Vlog 4: Installing sound-deadening adhesive mats into the Toyota Proace van conversion

[@Jorrow.]

I know you have finished so ins't much help now but that bundle of cables on the left hand side at the back are for trailer wiring and will only be needed if you are fitting a towbar. But if you need 12v the big yellow cable is a 40amp 12v supply for caravans. It just needs a 40amp maxi fuse putting in the empty fuse holder under the flap where the battery is by the drivers feet.

[@Vandemonium]

Yes, long ago done but that's a very useful tip for anyone else looking to do one of these so thank you!

[@icebox344]

Love your surgical approach, creating a different angle from others I’ve seen. Merry Christmas

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you. Merry Christmas!

[@floydbertagnolli944]

I like that you research your projects & your thoroughness in the improvements. Well done. 👍

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you.

[@MissScrappy]

Watching this is bringing back happy memories of doing our 1985 longed Chevy van conversion. We love David!

[@rodrigoalarcontello3361]

Those big box structural elements give these vans their strength but at the same time are source of irritating booming resonances, it would be nice to fill them with some structural foam to improve rigidity and eliminate cavity resonances. Also, you can use some structural adhesive in the flange surfaces of the different pieces of the sheetmetal structure (if you don't have access to special chassis repair adhesives, the one that they use to glue windshields is the best, just don't use regular silicone). This increases contact surface between panels and has several good effects: it seals air/dust pathways, makes the structure work as a whole, elliminates some creaks that are produced normally when the structure is stressed. The manufacturers currently use these techniques to improve NVH and crashworthiness in the latest models.

[@jGoodloejr]

David, the foam stuff your talking about is played in the door to keep water from coming into the van! When water gets past the window gasket it then gets stopped by the foam and directed to the drain holes in bottom of the doors! Thank you and Enjoying your vlog!

[@jGoodloejr]

Enjoying from Houston Texas by the way!lol

[@nairbllebpmac4179]

I am really enjoying this channel David. Thank you so much for sharing with us. I always get excited when you upload another video; this channel and Crusing the Cut. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you. Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2018!

[@phillipwlamb2938]

I'm sure it looks different from your in-person perspective, but from our side of the camera sensor your van looks so *clean* and *shiny*! Well done! And a very merry Christmas to you, by the way.

[@Vandemonium]

Actually, it looks quite shiny in person though there are definitely a smattering of scratches and a couple of small dents. Not bad for a van though.

[@tanjaontour2932]

It all seems so simple to start with... How true!

[@muddymarvellous]

David don't forget you need to incorporate a few girly things such as a little mirror and a ,13amp socket for a low watt travel hair dryer...It's good to share the memories and they may keep you warm!! your subscribers would go through the roof!!....Merry Christmas mate

[@Vandemonium]

There will be a 300W inverter and two mains sockets. Not enough for a hairdryer though!

[@mjallenuk]

Good news! www.amazon.co.uk/DVTECH-HAIR-DRYER-SPEEDS-250W/dp/B01JMJICQS/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1514151772&sr=8-1&keywords=250w+hair+dryer

[@klayofthemystics]

Back in the late eighties when did my van just about the only adhesive was Contact Cement, Which, by the way, put off some nasty fumes. A filter mask really did nothing to help. So lots of fumes, confined area, hot summer day, Ended up falling out of the van, when finished, violently ill, and a three day headache. The amount of brain cells I lost probably went a long way to explain many of my life decisions in later years.

[@lockedin60]

Am a little behind in the following but been watching the early stages of your motorvan camper remodel. I have been giggling up a storm. It very well could be the ill effects of the late hour way past a decent bed time. But since I am an old retail retiree who gives a plug nickel when I take a shut-eye!.

[@rolandwolf1327]

Oh, the joys of insulating a van. I like the quality of the paint job even in places where a customer would normally never look. It will be interesting to see how you do the insulation.

[@Vandemonium]

I've started on it and it's quite the fiddly process - a combination of Celotex sheets and "loft"-type insulation rolls (not fibreglass)

[@The_Arby]

Great to see you doing more to the van David...Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year :-) Looking forward to seeing lots more of your videos in 2018 :-)

[@Vandemonium]

I've been buying loads of bits, none of which I can actually put in it but it makes me feel as if there's been progress! Cheers

[@dianemorris6904]

This was very interesting. The noise in some of the older trucks we have driven over the years could have benefited from those squares

[@ndcisivemommy605]

You could vlog about going grocery shopping and I’d be glued to the screen the entire time!

