1979 Dodge MB400 cube van conversion

[samcrimm]

looking great love the pictures!

[Weldman]

You should look to using Google Sketchup very nice program the free trial version works enough for builds like ours.

[Pntyrmvr]

I've suddenly had a lot a free time on my hands.

Apparently someone drank too much Corona and now the world has a hangover.

Warm weather means I can comfortably work outside. Who buys a 40 year old van that won't fit in his garage?

I started at the back with the bed, table, and bench combination.

The wood is 5/4 white pine. I buy it kiln dried in 12" widths.

The bench across the back has a 51" removable center section so that we can use the "Cubicle" as a truck if needed.

[Pntyrmvr]

The bench also serves as seating for the fold down table that stows beneath the fold down queen bed.

[Pntyrmvr]

I priced out a 60" base cabinet for the cooking area.

Not happening! Besides the particle board construction wouldn't hold up to road vibes for long.

I picked up a $60, used buffet and hutch. Solid wood. The lower buffet section has central drawers, not doors so we can stow cookware easily. I'll build some kind of pin to link the drawers together and hold them closed during travel.

The end sections will house fresh water jugs and a grey water receiver.

I pulled a two burner cooktop and a sink from a 1982 Sportsmobile.

Cleaned them up. Wire wheel and spray paint for the cooktop. Photo shows a test fit. I'll put a faucet and a laminate countertop with an integral back splash once the world returns to normal. The left end upper drawer is now pinned in place. The right end one is cut down to half height. The center upper drawer lost 3 inches in width. The whole cabinet is set on block legs to prop it up to an acceptable counter height. The legs allow storage beneath for our dining shelter.

[Weldman]

Some N50 magnets will hold them closed.

[Pntyrmvr]

I like that magnet idea.

Up front I finished removing the remaining wall between the cab and the box.

Now we can get seats installed that recline and slide far enough back for good legroom.

[Pntyrmvr]

Rot repairs resumed. The front driver's side corner of the box this time. Bad design from day one.

The passenger side will likely need the same routine.

Luckily I still have enough material left over from earlier rot fixes that I don't have to go out for more bits and pieces.

Plus side is I'm getting better at not slicing through critical areas with the oscillating saw. And better at rot detection. I cut just past the last rusty fastener and that's where the rot usually ends.

[Pntyrmvr]

Might as well weld in the mount for the propane tank now while it's easy to get at.

That's as tucked up as it'll go while still being accessible for filling.

Hangs as low as the bottom of the muffler. We'll see.

The other optional position was forward of the rear bumper between the frame rails. That would impact the departure angle too much so it goes back of the cab under the front of the box.

[Pntyrmvr]

Trying to get materials to finish the rot repairs is getting tough.

Local lumber yard fully closed. Home Depot only taking online orders for pickup. None of their fasteners can be ordered online.

I have an order in for pickup tomorrow, but have no confirmation that it will actually happen.

Bought more beer today. Not much else left to do.

[Pntyrmvr]

Local lumber yard back open. Home Depot still has not sent email saying pickup is ready. So local yard got the gig.

Picked up material late afternoon. In the mean time put in another window.

It's an egress window. You flip the red latches and the window hinges at the top to allow escape from any zombies who have made it inside the van.

Or your wife's cooking.

[Pntyrmvr]

Got down to rot repair at the front of the box on the driver's side.

[Pntyrmvr]

Floor repair done same as rear areas.

Galvanized sheet metal on top of frame outriggers and rails, 1/8" plywood, 2x framing as needed, 1 1/2" foam between framing, and 1/2" plywood on top.

Lots of quality caulking below and plenty of construction adhesive within.

I used pressure treat lumber wherever I could. You never know when the rot or carpenter ants return.

[Weldman]

Originally Posted by Pntyrmvr

Floor repair done same as rear areas.

Galvanized sheet metal on top of frame outriggers and rails, 1/8" plywood, 2x framing as needed, 1 1/2" foam between framing, and 1/2" plywood on top.

Lots of quality caulking below and plenty of construction adhesive within.

I used pressure treat lumber wherever I could. You never know when the rot or carpenter ants return.

Yeah never know when outside invaders want to come knocking though you are knocking on adding extra weight more than usual to the rig so I would be careful. Nothing can stop wood from rotting when you don't know you have a leak and that usually what causes all the destruction.

[Pntyrmvr]

Too right. The upside for PT is nothing compared to years of rot and pest freedom.

So the passenger or curbside corner floor and lower wall are rotten as is the 2x2 that supports the box floor at the cab transition.

[Pntyrmvr]

More tomorrow as I work at less than 50°F.

[Weldman]

Originally Posted by Pntyrmvr

More tomorrow as I work at less than 50°F.

Less than 50°F hehe, been tweaking on mine and its been getting down to 0°F just haven't posted any pictures lately of wiring. You must be in a warm climate area that's not usually below 60°F.

Just take your time a Buddy heater helps and it will come together. Surprised you didn't erase the slate and started it over with all new rebuild.

[Pntyrmvr]

Southern Ontario is not my idea of tropical right now! I'm warm enough as long as I don't have a section of floor out. The wind here is crazy.

I'm too cheap to start from scratch and I'm enjoying the challenge of repairing the box without completely gutting it.

Yesterday I finally pulled the last rotten bits out of the box. The connection at the cab was FUBAR from the day this truck was built 41 years ago.

Night photo shows how thin the skin is.

Last photo is at cab/box joint where I'll replace the rotten 2x2 that runs across the front of the floor under the plywood.

[Pntyrmvr]

I finally cut the last rotten wood out of Cubicle yesterday.

Today I put in all new steel pan and wood. Lots of caulking and construction adhesive.

Done.

Now on to a million other items. First to get this thing cleared out of all the old, rotten bits.

Oh, Home Depot finally emailed my order for $200 of bits and pieces is ready. 7 days after I made it. Promise was 3 days max.

[Pntyrmvr]

Next step the propane tank was mounted. Lowest point higher than the muffler.