What Have You Done To Your Van Today?

Installed 69L Water Tank Under the Van Today – Not As Easy As It Should’ve Been! 😅

Fitted a 69L water tank under the van today. Would’ve been a straightforward job if not for a few surprises…

One of the mounting bracket holes was misdrilled at the factory, which caused a bit of a fight to get everything aligned properly.

The bigger issue was lifting the rear of the van to slide the tank in – my wooden jacks were way too bulky and didn’t fit anywhere useful. I remembered a forum post about good jack points, which helped a lot… but then came the problem: no jack in sight.

Called a mate – no luck. So I headed into the garage for a dig around and found a jacks in a box. At first I thought, "What’s this doing here?" and then it hit me – I’d bought it ages ago and totally forgot about it. Bonus! 😂

The tank’s sitting a bit low, and the two front-side mounting holes are squeezed into such a tight space that only a stubby impact drill could reach. Had to use a hand screwdriver, prying it against the frame just to get enough pressure for the TX screws to bite.

Anyone else always end up turning “easy installs” into unexpected missions? 😄

A few pics below!

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Installed 69L Water Tank Under the Van Today – Not As Easy As It Should’ve Been! 😅

Fitted a 69L water tank under the van today. Would’ve been a straightforward job if not for a few surprises…

One of the mounting bracket holes was misdrilled at the factory, which caused a bit of a fight to get everything aligned properly.

The bigger issue was lifting the rear of the van to slide the tank in – my wooden jacks were way too bulky and didn’t fit anywhere useful. I remembered a forum post about good jack points, which helped a lot… but then came the problem: no jack in sight.

Called a mate – no luck. So I headed into the garage for a dig around and found a jacks in a box. At first I thought, "What’s this doing here?" and then it hit me – I’d bought it ages ago and totally forgot about it. Bonus! 😂

The tank’s sitting a bit low, and the two front-side mounting holes are squeezed into such a tight space that only a stubby impact drill could reach. Had to use a hand screwdriver, prying it against the frame just to get enough pressure for the TX screws to bite.

Anyone else always end up turning “easy installs” into unexpected missions? 😄

A few pics below!

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Please do not do that Ice Cold in Alex thing when the support for the truck gives way when changing a wheel and the unlikely Hero gets under and holds the vehicle up while the others are frantically jacking it up! Believe me the beer is not worth it it is chilled Keg gassy beer not Real Ale!

Good idea for the water tank though!
 
well, they finally arrived last week!

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I did a full sound deadening of the doors (inner panels, outer door skins all covered in Dead'n, outer door skins also lined with 10mm thermo liner pro and the door cards lined with proper acoustic foam) a while ago.
That in itself was a incredible upgrade on its own. I thought I had installed a new stereo and speakers kind of improvement!

But having heard good things and wanting a bit more punch (not sure where to install a sub with my layout at the min but thats a challenge for another day), I took the plunge and bought the 8" Gladon appearance one kit from Jason and the team @Absolut5.

I finally got round to installing it at the weekend and WOW. the last time a stereo made hairs stand on end like this was when i bought an ipod dock in john lewis, testing various docks i got persuaded to pop it into a Bower & Wilkins "Zeplin" (If you know, you know) even though I made it very clear to the salesman i wouldn't be buying it as it was waaaay out of my budget. Needless to say the tune played and literally hairs stood up and there were tingles! The sale was made!

These Gladons..... Just WOW, its right up there with that feeling, I was like a kid in a sweet store after installing them, Really punchy, deep base, with fantastic mid and crystal clear top end. AND I haven't even got them driven by an amp yet!

Anyway im waffling moral of the story....

Firstly - If your debating new speakers, sort the deadening and insulation first, you will be blown away by the results!

Secondly - Really do consider the Gladon Appearance One kit (I got the 8" version), sounds incredible (and the tweeters look the nuts too!)!


Some pictures...>
TheBefore
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Original vs new
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After
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Is this the diamond pattern from VanStyle? Pleased with the fit? Cheers
Yes mate, it is. The fit seems spot on, but I was getting some billowing over 60mph despite (thinking) I had the lace done up nice and tight. Guessing I may just need to revisit it and do it again as a T4 passed me with what looked like an identical one and theirs was snug
 
Yes mate, it is. The fit seems spot on, but I was getting some billowing over 60mph despite (thinking) I had the lace done up nice and tight. Guessing I may just need to revisit it and do it again as a T4 passed me with what looked like an identical one and theirs was snug
Ye was same with mine after few days I redid and it’s much better
 
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