deannilvalli6579]

This guy is so cool. I hope he makes another van.

[@Ros_Artini]

great job!

[@christiegem44bella]

Thanks so much I now feel like I can do this!

[@TylerChandlerdp]

Man gets fan on van. fan opens wrong way Hahahah imagine.... Excellent video man thanks for the build process

[@netposerx]

I'm watching skate videos and stumble on Chris McNugget's video about him getting sponsored by 3Block. He drops your name...and it sounded familiar. I remember watching all these van builds. Such a small world when your van build world collides with your skateboard world.

[@cathynelson5615]

You are adorable. You're just a man in a van with a fan.

[@cooperdog9956]

I saw someone glue plexiglass where the gaps are to make it level with the high ribs. Looked like a good idea.

[@nnewbre]

You did a neater job than RV place did on my van

[@cathietonkin5577]

Great video... looks like you did a great job on your build! Personally I’m loving it!!!! Will you be using portable solar panels down the line???? I’m trying to find a way to do a build to be able to spend more time with my youngest grandson!!!!

[@bergfpv6486]

It's good to be a man in a van with a fan or two.

[@zerskier]

nice install, I had a guy on one of the transit forums cnc a adapter for the vent that filled in the ribs and gave me a flat surface for the vent

[@Josh_Oakes]

That would be so awesome to have haha I'm hoping the putty and caulk will keep any and all water out!

[@toeknee.belowknee]

Did he make this adapter, or purchase?

[@jenniferwilson5148]

Hey Josh! Love your videos, just curious where did you hook up the electrical plug for the fan?

[@saskiak7427]

Josh, thanks so much for taking the time to show how you converted your van step by step! It has been very helpful. How much of the caulking did you need for seal up the fan?

[@jonahlevi3178]

20.5787744357757 pounds

[@8754roberto]

Thank you

[@Friendsshare]

thsi is awesome

[@Trang-xq9fn]

Have you had any leaks from the roof where the fan is installed since your roof has the annoying ribs?

[@therealdwaynescottjay4957]

What is that material that you used when you screwed the fan down to make it fit flush?

[@RobertEly87]

Likely Butylene tape (Known by other names in different countries)

[@briansteinberg1381]

Can you list the material besides the fan and chalk? What saw blade do you use. Looked like you were having issues with it.

[@philswildlife7231]

my idea: a movie theater in front of the couch, with Hot Rod playing 24/7

[@Josh_Oakes]

I need more of you in my life...

[@zackvideo]

Agreed. No brainer.

[@cathyhuddle1769]

Was wondering, crazy idea, but I have an Odyssey van with a sunroof; for van camping, could I put screen over opening to keep out bugs, lay a box fan on top of van to sleep in cool conditions? Risky, I know

[@MakeCriminalsIllegalAgain]

What exactly did you use to fill in those ridges?

[@12vLife]

looks like just Butyl tape.

[@12vLife]

@4:01.. How tall are you and were you completely standing? Instead of a fantastic fan, I'm thinking of putting a huge 38x22 sunroof on a 2019 Short TC right between the two sliding doors and was wondering about standing with the sunroof at 90 degrees. I would save the cut out.

[@Frann1girl]

Do you have any problems with rear door holding that ladder, or did you add some internal support? The metal seems thin.. Thanks

[@johndowney8713]

Howdee cowboy.

[@bbruvey]

Where did you get that paper towel holder?

[@climbingapplied]

are you experiencing leaks or did this work well??

[@burly636]

I have one being delivered Tuesday from carvana. They sell immediately after they post a Connect XL. I finally found one. No opening windows in cargo area. I will have to find someone to install a fan. Down the road I will have one side window at a time replaced with an opening window. No Living in it, just travel.. Good to know I can if I had to.

[@georgeosborne6142]

What putty was used?

