The new service van

Old van:

2007 Sprinter

Dually, 3500, long, tall, extremely nice to work out of, extremely so

Contant engine trouble, needs major maintenance, ABS problems, leaking washer fluid bottle, leaking brake fluid somewhere slowly, a plethora of other issues.

BUT I strongly suspect it was in an accident that could easily have caused many unforeseen issues.

When we got it several years ago, the rear shelving was not well secured to the one side, and upon installing new bolts and beefier hardware, I was able to see where it had ripped out the one side and with great force, smash into the other side shelving, it was clear something happened.

Then underneath, the holes in the body where a little stretched where an alignment rack machine would have pulled it straight, I’m SURE of it!

Bought in Florida, but fire extinguisher has inspection tags from Pennsylvania.

Body was repainted, but a deplorable job at that.

it’s time to let this lemon go.

[External image (farm6.staticflickr.com), not copied]

..

New van:

2015 Ford Transit

2500 single rear wheel, long tall, brand new, slight hail damage to the hood

Backup camera!!

[External image (farm6.staticflickr.com), not copied]

..

[External image (farm6.staticflickr.com), not copied]

..

Didn’t take a lot of pics along the way, but I removed the rear A/C unit, that’s just asking to be damaged, and I wanted the space..

..

Took it to a shop and they capped off the a/c lines:

[External image (farm6.staticflickr.com), not copied]

..

There was channel along each side to house the wires that go to the back of the van, I wanted them out of the way and decided to put the wires in the body itself.

I’m a glutton for punishment, what an ordeal haha

..

Got the wires behind and everything works, also tapped off the reverse light wire for a reverse alarm, soldering as I went (scotch locks are stupid)

..

..

Had to check underneath real quick, so why not?

..

We’re putting masonite over top of this OSB

..

In progress, I’ll be putting covers over the spray foam, including the ceiling, where I’ll put led strips up

KnarlyCarl wrote:

48 minutes ago, KnarlyCarl said:

Got the wires behind and everything works, also tapped off the reverse light wire for a reverse alarm, soldering as I went (scotch locks are stupid)

[External image (farm6.staticflickr.com), not copied]

..

 

[External image (farm6.staticflickr.com), not copied]

..

 

Had to check underneath real quick, so why not?

[External image (farm6.staticflickr.com), not copied]

..

 

We’re putting masonite over top of this OSB

[External image (farm6.staticflickr.com), not copied]

..

 

In progress, I’ll be putting covers over the spray foam, including the ceiling, where I’ll put led strips up

 

 

 

 

good looken job man make sure u post one when u are finished with it love to see it 🙂 can i ask what you do for a living are you a plummer  or a contractor 🙂 have a good one 

How does the space compare between your old van and the new one? Way to show off the Milwaukee light too!

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

CATERPILLAR wrote:

9 hours ago, CATERPILLAR said:

good looken job man make sure u post one when u are finished with it love to see it 🙂 can i ask what you do for a living are you a plummer  or a contractor 🙂 have a good one 

Yeah I’m a plumber for a plumbing/HVAC contractor company

kruton wrote:

8 hours ago, kruton said:

How does the space compare between your old van and the new one? Way to show off the Milwaukee light too!

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
 

It’s maybe an inch more narrow than the sprinter, but this one is couple inches taller! Length is about the same I think, forgot to measure that….

@KnarlyCarl warning do not lift by roof.

@KnarlyCarl is it nice having to retool the new van? Any changes/improvements you made over your old van? I see you got new shelving. looks really nice so far.

Jronman wrote:

24 minutes ago, Jronman said:

@KnarlyCarl warning do not lift by roof.

LOL ya that was a sticker off a whole house generator, Briggs and Stratton to be specific…

Yeah, big surprise getting a new one, usually it’s a couple years old, it’s always nice to get in a new vehicle, despite the time spent swapping out. Some guys hate having to move vehicles, but I love it because it’s a fresh start, I know I’m going to clear out a ton of unused stuff from the old Sprinter (haven’t changed vehicles yet, no time) 

I’m getting a little desperate though, because the fan in the sprinter recently quite working, so only when you go down the road, ram air pushed heat through, otherwise, you freeze sitting still.

