Solo Female Van Building... Gone Wrong

[@johnnyrambles]

Painting the glass black (From the inside) is also a good, cheap option if you don't like the way your tint turned out. It's also easily removable with a razor blade and soapy water. I did this on an old Ford van way back in the day and it held up well and looked great!

[@bigbearvenom6145]

That's the way to do it for privacy I initially thought she still wanted the ability to look out but apparently not since she's covering them with insulation. Guess that's all going to be covered with wall board.

[@allencheck501]

Hey samantha, sorry your having so much caca with the swivel seat, but it would be nice to have it in there. I saw one comment in there i wanted to caytion you about a guy said to paint those windows black i dont know how hot it gets yhere but i did that once and here in nm it gets super hot, all 4windows that i painted broke because the glass got too hot, may be ok there but not here! Cant wait to see it comming together its going to be nice, still say you should have got jaylena to come up for a weekend., That seat would have been a lot easier with two more hands did you see isaacs new bus???whhoooaa thats going to be fun🎉🎉 take care sam see ya next week❤❤

[@christybrown738]

Put the original base on first then the s/seat then the seat on top

[@bigbearvenom6145]

That's the way to do it that would be a great possible fix but the swivel portion still 3-4 inches taller might put some riders head into the roof of the van possibly but not sure.

[@bigbearvenom6145]

44:50 Use 4 sided 2" x 3" rectangular tubing for your seat base instead of round tubing. I know your not using those cleats your testing with in this video, but the rectangle boxed tube stock are much stronger, and thicker material. Substantial enough for passenger to be seated on without collapsing. You'll probably have to find a metal tubing supply in your area, and tell them what you need and the will cut your needs to order for your length of the 4 pieces you need. Im taking it you won't be doing anything to the drivers seat except for adding swivel base since you wont be dealing with a diesel heater unit on the drivers side correct ?

[@edwardcarley6086]

go to a local metal shop and have them build you an offset bracket just measure how far you need it to go to the left and build custom brackets .make sure to build them out of steel and have them braced well if you explain it to the metal guy he will hook you up i am sure .

[@helene1779]

You’re doing a great job Samantha! Take care and stay safe!👍🏼👍🏼✌🏼💕

[@Warmbreeze43]

I love my tinted windows. But I had them Professionally done. You will get it done your way. That’s cool

[@tinkerton7856]

Your supposed to use soapy water to get tint to cling to window also theres a film your supposed to peel off it before applying

[@SamanthaROlmsted]

lol I peeled off the film…

[@bigbearvenom6145]

​@@SamanthaROlmstedI had seen you peel it off but generally most installers size their tints on the outside of glass then go inside peel the clear film off and apply to a wetted water soap covered glass and squeegee off to get all air pockets out and leave alone until adhesives are cured out you shouldn't really touch it for a good 24 hours.

[@RichG...]

You are absolutely correct about the safety or lack there of with the swivel seat brackets you installed. Way too dangerous for any person to sit in while your van in underway. Even a minor impact would cause those to bend for sure and probably break. Just the weight of a passenger while riding along would more than likely do the same due to potholes, bumpy roads etc. We all know how much you care for and love your family and friends and that you would never put them in harms way by allowing them to be a passenger in any unsafe vehicle. Which is just another reason why we love you so much. If a mechanic noticed those brackets they would/should bring those up. Being a Pennsylvanian myself I do not know all of the requirements for a Minnesota vehicle inspection but might cause a problem. Ingenious bracket idea, you are on the right track so to speak. For many many years I have worked on all types of vehicles and any time custom work needed done out came the welding equipment and the thick steel. With your impressive intelligence, your design knowledge and mechanical abilities I do understand is not in your wheelhouse or an option for you. I know you will figure out what is best in the long run.

[@sitioeb]

For meansual cramps you can take a tablespoon of blackberry brandy. The stuff tastes like crap BUT it works and a bottle last forever! Just take a tablespoon of it and then lay down and take a nap.

[@bigbearvenom6145]

Is the swivel base is designed to be installed left, or right side specific . Drivers vs. Passenger you might if not installing base on correct side you might not have the set back from dash as will as move the seat inward towards the center of van but center of swivel where it pivots makes a big difference. Some have offset centers where the pivot around so make sure if this is the case.

