Due to the popularity of this Van Conversion series, I am relocating it to a dedicated Van Conversion Channel! youtube.com/@mattsvan The Matt Estlea 2 Channel was originally for shitposting and used as a proving ground for ideas we have, without the risk of damaging the main channels (Matt Estlea) ranking in KZreads search algorythms. Ideally we'd like to continue using it for this purpose, but are concious of clogging up the feeds of people who only signed up for van related content. Hence the dedicated channel. It also means I can use the dedicated channel for travel vlogs and other van related content once the conversion is complete which sounds fun. Go subscribe!

Nice use of the laser level!

You will regret length for bed. About 25 years ago I modified an Ikea softwood loft bed to fit across her narrow bedroom. Had to take about 6" off it. Hoped she wouldn't grow much. She didn't and was able to sleep fully stretched out. Bed was fine and she loved Dad having 'made' it for her (other mods included how I hung desk under the bed). Very helpful showing the problem nut, thanks

You know five years ago I never thought I’d say this sentence, but I really like the way you softened the edges on your bespoke van bed slats.

Your particular brand of chaos (I'm going to do this super dangerous router bit thing because I can't wait for shipping oh no shipping on the t slot nuts!) is just... chefs kiss. I love it, keep it coming.

When is your new episode released? It’s a really good series and I’m really excited to watch the next one.

My grandad used to screw jam jars to shelving. What a nostalgic blast!!

Crazy glue on any edge of the plus nut spinners does the trick.

I am 5’ 11”, standard beds tend to be a little short for me even though I do curl up as a side sleeper… can’t imagine living with anything shorter than standard! But diagonally actually looks about as long as a single, so that would be what I’d be doing!

I have a micro camper and thought I wouldn't need a mattress my full length. I was definitely wrong and have since added an extra mattress at my feet that requires additional storage (at a premium), and a lot more folding of seats when preparing to sleep, but it was definitely necessary for me. I'd do some practice nights in there and be really honest with yourself if that is okay structurally for you! Otherwise you can now still consider a fold/slide out option to extend the bed lengthwise and change your sleeping orientation.

@mattydare

11 ай бұрын

I am in the process of building a weekend camper/festival van on a Crafter base and as such I am not fitting out with built in toilet/shower/kitchen, but FIRST and most important item - a comfortable bed. Surely if your build is for complete liveaboard (vanlife) then this is even more of a priority.

You can cut a lot of corners doing a similar build by going to IKEA and getting the skorva frame. Someone else posted a video of them hanging it with another IKEA thing for hanging cabinets called Metod, Sektion in US.

@Nobrainerist

2 ай бұрын

Ohh yeah the kitchen metal bracket, that's brilliant

Great problem solving with the supports! Glad it worked out for you. Looking forward to the next video!

A Rivnut that has been properly compressed shouldn't need any loctite, A little tip for those who do get a rotating Rivnut is, give it a tap with a centre punch at the point where the nut meets the metal, this will hold it in position while you tighten the bolt, an easier alternative to making a backplate for the Rivnut is simply to use an M8 washer behind the panel.

I’m a metal worker of 20 years and your fix for the riv nut is good but a quicker fix is just adhere a thick stainless washer to the back(assuming you have some lying around)

You’ll have to hang a drawing of a dovetail in there, just so you can say the van has dovetails! Now that’s bedded down, on with the rest 😁

So many useful types here!!

Brilliant craftsmanship.

Always enjoy your videos mate but you’re definitely going to regret that bed, change it while you still can lol

Looking great, also, did we see this months ago or am I going crazy? 😆 Maybe on insta I guess?

@zchrmills

11 ай бұрын

Yeah I thought we saw this video already too. I'm wondering if it was a mistake upload?

@woodfather

11 ай бұрын

@@zchrmills just realised this is his second channel, maybe there was a different video on the main that had some of the same footage. It was that broken rivet that triggered a memory for me lol

@zchrmills

11 ай бұрын

@@woodfather Ahh, same same!