[@Vandemonium]

Haha thank you :-)

[@jayoneill1533]

Happy Christmas David, and here’s to a successful new year with lots and lots or roving whether on land or sea!

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you! And to you.

[@vxnova1]

that sound deadening should be placed in the middle of the panel to stop the panel from acting like a speaker, So really most effective on the flat panels not so much on ones with bends in them as they wouldn’t reverberate as much. Once done you should notice a huge difference in echo within the van

[@michaelst.george6214]

I heard you say to your self when you were examining the window "Don't drop it, you idiot!". I say the same thing but it is usually followed by "I told you not to drop it, you idiot!". :-)

[@jenniferpinkosz121]

Thank you for putting 4 on the back. Being slanted is hard enough to deal with. But an odd number makes this subscriber bonkers. Cheers from md

[@Vandemonium]

Haha, I know what you mean! Phew.

[@annettefournier9655]

My knees ached just watching you. Lol. Merry Christmas David.

[@Vandemonium]

Haha, I creak every time I do a bit on the van, I have noticed!

[@lewisgardner1660]

Hi there Very good video as normal, have a good Christmas kind sir, looking forward to next video.

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you. Best wishes to you too. Cheers

[@kenpage1107]

Nine or ten degrees, thats bloody freezing!!!, am watching with interest Dave, Ive just had to spend three months repairing my campervan, its come up great too, good luck with it, Ken.

[@Vandemonium]

I should have clarified that that's Celsius. Still not what I would class as warm though. Good to hear you sorted yours!

[@kenpage1107]

We use celcius here in Oz, thats freezing to us.lol.

[@Vandemonium]

Haha, yes it is!

[@easymedia7988]

Cant wait to see more off this!

[@projectt4587]

Merry Christmas sir. From my experience, as it's pretty messy, you want to do the windows before the rest of the insulation otherwise you just end up with filings everywhere. Easier to sweep out before putting insulation in. Good luck and happy New year.

[@Vandemonium]

I wish I could but with the temperatures still sub-10C, I can't fit the windows because the adhesives want a warmer environment.

[@MrBblhed]

A few comments. First off Merry Christmas. On to the van stuff. That plastic sheet you removed is a vapor barrier that is installed to prevent the back of whatever panel is on the door does not rot or collect mold from back side, I recall you saying you were going to install vapor barrier so no big deal as long as you make sure you do that. I don't know if you are done with all the sound dampener but if you are not you can see how well it works by knocking on the panel with your knuckle before and after you apply the damper to hear the difference instantly. Finally don't forget the front doors and the floors, people doing camper conversions forget that the thing has a cab and that is where they will be sitting while driving down the noisy road.

[@Vandemonium]

Hi. Yes, there will be a replacement vapour barrier. And the sound panels do indeed now "thud" instead of "twang". I haven't paid any attention to the cab yet though, 'tis true!

[@johnbrookes2196]

Merry Christmas and a happy new year David. The vans looking good.

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you - merry Christmas John.

[@RJM_99]

Wishing you a happy Christmas, love the videos.

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you Richard; merry Christmas.

[@johnnorris4467]

Happy Christmas, David, and good luck with all your forthcoming ventures.

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you John. Merry Christmas to you.

[@MichaelsMustang]

Very interesting how that sound installation works ?

[@bnadvornik]

Great video. I have a Ford Transit van that’s a bit rattle-y. Might need to get some of those silver panels.

[@Vandemonium]

They do seem to change the tinny clanking to more of a solid clunk!

[@stopneverstop]

Those empty voids make great use for security boxes

[@joeclarke9782]

Good job. I think the rear electrical connection is an inertial fuel cutoff switch (shuts fuel off in case of God forbid collision). I hope your insulation will still allow for access to the electrics. Merry Christmas

[@Vandemonium]

It seems as though I shall have to build in an access panel of some sort! Cheers

[@Vandemonium]

I don't think they come pre-wired for mobility use, so I doubt it's that.

[@alanbower1193]

Good job. Merry Christmas David.

