Although all of the cabinet doors were installed and looking good, we had one area in the cabinetry that was left unfinished. The microwave space. For this quick project, we installed our convection microwave oven, securing it so it is safe for travel. Then, we built a surrounding trim piece
Cabinet Doors & Drawer Fronts: Part 2 - Ikea Hinges, Ikea Drawers, & Hardware
Last time, we built and began installing cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Today, we share how we finished installing the rest of the doors with IKEA Utrusta hinges, installed IKEA drawers, and put the finishing touch on with all of the handles.
For the upper cabinets in the kitchen, we
Cabinet Doors & Drawer Fronts: Part 1 - Prep, Hinge Testing, A Bit of Install
While building out the interior of the bus, we had chosen to wait on adding the cabinet doors and drawer fronts until we were closer to being finished. We knew that they would very likely become damaged while the bus was still a huge construction zone. Finally, the time had
A Simple Front Dash Area
Since the day we ripped off the old tan vinyl coverings from the dashboard and entry wall, we have been welcomed into the bus by chewed-up metal and aging defrost system. Last week, we shared the new defrost system, and today we finally get to share how we covered it
Defrost System - Part 2: Replacing with an Aftermarket System
After making the decision to completely replace the 57-year-old defrost system with an aftermarket system, it was time to begin the installation. There were quite a few pieces and parts to map out: hoses, adapters, pumps, valves, cables, vents, and more hoses. Of course, it was not a simple drop-in
Defrost System - Part 1: Refurbish or Replace?
It seems like dash areas are one of the last places bus converters address (if they ever do). We are certainly no exception there. Part of the reason was that we didn’t want to ding and scratch up a nice new finished area coming in and out of the
Convertible Couch, Table, Bed - Part 3: Putting It All Together & the Final Results
After making the second couch and the hinging arms last time, we moved onto making the tables and putting it all together. We also had to come up with a Plan B mid-project, because real-life does not always work like a SketchUp drawing. In the end, we made it work
Convertible Couch, Table, Bed - Part 2: Hinging Arms, Legs, & Bench Top
After finishing the first couch base last time, we moved onto figuring out the hinging arms (which also become table legs). We followed the measurements from our Sketchup design plans to cut and weld together the different pieces that make up the arms. We also made our own hinges using
Convertible Couch, Table, Bed - Part 1: Design, Plan, & Start
For the last few years, we have had this next project lingering in the back of our minds, waiting for inspiration to strike. What we didn’t know was how in the world we could actually make it work. What is it? A couch that is also a table that
Toyota Sienna Seats in an RV - Part 2: Redo with New Swivel Base & Sliders
Two years ago, we installed a Toyota Sienna seat in our bus for our passenger seat. At that time, we made a custom mounting bracket to fit the base from the previous seat. Well, the time finally came to replace the driver’s seat as well, but we desperately needed
Wire Chases & Plank Walls
After finishing the ceiling in the kitchen/living room and front cab, we were ready to tackle the walls. However, before we could begin planking the walls, we had to deal with all of the wires in our “wire chase” that runs the length of the bus on both sides
Charging the Bus Batteries with the House Batteries
Today, we are sharing a quick project that took one “To-Do” off our mental checklist. The original bus wiring had all the battery systems were wired together. The batteries would drain rapidly only lasting about 3 or 4 days. We got in the habit of always unplugging the batteries ... until
Ford Transit Van Seats for the Kids
When we decided to travel in a motorhome versus a truck and trailer, we knew that we would need to find the safest way for the kids to be seated. Of course, there would have to be seat belts. In addition, we have two children that are still in car