INSTALLING FLARES: 5:28 Drill holes for jig saw blade. 5:20 Tape plastic film to areas around and below where you cut out so metal chips won’t be trapped inside walls and cause rust. 6:23. Use a jig saw to cut the panel with tape on the jig saws table. 6:28 Tape off each section you cut on outside so panel doesn’t flop around while cutting and won’t fall off and damage van body when you’re done cutting. 7:00 Pull off panel with suction cups. 7:13 File or sand raw cut edge of metal. 9:30 Paint raw edge with Rustoleum. 9:39 Scuff surface of flares and van that flares will be glued to with 220 and wipe down with alcohol. 9:53 Use Sikaflex 510 along flare and closer to the inside edge so if it bleeds it won’t bleed to the exterior. 10:16 Put 2” tape on inside and outside to hold flare in place while glue cures. 10:47 Now put a bead of Sikaflex on the inside. 22:45 Total for two flares, two windows, paint job, saw blades was $2826.00. (plus Sikaflex) 25:34 The $2826 cost represents 8% of his build. He said that at 5’-10” tall that he probably wouldn’t do it if he had to do it all over again. He also said he would have bought the CR Lawrence windows instead of the crappy Flarespace windows. *CR Lawrence makes quality windows.
@gunzforarmz2 жыл бұрын
This was one of the most honest videos for an RV build I've seen to date. Too many van builds are being sponsored, so you can't trust them. You saved me 3k. Me being only 5'7 would be a complete waste.
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
That's $3k you can put towards your electrical system. 😉
@gunzforarmz2 жыл бұрын
@@ErikJohnson2020 or towards a nice 12V AC Unit. I don't think I can handle the van being above 80 degrees.
@deepprey27764 ай бұрын
@@ErikJohnson2020when you are over 6’ every inch counts
@bobstransitvan30532 жыл бұрын
Just starting my van build. I'm 6' 4" tall and I'm going to have my bed go lengthwise in my Transit van. The flares seem like a very expensive option for minimum benefit. My bed will be 80 inches long with storage under it. I have two videos up on my channel so far. Winter is not cooperating with van building.
@effie22062 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the detailed and honest install/review. At 5'8" I don't need the these but still wish there was some competition in the space.
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
Hi Effie! Glad to see you came back to watch another video of mine! Yeah, I've no idea what these panels cost to produce and ship, but for the Extended length Transits in particular, they seem really expensive especially considering the end results. 🤔
@wendydee18842 жыл бұрын
I’ve been watching Van builds on the KZbins for 7 years now… you are an excellent example of how a DIY should be!!! Thank you for all the details. BTW I ordered my 2022 transit cargo to build out a week ago! YaY!
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
Thank you!!! 🥰🥰🥰 How long is the ETA for when you'll take delivery of your van?
@debrakeller7313 Жыл бұрын
Love the vid. Especially the sweet part with you and your Mom. I love when a grown strong fella clearly loves his Momma!! So nice.
@ErikJohnson2020 Жыл бұрын
You think I'm strong?? 🥰
@brucemorrice35692 жыл бұрын
I think CR Laurance should sponsor your video. Your videos are great and I like the reality of your installs and opinions. Next time, have mom come on the video and not just bring you a coffee and a Kleenex. Your mom is amazing.
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
LOL, my mom's not wild about being on camera, but I'll most certainly pass along the kind words! ❤️
@tonybucca56676 ай бұрын
Just picked up a 2020 Mid height AWD. This will be my 12th (13th?) van since 1973. I plan on putting my bed on a DIAGONAL to gain length. I will have a triangular "mud room" behind the rear passenger side door that I can get into or out of my van. I will probably do an expandable base on the bed frame for wider width. The front cabin section will be kinda trapezoidal shape. A monitor will probably fit in either corner for when I'm lying in bed. ALL of this will be MODULAR, just in case I need to carry a fridge, or a motorcycle home!
@a.kasper71862 жыл бұрын
Great video Erik! Very informative. It’s awesome to learn from the good as well as the bad.