[@Jamie-re9cv]

Do you recommend hard wire for power or a cigarette lighter power supply

[@joshuaj9713]

Just picked up a connect and ordered my fan. Did you do any other vents? I’m gonna do two side vents as well. And how difficult was that job. I’m not so great with tools but I have friends that are...but they haven’t done anything like this.

[@Josh_Oakes]

Just installed the fan! It’s not bad just make sure you use butyl tape to fill in the ribs and caulk it when you’re all done. Should do the trick!

[@danlane4404]

When installing the inside cover did you find it was to "deep" for the thin roof? If so what was your fix and how did you hook up the electrical?

[@Josh_Oakes]

It was a bit longer than I needed but it cuts fairly easy so I just measured what I needed and trimmed off the rest! The electrical is pretty easy too! It’s just 12v so you only have two wires, I believe they are white and black on the fantastic fan. Should go something like this... aux batt > fuse block > roof fan Hope that helps!

[@thebeat69]

What was the stuff you used to fill in the ribs? Been looking all over for suggestions to getting around those.

[@Josh_Oakes]

+thebeat69 the fan came with some sealing tape but you can also use butyl tape!

[@nickdanty7981]

Thanks! So the butyl tape is what you used in between the ribs, is it also what you use at 4:54 on the 4 sides of the hole? And is that duct tape your finishing with at 5:01? Thanks again really appreciate you putting this up!

[@julietsilfvast]

is your van registered as a passenger vehicle or commercial?

[@Prettynoise]

I would say you did a great job of installing your Fantastic Fan. I just bought a 2017 Nissan NV2500 and will have the cringe factor of cutting thru the roof. Thanks for doing the vid. IG- @rollinghaus

[@benperez5769]

How do u power the fan can you connect it to a battery?

[@Josh_Oakes]

You can! I had a fuse block so it went battery - fuse block - accessories (fan, lights, water pump, etc...) all ran off DC so just two wires from the battery to the fan with the fuse block in the middle! Hope that’s helps

[@andrewlance713]

like the videos man. l just bought a tranist xlt and wanted to do this. Has it leaked at all since the install? thanks

[@joshoakesfilm]

Andrew Lance Do it. No leaks thankfully haha

[@andrewlance713]

Josh Oakes sweet! Thanks brotha

[@vidguy007]

It seems every video I see of someone cutting a hole for a Fantastic Fan has the same problem with the blades falling out of the saber saw. Google "Tiger Provan" and look at what they did with a small interior. Not as small as yours, but there may be some ideas there.

[@santadog9]

Roof adaptors are available so you don't have to use so much putty. I know.. to late for you.. but for others.. Link for Transit. cargovanconversion.com/product/ford-transit-rv-roof-vent-adapter

[@Josh_Oakes]

That’s a good idea but it looks like that is for the ford transit not the ford transit connect!

[@12vLife]

I've been running my van with very similar install. I have this idea... I'm looking to install a big 360 watt solar panel over my fan and think I can just remove my fan's lid and the solar panel would keep water out. There would be about a 1" of opening between the the highest part of fan lip and my solar panel back. I think that enough for good air flow given it's 360 degrees of opening. Also think/hope that having the solar panel cover the opening with good 10" of roof and the lip on the end of the solar panel I won't get any water even while driving in heavy rain at highway speeds. Anybody try this think otherwise? I see this change as making my van even more stealty as the fan's lid pops out and is visible from the sidewalk vs a solar panel would be one flat surface and will sit a good inch lower. Anyways I had to paint the inside of my fan's lid as it was letting too much light in at night while trying sleep. And i could never open it more than 30% when it's raining.

[@prizantsproducts4u]

Solar?

[@Josh_Oakes]

No solar as of now, but maybe in the future!

[@AdamHarrisongpl-projx]

Circular saw with aluminum oxide abrasive blade would be better than that flimsy jigsaw no?

[@Mithonachan]

I'm sorry but you're kinda funny lol

[@suvl745]

No god

[@anneliesevoelker2502]

I call it a fart fan.

[@boarderlinesk8media433]

What are you an electrician, just clean up after the project is done.