Removing the full interior to start again - VB36

After almost 2 months of living in my van in a very unfinished condition I've found problems with the build, layout and more and I've come to the conclusion the best way forward is to rip it all out and start again... well almost.
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The view expressed in this video are my own and conclusion are drawn from my personal experience of the topic of this video. All comments are moderated before publication to ensure the discussion remains centred on the content of this video. Spam, trolling, abuse and coarse language comments are deleted to keep the channel friendly towards everyone, as well as anything off-topic including but not limited to religion, politics, social / environmental / other activism, beliefs and causes, channel promotion, pandemics, media hatred, conspiracy theories and such like. Stay on topic and civil, please!
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[@linz_in_NZ]

Hi John, we went through the same process with our side facing sofa - started off with lift up top, now have a drawer and a lift up top (we didn't change that) The drawer is shorter than the storage space under the sofa, we store the mini oil filled heater and a couple of other things we rarely use there behind the drawer, which works quite well. The drawer also gives me a secret storage spot for things like laptops underneath it. Looking forward to seeing more in the rebuild.

[@nikkisteers6670]

Hi John. After watching this video, we just realised we hadn't watched your previous vlog - returning from Ukraine. So having just watched it we (husband Tony and I) felt moved to comment. I'm sorry we don't comment more often but this really made us want to show our appreciation of you for what you do in sharing your vlogs and yourself here on KZbin. We were both emotional watching the video and seeing you get emotional talking about your trip to Ukraine and the response from recipients of your 'small' contribution. What you did was epic, brave and inspiring and shows exactly what you say - that doing something to help others, however small it seems to you, is so worth it. You made an amazing contribution in your own way and let those people know that ordinary people want to help them. Thank you for that. You and Mandy were the first KZbin channel we ever subscribed to. Tony discovered you during lockdown and we have followed you ever since and now follow many other vanlife channels and others. We have loved watching you and Mandy both together and apart through all your travels and ups and downs. You are aways so down to earth, show your life warts and all and make us laugh and cry. So, basically, kind of epic!! Thank you, Nikki and Tony. from Midi Pyrenees, SW France 😍😍

[@markwhitehead64]

Hi John great video sounds good your plan for the van really looking forward to seeing your next video keep safe 😷👍🏻

[@markpullinger3916]

Well done good luck Look forward to seeing more 😊

[@Mal_Outdoors]

Thanks John. I tend to watch all your vids (which i enjoy enormously) on my big Smart TV so I can't access the comments section or make any. So I'm taking this opportunity while on my tablet to say how helpful it is to see the way you are documenting your lives. It is a big encouragement and support to a single widower such as myself. I have two big rescue dogs (which is an issue in a VW Transporter if you don't want them on your bed) and was the reason I sold my last VW campervan. I've got a design in mind and will get started on my stock VW when the weather improves. Thanks again and best wishes to you both. xx

[@ilikejelly7890]

I kept my build very simple, kitchen units an worktops left over from house kitchen, top cupboards made from tall narrow bathroom unit spruced up, old cd rack painted an strap of wood on front holds all my jars and cups. My old divan bed made into boxes for bed and seating and the list goes on. Got old fridge, i did buy new diesel heater. Of course I don't have any money so I don't need to worry about what am going to buy. Love listening to John. Michelle

[@pageant1fd]

I’ve heard that these projects are rarely completed and van lifers adapt and modernise throughout their ownership. You have chosen the best time lad to begin that process . It keeps us subscribers excited waiting to see the result. Good luck John and thank you.

[@yaminthegrey]

Hari OM Rather good to have had the temporary setup and know what exactly you want to change and such - the plan sounds good... YAM xx

[@nickymercer4398]

Phew, it's always a relief when your car or in your case home passes it's MOT, looking forward to see how you get on with it all.

[@thebikertheblondeandthebul2960]

I've just used wrap on all my worktops and cupboards i love the finish it gave and really cheap to freshen up my van and loads of choices

[@TheBeechwoods]

Never ends buddy. Always something to change.. it will be stunning when complete.

[@isobelchapman9548]

Oh John, you do make me laugh with your sheer honesty. Love it xx

[@robjones4662]

Just a tip on the vinyl wrap you probably know anyway but undercoat your wood with acrylic primer just paint in it with a brush and give it a light sand works well

[@kenmackenzie7338]

Hi John nice vlog mate. Just a wee observation, not a criticism. You might have been able to use a domestic Fridge, if it would fit. It would have required a separate inverter powerful enough to run the domestic fridge. The fridge thermostat would be wired to the on-off switch on the inverter. Then the only time the inverter would be actually on is when the fridge needed to be on. The same could be done for a small freezer if required. And we all know how quiet domestic fridges are. Keep up the good work mate.

