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BEFORE EXAMS

CHOOSE VAN
Size/age/cost

Choose wisely here, as you can't change

this without starting all over again! Think

about:

Condition (are you mechanically

minded?)

Length

Width

Height

Age

Availability of replacement parts

CHOOSE LAYOUT
Be open to changes

Vital to the whole build, and a step that

could take a long time to decide on. Do

you want:

Access to the cab?

Fixed bed?

Bathroom?

PREP
Do it properly, do it once

In theory you will never see this area of

the van once the build is complete - the

bare bones and potential rust patches.

Fill any holes

Sand away rust

Treat any rust

Prime areas to prevent rust in future

CUTTING HOLES |
WINDOWS & ROOF
VENTS
It's scary but worth it

Cutting holes in your van is terrifying but

a vital step to allow roof vents and

windows to be fitted. Cutting the holes

prior to insulating/cladding ensures you

do not waste any materials

ROOF RACK
Dependant on your van

Our van roofing meant we needed clear

access to the ceiling from inside in order to

install the Front Runner roof rack. We opted

to install it before insulating & cladding the

roof so we could access it easily

LEARN MORE: WWW.THEINDIEPROJECTS.COM

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ELECTRICAL WIRING
HOLES
Solar/lighting/electronics

Just a couple more holes to go! If

you're having solar or anything else

requiring cabling up to the roof

now is the time to fit the wires

through and seal it all up

INSULATION & SOUND

DEADENING
Floor beams/insulate floor, walls & ceiling

Time to sound deaden, secure the

insulation in the entire van, moisture

barrier and affix the support beams

for the flooring, wall cladding and

ceiling cladding

FLOORING
Sturdy & waterproof

Cover the entire insulated floor

with a waterproof barrier/flooring

to ensure any potential

leaks/spillages don't encourage

rot

WALLS
Support Beams & Cladding

Cover up all the waterproof

membrane with some sort of wall

cladding - we chose super thin

pine cladding

CEILING
Support Beams & Cladding

The same as the walls essentially,

be sure to use self tapping screws

LEARN MORE: WWW.THEINDIEPROJECTS.COM

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BEDROOM
Bedframe/slats/mattress/cupboards

You will be spending around 6-8

hours a night in this area, make

sure you make it comfortable!

LIVING ROOM
Seating
frame/cushions/cladding/storage

Just like the bedroom you need to

ensure this is an area you can

spend a good couple of hours,

especially if the weather sucks

and you're stuck indoors.

KITCHEN
Install frame/counter
top/cupboards/sink/oven and
hob/fridge/cupboards.

The kitchen can be as simple or

complex as you like, but if you're

planning on officially changing it

to a motorhome on your V5C you

must have two hobs.

WATER
Containers/piping/pump/tap

We opted for a simplistic system,

with a foot pump and no electrics

involved

HEATER
Diesel heater install

Make sure you leave enough

space for heating ducts to fit

comfortably in the van

LEARN MORE: WWW.THEINDIEPROJECTS.COM

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GAS
Install professionally

Not something we would advise

installing yourself due to the

immense danger, however if you

do please get it safety checked

ELECTRICS
Install professionally/lighting/switches/
plugs/wiring

As with gas the electrics can be

dangerous, especially 240v. We

opted to have ours fitted

professionally due to our lithium

battery set-up (don't want to

destroy those!)

TOILET
chemical/compost/whatever

Having previously used a chemical

toilet for 3 years we were keen to

try something that didn't require

specific emptying points so we

built our own separating

composting toilet to fit under our

bench seat

FINAL DETAILS
Table/curtains/knick knacks

The base is now completed! All

that's left is to affix your final

details and make it really feel like

home

DONE!
Relax and enjoy your hard work

Time to hit the road and explore!

LEARN MORE: WWW.THEINDIEPROJECTS.COM