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
Thanks for leaving a comment!! 🥰
@AJourneyOfYourSoul2 жыл бұрын
Good job on the diy install. This is what happens to businesses that have zero competition and offer a desirable niche product. No reason to put in any effort when your customers are flocking to you. I am sure the owner looks at his ever increasing sales and thinks his company is doing an awesome job, lol.
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
Thanks for leaving a comment! I'm sure Flarespace has likely just grown faster than their systems have been able to keep up with, and hopefully my experience was just one of the ones that fell through the cracks. Aside from the window quality, the flares themselves are nice, though I seriously question why they only extend 2.5 to 3.5 inches beyond the regular width. 🤔
@mtg_hermit2 жыл бұрын
Appreciate it Erik, with my wife and me both being short this video def makes it where we would not do it at all. Just know that your videos are definitely helping. And btw I watched multiple videos and nice CFB hat. Take care friend
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
Thanks Gary!! You're the first to notice/comment on my CFB swag. 😉And I'm glad you found my videos helpful! 🥰 Hope to see you in the comment section again!
@mtg_hermit2 жыл бұрын
@@ErikJohnson2020 will do, i currently have a NV200 build but soon to upgrade to the transit
@GirlsGuide2Packing2 жыл бұрын
Loved Mom's first cameo! Haha. So cute. Yeah, this project seemed pretty intense, but it really looks like everything is coming together! I'm excited to watch as you start adding the more visible/style-based elements to the van, especially seeing how much you prioritize aesthetics even on these more structural elements.
@posteroonie Жыл бұрын
The trick to making cheap pot-metal window gears last is to turn the gears with one hand while using the other hand to gently lift the window up. That unloads the gears so that they don't wear out. Good video, thanks.
@nbc9022 жыл бұрын
your honesty was refreshing
@brianchetelat66012 жыл бұрын
You guys were having way too much fun there.
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
It was pretty awesome having my brother there helping. Legit, this was one of those projects where I don't think I could have done it without his help.
@brianchetelat66012 жыл бұрын
@@ErikJohnson2020 Agreed, fun to have a brother for help.
@kidneyaccordion2 жыл бұрын
thanks dude. I'm 6'5" so I've been debating just going length vs expanding width for bed.
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
Hi Scott! Yeah at 6'5" you're probably going to have a tough time sleeping comfortably any direction other than length-wise in your van, though if you're willing to sleep diagonally on your mattress, then you could probably make a width bed orientation work fine for you. At least that's my best guess! Good luck in your search!!
@higbeedoug2 жыл бұрын
Just to throw my $.02 into the mix; I'm 5'11" and have a 130MR with an RVfull-size mattress in the East/West configuration and have no problem with sleep accommodations. Mattress, on 1" polyiso and a layer of EZ-Cool, tilts up on 200lb struts within the push-outs and stops just shy of the upper (concave) portion permitting access to storage below within the 2x4 bed framing support while utilizing the full 77" width less 2 x 1/2" for polyiso on either side/end wall. (yes, the mattress is cut, or 'notched' on each corner to permit the necessary clearance for the van internal 'posts') Test your needs: sleep on the floor some night between a wall and a coffee table on its side limited to the amount of actual space (76"?) forcing you to sleep in this restricted area and does it hinder your sleep?
@thingle2 жыл бұрын
I have a 2007 Transit (L1 H2) and thinking of buying a Transit 2013+ (Mk8?) AWD Transit later this year. Probably a L2 H3. Don't plan on living in it. I will mostly use it for hiking and snowboarding. So I will spend some nights in it. I have learned a lot from building my current van but doing research now to see what I want from my next build. Finland being very strict with what is allowed in traffic makes it a bit harder. Not sure if I am allowed to make flares but would help with the build.
@thingle2 жыл бұрын
I watched until the end now. I am 5' 11" (181cm) so maybe I don't need to do flares at all. I know in my current van the width of the van is too small for me to sleep comfortably.
