Watch This Before Installing Flares | How to Install Flares in a Sprinter Van

In this video we install flares in our Sprinter 144. We share tips and things we learned along the way to help you get the best results possible.
🚐 Product links below.👇🏼
This video is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.
➳ PRODUCTS USE IN THIS VIDEO
Step Drill Bit: amzn.to/3bMNQ9n
Milwaukee M12 Jigsaw: amzn.to/349uzuJ
Bosch Jigsaw Blades: amzn.to/3yG9AxI
Electric Caulking Gun: amzn.to/2SeEYCz
Wool Daubers: amzn.to/3f6Vqhh
3m Auto Refinish Masking Tape: amzn.to/3fb2WYE
Flares: flarespace.com...
Check out our entire van build materials list here:
www.thrivecraf...
➳ AUDIO/VIDEO GEAR
• Sony ZV-1 Camera: amzn.to/3rsnoYX
• Rode VideoMicro microphone: amzn.to/3fXbHUY
• Crane M2 Gimbal: amzn.to/3aIoObK
• Neewer Tripod: amzn.to/2KyKe0g
• Holy Stone Drone: amzn.to/3mncbWF
Music: www.epidemicso...
www.bensound.c...
➳ WHO WE ARE
We're Lisa & Jeff Warnick. We've been representing Thrive Life freeze-dried foods for over 10 years. It's been a dream of ours to have a van to travel the country, supporting our team and sharing the Thrive love. Subscribe to our channel to see our van build, and van life adventures. We'll also share recipes and why freeze-dried foods are such a great choice for van lifers.
We spent hundreds of hours researching the best materials and processes for our van build. Now we've put together a list of all materials we (and others in our van community) have used and that we can recommend so that you don't have to spend all those hours on research.
www.thrivecraf...
➳ CONNECT WITH US:
Instagram: / our_thriving_life
Collaboration/Inquiries: [e-mail]
#vanlife #vanlayout #vanbuild #freezedried
Disclosures: All opinions are my own. Sponsors are acknowledged. Some links in the description are affiliate links that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

[@fredzuccarelli]

When watching all of your videos I REALLY appreciate your attention to detail and exceptional workmanship!!!!

[@thrivans]

I appreciate that!

[@tlrolstad]

Great video. Direct, to the point, and yeah, cutting holes in a $90K van is never easy!

[@rothmaam]

Your videos are fantastic. You dont need music. Its a little irritating in instructional videos. Love your channel.

[@gregsettle1581]

Wow! This is the first of your videos that I have watched. But I have to say that your attention to detail, and the fact that you answer AHEAD of time, all the little questions about technique and how to avoid the various pitfalls along the way in a project like this are nothing less than amazing! One of the best "how to" videos I have seen on KZbin, so BIG KUDOS! Thank you. This was extremely helpful!

[@thrivans]

Wow, thank you!

[@injectionAI]

This is a great 8 minute video

[@arthurakingking9179]

You are brave man

[@stevehori673]

Jeff thank you for posting this how to video. I used it to put my CR Lawrence window in my sliding door. Fit first try no grinding needed. Will repeat with the flare spaces.

[@lovetobikedaily]

Great video, your voice volume is a little soft. I think the background music could go away. Thanks for the tool suggestions. I’m buying the Old Milwaukee jigsaw and the chalking gun. Great tips on the corner cut outs.

[@chriscomeskey4771]

Good video

[@croberto9096]

Great job. They look good. I will be waiting for the follow up video on how to finish the inside... the trim, insulation, fabric, etc.

[@Sustainavore]

Super helpful tip with the extended length blade. Thank you! And editing note: I found the music to be a but high in the mix/your voice to be a little low. I could focus and make it out, and captions helped, but just my 2 cents.

[@daveolson1092]

I should add your video is very well done. It's good of you to share.

[@thrivans]

Thank you! Glad it helped.

[@dungeonlair]

Looks great, nice job at explaining everything.

[@thrivans]

Thanks!