I hear no mention of thermal bridge? That aluminium is in direct contact with the steel body. Condensation might be an issue? 14:48 I used ready made IKEA bedslats (other makes are available). If you wish to mount bed side to side there are (were) fibreglass pods available. Not cheap but an alternative to the fetal sleeping position

@aerobic247

11 ай бұрын

Agreed a thermal break like 5mm strip of foamex or something similar should sort that

@mattydare

11 ай бұрын

@@aerobic247 Screw wooden battens to van sides with sunken self tappers. Then rest the aluminium frame on the wood. No bridge 🤷‍♂ I'd probs recommend putting a 'bed' of silicone mastic under each joint area just incase something comes loose. Nothing worse than aluminium chafing against each other as you are driving or even everytime you move in bed. Squeeky squeeky

I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.

Prettiest bed slats I have ever seen.

Good morning! Great video. How did you manage to remove the aeronautical guides? Mine are with rivets and some kind of glue and I can't rip them off. Thank you!

Making my own bed slats for my daughters bed was one of the most painful processes I've ever gone through. Definitely just get an IKEA one and shorten it or something.

@DavesRabbitHole

10 ай бұрын

i think you can order generic bed slats online, may nedd fettling though....

How much was all that? you can get 2 single-bed roll-out slat packs ( from IKEA) and make your own brackets for under £50?

You're a true Brit Matt. 6mm thick by 3 orc4 inches😂

My favourite car Mercedes microbus with bed 🛌 ❤

I couldn’t really tell from the video but it looked like you used stainless steel bolts to fix the aluminium to the side of the van. This can corrode when becoming moist. Keep in mind that some materials can counteract with each-other resulting in the lesser quality material to erode away.

we love aluminum ❤

Looks great! Have you considered adding a rubber piece behind the angle to prevent squeaking? Not sure if it will squeak, but I can imagine it can

do not use the cast aluminum corners. They easily break. Drill the 45mm square bar through and use M8 or larger screws and bolts to attach them with the bracketing.

Where can I get a cute tiny little combination square like that?? 😲

Hi Matt. New here. Are you still working on the van?

What's the drumm and bass track used at the start?

Why didnt you just make them all M10 from the beginning? Also, get yourself a set of step drills and save a lot of drill swapping faff. Oh, and a deburring tool is much quicker and easier for deburring metal edges.

OK - so when you drilled the staggered holes n the aluminium you had your carpentry head on... its metal it has different characteristics. Although it's no issue. Using Loctite - you glued the fixing to the fresh paint you just applied that's all. So the joint is only as strong as the paint :)

@BlackKilt77

9 ай бұрын

Use epoxy paint.

hope all is good. Have you abondoned the project or are you just too busy to film/edit?

Re upload?

why didnt you just drill another hole close to the damaged one?

@alanb4789

11 ай бұрын

Nooooooo. The work of a savage. 😂

He's a bit too tall for that. I wonder if he tends to curl up a bit when he sleeps. /s

I doubt the locktite would do anything but if it does, you only ever need a tiny dab

You will get Condensation with the aluminium MAtt peace

How can a person 6ft tall sleep in a van sideways? Im sure Im not the only one 6ft, how do tall people sleep in a van with a bed like this?

if your built like a gorilla its possible to strip the threads on the tool first time you use it , sneak up on ""tight"" slowly, dont ask me how i know :-)

Not forst

Wrong project Matt. You should reconsider this again.

Riv nuts are not necessary, and there’s not enough width in a sprinter for the average adult male to sleep comfortably.

What a world we live in. Back in the days the fact that Matt curls up at night when he sleeps would be known only to his closest mates and women he was dating. Now 8 billion people could potentially know this fun fact.

great video, well crafted. i feel sorry for you though, at your height 6'1--1/2" 1870mm you rather need wall flares to sleep transverse on your Sprinter. If you do have a re-think on your bed - then please get in touch - i am searching for someone to collaborate to develop a Sprinter version of my vanbed design at www.versatilevanbed.com, i have prototyped it for transverse sleeping in Ducato with 1.95m available. But i could design it for longitudinal use in a Sprinter. Just looking for someone with a Sprinter to collaborate on that build.