Thanks John, cabinets are coming, it's just about to get cool looking. I'm catching up slowly on the thread here, it's way behind the actual build.
continued...............furnace install. I was about to install a furnace in the van, right next to the gas filler tube. I didn't really think about the ramifications. You can read about that discussion here.
http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/vie...p=87546#p87546
I wound up working out the layout of my cabinet, and now the furnace resides in the dead center of it, above the left wheel well, and hopefully it will accomplish the goal of being forward enough to heat the van evenly, and still in 'code'. Not really worried about code on a home-build, but I have burnt myself a couple of times and I don't think blowing up the van with me and my family in it is the way we want to end a camping trip.
Here are some pics of the layout and 'exterior' install mostly, I am still plumbing the lp, water, electric, etc. in this cabinet.
trim cutout for furnace (about 3.5' from filler now)
cabinet that will house it
figuring out where everything will live
furnace sitting while I work up the courage to cut a rather irreversible hole in the side of the van
OK let's do it, first line it all up, mark with a Sharpie and cut some guide holes
Remove cabinet (again) and interior trim (again) so I can fit the grinder, which is the only thing I have to make this cut other than a jigsaw, which should work well on the outside. Guide holes were off a bit, but I got the job done
Now holes through the outer wall............ouch
Now move outside and use lots of masking tape to avoid scratching the paint
In this one, you can see where my blade jumped on me. I'm still getting over this. It scratched the paint making quick work of my masking tape and turned the blade into a J. It buffed out ok but I'm still pissed. It's things like this that make me glad this is an older, high mileage van. I took my time and still butchered the area around the hole. Oh well, at least this van is for utility, not for staying pretty.
Not bad in the end, add a little paint to ward off rust
And there you go, but I'm not interested in a big chrome furnace vent on my van
Remove, sand down with 1000 grit, and paint with high heat bar-b-q black paint
And there you have it, the outside is done, painted and sealed with Vulkem. I used stainless screws and shot them black as well, not sure if that will stay there though. Sorry for the lousy iPhone pic at dusk, I'll take some better ones asap.
TBC.............