@butch81699 ай бұрын
thanks for doing this. i was just about to buy some flares from Flarespace, but not now. btw, for those that have a Sprinter van, a company called Vanspeed offers an alternative that is apparently a much much better product than what Flarespace offers.
@jessemcbrennan85 Жыл бұрын
I had many or the same issues you had in addition to the flanges on the flares being cut too short for the flare space windows. Pretty disappointed with the whole experience and I don't think I would do it again. We're now stuck with unfinished flares because we refused to give flare space any more money after our initial experience. Their response was basically that we were on our own.
@davidj99772 жыл бұрын
Is using adhesive onto the paint the advised procedure? I would think you would want to glue directly to the metal, otherwise the weakest bond is the paint-to-metal bond underneath.
@GoNSeetheWorld24 ай бұрын
Thanks. I have a MB 144. Been debating on flare space. And will just settle for a few inches less. Besides the price, just not sure how long it will remain leak free.
@MrDaveB1232 жыл бұрын
Thanks for saving me the time and the money. So not worth it in terms of cost/time to benefit ratio. And will definitely seek better windows . You pain my gain. Thanks for your efforts
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
Glad you were able to make a better decision after watching my video!
@RobKristjansson2 жыл бұрын
I really appreciate you sharing the "was it worth it?" part with us! That said, in a year, you might feel differently, right? Probably not about the windows, though...
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
Exactly! It's hard to know if those few extra inches will feel worthwhile until I spend a few nights sleeping in the final bed, but 2.5" seems legitimately questionable. All the literature I could find seemed to suggest it added 3", and I thought that was per-panel, not from two panels combined. 😅
@RobKristjansson2 жыл бұрын
@@ErikJohnson2020 I'm doing my van build this summer, and it's channels like yours that are helping me look at things differently now in the planning stages. Keep it up, sir!
@brianjohnston3707 Жыл бұрын
2k for two bits of fibreglass, wtf 🤯 nice vid anyhoo 👍
@_billythekid Жыл бұрын
I'm interested in seeing your install of the trim rings. Is that your plan ? Im at that stage now and let me say there is some swearing.....and fitment issues I haven't solved.
@kaymarpee2 жыл бұрын
kudos this is a huge project!!
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
Thank you!!
@josephjuno9555 Жыл бұрын
Wow! Puttig so much force against sealent still curing? I guess it was curing well?
@bigdifferencemusicgroup3 ай бұрын
such a helpful video! Thanks bro!
@G45and474 ай бұрын
Use a drill with clutch settings instead of an impact?
@henrythomas25472 жыл бұрын
Great video! 🤘💀🤘❗
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
Thank you!! 🥰
@teppohovattala5171 Жыл бұрын
I got flares a Littlebit cheaper 300€ each plus wider bracket for side door 120€. Painted and assembled myself. Parts from germany. 3000$ is quite steep
@riggitydoo5116 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for talking me out of flares.
@martinal.74887 ай бұрын
we share the same disappointment with especially awning bunk driver side window that has been leaking at the top hinge - flare space send us replacement and the replacement window has same issue ….. does anyone has also these issues. Our driver side slider bundle window seems to be fine.😢😢😢 We have CRL window in the kitchen and I agree so much better quality 👍
@matreyia Жыл бұрын
Why did you do this? Just for window addition? Because it didn't add any usable extra space at all and it was costly in terms of time and energy and money.
@vandoan74625 ай бұрын
Thanks for the honesty! Might have saved me $$
@sunflowerseeds80072 жыл бұрын
so are the flares worth it? any calk or seal in between window and flare? It feels like the only reason to get them would be for a bed where you sleep van width ways.
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
Correct, flares are only useful if you plan to orient your bed sideways within your bed. As to how useful they are or aren't, that kind of depends on how tall you are. I give a pretty detailed summary of my thoughts on this question at the end of the video.
@nexpro69852 жыл бұрын
You checked the panel fit after paint? Why not before?
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
I actually checked it before and after paint, but didn't film each time. The reason I checked after paint as well is just to ensure the paint didn't cause a buildup of material that might then cause a clearance issue.
@colesadventures87272 жыл бұрын
Has Flare space reached out??
