290 replies to this topic

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

Really enjoying your build(s)! Quick question: what material are you using for the panel backing? 1/4” ply? I searched back through the thread but didn’t see a reference. Thanks in advance!

[DMWI]

Always look forward to the quality of your builds and posts. Thanks for the smugmug tip.
Questions if I may?
-Where do you source flanged and angled L-Track that is not pre-drilled and appears to be longer length than Amazon venders?
-Any ideas on mounting L-Track with isolation between van body to reduce heat and cold transfer? Maybe heavy mass vinyl or rigid plastic substrate, used full length, and drilled to fit around fastener heads so strength isn’t sacrificed. Countersinking backside of track could be skipped?
-If you plan to camp in cold weather would condensation and moisture absorption on materials like foam, wood and tweed be a concern?
-I like the 12v connector you did for fridge in last two builds. Have heard older computer monitor power cable has same Dometic style fridge connector so I can mod that and use original 12v cig cable in other vehicles-haven confirmed.
-Link to your preferred 12v snap-in plug-missed it?
-Do you have preferred 12v cig and USB charge outlets that are the higher output for phones, tablets, etc?
-Have you ever tested outlet outputs? Wondering if they really vary since the FWC supplied outlets seem slow to charge compared to outlets I added. 1.0-2.1 amp labeling on mine, no label on FWC.
-Do you have a preferred brand for crimp/adhesive/shrink connector?-amazon link didn’t work, all the others did (5-28-20) but as Amazon vendors change links may not work. Very handy now though!
-I’ll be interested to see if you’re using Sprinter stero or aftermarket. I’ve heard factory requires some work-arounds to add speakers per Ken-Tube posts. Factory speaker ARE poor for this caliber of vehicle.
-THANKS VERY MUCH! These posts are SO instructional and require a lot of your time. They've motivated me to try some mods in my own.

Edited by DMWI, 30 May 2020 - 12:57 PM.

[Hodakaguy]

Always look forward to the quality of your builds and posts. Thanks for the smugmug tip.
Questions if I may?
-Where do you source flanged and angled L-Track that is not pre-drilled and appears to be longer length than Amazon venders?
-Any ideas on mounting L-Track with isolation between van body to reduce heat and cold transfer? Maybe heavy mass vinyl or rigid plastic substrate, used full length, and drilled to fit around fastener heads so strength isn’t sacrificed. Countersinking backside of track could be skipped?
-If you plan to camp in cold weather would condensation and moisture absorption on materials like foam, wood and tweed be a concern?
-I like the 12v connector you did for fridge in last two builds. Have heard older computer monitor power cable has same Dometic style fridge connector so I can mod that and use original 12v cig cable in other vehicles-haven confirmed.
-Link to your preferred 12v snap-in plug-missed it?
-Do you have preferred 12v cig and USB charge outlets that are the higher output for phones, tablets, etc?
-Have you ever tested outlet outputs? Wondering if they really vary since the FWC supplied outlets seem slow to charge compared to outlets I added. 1.0-2.1 amp labeling on mine, no label on FWC.
-Do you have a preferred brand for crimp/adhesive/shrink connector?-amazon link didn’t work, all the others did (5-28-20) but as Amazon vendors change links may not work. Very handy now though!
-I’ll be interested to see if you’re using Sprinter stero or aftermarket. I’ve heard factory requires some work-arounds to add speakers per Ken-Tube posts. Factory speaker ARE poor for this caliber of vehicle.
-THANKS VERY MUCH! These posts are SO instructional and require a lot of your time. They've motivated me to try some mods in my own.

 

Late night tonight but I will be getting back to you shortly. 

 

Hodakaguy

[Hodakaguy]

Day started of with an Awesome thunder storm....and one of the most vibrant red sunrises I've ever seen.   This photo is straight out of camera.




More panel progress....

Drivers side lowers built and installed.....Nice!










This will be the power feed for our portable Dometic Refrigerator.




Time to get the forward ceiling panel wired back up with lights :-)  Mike did a bang up job on the new panel, it looks great!




Feeding the wiring on the Genuine Marinelights back through the panel.






And trim ring back in place.




Installing the 3 way switches










Getting ready to wire up the switches and lights....again lol.




Wiring up the lights to the switch.





Continued Below....

Edited by Hodakaguy, 31 May 2020 - 04:51 AM.

[Hodakaguy]

Continued from above...

 

I decided to use Flag style terminals (Available Here: CLICK HERE) this time around as the clearance behind the switch is limited with the insulation in place.



These style of crimp tools work good on Flag terminals




Some heat shrink added and the connection is ready to make up.






I also swapped out the ceiling wiring terminals over to Flag style for more clearance.




A flapper wheel made quick work on removing the sharp points sticking through the panel on the back side, don't need those wearing on wiring ect.






While I was prepping the Panel my buddy Mike at VanLab was trimming the B pillar plastic trim to fit with the new panels.  Had to take a little material off the bottom edge to get the pillar to sit flush with the thicker than OEM panels.  Fit's like a glove now!








Next up It's time to fabricate some tabs that will apply pressure to the back side of the ceiling panels and make sure they sit tight into the L-track.   Some 1/8" x 2" Aluminum flat bar should do the trick.




