SIMPLE Insulated Subfloor | Box Truck Conversion

[@boxtruckhouse]

I insulated the hell outta my box truck with rock wool. It is so warm in the winter, and stays super cool in the hot summer.

[@nomadbrad503]

Very nice 👍🏻

[@jimmydickson8854]

Taking pictures is a smart idea mate ,jimmy Australia

[@nomadbrad503]

It’s definitely saved my butt a few times

[@michaelohara2161]

Obviously you are quite capable. If I changed vehicles several times, because they do not last forever, I would build it modularly. This way you could move it from box to box, as you need to replace trucks.

[@nomadbrad503]

Not a bad idea!

[@terryryan4106]

Brad glad to see you are documenting this build. Looking forward to seeing the progress on the box

[@nomadbrad503]

Thank you! It’s about dang time 😂

[@aynnagadsden]

I really enjoy watching your videos, these parted videos for each part that you work on is really helpful, informative and I appreciate it, I plan on moving to PA for a job to save enough money to not have to work as much and start working on building my own home van as well. I’ll definitely be coming back to these :)

[@nomadbrad503]

I appreciate you

[@EzzMoneyTrucking]

Thx for being detailed helping me build mine out

[@nomadbrad503]

Good luck on the build 💪🏻

[@juanxpensivo]

good information, thank you very much, I love the idea of ​​building the van while living in it. much success!

[@nomadbrad503]

Thank you! I’ll be posting some videos about living in a build in progress 😬

[@ronaldduck7567]

I have never seen anyone do this but I had an idea of building a wall along one whole side like between 8" to a foot deep and mount EVERYTHING along that wall Murphy style fold down. Cooktop,sink, bed(desk or table also fold down underside of bed) with a corner on the other wall for shower/bathroom and the rest of the space nice and open for lounge chair,tv etc.

[@nomadbrad503]

That sounds badass! I would love to see it

[@Grouch3682]

That’s probably really bad for weight distribution and uneven wear, but if it’s a static vehicle it’s be pretty cool looking.

[@C.Church]

You must be really disciplined. I've seen people decide they need a full time bed after doing Murphy. A lot of hassle every day. And I know me. I'd end up sleeping in a chair being too tired to put everything away to pull out the bed. And the stuffiness. I just think of that bedding has just been worn like clothing for 8hrs. Now it's being holed up without air.

[@stacyhackney6100]

Thank you

[@nomadbrad503]

You're welcome!

[@C.Church]

19:36 Yep. That is a "fish tape" method. I'm going to call mine Jeffreys Tubes (ala Star Trek) 🤓

[@nomadbrad503]

works like a charm

[@mannys4036]

Awesome start. I think it is great to see you explaining all the details. I look forward to seeing all your new ideas for this build. Your last build was amazing. I still watch your tour of Abundant. Will you keep that name or have you thought of something else?

[@nomadbrad503]

Thanks for joining me on the new build! This van will be named “prosperity”

[@mariuskarmark5552]

you look like Christopher Mintz-Plasse hipster twin brother 💀💀💀

[@tammiebbin637]

I’m excited to follow your progress and perhaps (if I can budget properly) emulate what you’ve done, learning from your previous 6 builds. I’m excited that you are doing this build with the thought of living in it as soon as possible after acquiring the right platform. (You like the 12’ Ford 350, eh? Are there specific ones I should keep my eye out for here in Florida, where I live, but long to escape from?) Thanks for your videos!! From a new watcher who used to think Step Van was the way to go for stealth RVing but now is thinking hard about box trucks

[@nomadbrad503]

I love the 12’ box truck because it fits in a regular parking spot so it’s easy to navigate cities and you don’t have to plan ahead where you’re driving. This is the e450 v10 gasoline (dual rear wheels) I lived in my last one for over 2 years and absolutely loved it which is why I bought it again. The nice thing about box truck vs step van or bus is that the cab is separate so it’s a quiet drive, you don’t hear all the creaking and vibrating of all your stuff as you drive and you can actually enjoy listening to the radio or talking on the phone. I buy mine on Facebook marketplace or Craigslist. That’s the best place to find deals. I have a video published about what to look for when buying one 😊✌🏻

[@333bay]

hey brad have you decided on what you are doing for the electrical system ? i have been having trouble deciding what to do for my van build and would really appreciate your advice :D (are you gonna have someone install this for you , and if so where did you purchase all of the parts for your electric build?) TYSMMM

[@nomadbrad503]

I’ll be installing everything myself. I sent you a Dm on Instagram. Talk soon

[@45s262]

Hey heads up, I have the same truck and engine and it just blew...a spark plug went bad and blew up my engine.. I just replaced the engine 5 years ago.. the mechanic said it's a real common problem..