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
No, but I also don't expect that they would.
@armadilllo Жыл бұрын
Wow, that is a lot of money for two holes. Two pieces of fiberglass for 2 Gs!
@Nova-19692 жыл бұрын
3.5 inches for that expense. Thank for stopping me from the work and expense.
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
I'm glad it was helpful for your decision making!
@locodemarseafool2 жыл бұрын
maybe some pre boring and some washers could have helped !
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
I'm guessing you're referring to the window clamp rings? That probably would have helped, though from my prior experience with the CR Lawrence T-Vent window I installed on my sliding door, their window clamp ring needed absolutely nothing to install perfectly, and I falsely assumed it'd be the same experience with Flarespace's windows.
@theartofpeace84962 жыл бұрын
i want to buy an electric ford transit to build out anyone have any opinions or experience about these
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
Well currently the estimated range of the e-Transit is between 126 and 196 miles (202-315km), and that's with a 67,000 watthour battery, which is a HUGE battery, and isn't something current solar tech can realistically recharge. In comparison, Betty (which has the extended size gas tank) has a range of 480 miles between fill-ups. 👌
@josephjuno9555 Жыл бұрын
So do u regret getting Flares or getting them from This company?
@ErikJohnson2020 Жыл бұрын
I don't think I would get any kind of flare if I was going to do it over again and instead put all that money into other systems.
@sandybeebee65117 ай бұрын
Doesn't seem worth it to me for 3 1/2 inches 😕
@ErikJohnson20207 ай бұрын
That's what she... Damn.
@totorishop7 ай бұрын
Wow, have to get it painted to color match ! Why does no one mention that.
@martinal.74887 ай бұрын
you dont have to do it we painted it with truck bed-liner and it looks and functions well….
@donner101 Жыл бұрын
The flares barely seems to offer you any extra depth and the window look like it comes back past the flare recess on the inside further eating into the "extra space" especially that chunky handle. I have looked at flares but cant justify the cost (an eye watering $2800) and the compromise on loosing stealthiness on mine. Also there are so many other long bed options including building a bed that folds or an interlocking slat bed that can go at the front of the van or even the back to get a full size bed option. For $2800 I would rather just shop around and put it to a square box van rather than go to all this bother in a panel van.
@Heliosvector11 ай бұрын
They do add substantially more because you dont have as much insulation in them. in a normal van build you would have probably 1-2 inches of "wall" on both sides where the flares would go. So without that and with the tiny bit of extra width, it adds up to giving you an extra 7-8 inches.
@NitroLambretta2 жыл бұрын
Really unimpressive quality control by flarespace
@johntatman91682 жыл бұрын
All of the windows that install like this suck and are a pain in the ass to install. Cheapest possible design. Also since most people need the additional space in order to sleep sideways they don't tend to insulate them. This will leave your head and feet very cold in the winter.
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
Exactly, and for me sleeping with cold feet sounds like hell, and not something I'd likely be able to tolerate long term.
@mustanggun2 жыл бұрын
Why are you letting your brother do any cutting when he knows nothing about what he’s doing?
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
Because everyone's gotta start somewhere, and I was right there watching, able to step in if things got out of hand. He did great with the Jig saw, and it was a lesson for us both on why the Jig saw really is king for vehicle skin cuts. Hope this helps!
@mustanggun2 жыл бұрын
@@ErikJohnson2020 the jigsaw is awesome I agree. And I agree we all have to start somewhere, but let him practice on something not as critically important as your van wall. Just sayin. Anyway it looks and turned out great despite your bro…lol
@michaelboileau7132 жыл бұрын
You should have watched a few videos first......
@ErikJohnson20202 жыл бұрын
Actually, I watched a few videos on them before buying them, and then again before installing them.
@NitroLambretta2 жыл бұрын
in my 30 plus years of body work knowledge I have very faith in that system, I see it failing and leaking within 12 to 18 months.
@joshuawilliams6321 Жыл бұрын
Don’t be a douche and at least say what brought you to that conclusion!