[@Vandemonium]

Cheers Alan, and to you.

[@GrahamA63]

Hi. Just for info - I used meths to degrease the panels on my old Dispatch. It worked well, it’s cheap and smells good...

[@Prospector99]

Merry Christmas David - may the winter be kind to you and your projects

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you. Happy Christmas.

[@BeechSportBill]

Those wires on plastic plate are for lights for trailer

[@petersmith5199]

Another interesting video. Merry Christmas. Ta.

[@Vandemonium]

Thanks - and to you.

[@Ergalitious]

Yes, van build. I subbed. Came from your other channel

[@Vandemonium]

Hello! Thanks for popping over :-)

[@jeffdavies688]

Me too....love the narrowboat.....and thinking about a van conversion as well...

[@cjw2661]

Just an idea, when we did our van, we used the large holes in the doors/etc as cubbies. Just used insulation board in them and squared them out.

[@Vandemonium]

Interesting idea. I haven't got round to putting insulation in the doors yet. Cheers for the tip.

[@wildlifewalkswithcountryge749]

Enjoying the project David, keep em coming! Wishing you a Merry Christmas.

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you, I'm quite enjoying it albeit at my own gentle pace :-) Merry Christmas

[@Smudgie]

Great project, thanks for a great series of videos. Hope to be starting my own Proace project soon.

[@Vandemonium]

Good luck, have fun.

[@tche68]

Seasons gretings! The hole on then rear left column is to install the seat belt on the passengers version of your van. You can see the bolt to the hook above.

[@Vandemonium]

Ah, that makes sense, of course. Good point!

[@FoxCutter]

Now that it's been a while and you've done a number of trips in the van, how well has the sound-deadeing and insulation worked out? Actually, a general followup video on the whole project might be interesting. Talking about how things have worked out in the long run, things you want to improve in the future and what you would do differently if you had the chance.

[@Vandemonium]

Good idea! I'll try to do that over the summer.

[@sylviapage8572]

That insulation job looks a bit overwhelming for me. Looking forward to the next instalment so I can see how you got on. Thanks.

[@Vandemonium]

I'm finding it quite calming and therapeutic, weirdly. Just taking my time, not rushing, sitting in the van cutting bits of insulation to fit!

[@mischef18]

Great video bro, santa has been and gone in NZ and still forgot my bike I asked for in 1965. Oh well all the best any way. Merry Christmas.

[@Vandemonium]

Shocking! What is Santa playing at?! Hope all's well over there. Cheers

[@mischef18]

Yes been struggling to believe in him anymore as he has missed quite a few things I have asked for over the year.

[@clairepapadatos1116]

Super😊 Merry Christmas! Love , Claire, Berlin

[@cathrynbagley8005]

Nice to see your progress - Merry Christmas

[@Vandemonium]

Thanks Cathryn - merry Christmas to you too!

[@SamSitar]

vandemonium is very easy to follow.

[@BrasherFox]

Don't skimp on the sound or heat insulation, you will live to regret it. All the very best for the future and the van conversion.

[@Vandemonium]

Fear not, there's lots of insulation going in - as far as I can given the very, very limited space constraints in this tiny van. You'll see in the next few vlogs!

[@monicalifornia_]

Great work. Very interesting.

[@Vandemonium]

Thanks!

[@andykayll1414]

Great vlog as always David. Merry xmas. and a Happy new year.

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you. Have a great Christmas. Cheers

[@one.of.two1969]

Have a good Christmas and New Year

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you! And you too :-)

[@thehappychannel1905]

Thumbs up. Nice to see the progress.

[@Vandemonium]

Thanks Dave :-)

[@gilb6982]

If i am not mistaken the wire thing in the back is a safety cut off fuel switch so it need to be solid to the chassis

[@Vandemonium]

Thanks. You're not the first person to suggest that but it doesn't look like any kind of switch. Nevertheless I have decided to leave it in situ.

[@MuddyBootz]

Where you fitted the sound insulation on the sides.....will you be cutting some of it out when you fit the windows???

[@Vandemonium]

Well no, that would be bizarre. I haven't put the panels onto any parts that I'll be cutting out.