[@nomadbrad503]

Thanks for the heads up

[@aliceanderson723]

Would the same procedure work for installing a ceiling? I just bought a box truck and the ceiling is simply fibreglass. There are some metal cross beams/supports but it's too flimsy to hold a snow load and I am living in Ontario Canada while I get it ready to start the nomad life. Thanks.

[@nomadbrad503]

Yes you could do similar. Fill the bays between the metal supports with foam, then add sheet of plywood over the top and drill k to metal supports

[@ronaldduck7567]

Have you checked out Techno Barbarian's build? I'm sure you could pickup some ideas.

[@nomadbrad503]

He definitely has a solid build there. I prefer windows and an open floor plan though. Also I’ll be using a full size bed. I’m currently sleeping in the overhead storage area lime he is and it’s too tight for my comfort.

[@C.Church]

@@nomadbrad503 Yeah that dude is definitely barbaric about his sleep philosophy lmao. "You're going to be unconscious. Why use space?" But I like his AC.

[@C.Church]

Btw, I like "true" stealth. But windows sound nice. I'm thinking like TBs faux roll up door, do a faux passenger side blank wall with a faux horizontal utilitarian strap halfway down the box meant to look like basic box bracing. But really it can swing up like an awning exposing windows when in friendly locations like at camp sites.

[@hopehope938]

Hello Brad and everyone, I have a dumb question, I want to do a build that will be used in snow and ice area and I did think with the wall area and the flooring a round the bed area in that part of the build have thicker insulation I did not know if that would work?

[@nomadbrad503]

You definitely want good insulation, 2” if you can make it work. But no matter the amount t of insulation you will need a hood heater. The Chinese diesel heaters work great for me

[@hellohogo]

Was there a reason why you didn't attach the sub floor to the van floor? Riv nuts would work great for this. If you get into an accident you don't want everything shifting

[@nomadbrad503]

Once the frame was all connected, I screwed the frame into the floor in 4 spots. Basically one in each corner. The floor isn’t going anywhere. There will be hundreds of pounds of cabinets and equipment sitting on top of it and the cabinets will also be screwed to the wall

[@hellohogo]

@@nomadbrad503 nice!!

[@agent5758]

what size screw did you use to screw the syb floor into the frame?

[@nomadbrad503]

3/4" or 1" depending on the thickness of your subfloor

[@RatgenerationX]

Silly question: Why do liquid nail on the wood if you're just going to use the screws to keep together? Also on my 6th build and this is my first box truck 🚚

[@nomadbrad503]

The wood can still twist and squeak with only 1 screw securing it. The 2” x 1” wood really isn’t large enough to use 2 screws. The liquid nails combined with screws is super rigid and easy to do

[@RatgenerationX]

@@nomadbrad503 ok so I won't need that with regular studs I plan to run 2 screws in. Thanks for awnsering my question.

[@nomadbrad503]

@@RatgenerationX if you can sink 2 screws your good 💪🏻

[@RatgenerationX]

@@nomadbrad503 I'm using regular 2x4 studs... if I was using what you are I would go the method you shown in this video because that makes a lot of sense. Good 👍 job

[@hellohogo]

please look at us tho😩😩

[@nomadbrad503]

😳

[@verocola6335]

You didn't make a square hole port in the floor at the back of the box, on top of the one is already there, it is there to have access to the fuel pump in case it needs to be replaced (it will !), oh well too late now, mark my words. otherwise it becomes a extensive and expensive job to remove the fuel tank, the fuel lines, the wiring for the pump and the fuel gage, and you have to start draining all the fuel because it is too heavy just the tank by itself

[@nomadbrad503]

Too late now 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@ThatGuy-mu2rr]

I am doing this on a 16’ box and using 2x4s.

[@nomadbrad503]

Very nice 👍🏻