[@LilacsAdore]

Despite the struggles, this was a really fun van build to watch and we got to see princess Rosie 🫅

[@Rhonda___]

Much respect for all your hard work!! Too bad Jaylena couldn't come help. 🐝🐝 They build behind my mirrors when my vehicle sets for too long. It's frustrating for sure!! 🌷🌷

[@scottc9752]

Hey Samantha you might try and knock the bolts out that the seat bolts to. Get you a 4x4 for both sides then get some long bolts that will go through the floor and 4x4 and seat brackets. Good luck just take your time you are doing great.

[@IsleSile]

Those wasps are prolific builders. Get them to help on the van build. 😂

[@SamanthaROlmsted]

For realllllll

[@wm7998]

Lovely lady, you will get there ❤

[@BryanConnelly]

Put the old bracket back in …..and add two pieces of strut on top of the old bracket …..one on either side, long enough to span between the front bolts and the back bolts and raise it up just enough to clear the heater…… if that means the shallow strut or the deep strut or stack them up and have a combination of whichever it takes to clear the heater using nuts and bolts to hold it together….. the people at Home Depot or Lowe’s in the electrical aisle should be able to help you. There’s lots of parts there for strut and two different sizes of strut that come in 10 foot lengths

[@fonseca123456]

Did you figure out the swivel seat? Looks like its backwards, the overhang should be towards the driver and not the passenger door. You could use steel C-channel to lift it, you would just need someone with a drill press to drill holes so they go straight down. Steel rectangle tubing would work too but there wouldn't be a lot of room for tools to tighten the nuts

[@donaldoswald5329]

Front seat base, getting a stronger one, find a machine/welding shop to build what you need it should not cost any more than factory built ones however you have input on height, strength and so forth. ...even clearance for your heater.

[@robynfedalen1777]

I don’t know the first about rebuilding anything! I wish you the best of luck. XXOO Mounds View, Minnesota ❤️✌🏻

[@tonygreenaway1742]

Swivel seats are offset to allow to move away from ypur door my guess is you have it back to front or upside down 😊dont give up from the UK 🇬🇧

[@SamanthaROlmsted]

Omg you’re so right 🫢 it probably would go left if I turned it all the way??? I’m gonna try tomorrow… I still need to fine something to attach it to maybe? But that may help the hitting the side issue… I was just tired and too crabby to think that well that day

[@tonygreenaway1742]

Would it be to much of an issue to put diesel heater under your drivers seat 😊

[@TuckedAwayHomestead]

Excited for you!!

[@BryanConnelly]

Unistrut…. Comes in 10 foot pieces….. comes in 3/4” & 1-1/2” deep….. and is very strong. 👍😎….. you can use large nuts and bolts and washers and you can stack them on top of each other to get the right height….. You can cut them to length….. again they’re very strong Home Depot has them in the Electrical aisle👍😎

[@gonewiththekale]

I love your vlogs Samantha. I installed a Swivel with my dad and it was a STRUGGLE so I was proud of you trying to push through it✊🏻 I don't think people understand how difficult it is until they try😭lol. I wonder if you could bolt two thick planks of douglas fir or oak wood (very strong) into the floor and then bolt those metal pieces onto them, thus raising it slightly AND a bit farther away from those heater wires, if that makes sense? Your windows came out great! You are amazing at problem-solving🌟🌟🌟🌟 Wasps suck!! I hate them!!!!!

[@gerry-p9x]

Make sure you got room to remove engine. Cowling plus make cardboard templates to drill holes seat bottom😊😊

[@lauramoor7730]

You’re struggling a lot I’m sorry to see that. What do you do for work?

[@kennysjourney8445]

You got this Sam lol!! I have the same exact van you do! Have a good night.

[@kennysjourney8445]

You have to turn the swivel seat mount around so it offsets the seat the other way. You have it backwards lol

[@SamanthaROlmsted]

Someone else said that and how embarrassing I didn’t see that 😭😂🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ first thing tomorrow I’m switching it! I still need to raise it though 🙃

[@kennysjourney8445]

@SamanthaROlmsted my diesel heater is under my bed. I wouldn't move your heater either. That would be a pain in the ass. It's all good we live and we learn. At least your doing it. There's not a lot of vans like ours on here that have been gutted completely and redone. Most of them leave most of the original and just put a bed and stuff. I gutted mine too. It's almost done. I can send you a link to one of my camping videos I recently done and you can see how mine is done so far.