[@leechamberlain1273]

Happy Christmas Dave, tip for that sticky cover you found , a heat sourse would help soften the glue , something like a hairdryer on hot . Cheers Paul

[@Vandemonium]

Good idea, I might still try that to get the excess off. Cheers

[@Nick23Wood]

You should replace the vapour barrier you removed - probably using reflectix.

[@Vandemonium]

Fear not, there will be a vapour barrier. Not Reflectix but a similar material.

[@Nick23Wood]

excellent - I was using Reflectix as a generic name - a useful term from over the pond :)

[@SilverVoxMusic]

Nice one David. Happy Christmas.

[@Vandemonium]

Cheers, and to you.

[@grayeagleswolves]

Merry Christmas David Good show I do have to ask a Question do you know that the Spray Can of Insulation would work Fantastic in the van for any and all projects

[@Vandemonium]

You'd need many, many cans of spray foam. I did look at the spray foam kits which come in a two-contained mix but you need an ambient temperature of 16C and the cans have to be kept above 21C, none of which I can easily achieve at present. Also, there can be an issue with expanding foam bending out the metal of the van if you overfill any small areas. Not as simple as it might seem!

[@alainjimenez4584]

Merry Christmas David

[@Vandemonium]

Cheers - and to you.

[@GDSVID]

i have the lwb Peugeot expert version ..i fully converted it myself..these vans are as roomy as a vw transporter...i took out the engine and fully stripped it down and rebuilt it aswell...your right about the poptop too expensive...but there is an alternative which is the xlarge dometic sunroof...when fitted you can open it fully and stand up fully in the van if needed...the silent coat you got is a good choice on the body work and it does take out the rattles..by the way if you do decide to remove the double passenger seat you can get a swivel plate for the base and as for a single seat for passenger get another drivers seat as they fit on the passenger side...the lower bulk head is removable and its bolted and heavy glued in...

[@Vandemonium]

The lower bulk head is staying in place. Good tip about the seat, cheers.

[@zulu5282]

Looking forward to those windows going in.

[@Vandemonium]

So am I; won't be for a while though.

[@user-lx6bl2wd8g]

Just looking at the door at 14 mins, I wondered whether you had given any thought to additional rust prevention.

[@Vandemonium]

Not really, it's all in very good condition with no visible rust and the paint chips don't go through to the metal either.

[@danieltaylor5231]

I have a sneaking suspicion the van rattled on. Maybe the rattles will be the oil lead from the diesel for the van.

[@estherkalkbrenner5222]

A propos sound deadening. I just learned that there is such device as a sound deadener for car diesel heater systems. And they do a very neat job. Price is around 150€ and they come with different diameters for various tube systems.

[@Vandemonium]

Interesting, thank you. That said, I'm going to be using a propane-based (externally vented) heater largely because they are substantially cheaper than the diesel ones and don't require dropping the diesel tank to tap into it, which would be outside my scope of capabilities.

[@estherkalkbrenner5222]

Vandemonium these are for the ventilation pipes blowing the warm air in. So in case your propane heater is abit too loud, maybe this could be a hint, in case the warm air gets directed throughany kind of tube

[@Vandemonium]

Ah, that sounds extra interesting then, I will have a look. Cheers.

[@ianmedium]

When building these in great volume clipping that plastic tube with the cable in it to the side of the van is probably quicker than chasing it through the hole even accounting for the plastic tube cost. Most of the time it’s down to saving money! I am really looking forward to fitting the windows, you are a better man than me gungadin! I would not attempt it! Happy Christmas to you by the way! :)

[@Vandemonium]

Yes, that makes sense! Happy Christmas :-)

[@petermastenbroek5264]

Progress may be a bit slower than you'd expected, mainly due to the weather conditions, but there's progress nevertheless. Hope to see that you'll have managed to put your windows in in the next vlog. Merry Christmas, Peter.

[@Vandemonium]

Happy Christmas. Alas, I have to disappoint you - I've just finished filming the next vlog and the windows are definitely on hold for the moment while the weather's chilly. However, I may make up for it by cutting the hole for the roof vent instead!

[@petermastenbroek5264]

That's already good enough to start with, and I'll be happy to watch that vlog when it's publiced.

[@andyrbush]

The cable routing will be the least effort to assemble. The sticky panels can be at any angle and offset, the idea is to break resonance, so untidy can be more effective than neat.