[@waraddar]

Nice job sir, I've done quite a few vans now but the blade length insite was something I hadnt considered and wasnt aware of. Thanks for sharing!

[@airviewcinematography]

If you mod that jigsaw base to match the roundness of the corner, you wont need the longer blade and can then really just trace your way around.

[@michelleamaru5013]

Awesome 👌 I have a 1990 VW Kombi Caravelle and she's tight for sleeping! Bump outs would be perfect

[@davidsally_pizzatony]

You made that look real easy 👍

[@JaimetheNomad]

Great job on the install

[@thrivans]

Thanks 👍

[@kenaidiun3736]

great job, great tutorial. learned alot , thankyou.

[@johngrant1337]

Good video on cutting opening and saw to use Thanks

[@bradgilley]

Really helpful info. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@dannorth9125]

Great video! Very well explained and demonstrated. I’m in Canada, who should I order from for the flares? Thanks in advance.

[@thrivans]

We now use the ones from The Van Mart. Not sure if they ship to Canada.

[@keknittle]

Great guide for the install and the helper seams trusty as well. Question: How soon after painting could you install the flares? Does any extra caulk clean up on outside?

[@thrivans]

I installed them 2 days after they were painted without any problems. Excess caulk cleans up with rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits before it sets.

[@keithv35]

Great video. One question, I've installed two windows in my 144 so far and my flares are on order. With the windows, I installed a rubber U shaped trim on the exposed metal prior to attaching the window with sikaflex that was recommended by the window manufacturer for a cleaner install look from the inside. Is there room around the exposed metal for rubber trim between the flare and the body? I couldn't tell from the video and didn't like the thought of the flare space trim ring because of the loss of space.

[@bah5310]

If your sawzall is bouncing around you don't have enough pressure on the foot. Drill a hole in each corner and cut 4 straight lines to connect them. I thought a cut off wheel would work fine, the sheet metal crews use those every day to cut their duct work. Question, are they insulated? My Airstream Interstate has windows which I think I can remove and add flairs so we can sleep East to West. But am I really going to gain that much room once it's insulated?

[@ashleyknight2561]

Hi, Great job. What adhesive did you use please?

[@thrivans]

It’s a urethane adhesive that Flarespace supplies with the flares.

[@armadilllo]

can you cut a window into those?

[@thrivans]

No. But they offer a version with window cut outs.

[@armadilllo]

Thanks, I checked and they only do the flared style and not flush ones. I was looking for block offs that I could put sliding windows in without the flare. My whole van is windows but none of them open except the two in front.I guess I'll have to make my own, can't find anything like it.@@thrivans

[@WF007]

Where did you bought this flares?

[@thrivans]

Flarespace.com

[@WF007]

Do you know the thickness of it?

[@thrivans]

@@WF007 Sorry, but I don’t know. You could try checking their website.

[@micatnight2010]

Good video, but wish there wasn't music playing in the background when you're talking. Too distracting.

[@trex5724]

Please lose the music mate it’s distracting!

[@ahagan1930]

They look professionally installed to me, for whatever that's worth.

[@thrivans]

Thank you. It’s really not that hard to do. Just a little intimidating for most people.

[@charlesserratos9343]

Come on, people shut the music off while you've talking. It makes it hard to hear you, especially if you're not using a microphone

[@andriynaumenko2023]

In my opinion it is just an stupid idea… ( not offending anyone please ok?) for 5” on each side… I would not destroy the side panels for that “fancy” idea … to be at least 50” on every side… that would be good useful improvement … otherwise it is just a waste of time and of money and plus it is just destroying the Van… don’t encourage people to follow this stpd ideas.

[@c2gutbuster]

I just unsubscribed from your channel. Why do you feel you need to add annoying background music? Do you think it actually adds value to the message?

[@lovetobikedaily]

Great video, your voice volume is a little soft. I think the background music could go away. Thanks for the tool suggestions. I’m buying the Old Milwaukee jigsaw and the chalking gun. Great tips on the corner cut outs.