[@kennysjourney8445]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWXLm6Zua9aVgJYsi=FXkQ7IqMUUOUVcyJ this is the last camping video I recently done. I show how I did my bed so I can stretch out and just what the inside looks like. Have a good one!

[@georgegooden3289]

I think the swivel base is rotated 90 or 320 degrees from correct?

[@chrissmith-no3bo]

I have a rosie too. She is big for chichi. My first one was tiny

[@tammycruz8189]

Sam my Gorgeous Sam take your time n NEVER BE ASHAMED TO ASK FOR HELP. Sometimes we need help like with the seat . Don't BEAT YOURSELF UP PLEASE. YOUR DOIN A WONDERFUL JOB . ONE DAY AT TIME BEAUTIFUL. SLOW DOWN TAKE A BREATH N BREAK LOVE n HUGS FROM MICHIGAN, TAM ❤💞💕💓💗🩷

[@Chris-mn7yy]

what about putting some timbers under the new seat plate? Make it higher?

[@SamanthaROlmsted]

What’s a timber

[@lindatemple5454]

@@SamanthaROlmsted- Thick solid wood is timber

[@Chris-mn7yy]

@@SamanthaROlmsted some wood, like ply or something 😉

[@RichG...]

Love the trigger warnings ❤😮

[@MattWedelich]

Great video 😊❤

[@davidhiggins1299]

Hello gorgeous princess the van is looking good

[@stangman1268]

why don't you temporarily remove the heater and put the swivel bracket in place just for testing purposes to see if the seat fully swivels without adding extra brackets,you might not have another choice but to move the heater if you want the seat to swivel,you're pretty strong to be wrestling with that seat by yourself.

[@JohnDarwin7]

Do some research see if they sell a bracket that will lift the swivel seat bracket

[@SamanthaROlmsted]

I looked and haven’t found one 😭

[@angeloramos6852]

You got to take one for the team

[@vickymayo6052]

I am very allergic to wasps. Horrible reaction to one sting. I bought Epi pen in case I get stung again.

[@angeloramos6852]

The piece that you took off the chair that's the piece you supposed to put on the ground and then you put the swivel

[@SamanthaROlmsted]

The swivel is supposed to attach to the ground

[@cb3652]

And...your insurance may not cover an injury due to a modification to the factory seat.

[@SamanthaROlmsted]

Correct… which is why I may just not do it…

[@SamanthaROlmsted]

But I was so excited 😭

[@RobJackson-mm3ko]

Hi, just wondering how many f bombs have you dropped since starting your van build? I personally am up to 2.5 Mil and it's only my second day😅

[@danielvanmourik]

its funny you have it wrong part from te seat.

[@fjgrg2033]

The base is backwards.

[@randeehughes99]

Ask your grandfather for help you are almost there! Have faith

[@brianharrison1202]

your awesome

[@jimmaier3613]

I wanna be on one her flights 😂

[@christybrown738]

Put the original base back on then the sw/plate on the base then the seat on top come on girl

[@SamanthaROlmsted]

That’s wayyyyyyy too tall though

[@lyndajones6113]

Have you ever heard of wasp spray?

[@debbieconway8242]

💜

[@danielhughes423]

Hunny,those aren't structural,they have structural Simpson ties similar 2 those, wish I was there?😢

[@myrtlemorris1288]

Get you some vitamin D3 and folic acid it’s what my Rheumatologist gave me for my vitamin D deficiency your doing great

[@brendaforbes5448]

i love potty mouth samantha...that was real feelings..not the fake be good for you tube

[@desireeanders1447]

Hi Samantha,been watching ur videos over years,,some how i have a feeling you not realy into building your van, you do everything like halfhearted,, with ur swivle seat without measuring the adjustments... its really scary,,you wasteing your money..feel sorry watching you Struggle...you need Help..

[@msvg3]

Thank you for showing the real deal, not one of those snap your fingers and it’s done things (although those can be fun, too….) but sorry it’s been rough. I think I had PMDD undiagnosed before it was even acknowledged. It’s brutal. You’re amazing to be trying to do anything in those circumstances. ✌️❤️🚐

[@amycook5009]

Great video ❤