[@trainguy4861]

Great video and being from the US we call it a stove and how did it become to be called a hob ( sp)?

[@zogworth]

Here the stove would mean the whole thing, oven and hob all in one. It's comes from the old English habban or to hold. On old fireplaces in kitchens there would be a ledge or shelf where you put things to keep warm that was called the hob. As the pots etc were held there. The word has just been carried over to mean stove top.

[@robertthornhill4379]

good job david 8/10 bob in derby

[@Vandemonium]

Ta

[@MarkFurukawa]

If the camper's rockin', don't bother knockin'. Particularly noticed the rocking motion in the sped-up bits. Hope anyone out and around as you install the sound-deadening mats and then the insulation don't get the wrong idea.

[@Vandemonium]

Haha, no, with all the doors open if there was any funny business going on it would be for all to see!!

[@2LaneTraveler]

"Vans are great! You can keep all your stuff in them, and if you ever want anything you just slam on the brakes, and it hits you in the back of the head!" -Leo A. Gallagher, American comedian

[@gillywild]

Merry Christmas David :) maybe order some knee pads?

[@Vandemonium]

Merry Christmas! I'm hoping the knees will toughen up!

[@DrBurkstrom]

Nah. Get some kneepads and you'll wonder how you ever did without. Makes an amazing difference!

[@nmr6988]

Sound deadening properties are the single most important thing I look for in a home or in a van. If there's one thing that will ruin the Great Outdoors, it's people. People are noisy and obtrusive and they play loud crappy music that destroys the serenity and the sounds of nature. Unless you've been camping for 2 months from a desire to have some peace and quiet and solitude which is spoiled by a bunch of idiots, you may not be able to appreciate what I've said.

[@ronnath1581]

Below zero? Wow, we haven't seen that yet here in Iowa. And it needs to get to 9 or 10 to apply your stuff? Man, that's still bitter cold here in the upper midwest. Oh, wait.......never mind. (Merry Christmas, David)

[@Runenaldo]

Ron Nath I'm quite sure he means zero Celsius or 32 Fahrenheit.

[@Vandemonium]

It's turned mild(ish) but still only 9C

[@Vandemonium]

Oh yes, C not F

[@cjw2661]

I thought the same thing at first. Then remembered we use fahrenheit here in the states. We have gotten down to 15° f here in Michigan.

[@RVgeeks]

Love how meticulous you are... we're the same way... bothered by anything visually imperfect, even in places where they will be covered up and never seen again. But we do sometimes have to let that go, yes? ;-)

[@Vandemonium]

Through gritted teeth ;-)

[@ziggymike1]

Christmas greetings David. Joining from ctc! If your in Nottingham near the Trent and need a Mot or workshop space for any part of the build as a help out you are always welcome (bring biscuits for tea are the rules)

[@Vandemonium]

Well now.... workshop space you say?? I'm very much in need of a warm workshop space for a couple of days in order to install the windows. Any chance you could email me? Use [e-mail] :-)

[@gjmob]

That bracket at 6:13 should have had a caulking compound between it and the outer skin to stop the skin from vibrating and drumming. Somehow it got missed out at the factory. Don't use clear silastic or any silicon that smells like vinegar on metal bodywork as that smell is acetic acid that corrodes paint and metal. use a caulking compound or sikaflex.

[@Vandemonium]

It looks as though there was something (actually it looks like a weld or glue but I'm not sure) but it's broken. I've used a strip of window sealing foam to deaden the vibration. Cheers.

[@joecrachemontange4613]

glad tidings from aroostook county maine.

[@Vandemonium]

Happy Christmas to you too :-)

[@commonsense592]

Things have change in my day we would use a spray on putty type insulation. Your system looks easier to use but I can't see it working because it doesn't cover all the surfaces. But with your insulation and then panels covering everything I don't think it will matter anyway.

[@garrystacey7018]

Good luck 👍🏻

[@Vandemonium]

Thanks

[@rickvanman]

Great video David, am keen to find out how well (or not) the sound deadening mats work. Looking forward to seeing how you get on with installing the insulation. Am taking notes for my next build :-) Hope you have s great Christmas :-)

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you, and you! Insulation has started (you'll see in the next vlog) and it's an awkward process because of all the nooks and crannies!

