Pro Tips: Building Van Upper Cabinets Using 8020 (Extruded Aluminum)

[@Jet-Levi]

Jeff, The guidance that you provide in your videos is some of the best on KZbin (and I watch a lot of YT). Thank you.

[@lerouxcraven5219]

Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@CopyCatGarage]

Thank you for sharing your tips and tricks. I am starting my planning and design for a overland truck with a built on camper... your information is helping me with how I can go lighter on the inside after I have built out the box on the truck frame. Oh yea and yes the Thrive Life Food is unbelievably tasty and easy to make. absolutely love it.

[@thrivans]

Glad we can help. Good luck with your truck conversion.

[@TeutonicNordwind]

This is just excellent, Jeff! The couple videos on the Ikea "Utrusta" hinges that you've done have convinced me to use them on our pending first van build.

[@thrivans]

Glad it was helpful!

[@FBall-im8ui]

Oh yeah, best explanations on any Van site in my opinion, I understand when you explain something, well done sir. I am a photographer and will be building up my Sprinter, no experience but I poses Logic and reason ha, and I have learnt several things in just the last few days listening to you, Brilliant!Merci!

[@thrivans]

Awesome, thank you!

[@bgzwlz5119]

Wow, I can’t thank you enough. I saw a video of someone using 8020 extruded aluminum to make some van cabinets and I was intrigued. Knowing absolutely nothing about any of this including what it was called I just started searching Google and KZbin with terms like “metal cabinet frames” & “8020”. Then I came across your video which was absolutely BRILLIANT! I have never learned as much about something I had NO clue about than from this video! I now plan to watch every one of your videos, and thanks for all of the details about actually creating this type of cabinet! Do the IKEA hinges work if you build the cabinets with the drawer panels flush to the aluminum frame so that the aluminum outlines the cabinet and gives it a more modern feel rather than having the drawer panels covering up the aluminum frame?

[@Jarin22]

Hey Jeff, Awesome videos, they have been helping a lot. My wife and I are currently building our first van. How do you attach the utrusta hinge to the 80/20? Do you use the hardware included with the hinge or do you put a tnut in the 80/20 and attach it that way? Thanks for all the help

[@thrivans]

Good question. We screw the hinges directly into the 8020 bar. We use the same size screws that come with the hinges, but stainless steel. They are a little stronger. The ones that come with the hinges break easily.

[@alanhat5252]

​@@thrivansyou've given 2 different answers to this question?

[@Ballynoes]

Just found your channel 🙂... excellent site... I would call it another Humble Road... full of detail and useful info. Thanks.

[@thrivans]

Welcome aboard! It’s honor to be mentioned with Humble Road.

[@sammyjfleisch4675]

Can you please make a video explaining how you mount the hinges to the aluminum. That section is missing a lot of detail. I bought the utrusta hinges for my build because you made it seem so simple but now that I have them in I’m realizing there’s a lot more to it.

[@rogerkamp8817]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. How do you mount the microwave to the 8020 framing? If the microwave is installed, how do you get access to screw the 8020 framing to the van?

[@stevehori673]

That’s funny Jeff I use the same graph paper memo pad and draw out my plans like you do. Helps me with the cut list but also to make sure I have enough screws, t-nuts and brackets. TNUTZ are the best for basic stuff but I have to use 8020 for specialty pieces. Great video! If I didn’t build my own van I would come to you for a custom.

[@thrivans]

Yes. There are still a few part we have to order from 8020.

[@lkazanov]

Wonderful content...thank you. Is the ABS lines for the upper cabinets 1/4" or is it thinner? US plastics provides different ones. As long as you like white or black :). Apologies, you use 0.060" (1/16"). Thank you for sharing your wisdom!

[@G.G-w9w]

GREAT video Jeff. Could you share the dimensions of your microwave cabinet? . and a parts list? what kind of 1/4" ply do you use for the bottom? Love your content. thanks.

