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8020 Van Build: Viewer Questions Answered by Pro Builder

Thrive Overland

48,745 views

I answer viewer questions on building a van using extruded aluminum (8020).
EXTRUDED ALUMINUM CABINET PLANS: https://thriveoverland.com/collection...
DIY Resources: https://thriveoverland.com/collection...
Van Build Sequence Spreadsheet: https://thriveoverland.com/products/v...
VanEssential Gear: https://thriveoverland.com/collection...

Products mentioned in this video:
Black metal screws: https://amzn.to/4ardjBC
Step drill bit: https://amzn.to/4awzHcT
VHB Tape: https://amzn.to/3VTLkWT
10 to 15 Series bracket: https://8020.net/4503.html
Extruded AluminumSupplier: https://tinyurl.com/24m52thp

Looking for a builder to help create your dream van? https://thriveoverland.com/pages/thri...

Watch these videos next:
8020 vs. Wood Van Construction: Van Cabinetry: Wood vs. 8020 (extruded alu...
Building upper cabinets using 8020: Pro Tips: Building Van Upper Cabinets Usin...

➳ FREEZE DRIED FOOD:
https://shop.wiseharvestfreezedriedfo...

➳ CONNECT WITH US:
Instagram: @thrive_overland
Collaborations: lisa@thriveoverland.com

PRODUCTS WE LOVE:
➳ BEST FREEZE DRIED FOOD ON THE PLANET: https://shop.wiseharvestfreezedriedfo...

➳ WHO WE ARE
We're Lisa & Jeff, the founders of Thrive Overland. During Covid we built our first van and fell in love with the creative process of designing and building. Now our team crafts luxury camper vans and truck campers, including conversions on vans our clients provide. In this video

#vanlife #vanconversion #vanbuild #freezedried

⏰ TIMECODES

Disclosures: All opinions are my own. Sponsors are acknowledged. Some links in the description are affiliate links that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

20 Comments

@rickbartley9255 2 years ago

Very generous of you to share freely what amounts to hours of valuable consultation. Thank you.

@adriandoyle2090 5 months ago

Really thankful for sharing your experience 👍🏻

@itzanopinion 2 years ago

Glad to know that there's another van builder other than Humble Road that use 8020 in their van builds!

@bgzwlz5119 2 years ago

I’m addicted to watching your amazing videos. Thanks again😊

@jeroenmoser3544 1 year ago

Sometimes you find these gems that anwer exactly the question you have! love that

@LukaJane 2 years ago

Your videos are super helpful. You stick to the topic and explain everything so clearly. I appreciate the fact that you don't include a lot of useless or extraneous information (I'm not a patient person lol). Thanks!

@FBall-im8ui 2 years ago

You instill confidence in your viewers to be bale to move forward in their builds, at least you did for me. It is becoming more and more clear, again Thank you, oh forget my last post I was having a mind fart!

@OttoMatieque 7 months ago

thanks for all the good info

@iliketofly904 2 years ago

This couldn't be more timely. Just got my delivery from T-Nutz. This will help immensly figuring out the fastening of the aluminum profiles. Big relief! Your last few 8020 videos are most valuable. Thank you so much!!

@TRabocse 2 years ago

Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge and experience 👏

@gordeng4001 2 years ago

Very useful knowledge! I hope to be using your know-how very soon. Thank you for sharing!

@butch8169 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing. 😀

@fredzuccarelli 2 years ago

Jeff ....your vans are looking more and more awesome!!!! Me, and my BMW motorcycle still have you in our sights for my build when I retire.....soon!!!! Freddy

@OneLeggedTarantula 1 year ago (edited)

You help DIY van builders, AND you freeze dry? gonna have to stop by and say hi :) Just bought a Harvest Right..

@ostwelt 2 years ago

Invaluable; every section and just about every sentence extreme useful.

Worth saying again, even as others have already noted, thank you very much for providing this all gratis. We could have all paid you for a consult, which I bet would be longer than just 30mins, whereas you have kindly given up the answers to very key questions.

Also much appreciate your use of adverbs; something that seems to be disappearing in the US! 🤣

@guitardoc99 2 years ago

Thank you once again for a very informative video. Would love to see you explain how you design drawer cabinets. Specifically, the sizing of drawer boxes to drawer fronts, alignment of fronts to boxes and how you attach to the fronts keeping everything lined up perfectly. Thanks!

@charlevoix418 2 years ago (edited)

That's funny, that toekick story: 30 years owning sailboats and surviving not having them... You are not in a house, you are in a van.

@PathNotTaken 1 year ago

VHB Tape (depending on which version) has a tensile strength of ~140PSI. Depending on the surface area, thickness of panel, etc its is likely much stronger than using screws. You can also use adhesion promoters for extra strength, and it comes in thin rolls too.

Great video, I've been considering how we will attach panelling to our 8020 cabinets. I'd like to go with thin material and have something removable for service, so likely will either bolt through the panel with visible screws like you showed or maybe even try dual lock.

@westonwright5665 2 years ago

Fantastic video, answers a lot of the questions I've been trying to find but no one seemed to mention it!

Just on the thermal bridging and screwing into the floor. What type of screw is best to use to limit thermal bridging (like zinc, stainless steel?) And do you still put a rubber/plastic washer in-between the floor wood batten and the aluminum, or does the wood stop the thermal bridging itself? Thankyou !

@Alexi-ze4qg 1 year ago

Awesome tips! Very much appreciated.
I'm curious how much of your interior planning includes passenger vs driver side weight distribution? Is that something that pro van builders worry about..or not so much? Thanks again!