[@GDSVID]

rickvanman hi rick the mats are called silent coat and i got mine of amazon...yeah they do work well, when u knock on the side of the van it sounds solid not hollow...

[@Nick23Wood]

rickvanman - yes they work, and in various ways. for panel dampening you could cut them into 4 and spread them around, but if you can afford it I would go for total covering, as they also do have a small insulation effect cutting down on condensation and also act as a type of underseal. For maximum sound solution the next layer should be a closed-cell foam (self-adhesive is easiest) which then acts as a sound absorber. I would leave space with-in all doors for free passage of water to find it's way to the drain holes (that's what those plastic coverings were sealing the doors for)

[@gafynowen558]

what sort of thickness of the sound deadning stuff do you think I sould go for? On ebay the Silent Coat stuff that seems to be used hereappears to come in 2mm or 4mm. hmmm maybe a bit of both? should I be useing thicker stuff on floor and roof? cheers

[@Vandemonium]

You don't need a huge amount, remember it's only there to dampen any vibrations / rattles / tinnyness in the panel as you drive, it's not sound proofing as such. I found the 2mm stuff to be fine. The floor is much less likely to rattle like the side panels do so I'm not convinced it's worth it there. See also Greg's excellent recent video on exactly this topic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJ7ZqaeXj895rdk

[@gafynowen558]

Thanks for the reply and thanks for going to the trouble to document your conversion. I've got an Expert and I'm currently around the same stage as you are on this episode. All the best and keep posing😀👏 Gaf.

[@Vandemonium]

Hi. Excellent; good to hear from another Expert/Proace/Dispatch converter. Do let me know any tips or tricks you come across :-)

[@annmcwilliams1230]

Just wondering if you are going to put small wood burner in.

[@Vandemonium]

No. It's really too tiny a van for that.

[@annmcwilliams1230]

Oh thank you for taking the time to reply. Happy Christmas And love all your vlogs.

[@rckchp]

Seasons Greetings David. Small burners exist which are intended for small sailboat cabins, usually mounted on a bulked (wall). A few examples : www.charcoalheater.com/ , www.pinterest.com/pin/101753272811418504 , www.pinterest.com/pin/310818811775746896. But most are expensive and must be vented to outside for safety.....and probably overkill for your purposes unless you plan to camp up at John o' Groats during the winter. A small propane catalytic heater would do....but be sure crack a window a bit to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Please read this : www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm Best Regards, Rich A.

[@Vandemonium]

Hi. Thanks. I'm aware of CO poisoning (I have two detectors on the boat) but I won't be installing a propane heater, at least not one that's internally vented. Probably getting a Propex HS2000.

[@subriotech2007]

Well... you did have a roller right behind you (the tissue paper roll) :)

[@dubsydubs5234]

Those pads stop the tinny sound, you only need bits, knock on the outside to hear where it needs deadening, heat the pads they stick better. That loose metal in the door should have a sealant like PU sealant sticking it to the outer panel.

[@Vandemonium]

I think there was indeed some sealant on it as you say, I've peered under and there's definitely the remains of "something" there.

[@chrisdavison2022]

I wonder if those 'random' wires in the ducting, are for if the van was going to be a people carrier type vehicle? As I've heard, some manufacturers 'pre install' certain things down the production line 'just in case'...???

[@Vandemonium]

Mmm, could be. I'm going to install an access panel, just in case.

[@sidneyparkin5924]

Hi, what was the cost for a pack of the soundproofing material ? And where did you get it? Thanks Sid

[@Vandemonium]

Hi. Link is in the video description (or ought to be, if I remembered!!)

[@zaphodbeeblebrox2202]

After the first blood, I was waiting for Vanbo: First Blood Part 2....

[@bishopbeesley9790]

Rattly bits are part of design - supports door outer panel without risking leaving a witness/mark -your tape should be good. The drainage holes in bottom must remain open otherwise door will rot out (water will get in at top of door)

[@Vandemonium]

Thanks. Yes, I've left the drainage holes clear!

[@the_useless_photographer]

I know it's all finished now but one thing I learned from watching pro van conversions is never ever put loft type insulation inside the van....it acts like a sponge and will eventually rot your vehicle. That's why older campers rotted so quickly, manufacturers used fabric insulation because nothing else was invented.