[@GadgetJohn]

I’ve got a fridge & freezer thanks 👍🏻

[@StaticOverlander]

I now have the ear worm of Living in a box, with changed words of I'm living in a van, with cardboard box. Showing my age 😣 looking forward to seeing the next steps

[@viv-i-vangoesforth]

I feel your pain, John. TBH its my own fault with viv-i-van.When I got her my only intention was to have her as a day van- a vehicle to bimble in for the day with my camera and just maybe stay somewhere over night. But....my plans changed and I wanted to go away for longer periods and I realised, cutting corners financially with the build- a rock and roll bed that takes too much space instead of say, a small rear lounge, having the electrics under the front passenger seat instead of rear seating which meant I cant convert the front seat to swivel-and create more room, and to top it off when I used the van for the first time last week for a wild camp found there was no room to use my "poo palace" ..I just feel if I had the money now I'd get it all ripped out and make it more "useable" or even sell my house and go big and get a big van I can live in. I've learned loads watching your channel and many others and if my finances change, I'm going to learn the lessons from them. good luck with your refit. I'll be taking many notes. Best regards to you and Mandy- Kenny

[@jonsinky911]

Hi John, i went down the route of vinyl wrap as i hate painting but i don't think i would do it again. Yes quick and a decent finish but damages very easily, ply edges need to be prepped, easiest and quickest way i found was to use an iron on paintable edging. 👍

[@GadgetJohn]

I’ve used vinyl wrap on furniture for years, even my old gadget John videos show me putting it on furniture for my studio set. The key is to buy the very best foil vinyl and it’s very hard wearing.

[@Scud_and_thesTig]

Sounds like the right move 👍💙❤️

[@cenedraleaheldra5275]

Ok well I hope all goes well for you.

[@douglasmarsh3061]

Hi John, do you know if it’s possible to charge your leisure batteries via a car charging station? Thanks ATB with your build

[@geoffcampbell7846]

If a jobs worth doing, its worth doing right, so the process of design and build will always throw up slight improvements and modifications along the way. And as your skills develop there will be things that you're able to improve on, so it's worth making the changes now and even making further changes before finally settling on the finished design. With regard to the vinyl wrap, make sure the surface is properly sanded and that you remove every spec of dust off the surface otherwise it will show underneath the vinyl, particularly when the light catches it from different directions. I'm slowly repairing the vinyl in our van which is 10yrs old and has been peeling off here and there for a few years now, and I've noticed a couple of places where I've tried to retain the original vinyl where it's not practical to completely remove it, that where I've used spray glue tiny particles of the old glue have remained and have left small bumps that show when the light catches it. Its annoying to see and best avoided 😤. Looking forward to the next episodes, it's really appreciated. Take care. 👋

[@DaveandChez.]

What kind of vinyl wrap you going for John ? Good luck with the build 👍

[@wil6152]

Hi John, why not go hole hog and do French bed design. The design we both currently have is very claustrophobic. For doors under seat go for tamba doors just an idea, thinking of ripping mine out and doing French bed

[@jimrodda]

Hi John, Vinyl wrap ? I would have thought a stretch carpet would have a better sound insulation and a warmer effect than Vinyl.

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

goodvid good vid on the channel thanks lee

[@vanandcountry]

Actually not a bad thing to get some way, use it and see what's what. Much better than finishing the whole thing proper and then realising. Crack on...

[@Pugwash.]

With a remodel, have you considered making a lifting bed to give you more seating, or is it all storage under there?

[@GadgetJohn]

It’s pretty much all storage of large items under the bed.

[@jamesramsey5577]

Hi John. Just an idea. Would it help to line you fridge/freezer cabinet with thermal insulation ( this will help with sound to a degree as well) thereby creating a coolbox and maybe they wont have to charge up as often both in winter with heater running and in summer ? Also, a question. How is your black stick on graphics doing towards the rear of the van ? I saw that you have stuck them over the seal that runs top to bottom that bonds the body panels togather. I have found in the past that you never get a perfect seal and dirt gets under the decal/graphics causing it to start lifting. Soldier on mate, watching with interest. As always, great content.

[@GadgetJohn]

That’s the idea I suggested in the video, insulate the inside of the cupboard and maybe even put drawer fronts on too so it’ll stop the heat from forming condensation on them and will quieten them down too. The external vinyl is fine, the wrap I put on my old silver panel van was fine for years too.

[@jimmyconnolly3461]

Oh ffs John!!!😂😂😂❤️👍

[@David_11111]

yay

[@michaeljohnson7009]

👍

[@Y24JAW]

👍🏼🛠🚐

[@jamieb158]

glad the poo palace is staying 🤣

[@tomjohnson1575]

Would you ever put a shower in ?

[@GadgetJohn]

I’ve got a 12v pump shower, though I’d really only use that outside. Over the years I’ve found showers in vans are just not worth all the compromises and so I use gyms, hotels, campsites, motorway services and hundreds of other places that offer showers and save the fuss of trying to make a decent shower fit into my van.

[@brianlynch923]

Talk talk talk

[@craigroberts5542]

Goodness me! How do you afford to spend so much time building a van, then taking it apart again! Presume you’ve retired and have a decent pension.

[@GadgetJohn]

🤣 not only don’t you have to presume, this is KZbin after all and you just have to go back to find out all you need to know, but I’m building a van whilst producing several videos a week for KZbin all whilst carrying out a full time job.

[@jasonkay-GET-INTO-PROPERTY]

Hi John, I have just bought the same inside/outside temp gauge as you have. Can I ask where you mount the "outside" sensor? Does it have to go outside to accurately read the outside temp?