Hi guys!

I am getting a new van and will be fabricating my own van racking and shelving. I'm wondering what you would recommend for it? I was just going to get some cabinet grade plywood from lowes or HD but i cant help to think there may be something better suited for van racking, possibly something a bit lighter?

Shelves will be holding mostly systainers or boxes of wire

Thanks!!

I've had pretty good luck with the 3/4 AC plywood from my local lumberyard. I think it has something like 9 plies, which is more even than the cabinet plywood you'd find at the Big Box stores. Something like $50/4x8 sheet. To extend the material, I often will edge band with clear pine ripped to 1.25"x23/32". If I get a chance I'll post pics of my Sprinter.

I used both 1/2 and 3/4 AC in my enclosed trailer and I really liked how it turned out.

Hey Brendon
I used ac ply from Delaware County Supply which has more plys than what you can get at the box stores. The ac will handle moisture better than cabinet plywood. The cabinets nearest the door which take the brunt of the weather have held up well in spite of having no finish on them. I plan to put some finish on them this spring. In my last truck I used MDO which doesn't need finish, has no voids, and is very stable. The problem with MDO is it costs $75.00 a sheet for 3/4". Because I needed so many sheets of ply for my truck buildout I went with the ac. How are liking the jeep compared to the mini?
Curt

Per my admittedly limited knowledge of plywood grades, I thought AC refers to the face plys and doesn't have anything to do with a moisture rating. Is your AC an exterior grade? Seems like any moisture situations would dictate an exterior or marine grade plywood. Finishing would of course be helpful also.

Quote from: Paul G on February 01, 2014, 03:40 PM

Quote from: curt boyer on February 01, 2014, 02:21 PM

Hey Brendon
I used ac ply from Delaware County Supply which has more plys than what you can get at the box stores. The ac will handle moisture better than cabinet plywood. The cabinets nearest the door which take the brunt of the weather have held up well in spite of having no finish on them. I plan to put some finish on them this spring. In my last truck I used MDO which doesn't need finish, has no voids, and is very stable. The problem with MDO is it costs $75.00 a sheet for 3/4". Because I needed so many sheets of ply for my truck buildout I went with the ac. How are liking the jeep compared to the mini?
Curt

Per my admittedly limited knowledge of plywood grades, I thought AC refers to the face plys and doesn't have anything to do with a moisture rating. Is your AC an exterior grade? Seems like any moisture situations would dictate an exterior or marine grade plywood. Finishing would of course be helpful also.

AC plywood here has exterior glue.

I had given Bob a heads up on some ply I saw at Lowes.  Interior grade pre-primed.  Many plies - that's what made me notice it.  Less than $48 a sheet in 3/4 and $35 in 1/2.  The face veneer is thin from what I saw, but that might vary by batch or the back might be thinner.

Just a heads up.

Peter

I wish my lowes carried it. Peter, I'll meet you half way??  Haha

Nice van, Bob! Hmmmm, I wonder if I can fit that into my apartment?
I always buy formaldehyde-free ply.

Compared to having worked out of my pickup truck for the past 5 1/2 years, that van is an apartment for me!  If my love kicks me out, I have plenty of room to roll out a sleeping bag!

Might want make a small compartment for an aero bed bro...lord knows it's not an matter of if, but when (at least in my life!)


Can't wait to see the end result.  Don't let perfection be the enemy of good.  Beautiful van, I'm jealous.
Jon

Cab grade plywood from depot here. 3/4" for the uprights and longer shelves, 1/2" for everything else. And I used polyurethane glue to make sure it never comes apart.

It's definitely a strange looking nose but being inside doesn't feel at all like it looks outside. I really like being over the front wheels and the storage space is amazing!

Hey Brendon
I used ac ply from Delaware County Supply which has more plys than what you can get at the box stores. The ac will handle moisture better than cabinet plywood. The cabinets nearest the door which take the brunt of the weather have held up well in spite of having no finish on them. I plan to put some finish on them this spring. In my last truck I used MDO which doesn't need finish, has no voids, and is very stable. The problem with MDO is it costs $75.00 a sheet for 3/4". Because I needed so many sheets of ply for my truck buildout I went with the ac. How are liking the jeep compared to the mini?
Curt

Hey Man! hope all is well!!

I didnt think about the moisture factor of the van. Im going to be putting shelving on the two door sliding doors so on rainy days they will inevitably get some dampness on them, and the constant temperature swings and humidity is also a factor to think about. Ill be passing though bothwyn on my way over to west chester this week, ill stop in and see what they have. For such a tiny van im wondering if i should spend the extra few bucks for the MDO. sketching this out its looking like ill need 1 sheet of 3/4 and 2 sheets of 1/2". Ive never worked with MDO, does it cut and route the same as MDF? is it harder on blades/bits?

If you can believe it my jeep is considerably more fun to drive then the MINI was. something about haveing all the suspension travel it makes it alot of fun to drive on the road, going so much slower too It isnt without its quicks though, i just chock it up to "its a jeep thing" I got it pretty stripped, heated seats and hard top. When i take the top off and doors i dont want to sit in a 400 degree seat after its sat in the sun  I do really miss the gas millage though, with my mini it was hard to get under 31-32. This with winterblend gas i am lucky if im getting 16mpg  granted i opted for the 4:10 gears so my jeep revs a bit higher when its on the highway.

Thanks all for your suggestions!!

You might also check to see if the MDO is offered one sided.  The entire sheet has waterproof adhesives but just the "nice" on one side.  Here it is about $10 a sheet cheaper than good two sides.

Peter