Cut and Drilled...ready to install.




Tabs Pop riveted into place.




Some foam tape added to the ends of the pressure tabs to make a snug fit on the back side of the panels.




Wiring attached to the 3 way switch, panel is ready to be installed.




Anchoring the panel into place with screws, these screws will be hidden by the Maxxfan trim rings.  Here I'm using a solder iron to seal the fabric where I'll be drilling the hole, sealing keeps the fabric from fraying over time.







Continued Below....

[Hodakaguy]

Continued from above...

 

Right on the money!






Now it's on to speaker installation and installing the power port for the fridge.

Here's the power port setup that I fabricated for the fridge power.  There is a Blue Sea Marine cigarette plug on the top (Available Here: CLICK HERE) and a PowerLet port on the bottom.  The PowerLet ports are great as they snap into place and won't vibrate loose going down rough roads etc.  I always install a Powerlet port on the end of the fridge power cable for reliability.  (Powerlet Ports Here: CLICK HERE)




Wired in and getting ready to screw into place.




I'm installing these JBL speakers in the new panels...they sound soooooo much better than the OEM units.




Speakers going in...






And installed.  The fit and finish of the panels are great!  If your looking for custom panels or cabinets Mike does great work!



 


The L-track stops short on the front for a tight fit against the B-pillar plastic.






Slider door panel curing and waiting to be installed.






With a severe thunder storm warning in effect and thunder not to far away we decided to call it a day and get both of our vans into the safety of Mike's shop for the night.  More progress tomorrow.






More to come....

Hodakaguy

 

 

 

[Hodakaguy]

Really enjoying your build(s)! Quick question: what material are you using for the panel backing? 1/4” ply? I searched back through the thread but didn’t see a reference. Thanks in advance!

5mm Ply.  :-)

 

Hodakaguy

[Hodakaguy]

Always look forward to the quality of your builds and posts. Thanks for the smugmug tip.
Questions if I may?
-Where do you source flanged and angled L-Track that is not pre-drilled and appears to be longer length than Amazon venders?
-Any ideas on mounting L-Track with isolation between van body to reduce heat and cold transfer? Maybe heavy mass vinyl or rigid plastic substrate, used full length, and drilled to fit around fastener heads so strength isn’t sacrificed. Countersinking backside of track could be skipped?
-If you plan to camp in cold weather would condensation and moisture absorption on materials like foam, wood and tweed be a concern?
-I like the 12v connector you did for fridge in last two builds. Have heard older computer monitor power cable has same Dometic style fridge connector so I can mod that and use original 12v cig cable in other vehicles-haven confirmed.
-Link to your preferred 12v snap-in plug-missed it?
-Do you have preferred 12v cig and USB charge outlets that are the higher output for phones, tablets, etc?
-Have you ever tested outlet outputs? Wondering if they really vary since the FWC supplied outlets seem slow to charge compared to outlets I added. 1.0-2.1 amp labeling on mine, no label on FWC.
-Do you have a preferred brand for crimp/adhesive/shrink connector?-amazon link didn’t work, all the others did (5-28-20) but as Amazon vendors change links may not work. Very handy now though!
-I’ll be interested to see if you’re using Sprinter stero or aftermarket. I’ve heard factory requires some work-arounds to add speakers per Ken-Tube posts. Factory speaker ARE poor for this caliber of vehicle.
-THANKS VERY MUCH! These posts are SO instructional and require a lot of your time. They've motivated me to try some mods in my own.

 

I got my L-track here:  CLICK HERE

 

Yeah you could easily place something between the L-track the metal as a heat barrier, just make sure that it's something solid so that the track doesn't flex.  I don't usually camp is super cold weather, I'll see if condensation is an issue.

 

Here's a link to the Powerlet Socket: CLICK HERE

And a link to the Powerlet Plug for the Fridge cord: CLICK HERE

 

For USB chargers my current favorite is a cig plug unit that is USB 3.0.  This will charge newer phones and tablets very quickly, 6A/36W: CLICK HERE

 

These Wirefly units work great and are reasonably priced: CLICK HERE

 

For now I'm running the factory stereo but I will eventually upgrade to something with Android Auto.  Ours is a passenger model so it has 6 speakers from the factory.

 

Thanks...I'll keep the posts coming.

 

Hodakaguy

[Hodakaguy]

Rear ceiling panel is in!....

Fabricating the rear tension strips.  These tabs will apply pressure to the bottom side of the ceiling panel and ensure a tight fit against the L-track.  












Installing lights and switches in the rear panel.  Using the solder gun again to melt the fabric where the screw holes are located, prevents the fabric from unraveling.




Installing the rubber bushings on the back side of the panel to protect the wires from chaffing






Wired Up.





 

Continued Below....

[Hodakaguy]

Continued from above....

 

Installing the tension tabs








Powered up...




Pinning the panel to the center braces.






These screws will be covered by the fans trim ring.




And installed.  The fit up is really good!
















These aluminum tabs are temporary supports for the panel to keep it from sagging, eventually the panel will be supported by the rear trim piece.  The tabs are held in place with VHB tape for now.




Couple shots with the Fisheye Lens.








More to come....

Hodakaguy