We introduced the Monthly Updates as a way to get back on track with our van conversion. We are indeed behind schedule and writing these updates is a good opportunity to take a step back, check our progress, organize our work, and keep it up! We also want to keep track of the work we do on this website, because we put a ton of work into it and it would be a bit unfair to judge of our productivity by monitoring the van only 😉 That being said, here is the November 2022 Update!
1- Threaded Inserts
(AN EXPERIMENTATION ON SPINOUT RESISTANCE)
Done
We used cross nuts exclusively to build our first van and had great success with them. But lurking on discussion groups, we noticed many people are struggling with “spinners” (that’s when a crossnut spins and it’s then impossible to torque/remove a bolt).
The “crossnut vs rivetnut” debate date from as far back as 2010 (this thread in the Sprinter forum) and is still very much alive (in ALL forums!) with bold claims on both sides. But how can we tell who’s right if those claims are not backed by data?
We decided to take an analytical approach and QUANTIFY spinout resistance torque and test a few “hacks” often mentioned in forums. That was a fun experiment, the results are in, and we learned a few things along the way!
We COMPLETELY reviewed and updated our guide on Crossnuts to reflect our findings and to make it even better in every way. We added a few wicked tools along the way, such as this “Threaded Insert Finder”:
Find Rivet Nut or Cross Nut by hole diameter:
Rivet Nut
Click to Buy | Hole Min. | Hole Max. | Grip Min. | Grip Max. |
---|---|---|---|---|
M4 x 0.70 | 6.00 | 6.18 | 0.45 | 1.52 |
M5 x 0.80 | 7.00 | 7.21 | 0.45 | 1.52 |
M6 x 1.00 | 9.00 | 9.27 | 0.45 | 2.28 |
M8 x 1.25 | 11.00 | 11.33 | 0.45 | 3.04 |
M10 x 1.50 | 13.00 | 13.39 | 0.45 | 3.04 |
Click to Buy | Hole Min. | Hole Max. | Grip Min. | Grip Max. |
---|---|---|---|---|
#8-32 | 0.236 | 0.243 | 0.018 | 0.060 |
#10-24 | 0.276 | 0.284 | 0.018 | 0.060 |
1/4-20 | 0.354 | 0.365 | 0.018 | 0.090 |
5/16-18 | 0.433 | 0.446 | 0.018 | 0.120 |
3/8-16 | 0.512 | 0.527 | 0.018 | 0.120 |
NOTE: Hole is slightly over the recommended max. diameter. It should work none the less, but adhesive such as CA glue (SuperGlue) or J-B Weld can be used at your convenience to prevent spinout.
NOTE: Hole is over the recommended max. diameter. Consider installing the insert with adhesive such as CA glue (SuperGlue) or J-B Weld to prevent spinout.
We couldn't find a River Nut for this hole diameter.
We couldn't find any Rivet Nut, because the hole diameter entered is out of range. Consider enlarging (drilling) the hole up to the next available size (mm).
Cross Nut
Click to Buy | Hole Min. | Hole Max. | Grip Min. | Grip Max. |
---|---|---|---|---|
M5 x 0.8 | 7.92 | 8.05 | 0.50 | 4.45 |
M6 x 1.00 | 9.80 | 9.93 | 0.50 | 7.10 |
M8 x 1.25 | 12.29 | 12.42 | 0.50 | 7.10 |
M10 x 1.50 | 14.27 | 14.45 | 0.50 | 7.10 |
Click to Buy | Hole Min. | Hole Max. | Grip Min. | Grip Max. |
---|---|---|---|---|
#10-32 | 0.312 | 0.317 | 0.020 | 0.175 |
1/4-20 | 0.386 | 0.391 | 0.020 | 0.280 |
5/16-18 | 0.484 | 0.489 | 0.020 | 0.280 |
3/8-16 | 0.562 | 0.569 | 0.020 | 0.280 |
NOTE: Hole is slightly over the recommended max. diameter. It should work none the less, but adhesive such as J-B Weld can be used at your convenience to prevent spinout.
NOTE: Hole is over the recommended max. diameter. Consider installing the insert with adhesive such as J-B Weld to prevent spinout.
We couldn't find a Cross Nut for this hole diameter.
We couldn't find any Cross Nut, because the hole diameter entered is out of range. Consider enlarging (drilling) the hole up to the next available size (mm).
NOTE: Hole is slightly undersized. You will have to tap with a hammer to make it fit (the pre-bulbed portion is slightly larger).
General Note: We recommend using a Tooth Lock Washer at all times with cross nuts to prevent spinout.
* Ensure that material thickness receiving the insert is within Grip Min. / Grip Max values.
We're very proud of how it came out, hope you like it too! Here is the new and updated guide:
2- Builder's Dashboard
Done
Building a new van is an opportunity to learn, improve our skills, and find new and more elegant solutions to the problems we face during the conversion. As such, we think we'll have MUCH MORE stuff to add to the Builder's Package as we progress.
But now that we want to add more stuff in the Builder's Package, we realized there was a limitation with how our digital downloads were managed. Anything NEW that would be added, would not be accessible to the people who got the package in the past. Not cool. So we had no other choice than to implement a new system. We'll spare you all the changes we had to make in the back end, but from now on, all the Builder's Package stuff will be accessible on the Builder's Dashboard:
We tried to make the transition to the new Builder's Dashboard as intuitive as possible, so we don't feel we need to explain anything... but we're open to your feedback/suggestions!
3- Lagun Table
In progress
We noticed people are fabricating B-Pillar brackets to install Lagun tables to the driver/passenger seats of the Ford Transit (see this thread on FordTransitUSAforum.com). We really dig this! We're getting ahead of ourselves, but we thought this would be a fun project to work on :)
All the brackets use the "standard" Lagun mount plate, but we really wanted to take advantage of the new "Sliver" (slim) mount plate that Lagun just released:
By using the "Sliver" (Slim) mount plate, we can reduce the footprint of the B-Pillar bracket by 2.325" which eliminates any clash with the seat:
Our goal is to make an aluminum bracket for our van (in the making at the time of writing these lines), but also to offer a DIY Template for people who want to make their own bracket out of hard plywood (3/8" or 1/2") and save a few bucks:
The DIY Template will be added to the Builder's Dashboard next month (sorry it's not ready just yet), and we will consider making more aluminum brackets if there is a demand for it!
4- Electrical System Guide
In progress
We're currently completely reviewing and updating our Electrical System Guide. That is by far our most complex and lengthy material on the website, and we don't want to cut corners. So it's taking some time... But our goal is to publish it next month in December!
5- Work hard, play harder
Winter is late up here in the Pacific Northwest, but there is fun to be had if you're at the right place at the right time...
6- Next Month Priorities
- Publish the new & updated Electrical System Guide.
- Finish the Lagun Table project:
- Publish the "How-To" in our Build Journal.
- Make the DIY Bracket Template (printable) available in the Builder's Dashboard.
- Receive & test the aluminum bracket.
- Spend quality time with Antoine's family visiting us for the Holidays!
- Thanks for reading! -
See you next month for the December 2022 update. Happy Holidays!
All van conversion updates: