Van Build Mistakes: How to Get Cabinetry Square, Straight and Plumb

[@willofthemaker]

The digital level is absolutely key and good on you for pointing out what happens if you flip the level the other way. My driveway is pretty steep where I am building my van. 7° down, sloped to the side 2° measured. I put anything round down and it rolls away making the build just that much more... fun... I have a cheap digital level that I reference the floor off. So far everything is perfectly square and plumb because of that. I hope those 3d printed spacers are rock solid. What I did is hacv the top part mount horizontally to the body and let everything else just fall where it needs to. Then just trim to size. So basically the top member is a different length than the bottom. However, I built it in the van so I was able to do that easier.

[@dave4943]

Love your videos also. Thank you for all your excellent titorials! We can do it with your help!

[@thrivans]

You can do it!

[@lkazanov]

Absolutely Correct and proper. George at humble Road follows the same philosophy. The floor is the reference line/platform. He even went so far as to build a huge 90° angle using 8020 material. Your idea of putting flooring down after the mechanical boxes are placed makes a lot of sense. I love your content, please keep it up! in the future videos, please discuss your plans for a 48 full system. Seems to be what everyone is talking about nowadays. Especially with the second alternator.

[@thrivans]

Thank you! Tons of respect for George. We’ll be doing 48 volt systems as soon as Victron supports it better.

[@TeutonicNordwind]

GREAT video, Jeff and Lisa. And thanks so much for generously sharing the valuable google docs product list! Did a deep dive research session on that this morning, making bookmarks and notes. One FYI I noticed: #126 3M VHB Tape...the link is actually to a Victron Energy Interface unit. Thanks again for the great content you guys put out. Dan in the Mitten

[@thrivans]

Thank you for the heads up. All the best to you!

[@KaylaWagoner-l8t]

Love your videos and appreciate all the small details you tell us! Extremely helpful!

[@Numenor7]

What material is used for the 3D printed parts? PLA might melt or warp in a hot vehicle. Thanks

[@FBall-im8ui]

Photographer here, just a suggestion, you work so hard and trying to get the item yu are working on to be properly seen by the viewer but lots of motion, if yu installed a black matte card by where yuo are working or filming you would simply just have to hold it in front of the black board and it will be as clear as day to the viewer, Thanks for the video, building a sprinter Van in the Great White North eh!

[@Ballynoes]

Excellent explanation...thanks for sharing.

[@thrivans]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nickh8370]

Thank you for these detailed explanations. Very helpful for all of us looking to DIY. Do you attach the 80/20 cabinets directly to the spacers and wall or do you use L-Track/Unistrut?

[@thrivans]

Directly to the wall.

[@JeffMcGraw-zl5dp]

Curious about your build formula... Do you consistently set the center walkway at a particular width? Or, does it vary? I'm thinking that if it is always, say 24", you could produce a floor kit including in-floor heating, plumbing and wiring conduits; you know, important stuff that is unfortunately missed when DIY builders don't know their plan in advance or follow a logical sequence like you advise.

[@thrivans]

Each of our vans is custom, so the walkway varies from van to van. That’s a good idea, though.

[@wendyburston3132]

👍🇨🇦🙏😊

[@Joe-nx7nj]

Do you build and sell vans?

[@thrivans]

Yes. Link in description for details.

[@geekazoid47]

You level the frame not the suspension...