Saying hello from Eugene, OR

[Mstudt]

Long time looker, but just now getting into vans.

I'm trying to get an early start on things by doing as much research as I can in advance. Come the end of August we'll be the proud owners of a 2000 E350 Wagon DRW van. This is a single owner van with all maintenance records since 2000, and only has 108,000 miles on it.

In short, we plan on a dually delete, paint, insulate, interior build, and everything else that everyone else does. I've build a couple vehicles in the past few years, and know how to find my way around a shop.

The most exciting part about this build for me is making it custom. I'm the purchasing manager for a commercial furniture manufacture, and plan on having all my interior cnc cut, laminated, and edged.

I'll have build thread going once the van is in hand.

Mike

 

[Nrobert10]

Welcome! Looking forward to the build

 

[carringb]

Did you score one of the state motorpool vans? Besides my own, State of Oregon motorpool is the only other time I've seen dually wagons.

 

[Mstudt]

Did you score one of the state motorpool vans? Besides my own, State of Oregon motorpool is the only other time I've seen dually wagons.

No, not one of the motorpool vans. The company that my wife works for is clearing out their old fleet to make room for the new fleet. They have a couple dually's, and a couple SRW that they're getting rid of for cheap.

Mike

 

[WhitH]

Welcome. I’m here in Eugene as well and would be happy to grab a beverage and talk van sometime if you’d like.

 

[Mstudt]

Welcome. I’m here in Eugene as well and would be happy to grab a beverage and talk van sometime if you’d like.

I don't see why that couldn't happen. Would love to have someone local for help, and answering questions that I might have.

Mike

 

[Lance-SMB]

Howdy, I'm across the river in Springfield. I'm remodeling my new to me 2005 SMB and have some components I'm not going to use if your interested in some used stuff. I'm having new cabinets made next month at local shop. Would be interested in hearing about what materials your using. later Lance

 

[Mstudt]

Howdy, I'm across the river in Springfield. I'm remodeling my new to me 2005 SMB and have some components I'm not going to use if your interested in some used stuff. I'm having new cabinets made next month at local shop. Would be interested in hearing about what materials your using. later Lance

I would be interested in hearing what you may have available, and may be interested in some of it.

What kind of material are you having your cabinets built from? There are some major differences in material as I'm sure you're already aware of. For my purposes I plan on using either 1/2" or 3/4" furniture grade plywood. This plywood is more expensive than what you can find locally because it void free, and the faces of it are finish grade. So you can stain it to a nice smooth, and clean finish. Or, you can laminate over the top of it.

Some manufactures may use solid wood, MDF, or particle board. All of which would weigh quite a bit more than plywood, and have different structure characteristics.

Mike

 

[04QuadBear]

Welcome! I am just down the road in Roseburg, but originally from Eugene. if you all end up meeting up we would love to meet some more local folks. We have an 04 E350 Quadvan we recently had a CCV top installed on and are planning the rest of the interior currently. Hope to meet you soon!

 

[Mstudt]

Welcome! I am just down the road in Roseburg, but originally from Eugene. if you all end up meeting up we would love to meet some more local folks. We have an 04 E350 Quadvan we recently had a CCV top installed on and are planning the rest of the interior currently. Hope to meet you soon!

I actually commute from Eugene to Roseburg daily for work.

 

[04QuadBear]

Mstudt I was wondering when you said commercial furniture. If you work where am thinking my neighbor is probably helping you design your cabinets?

 

[Mstudt]

Mstudt I was wondering when you said commercial furniture. If you work where am thinking my neighbor is probably helping you design your cabinets?

Who's your neighbor?

I'm going to design everything on my own, but will need the help of our programmers to get the idea laid up for cutting.

Mike

 

[04QuadBear]

Who's your neighbor?

I'm going to design everything on my own, but will need the help of our programmers to get the idea laid up for cutting.

Mike

Mickey lives right across the street from me. :h1:

 

[Mstudt]

Mickey lives right across the street from me. :h1:

Yep, he works in other building. Small world.

Mike

 

[Lance-SMB]

Interesting about cabinet wood choices. I don't know much about what is good. I'm using a cabinet shop close by and he is open to what ever I'm wanting. I was hoping for laminate finish. Is furniture grade plywood readily available? As far as stuff I've got a Norcold 2 cubic foot 12 volt/120 frig that is 3 years old or less. I think it runs on 3.5 amps. A Trip-lite inverter/charger model RV2012UL, 16.7 AC output. 10 gallon fresh water tank. Micro wave. Possibly would have a Dometic 3 cubic foot propane/120 volt frig, if the buyers of my old van don't want it. It's 3 years old. Also have a Yakima rack basket and a Camping Lab awning. Also a fancy looking folding DVD player with about 10 wires to it. I spend winters in Baja and need big frig and 20 gallon water tank, no inverter, don't even take a power cord. Any how busy getting new van the way I want, not in a hurry to sell stuff. Lance

 

[Mstudt]

Interesting about cabinet wood choices. I don't know much about what is good. I'm using a cabinet shop close by and he is open to what ever I'm wanting. I was hoping for laminate finish. Is furniture grade plywood readily available? As far as stuff I've got a Norcold 2 cubic foot 12 volt/120 frig that is 3 years old or less. I think it runs on 3.5 amps. A Trip-lite inverter/charger model RV2012UL, 16.7 AC output. 10 gallon fresh water tank. Micro wave. Possibly would have a Dometic 3 cubic foot propane/120 volt frig, if the buyers of my old van don't want it. It's 3 years old. Also have a Yakima rack basket and a Camping Lab awning. Also a fancy looking folding DVD player with about 10 wires to it. I spend winters in Baja and need big frig and 20 gallon water tank, no inverter, don't even take a power cord. Any how busy getting new van the way I want, not in a hurry to sell stuff. Lance

I don't think we'll end up going with a frig in ours, but who knows when it's all said and done. We may be interested in the water tank though.

For the plywood options you should check out Crosscut Hardwoods in Eugene, and look into their cabinet plywood. The Maple plywood is really nice, and sturdy.

Mike

 

[Lance-SMB]

Thanks for the wood info, I've heard of Cross Cut. Just got my new water tank today. Old one still in for now. It's something like 9" x 15" x 18". Fits under goucho bed/couch. Has 4 fittings all 1/2" . Came stock from SMB. later Lance