[@Vandemonium]

It can only act as a sponge if there’s water for it to soak up and no ventilation; here, with the impermeable vapour barrier preventing interior air moisture reaching it, there’s no damp.

[@menonsans]

Can I make a suggestion? Can' t the space b/w the inner and outer body panels (at 06:03) be used as a storage area of some kind? (It looked large enough on the video)

[@Vandemonium]

Hi. It is wide enough but I need / want to fill it with insulation to help keep the van warm in Spring / Autumn. Any space I deduct on the sides for extra storage is space lost for insulation.

[@unknownmeaning8506]

Hi just bought my first van to convert just wonder how did you arrange insurance while converting I need to add windows and don't want to keep amending the policy as I go and all the charges that comes with that. Any advice would be great. Brilliant videos thank you very much

[@Vandemonium]

You need to insure it as a camper van not as a commercial van, and use an insurance company that knows you're doing a self-build; usually they will give you a set time to complete the build (eg six months)

[@unknownmeaning8506]

@@Vandemonium thank you so much am new to this am getting the van this weekend and I assumed I'd need to insure it as a van until it's converted fully I just did a campervan quote, it was a quarter of the cost! Thanks again

[@GDSVID]

for floor and roof insulation use 3m thinsulate or the equivalent

[@Vandemonium]

I'm using Celotex on the roof and a radiant barrier with air gap on the floor.

[@rickdearmont9950]

Well? How much did it cut down on the noise?? And Merry Christmas to you!

[@Vandemonium]

Unfortunately, I'm not sure because when I next drove it, I first couldn't remember how it sounded before but also I had loads of stuff in the back that was clanking around as I went so it was hard to work out what difference the panels made!!

[@rickdearmont9950]

Vandemonium ahh well. Sounds like my kind of problem. 😁

[@Kiwionwing]

Will be interesting

[@White_Chapel]

Hi David, love these videos 👍🏻 By any chance did you put any of the sound insulation under carpet or in the driver and passenger doors at the front of the van to reduce the road noise? I'm planning to start noise insulating my LWB peugeot in the summer and I'd love to know know how much of the noise insulation you used altogether? Cheers

[@Vandemonium]

It's not actually sound insulation as such, it's just to deaden the "boominess" you get from sheet metal panels. So no, none used in those locations.

[@White_Chapel]

@@Vandemonium Sorry, deadening/dampening is what I should have written there! I find the driver and passenger doors a bit boomy so I plan to do them, the barn doors at the back, the sliding doors at the sides, the roof and rear side panels. Would you have used 30 sheets altogether? I don't want to order too little, but also dont want to order too much as it's fairly expensive! Thanks again David 👍🏻

[@Vandemonium]

Hmm I don't remember exactly how many I used but I'm going to guess fewer than 30. Maybe 20? I can't really remember though, sorry

[@White_Chapel]

@@Vandemonium Cool, I was guessing that 30 would be ott so I'll start with 20 and go from there!! Thanks again👍🏻

[@DriveLongRoad]

The hole at 3:45 is a great security feature. You can safely hide important documents or cash in the ground. No burglar would ever find that.

[@Vandemonium]

Haha, good idea

[@EnglishVeteran]

No, they’d just steal the van!

[@Adampeterdale]

Yes you won't see them when it's coverd up but you will always know it's there eating into your brain untill one night after lying awake for hours staring at the ceiling thinking about it you jump up and attack the walls of your van with a hatchet... ripping the uneven demonic things out. 😂

[@DriveLongRoad]

Happy Holiday, äh, Christmas! :))

[@Vandemonium]

Merry Christmas!

[@andy1514-g1q]

can't you just take it to a friendly boatbuilder & get them to sprayfoam it like a narrowboat shell? :) I looked at doing a T4/T5 a few years back & the DVLA were notorious for not wanting to issue change of type (or whatever it's called) from van to camper. hope they're a bit more amenable these days!

[@Vandemonium]

I did consider that but you have to do an awful lot of tedious masking off to stop the spray sticking to bits you don't want it to. Also, spray foam is not ideal in tight spots because it can expand to the point where it deforms the metal, and it's also impossible (effectively) to remove in case you need access. I wouldn't have wanted to pay for it to be done so I'd have done it myself and that's messy and requires quite warm ambient temperatures, which we don't currently have!