[@sailingerinskye5163]

I think I also just asked this question. Interested.

[@jasonwilly2025]

ANOTHER great video! Thanks Jeff. Do you have a linke for the ABS panels?

[@thrivans]

We get the ABS from a local supplier, Spandex USA.

[@octane_ape]

Love your videos! Keep up the good work you guys are awesome

[@thrivans]

Thank you! Will do!

[@octane_ape]

@@thrivans My fiance and I are about to start a van build. I have to save every video of yours because there's so much useful information to look back on. Thanks for making this process less daunting 😎

[@bigvil2429]

Great information in your videos Jeff and you are very kind to share your knowledge. With your overhead cabinets, is there a chance the rear will work loose with vibration, as it is only clamped on to the top of the rib, or do you have a trick to secure it Thanks

[@lebniis]

Grateful for you posting these videos. I’m building upper cabinets with Utrusta hinges, like yours. What do you screw the hinges into? Do you set a 1” wood block on top of the 90 degree t slot then screw into? What’s providing backing to the hinge besides the thin plywood? The two utrusta mounting screw holes cause it to be mounted at an angle if mounting directly to 80/20. Could describe how you attached the utrusta to the cabinet?

[@sammyjfleisch4675]

It’s frustrating that he didn’t explain this because I’m running into the same questions. In one comment he said he used sheet metal screws and screwed into the aluminum. I’m assuming this means you need a extrusion with no channel on one/two sides

[@KarlSabourin-j6e]

very informative and well explained video thank you!!

[@thrivans]

Glad it was helpful!

[@yami3960]

what about the insulation behind the cabinets? Will it fit?

[@tommyc1028]

Thank you, Jeff I’ve been a follow of your channel for quite some time, and I love your van builds… this video, as well as the one you posted most recently on extruded Aluminum was so helpful. I am absolutely ordering a bunch of it for my build… I have one question about how you mounted the UTRUSTA… were you able to use the supplied IKEA hardware? Or did you use different screws to mount it into a t-nut in the 8020? Thanks

[@thrivans]

Thanks for watching. I buy sheet metal screws and go directly into the aluminum bar. The screws supplied with the hinges break easily.

[@alanhat5252]

​@@thrivansyou've given 2 different answers to this question?

[@FBall-im8ui]

My Observation is, when hanging the unit at the rear bottom its metal to Metal, when you attach a piece of extrusion against the body you were using a plastic barrier to create a Thermal break, So it stands to reason that his could receive either the heat or the cold from the Van Body, Yes?

[@stevemccaskey4416]

Thank you for the video. What thickness of abs sheet do you use?

[@thrivans]

0.060” thick.

[@DavidAbbott64]

Awsome Jeff, just starting to plan the build these cabnets are great, can we buy the plans to build our own??. Keep up the great content!

[@thrivans]

Sorry. We currently sketch everything out on paper and don’t have drawings to share.

[@vandaddy-o2732]

Good stuff... thanks for the video!

[@thrivans]

You bet!

[@shannagachen]

Fantastic video Jeff! I'm learning so much. What material / thickness do you use for the bottom of the upper cabinets and do you slide it into the grooves of the extruded aluminum to secure it? Thanks!

[@thrivans]

We use 1/4" plywood and slide it into the slots in extruded aluminum.

[@thebg7532]

Another great video! Thank you for sharing, Jeff! Could you kindly provide information on the type and where to order ABS for the cabinet back panel?

[@thrivans]

We get it from a local plastics and sign making supplier, Spandex USA.

[@usaroseinc]

Jeff thanks for another inspiring video - I have a question re the upper shelving size (in a 144 MB) - dont want too big or too small - strick out too far and bump your head - too shallow - lots of work for the trouble. I am thinking 12.5 - 13” deep and 24-30 wide then of course what is the ABS size i will need for the ideal size not too loose or too tight. I know you worked this all out the hard and $$$ way and I do appreciate that and your feedback too would be a big help to the DIY guys out there. -Thanks again for a great channel.

