Undermount Grey Water Tank Install for Van Life | 2021 Ford Transit Van Build Conversion Ep. 30

In the 30th video in our van build series, Mike installed our 15 gallon undermount grey water tank.
Chapters:
0:00 - intro & overview of plans
3:25 - build bottom frame
7:26 - build brackets to attach frame to van
8:54 - build straps & paint frame
10:08 - assemble frame
11:05 - test fit frame under van & make adjustments
13:33 - overview of fittings used
20:20 - how to apply plumbers tape
22:44 - install water lever gauge
23:40 - mount tank under van
25:18 - install spare tire release hatch
26:39 - results & outro
Follow along with us:
IG: @brit.and.mike
Blog: www.britandmike.com​
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Some links below may be affiliate links.
-- VAN BUILD COMPONENTS --
IN THIS VIDEO
Grey water tank: amzn.to/3bvMC5h
Electric ball valve: amzn.to/3xT2YfS
Water level gauge: amzn.to/3nhjGQT
DeWalt Impact Driver + Hammer Drill Combo Kit: amzn.to/3KDvqXQ
Floor hatch for spare tire release: amzn.to/3QP41WI
KITCHEN
Dometic CFX-75DZW: amzn.to/330Ifv3
12V outlet for fridge: amzn.to/3O4eong
Propane tank: amzn.to/32jc2Pq
BED
Folding step-up: amzn.to/3N2xERQ
48" hinges: amzn.to/3xz4DIJ
UPPER CABINETS
25lb magnets: amzn.to/3krXgen
Soft close hinges: amzn.to/3F1calv
Gas struts: amzn.to/39n7gmV
Puck lights: amzn.to/3zEycrz
ELECTRICAL
12V 3-way dimmer switch: amzn.to/3I2Y7w9
12V 3-way on/off switch: amzn.to/3GWL4eF
On/off triple switch faceplate: amzn.to/3H2Z0na
Reading lights: amzn.to/3v4NB2k
120V outlets: amzn.to/3v3phhu
120V GFCI outlets: amzn.to/38tP1M6
12V outlet socket: amzn.to/374YoBH
12V outlet insert: amzn.to/3LRVGhz
Spade Connectors: amzn.to/3f7nmRk
Lever Nuts: amzn.to/3HSigob
Shore power inlet: amzn.to/34fAzFB
8/3 AWG Triplex Wire 6ft (shore power inlet): amzn.to/3qYW1q5
Renogy 200W 12V solar panels: www.renogy.com/200-watt-12-vo...
WFCO Distribution Center: amzn.to/330IVR7
12/2 AWG Duplex Wire (200 ft for 12V outlets): amzn.to/3n9c9E4
12/3 AWG Triplex Wire (100 ft for 120V outlets): amzn.to/3HTn8d1
2/0 AWG red cable (for BIM): amzn.to/36qrk6y
Heat Shrink Fork Connectors: amzn.to/39eqj3h
Wire Stripper + Cutter for 6-12 AWG Stranded Wire: amzn.to/3HfB6qq
2-Conductor Lever Nuts - amzn.to/3xKfOhF
TOOLS
DeWalt Jig Saw: amzn.to/3sFaHLA
Angle Grinder: amzn.to/3LxZmFO
DeWalt Brad Nailer Kit: amzn.to/35Qtmg8
DeWalt Impact Driver + Hammer Drill Combo Kit: amzn.to/3KDvqXQ
3-3/8" hole saw: amzn.to/3QjiHNC
HEADLINER SHELF
Headliner fabric: amzn.to/3LBP2fd
Angled aluminum bar: amzn.to/376emv0
FLOOR
Minicell Foam Floor Insulation: www.ebay.com/itm/143658738772
Wood filler: amzn.to/3tsLI0l
Automotive Door Rubber Seal Trim, 20 ft (bunk windows) - amzn.to/3GBcJkR
QuietWarmth 120V heated floor mat: amzn.to/3IniHa3
QuietWalk Underlayment: amzn.to/3Jt9MoP
QuietWarmth Floor Sensor: amzn.to/3wm85FW
QuietWarmth Thermostat: amzn.to/3ihHge2
3" hatch cover for spare tire release: amzn.to/3zP4aUb
CEILING
Ceiling planks: www.lowes.com/pd/Design-Innov...
Puck lights: amzn.to/3zEycrz
Wood Conditioner: amzn.to/368xW9r
Wood Stain: amzn.to/3CDaUDH
CLIMATE CONTROL
CR Laurence VW1033 bunk windows: amzn.to/3rYqDde
Kilmat (2 boxes of 36 sq ft): amzn.to/3CbG8jI
MaxxFan Deluxe with Remote: amzn.to/3Ca7w1d
3M Thinsulate (60 in x 70 ft): amzn.to/3ymvGFM
Fiskars Shears: amzn.to/31T6lXG
3M High Strength 90 Adhesive (3-4 cans): amzn.to/3yqQJac
Dometic RTX 2000 A/C: www.vanlifeoutfitters.com/sto...
FRAMING
Rivet Nuts (M6, 150 pcs): amzn.to/331PwL6
WETOLS Rivet Nut Tool: amzn.to/3r1HbiD
M6-1.0 x 35mm flat head screws: amzn.to/34unA2N
Low-E Reflective Foam Core Insulation (60" x 40'): www.ebay.com/itm/132071677926
- CAMERA GEAR -
GoPro HERO 9 - amzn.to/3qgMHPC
Joby GripTight ONE GP Stand (iPhone) - amzn.to/3lAOMB5​
Canon EOS M50 w/ EF-M 15-45mm IS STM Kit Lens - amzn.to/32G1aqY​
Rode VideoMicro mic - amzn.to/31Nl7gi​
JOBY GorillaPod - amzn.to/31IS79m​
LP-E12 camera batteries - amzn.to/34R3lL1​

[@MLA..]

Drilling a hole in the top of a tank, flip it upside down and drill from the bottom up to help prevent plastic from falling into the tank.

[@briandemars2068]

We are enjoying your build. We are actually building out a 2021 Ford Transit and are just a few weeks behind you. You must be located fairly near us. We are just outside Fresno and it seems like you are also in the valley.

[@jaymcintosh2918]

Great video Mike, I have also bought a Ford Transit and your videos are very helpful. Cutting holes for the AC and Max air fan Monday. Your videos on that were also awesome! Putting it off long enough.

[@britandmike]

Thanks Jay, best of luck with your build!

[@candicecwl8186]

Great tutorial! Even simple detail like putting the plumbers tape on was much appreciated!

[@ataylor2965]

About to do the same. Electrical ball valve on a gray tank. Nice job

[@britandmike]

Thank you!

[@ryanmcknight4580]

You do not need Teflon tape for brass on brass connections. The metal is soft and seals against itself when snugged tight due to it being a tapered pipe thread. Be careful with the length of the valves hanging out away from the tank unsupported. With the bumps and vibrations of normal driving it’ll put a lot of stress on the connection points.

[@theSwanniesdownunder]

How’s that electronic ball valve going? Thinking about getting one the same.

[@JeffTScott]

Hey guys looks great thanks for sharing. I’m starting to explore this solution and goi d your video. How many hours did you have into this install and total price? Thanks!

[@owenparker6651]

Hey Mike. Man, am I finding this stuff helpful! Odd question. I covered up the spare tire as well, but did so purposefully as I was going to add a spare tire holder to the rear door. Changed my mind on doing that and now have to cut that hole. How did you know where to cut it? It looks like you hit it perfectly on center. How did you determine so perfectly where to drill? Thanks again for sharing everything you did. I definitely owe you a drink! :)

[@britandmike]

Because we used minicell foam for the floor insulation, we were able to pry up the flooring slightly with a wedge to see where it was located. Then I think we stuck a tape measure in there to find the center. We picked the hole saw size based on the size of the cover we bought. It’s pretty close to the edge of the van (around 4 inches or so), so hopefully that’s an option for you too! Thanks for watching!

[@Bair994]

Why does it need to be pressurized if its at the lowest point of your van?

[@timdunmyer4549]

Couple things I would have done differently would be turning the end angle iron around to give support to each end of tank, would have used carriage bolts instead of her head bolts to minimize rubbing hole in tank, put a heater pad under tank to prevent freezing and would have put elbow on the manual valve release to put closer to outside edge of van so you won't have to crawl under it if you have to use it.

[@ronaldmarshall917]

Do you have a link for the vent you installed on the tank?

[@chrisfehler9275]

Any issues with the threaded ABS connection to the tank leaking? Did you use cement or tape for this connection? Trying to find all similar materials is proving difficult!

[@britandmike]

No, we haven’t had any issues with leaking! We used tape.

[@RobertoEarnywho]

70 USD, 1 year ago, well its about 350 cdn now !! LOL...not your fault but exhange rate doesnt explain it , so shipping or inflation or gouging must be going on ...must be a total beeyatch... gray water tanks and bugs, people must be putting meat and stuff down there, thats just dumb.

[@britandmike]

Wow that’s a big price jump!! :(

[@akram4li]