October was relatively productive. I knew going into the month that time would be limited — and I was right. My estimate of having around 12 hours available to work on the van ended up being pretty spot on. I made progress on several fronts, but didn’t quite finish everything I laid out in the October update.
I finally took the time to glue down the subfloor using Liquid Nails, which should hold strong long-term. There are a few uneven spots I may come back to with screws to level things out, but for now, it’s solid and functional.
I ran the cables from the roof-mounted solar panels (installed earlier in the year) into the van using a solar entry puck from DIYVan. Since I’m running the panels in parallel, I had to run all six wires (two per panel) through the puck instead of combining them on the roof.
This process was honestly a bit of a pain — I accidentally drilled into one of the structural beams (the one thing you’re not supposed to do). Thankfully, it’s a small hole and shouldn’t pose long-term issues. That said, it will make ceiling install trickier later on, since the wires exit right where the ceiling strip is planned. I’ll deal with that problem when I get to it.
I used the Starlink Mobility Mount I bought a few months ago, plus some new hardware, to secure the unit to the roof rack crossbars. The process went smoother than expected and feels pretty solid. I’ll double-check everything before hitting the road, but initial tests look good. The Starlink runs via a separately purchased USB-C cable.
I also installed multiple NMO mounts for antennas — some already fitted with antennas, others capped for future use. These were mounted using the same crossbar hardware as the Starlink, keeping everything uniform.
To route the cables inside, I used a 4-wire solar entry gland from DIYVan. This install went far better than my first attempt: I prepped the space, used a trash bag to catch debris, and had cleanup boxes inside and out. Highly recommend that method if you’re trying to avoid metal shavings in hard-to-reach spots.
I’ve started running 14AWG and 16AWG marine-grade wiring for key 12V components. So far:
2x 100W USB-C ports for the driver’s side
2x USB-C ports for the passenger side
Future runs planned for the Maxxfan and ceiling lighting
I might need to order more wire to complete everything, but overall this part is going smoothly.
Back in August, I said I was abandoning the idea of using crossnuts for furring strips. Well… I’ve changed my mind again. After trying other mounting methods, I realized the crossnuts are still the most reliable option for long-term stability.
I managed to install nearly all of them, minus a dozen or so for the upper sections. I ordered a different tool to help with the remaining installs.
Truthfully, the furring strips should not have taken 2+ months — this should be a 2–3 day job — but I really don’t want to mess this part up. These strips serve as the main support for walls, cabinets, and ceiling panels. I’ve already cut everything to size, so now it’s just a matter of drilling pilot holes and mounting them.
The Apex 300 is finally here — the same unit I mentioned in a previous update. I’ll be pairing it with the D1 DC expansion module and a few other accessories. I’m still working through the setup, but I’ll write a separate deep-dive post soon. For now, just know this will be the heart of the electrical system, at least for the next several months. I’ll wire everything in the van to remain compatible with a future upgrade to a full custom power system. From the small bit of testing I've done, everything seems to work really well (and the solar works!).
November won’t be any different in terms of availability — I’m estimating another ~12 hours of build time. Here’s what I’m hoping to get done (ambitious, I know):
Finish the furring strips
Install LVP flooring (already ordered)
Mount wall panels
Connect all wiring to a 12V fuse block powered by the Apex 300
We’ll see how much I actually get done, but things are starting to come together. Slowly but surely. Once December rolls around, I expect it a lot more progress due to the increased free time throughout the month.