Improvements? Just wait, I will have to post some as the swap takes place.

One big one was getting all the wiring behind in the body (as little exposed as possible) PLUS the spray insulation, that will really be nice I”m hoping…

Nice ride !!!! Stay safe 

@KnarlyCarl especially for your cans of spray stuff from your old vehicle. might fair better in extreme temps with the insulation?

KnarlyCarl wrote:

LOL ya that was a sticker off a whole house generator, Briggs and Stratton to be specific…

Yeah, big surprise getting a new one, usually it’s a couple years old, it’s always nice to get in a new vehicle, despite the time spent swapping out. Some guys hate having to move vehicles, but I love it because it’s a fresh start, I know I’m going to clear out a ton of unused stuff from the old Sprinter (haven’t changed vehicles yet, no time) 

I’m getting a little desperate though, because the fan in the sprinter recently quite working, so only when you go down the road, ram air pushed heat through, otherwise, you freeze sitting still.

 

Improvements? Just wait, I will have to post some as the swap takes place.

One big one was getting all the wiring behind in the body (as little exposed as possible) PLUS the spray insulation, that will really be nice I”m hoping…

what kind of hack you talkin @JimboS1ice?

Jronman wrote:

what kind of hack you talkin @JimboS1ice?

JimboS1ice wrote:

35 minutes ago, JimboS1ice said:

Fan hack


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’m so slow, I just now caught what you were getting at LOL…. Yeah I’ll first need to buy one haha

KnarlyCarl wrote:

 

I’m so slow, I just now caught what you were getting at LOL…. Yeah I’ll first need to buy one haha

JimboS1ice wrote:

Thought you had one for some reason


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

JimboS1ice wrote:

11 minutes ago, JimboS1ice said:

Thought you had one for some reason


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

NicolasRamos wrote:

8 minutes ago, NicolasRamos said:

I’m as surprised as you are!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Come on, i don’t have all their tools LOL!!  Although Milwaukee said they are sending me the new Surge impact WOOHOO

KnarlyCarl wrote:

 

Come on, i don’t have all their tools LOL!!  Although Milwaukee said they are sending me the new Surge impact WOOHOO

[emoji33]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

KnarlyCarl wrote:

 

Come on, i don’t have all their tools LOL!!  Although Milwaukee said they are sending me the new Surge impact WOOHOO

One of the HVAC guys here is getting one too!!!  Boss thought he needed an upgrade, he’s one of the best here, so good on him..

..

KnarlyCarl wrote:

One of the HVAC guys here is getting one too!!!  Boss thought he needed an upgrade, he’s one of the best here, so good on him..

 

[External image (farm1.staticflickr.com), not copied]  

..

I own a transit myself and what I’d do for a high roof. Bumped my head too many times. Great vans by the way

I own a transit myself and what I’d do for a high roof. Bumped my head too many times. Great vans by the way

Turner85 wrote:

I own a transit myself and what I’d do for a high roof. Bumped my head too many times. Great vans by the way

Having a higher roof is nicer though, you never know what you might have to shove in the back

JimboS1ice wrote:

6 hours ago, JimboS1ice said:

Having a higher roof is nicer though, you never know what you might have to shove in the back

It’s a bear to drive on a windy day though….

KnarlyCarl wrote:

It’s a bear to drive on a windy day though….

KnarlyCarl wrote:

It’s a bear to drive on a windy day though….

