The Vanilla Transit

[freeagent]

Dude, sweet van! Thanks for the real world feedback and for documenting your upgrades. Keep it coming.

[mgmetalworks]

Originally Posted by JWA

Where might one or two of us find such devices, those you'd recommend that is?

one source is Airbag Simulator/Disconnect

There's enough info on the internet to DIY if you want to go that route.

[Pschitt]

Hi Eric,

Nice to see that you've a new project! I like your Transit and the work you started in.
If I can, there is one thing I wouldn't go with: underneath your heater, the fuel inlet line (the small white hose we can see on both last pictures) is really exposed to branches, stones, etc. I would personaly redrive it to better protect it...

Looking forward to see next steps of your build soon.
Cheers,

Claude

[86Scotty]

Thanks Claude, that's a good idea. It's a work in progress any weekend that I'm home and have a few hours. There are many things that aren't completely finished.

Continued....My cabinet ideas are still pretty fluid but after kicking my chest refrigerator around for awhile I decided i really was going to be happier with a front door model. I think the chest type are more efficient but I stuff this van full of cargo in a hurry sometimes and need to maximize space and efficiency inside. Also, I don't buy food at all on the road if I can help it. I take pre-made things or make quick meals as I go. I'm not at all a fast food fan. For that reason I like a big refrigerator. I dropped by Truckfridge in Georgetown Ky to pick up the perfect tool for the job, a T130 like I put in my SMB. My jaw dropped when they told me they were sold out and on back order for several months. MONTHS? I was about head out when I thought to ask if he'd sell me the demo model off the floor. He was happy to and I got a nice discount.

A huge advantage of the Transit is square walls, or at least almost perfectly square. It makes building low cabinets a breeze.

Another goal for this tiny galley was a simple plumbing system. After rehabbing a Vanagon Westfalia this past year I knew just what would work. The in-tank submersible pump with on/off switch in the handle used on Westy's is ideal. Cold water is all I need. I went with a Dometic/SMEV combination sink/stove (A hob, the lads call it) and built the cabinet around a 7 gallon Aquatainer for fresh water.

Vanilla by 86scotty, on Flickr

Vanilla by 86scotty, on Flickr

To achieve my goal of a 4x8' cargo space (2 standard pallets) and also to be able to pop the jumpseats in factory track locations and still have foot space for the kids I recessed the Aquatainer in to the wall. Above that recess I have 2awg run through a 100 amp breaker from my isolator and used an old section of plastic pipe for a wire run for all future wiring. It's not one of those picture perfect wiring layouts. I can do those but rarely do if it's going to be hidden.

Vanilla by 86scotty, on Flickr

Vanilla by 86scotty, on Flickr

Gray water drain open to ground below. All I need need. A bucket under it works for me on the seldom occasions I'm in an actual campground.

Vanilla by 86scotty, on Flickr

All plumbed in and shored up enough to make that first cup of coffee:

Vanilla by 86scotty, on Flickr

Vanilla by 86scotty, on Flickr

This is very temporary. All cabinetry will be pulled back apart for molding and stain. I still haven't decided on a countertop material yet. I had thought of butcher block. I'll finalize that eventually. For now it's usable.

[vandiesel]

This is a great thread. Thanks for sharing. Makes it look so doable.


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[LosAngeles]

Is that a combo sink / 1 burner stove?

never seen that before

wow - cool!

what sort of fuel drives the stove?

(we dont plan on having propane piping in our future build)

J

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

Thanks Claude, that's a good idea. It's a work in progress any weekend that I'm home and have a few hours. There are many things that aren't completely finished.

Continued....My cabinet ideas are still pretty fluid but after kicking my chest refrigerator around for awhile I decided i really was going to be happier with a front door model. I think the chest type are more efficient but I stuff this van full of cargo in a hurry sometimes and need to maximize space and efficiency inside. Also, I don't buy food at all on the road if I can help it. I take pre-made things or make quick meals as I go. I'm not at all a fast food fan. For that reason I like a big refrigerator. I dropped by Truckfridge in Georgetown Ky to pick up the perfect tool for the job, a T130 like I put in my SMB. My jaw dropped when they told me they were sold out and on back order for several months. MONTHS? I was about head out when I thought to ask if he'd sell me the demo model off the floor. He was happy to and I got a nice discount.

A huge advantage of the Transit is square walls, or at least almost perfectly square. It makes building low cabinets a breeze.

Another goal for this tiny galley was a simple plumbing system. After rehabbing a Vanagon Westfalia this past year I knew just what would work. The in-tank submersible pump with on/off switch in the handle used on Westy's is ideal. Cold water is all I need. I went with a Dometic/SMEV combination sink/stove (A hob, the lads call it) and built the cabinet around a 7 gallon Aquatainer for fresh water.

Vanilla by 86scotty, on Flickr

Vanilla by 86scotty, on Flickr

To achieve my goal of a 4x8' cargo space (2 standard pallets) and also to be able to pop the jumpseats in factory track locations and still have foot space for the kids I recessed the Aquatainer in to the wall. Above that recess I have 2awg run through a 100 amp breaker from my isolator and used an old section of plastic pipe for a wire run for all future wiring. It's not one of those picture perfect wiring layouts. I can do those but rarely do if it's going to be hidden.

Vanilla by 86scotty, on Flickr

Vanilla by 86scotty, on Flickr

Gray water drain open to ground below. All I need need. A bucket under it works for me on the seldom occasions I'm in an actual campground.

Vanilla by 86scotty, on Flickr

All plumbed in and shored up enough to make that first cup of coffee:

Vanilla by 86scotty, on Flickr

Vanilla by 86scotty, on Flickr

This is very temporary. All cabinetry will be pulled back apart for molding and stain. I still haven't decided on a countertop material yet. I had thought of butcher block. I'll finalize that eventually. For now it's usable.

[86Scotty]

LA, I forgot to mention that. It is a propane stove. Somewhere along the way I picked up a hose with a regulator that fits this stove perfectly. It accepts a 1 lb propane cylinder. 3/8 npt flare on the stove end and 1 lb bottle attachment on the other.
I have been using this stove almost daily for a month and am still on my first bottle. I have no idea how.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Blowby]

Great thread ,thanks for going into the detail.Have been looking at some form of heat for our van and I like how you set yours up.Was looking at the Webasto as we also have a gas van, but looking at the BTU output Planar is way up there.
Great ideas, thanks!

[LosAngeles]

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

LA, I forgot to mention that. It is a propane stove. Somewhere along the way I picked up a hose with a regulator that fits this stove perfectly. It accepts a 1 lb propane cylinder. 3/8 npt flare on the stove end and 1 lb bottle attachment on the other.
I have been using this stove almost daily for a month and am still on my first bottle. I have no idea how.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wow - fantastic! I love it. amazing

I just found a similar Dometic.... about $500

https://pantherrvproducts.com/dometi...ink-no-faucet/

looks super space efficient.

I guess i could put in a hot / cold faucet?

thanks

john

[cbadbox]

Excellent detail, thanks for sharing! subscribed