[@alanhat5252]

​@@thrivanshow do you work out what size ABS sheet you need?

[@alanhat5252]

​@@thrivansis ABS better than PVC or some other material? Why?

[@VintageFilmChannel]

I am curious about using the inside corner brackets for the front face. Hidden Corner HC-10. Is there a reason for not using this bracket?

[@thrivans]

That will work. There are usually several options for each connection.

[@fredfalco5204]

Jeff, Got a question on most van builds. You use plywood strips to attach the wall panels. When you use the 8020 you attach the cabinets differently and I don’t see any wood under the cabinets. How do I attach the walls? Thanks for your help.

[@thrivans]

We usually use Shiplap. We use marine adhesive and pin nails to attach it to furring strips. When doing panel walls we screw directly into the metal of the van.

[@wanderingzythophile9083]

I've got a question for you: What's your method of mounting up those hinges, with the L-shape of the aluminium rails behind and the notched/curved surface between? Is that cabinet wall piece attached in some way or is it simply held in position sandwiched between the hinge and aluminium? Are you screwing through the hinges and *into* the aluminium behind (and hence, is the L-shape of the aluminium sized to accomodate the hinge screw hole positions)? Thank you!

[@thrivans]

We have a new video with more detail on the upper cabinets. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJS6Z5WZn799eKMsi=3MU6y3H-Kgv75n5D

[@wanderingzythophile9083]

@@thrivans I found that one later, hah. But that video doesn't quite answer my question: are you driving those screws through the hinge bodies right into the extruded aluminium? It appears so but I'm unsure. Thank you!

[@keiththomas7544]

Jeff, Are you building your own doors or are they purchased?

[@thrivans]

We build them.

[@tomcorbett7027]

Thank you, Do you sell cabinet kits?

[@thrivans]

We are working on it. Stay tuned!

[@nebulight]

For the abs panel, you mention it sits in the groove for the top but does it not sit in the groove in the lower back piece? If not how do you get it to stay in place? Thanks!

[@thrivans]

Good question. It just rests against the back bar and the bottom of the cabinet. You can put it in the back groove, but you’ll have to notch it around the brackets. We’ve found it looks cleaner the way we do it.

[@nebulight]

@@thrivans so it doesn’t slide forward? Or is it behind the rear extrusion?

[@sailingerinskye5163]

What is the bottom of the shelf made or and it's thinkness? I assume 1/4"?

[@thrivans]

Yes. We use 1/4" plywood and slide it into the slots.

[@johnjarvinen1450]

Thank you!

[@thrivans]

You're welcome!

[@envj8813]

If you skip the middle man and order directly from a manufacturer you can get it cheaper. Shipping would be more but still overall better pricing. I got 3030 3m pieces for $11.40 each and the ones with 2 smooth sides were $14.24 each for 3m. 4040 was $14.29. T nuts were $.03 each. 90° brackets were $.30- $.38 a piece.

[@tc.]

Would you mind sharing the contact/URL to the manufacturer? Thanks!

[@envj8813]

@tc. ask for Boaz zhang. He pretty quick to respond and will give you a quote for what you're looking for

[@envj8813]

@@tc. I posted the link on your last video

[@yourman_bob]

Where do you buy the white ABS plastics?

[@thrivans]

We get it from a local supplier in Salt Lake City called Spandex USA.

[@kevinschmidt6346]

What size abs plastic sheets do you buy for the upper cabinets?

[@thrivans]

4’ x 8’ x 0.060” thick.

[@kevinschmidt6346]

Thanks!

[@richardsracingmad]

In UK, which size extrusion for floor cabinets 20mm (0.78”) or 30mm (1.18”)? And top cabinets? The bed I am using 40mm (1.57”)

[@thrivans]

I haven’t used metric versions, but I’d probably try the 30mm.