I’m really digging the new work trucks……

my new to me truck about 6 months now, much better than my old one,…. however if a Bounce House and a Dump Truck had a baby, it would be my work truck. 2008 F350 gas with utility body and dual ladder racks. (Loaded with crap)

Foneguy wrote:

I’m really digging the new work trucks……

my new to me truck about 6 months now, much better than my old one,…. however if a Bounce House and a Dump Truck had a baby, it would be my work truck. 2008 F350 gas with utility body and dual ladder racks. (Loaded with crap)

I’m getting a new van tomorrow evening I think. It’s supposed to be delivered from San Antonio tomorrow. Wish it was a high roof like knarly’s but I’ll make it work! It’s a 2016 Transit 250, long wheelbase, 36,000 miles on it. New enough!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Foneguy wrote:

2 hours ago, Foneguy said:

I’m really digging the new work trucks……

my new to me truck about 6 months now, much better than my old one,…. however if a Bounce House and a Dump Truck had a baby, it would be my work truck. 2008 F350 gas with utility body and dual ladder racks. (Loaded with crap)

LOL good one

NicolasRamos wrote:

8 minutes ago, NicolasRamos said:

I’m getting a new van tomorrow evening I think. It’s supposed to be delivered from San Antonio tomorrow. Wish it was a high roof like knarly’s but I’ll make it work! It’s a 2016 Transit 250, long wheelbase, 36,000 miles on it. New enough!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

This one had hail damage, I may have said that somewhere, but apparently, it made a big enough difference to seal the deal 

KnarlyCarl wrote:

 

This one had hail damage, I may have said that somewhere, but apparently, it made a big enough difference to seal the deal 

@KnarlyCarl hows the new van project coming?

Jronman wrote:

20 hours ago, Jronman said:

@KnarlyCarl hows the new van project coming?

I’m in it completely now, still have a crate or two to sort through.. the old van is sold to a guy that wants to use it for a RV and travel the country!

I’m still modifying things as I go, but no break in work means I only do a little at a time.

I need to label everything with a label maker.

I need to add a pull out shelf for a workbench

still have to button up the ceiling panels and wires for the lights are hanging a little

Loaded up for a radiant tube heater install. Probably my favorite type of heat to install. Love boiler work, too

..

These yellow bins were from the old van, now moving everything to the blue bins

and those yellow bins were only half of what was in the van…

..

I just quickly put 1″ and 1/2″ marks on the top of the shelf above my brass nipples for quick reference

For my black iron nipples, i use a caddy, but brass aren’t used as much so i decided against using a caddy for them…

I want to put a permanent tape/ruler here in its place sometime…

..

Oh and I found this interesting: there’s no gas cap, you just push the gas nozzle in from the pump and pump away..

..

KnarlyCarl wrote:

2 minutes ago, KnarlyCarl said:

I’m in it completely now, still have a crate or two to sort through.. the old van is sold to a guy that wants to use it for a RV and travel the country!

 

I’m still modifying things as I go, but no break in work means I only do a little at a time.

I need to label everything with a label maker.

I need to add a pull out shelf for a workbench

still have to button up the ceiling panels and wires for the lights are hanging a little

 

Loaded up for a radiant tube heater install. Probably my favorite type of heat to install. Love boiler work, too

 

[External image (farm1.staticflickr.com), not copied]

..

 

 

 

 

These yellow bins were from the old van, now moving everything to the blue bins

and those yellow bins were only half of what was in the van…

 

[External image (farm1.staticflickr.com), not copied]

..

 

 

I just quickly put 1″ and 1/2″ marks on the top of the shelf above my brass nipples for quick reference

For my black iron nipples, i use a caddy, but brass aren’t used as much so i decided against using a caddy for them…

I want to put a permanent tape/ruler here in its place sometime…

[External image (farm1.staticflickr.com), not copied]

..

 

 

 

Oh and I found this interesting: there’s no gas cap, you just push the gas nozzle in from the pump and pump away..

[External image (farm1.staticflickr.com), not copied]

..

Can barely see the sawzall scars anymore.

Ford has moved to a capless fuel system at least in their newer vehicles.

KnarlyCarl wrote:

I’m in it completely now, still have a crate or two to sort through.. the old van is sold to a guy that wants to use it for a RV and travel the country!

 

I’m still modifying things as I go, but no break in work means I only do a little at a time.

I need to label everything with a label maker.

