A job that’s been on Iris’ todo list for a few years finally checked off. Carpet lined ply headliner for the cab to match the rear bed boards.
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Swing out bracket back from the powder coaters this week and all installed. Works a treat!
And the swing out in action! Lovely stuff. Hopefully get the cooker and heater plumbed in soon so I can use them.
A bit of fabrication this weekend for Iris. Made a swingout bracket for the cooker unit so we can cook standing outside the van. Just need to get it powder coated and fitted now.
**Ray Ley Products!**
I’ve been saying for some time now that I’d start making a few of the bits that went into Iris available for others to buy.
So here we have the first; curtain tie backs.
A pack of 8, made in black vinyl with a silver press stud measuring 10” x 1.5”. A nice contrast to a pair of bright curtains.
£27 including p&p.
Drop me a message if you’re interested in a set. I’ll be able to do other colours too if there’s interest.
Alpine stereo and front speakers fitted to the van after being sat in the garage for 18 months or so.
Broken in with some Creedence Clearwater!
Rear speakers to follow next month when funds allow.
I also made this year’s must have accessory; an Orla Kiely lined spare cable pouch for my clutch, accelerator and brake cable spares:
I’ve got this tucked behind the passenger seat now, much neater:
Rear bed cushion finished tonight. Put through quality control by Max and B and installed in the van. We’re ready for basic camping now!
After fitting the wrong hubcaps to the van I’ve now replaced them with a nice set of stainless steel caps that fit properly:
I got sent an extra one by mistake (ssh!) so fitted it to the front spare:
I’ve been continuing with the van interior over the last month or so. Fitted the rear 3 point belt:
And then started learning how to do upholstery. Lots of practice on cheap vinyl, trying all the seams and techniques I’ll need for the van:
And as a small project, which would provide good practice for the rear bed cushions, I made the dog a cushion for his box:
I made a few mistakes on this first cover so made another which came out much neater:
Good enough for the dog at least!
And then onto the door cards. I made a test piece for the rear hatch to get a better feel for running lots of pleats:
Then moved onto the real thing.
Cutting out the fabric (Schnauzer to hold the fabric still):
Marking out the pleats:
And following a few evenings of sewing and glueing, a complete set of door cards:
I fitted them today. Lovely Jubbly!
Not quite appreciating how dark it was getting we put the glue down for the floor about 7:15 and ended up putting the first batch of tiles on by iPhone and candle light (I couldn’t find any of my torches, suspect I left them down the workshop!). Not ideal but looked great:
Finished up the tiles Monday morning when the light was better, complete with 3 coats of polish by Max:
And then fitted the Rusty Lee Rock ‘n Roll ¾ width bed:
A productive weekend!
A long bank holiday weekend saw both the floor and bed go in.
After work Thursday I was supposed to be meeting a van and man at the local timber yard to deliver a sheet of marine ply, only to find the place shut at 4 (assume they clocked off early for the bank holiday). Feeling a bit deflated I drove home and remembered Sydenhams is right next to my office, so swung in. Convinced the ply wouldn’t fit in my van (hence the man and van being my original plan), however it slid right through the rear hatch with ease:
Onto Friday and Saturday and we got the closed cell underlay trimmed down and fitted:
Plywood cut to size, sanded and sealed:
One large piece to cover the majority of the floor:
Followed by two smaller pieces towards the rear:
To avoid flexing around the joint I fitted a strip of ply underneath the floor and screwed all 3 pieces to it:
Sunday saw the rest of the cargo area carpet go in.
Stripping the old quarter panels of carpet:
Fitting the new carpet:
And all panels and bulkhead carpeted:
