Van Build 2 – Nothing a Spatula Can’t Handle

My father-in-law volunteered to help me dig into stage one on our Ford Transit Van Build, and something that I proooobably should have done more than 1 day prior to our 3+ week long excursion around the country. I also think he only had a partial idea about what he was getting himself into… but… Continue reading Van Build 2 – Nothing a Spatula Can’t Handle

  • Author: Brad
  • December 12, 2021
Home  »  Ford Transit Van Build   »   Van Build 2 – Nothing a Spatula Can’t Handle
Ford Transit Van Build 2 - Thinsulate Insulation - Online Pilates Classes
Ford Transit Van Build 2 - Thinsulate Insulation - Online Pilates Classes

My father-in-law volunteered to help me dig into stage one on our Ford Transit Van Build, and something that I proooobably should have done more than 1 day prior to our 3+ week long excursion around the country. I also think he only had a partial idea about what he was getting himself into… but I’m grateful all the same.

Today we cleaned, primered, cleaned, sound proofed, cleaned… and insulated!

And this day wouldn’t even have happend if we hadn’t found Vanlife Outfitters who had the thinsulate that I was looking for and was able to ship it so that it arrived yesterday. We’re excited to actually stop by and meet them while we’re visiting Florida on our upcoming trip (pics to come!)

It was a solid 10 hour day that started with a hunt for those hard-to-find push pin pliers that help you disassemble car doors without destrying the plastic pins that hold the doors together.

Cleaning, Fixing, Primer…ing

Then it was time to clean the van, prepping for the primer. I only primered the nicks and scrates that RBG incurred over the past year of transporting everything from cactai to Cadillacs… fortunately it wasn’t too much.

ford transit van build 2 clean 2 online pilates classes
Almost feels like when we rolled RBG off the lot!

Sound Proofing

Next up was sound proofing. Two boxes of Kilmat sound proofing showed up a few days ago and went pretty thoroughly on the wheel wells and found other spaces that would make sense where we could cut down on road noise from vibrating side panels, especially the wheel wells. I fully anticipate being able to have a conversation with Lesley without shouting at each other now.

ford transit van build 2 sound proofing 1 online pilates classes
Mike rolling a Kilmat pad onto the van
ford transit van build 2 sound proofing 2 online pilates classes
Mike hunting for Kilmat pads to roll out

Some of the spots were difficult to get the roller into…

ford transit van build 2 sound proofing 3 spatula online pilates classes
Nothing that a spatula can’t handle

Insulating

After stopping to briefly admire the transformation, we moved on to measuring, measuring, measuring, and cutting the thinsulate. We attached it to the walls, ceiling, doors, and roof (above the bucket seats) with a spray adhesive. Eventually we realized that if we made a measuring mistake we could just cut the piece down and stuff it into the myriad nooks and crannies.

ford transit van build 2 thinsulate insulation 1 online pilates classes
First piece of thinsulate in place!

When we get back I’ll keep going with the insulation, as we did not disassemble any of the doors (6 of them!) I’d also like another shot at the space above the seats as well, as there is plenty more room in there to put any of the exta thinsulate we don’t use in the doors.

ford transit van build 2 thinsulate insulation 2 online pilates classes
Starting to get warm in here… (I keep telling myself)

If you’re wondering why we didn’t plaster the van from top to bottom with insulation, it’s because of this blog post by Isabelle and Antoine at FarOutRide.com where they talk about heat transfer, thermal bridges, and other fancy science stuff that really made me think before we got started.

ford transit van build 2 thinsulate insulation 3 online pilates classes
Primered, sound-proofed and thinsulated!

See You On Tour!

I’m really excite to see how quiet RGB is going to be even with only this portion of phose 1 finished. And, with insulation, rugs on the floor, a bootload of blankets, and three dogs, Lesley and I fully expect to be warmer that our last cross country drive.

We leave tomorrow for our annual winter tour. Wish us luck and see you there!

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2 comments

  1. Wow, what amazing progress you made…thanks dad! Lol. I think this is so cool and plan to follow your progress. My best friend has been looking for the perfect van to convert and I’m thinking this just might be my retirement plan too. Small enough to drive everywhere, but big enough to move around and stand up! Happy and safe travels!

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SUCH A TEASE

ONLINE MAT & REFORMER PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Teaser is probably one of the most photographed exercises in Pilates. Which makes people think it's a "peak pose." But, it's anything but! It's simply another layer to your Pilates practice. This week we will acknowledge how each exercise contributes to your ability to do Teaser (someday) and then how Teaser teaches you where to get curious in your practice.

On the Mat we will use light weights for one round of Teaser as they can be helpful for those still adding into their practice.
No props on the Reformer.

See you in class,

xx~LL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, light weights and a Mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a Reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

UP, UP, & AWAY

ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

We are all going to feel like Super Humans after this month!!