I need to add a pull out shelf for a workbench

still have to button up the ceiling panels and wires for the lights are hanging a little

 

Loaded up for a radiant tube heater install. Probably my favorite type of heat to install. Love boiler work, too

 

[External image (farm1.staticflickr.com), not copied] ..

 

 

 

 

These yellow bins were from the old van, now moving everything to the blue bins

and those yellow bins were only half of what was in the van…

 

[External image (farm1.staticflickr.com), not copied] ..

 

 

I just quickly put 1″ and 1/2″ marks on the top of the shelf above my brass nipples for quick reference

For my black iron nipples, i use a caddy, but brass aren’t used as much so i decided against using a caddy for them…

I want to put a permanent tape/ruler here in its place sometime…

[External image (farm1.staticflickr.com), not copied] ..

 

 

 

Oh and I found this interesting: there’s no gas cap, you just push the gas nozzle in from the pump and pump away..

[External image (farm1.staticflickr.com), not copied] ..

 

NicolasRamos wrote:

20 hours ago, NicolasRamos said:

Do you ever have the fuel door catch your jacket as you exit the vehicle.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

nope, must be a Texas thing LOL .. then again, it’s been less than a month in this so that could easily change.

Stercorarius wrote:

22 hours ago, Stercorarius said:

Can barely see the sawzall scars anymore.

Yes, didn’t even think of that til you mentioned it

KnarlyCarl wrote:

Yes, didn’t even think of that til you mentioned it

Getting this ladder mounted, then roof rack on top soon!

.

Lookin good man! I’m still waiting on my shelving to arrive. [emoji17]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Finally got some spare time squeezed in today for the roof rack…

Carried the surge with my new half packs, popped it on my belt, really grateful not having that extra 10oz pulling my pants down haha

.

.

KnarlyCarl wrote:

18 hours ago, KnarlyCarl said:

Finally got some spare time squeezed in today for the roof rack…

 

Carried the surge with my new half packs, popped it on my belt, really grateful not having that extra 10oz pulling my pants down haha

 

[External image (farm4.staticflickr.com), not copied]

 

.

[External image (farm1.staticflickr.com), not copied]

.

 

I know those slim packs really are the way to go.

KnarlyCarl wrote:

On ‎2‎/‎13‎/‎2017 at 7:59 PM, KnarlyCarl said:

Getting this ladder mounted, then roof rack on top soon!

[External image (farm3.staticflickr.com), not copied]

 

.

 1. My Great Grandpa was Basinger.

2. I saw a lot of brass. Do you use the many engineered plastic fittings?

Claeg wrote:

4 hours ago, Claeg said:

 1. My Great Grandpa was Basinger.

2. I saw a lot of brass. Do you use the many engineered plastic fittings?

That’s cool, where you from?

I don’t know what you mean by engineered plastic fittings?

I use a lot of pex-a fittings

KnarlyCarl wrote:

On ‎2‎/‎22‎/‎2017 at 8:07 PM, KnarlyCarl said:

That’s cool, where you from?

 

I don’t know what you mean by engineered plastic fittings?

I use a lot of pex-a fittings

[External image (s3.supplyhouse.com), not copied]This EP

 as opposed to…

[External image (s3.supplyhouse.com), not copied]

Claeg wrote:

8 hours ago, Claeg said:

[External image (s3.supplyhouse.com), not copied]This EP

 as opposed to…

[External image (s3.supplyhouse.com), not copied]

Gotcha, we use the plastic pex fittings all the time, but for threaded fittings, we use brass, of course.

Next thing you need for the van is hydraulics, a flame paint job, 20 in rims, and exhaust whistlers. Coolest work van in town.

Jronman wrote:

Next thing you need for the van is hydraulics, a flame paint job, 20 in rims, and exhaust whistlers. Coolest work van in town.

Jronman wrote:

6 hours ago, Jronman said:

Next thing you need for the van is hydraulics, a flame paint job, 20 in rims, and exhaust whistlers. Coolest work van in town.

Lol there’s a guy on Instagram that has a sick van, complete DeWalt color themed, crazy security system the whole works… 

Decked out with wheels, lights, etc

.

.