Whenever I’m in a hard exercise (for me) where I’m holding myself up with my arms and reaching my legs away I picture myself with super human strength!!! I can do ANYTHING! It makes me smile and helps me stay STRONG.

This month our exercise is Up Stretch and when you think about it - reaching your legs away and staying strong over the carriage may feel a lot like flying!

We’ll be focusing on stabilizing our strong cores while staying equally balanced in our arms and legs. We are giving you some amazing building blocks by merging strength and stretch in all directions. You are going to get a little bit of everything that you can use to connect to your Up Stretch (and even your Roll Up and Knee Stretches Off).

Chair: Please have a foam roller and a balance pad available. We are going to challenge your balance safely.

xx-LL

THE CALM BETWEEN THE STORMS

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

What Storms you ask? Well, Thanksgiving (USA) just happened and we’re kicking off the big Holiday Season right away. Let’s use this week’s Mat & Reformer classes to connect to our breath, center from the powerhouse, and find a little calm.

On the Reformer, we’ll be working to make Running more than that exercise you do to stretch your calves. And on the Mat well alter some of our traditional breathing patterns for a calming challenge!

You won’t need any special props, just your fabulous, Deep-Breathing selves!

See you in class,

Tami

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a theraband and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

THE BOSS

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

In the states its the week of Thanksgiving which means a lot of things to do and little time for you. And whether you live in the states or not I wanted to give everyone an excuse to leave any room so they can "meet with the boss" aka take class!

And you are the boss! The meeting is with you, your practice and OPC! Tell people The Boss called. They'll let you go and they'll totally understand that 30 min is a legit time to talk to The Boss.

The prop needed on the Mat: Pillows or a bolster or ball. I'm thinking about things you might have in any bedroom to take a call.

Reformer: if you happen to have access to a Reformer this week YAY! The Reformer is going to be the boss. The sounds it makes, the way it feels, its got feedback for ya!

See ya in class,

xx~LL 💋

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, pillows or a bolster or ball and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

TINSEL AND TEASERS

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

This week we’ll focus on Teaser because we can! It’s hard! And when in need a pretty great party trick.

The end of the year brings lots of parties you want to go to, some you have to go to and some you wish you could get out of.

Let this workout be and excuse for not going to a party or as a prep for the party trick you might just need!

Props: On the Mat and Reformer a theraband for your Tinsel!

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a theraband and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, a theraband and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

SLEIGH THE DAY

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Sleigh or Slay? This time of year we say both!

Reflecting on the year and recognizing all of the work we put into our practice hopefully feels like we slayed the year!! Now we are getting ready for the holidays and heading into a new year so we can sleigh and get it done!

This week I want you to feel like you can do your very best with each exercise! Meet your body where it is, have fun and dont judge how it goes! There are always those exercises you aren’t sure about, but today you just have to go into it saying, I WILL SLEIGH this one! Lets do this!!

No props needed for these classes!

See you in class,

Mindi

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

HORSES HORSES HORSES

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

If you are a lover of the Reformer chances are you have little love for the Horseback. I don't blame you. It's not that fun. If you're on the Mat you probably have no idea what this means…

And that's ok! Horseback is like a seated Teaser but harder!

On both the Mat and Reformer we will be playing with how to connect to this exercise, prepare for it and find a Horse that works for us!

Props: Mat, have light weights nearby

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, have light weights nearby and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

JINGLE BELL ROCK

Online Mat, Reformer, Cadillac & Wunda Chair Pilates Class Descriptions:

There are some Rocking Moves in Pilates! This whole month we’ll be getting our Jingle On as we use each piece of equipment to prepare for and expand on those rolling & rocking postures. Bring that holiday spirit, let's rock!

Mat - no props needed
Reformer - Reformer Box and Pole
Cadillac - no props needed
Chair - no props needed

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋

Super STAR

ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Did you know that a Superstar has definitions surrounding it that call out words like “prime attraction”, “prominent”, and “public appeal”?

I’m laughing as I write this description because this month’s theme is about the exercise STAR and I think these words are usually disassociated with that exercise! LOL!!!

If you hate doing Star, never wanted to try Star, or have no idea what Star is - these workouts are for YOU!!
If you love Star - I’d love to know why, but also - these workouts are for YOU!!

Throughout the Pilates method there aren’t many exercises where the side body is the main attraction, which is interesting because we need to use our side body to do some of the first exercises we learn. Rolling exercises, Roll Up, and Push Up/Planking - all need to call on your side body muscles to help you do the exercises.

Our focus this month is side body work to help you not only be a SuperSTAR and try STAR, but to help you connect to these muscles to do all the other exercises.

Let’s have FUN this month and forget about the stigma STAR may or may not have :)

Equipment needed:

Reformer = the box

Cadillac = no props needed!

Chair = no props needed, but you might want a yoga block to prop up your pedal

Mat = no props needed!

See ya in class,

xx-LL 💋