Van Kits Posted April 29, 2021 Share Posted April 29, 2021 I was always afraid to make a mistake so I didn't want to use glue. I also didn't want to make new holes in the van. It took forever to make sure I only use the existing holes for rivnuts and still have the cedar planking ceiling I've been dreaming of. https://youtu.be/FeSpucwYLW0 sarah.thib, money_bagski, jrm223 and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zalienz Posted May 2, 2021 Share Posted May 2, 2021 Nice video, thank you for sharing. I'm not looking for a camper build, but I am considering a ceiling for my cargo van, primarily for looks and insulation. My van is black, and it gets very hot in the back in the summer. I really like the cedar roof, not only functional, but very good looking. Beautiful work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
higgisha Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 What exact tools did you use the install the rivnuts? I'm looking to do the same as I'd rather not drill more holes into the van leading to the potential for more rust. And how did you fasten the boards to the very front of the van, behind the seats? The headliner in the cargo style end there, I think I'll need to cut into/remove a bit of it in order to access holes that can be used for a rivnut. Any advice you have would be great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bvz2000 Posted September 10, 2021 Share Posted September 10, 2021 I used plus nuts (similar to rivnuts but they are bigger and a bit stronger) for my build. The tool I used was this: https://www.astrotools.com/product/13-plusnut-and-extra-long-rivet-nut-setter-kit-metric-sae/ Apparently this tool will also do rivnuts as well. You do not need this exact make and model, but look for something similar. Also, you should use the right nut for the job. If it is not a structural item, rivnuts are fine. But if you are trying to tie down heavier items (like a cabinet) then you should consider using plus nuts. Same idea as rivnuts but they are stronger and have a higher pull-out rating. One thing to note, however, is that plus nuts can wind up spinning in the hole you drill (or in the existing hole of your van if you are using an existing hole). This is because the sheet metal is often too thin for it to properly grab onto. Once that happens, it is almost impossible to fix without getting a power file and grinding the metal plus nut down to nothing and pounding it out again (ask me how I know... sigh). So if you are putting these into your van I would add a washer to "thicken" the sheet metal they are attaching to. Basically get a washer with the same sized hole as the plus nut and put that between the head of the nut and the sheet metal. That fixed the spinning issue for me. I don't think rivnuts are likely to have the same issue because they are rated for thinner sheet metal. Here is a description of plus nuts vs. rivnuts: https://www.pointsunknown.com/blog/2016/10/lessons-learned-rivnuts-vs-plusnuts/ How to install plus nuts: https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+install+plus+nuts&oq=how+to+install+plus+nuts&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i20i263i512j0i390l2.3095j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#kpvalbx=_bOw6YfO-Gp-d5OUPjoWN2As43 (Note, they are using a different tool. Trust me, if you are doing more than 4 or 5 it pays to get the more expensive tool I linked to above). Finally, if you over-tighten the plus nuts (and I suspect this also applies to rivnuts) then you might crush the threads. This is not hard to fix. (start by not over-tightening the nuts... but this takes a few until you get the hang of it). If you crush the plus nut threads just get a tap (a tool used to cut threads) that matches your plus nut (usually named something like 1/4-20) and run it through the nut to "reset" the threads. It might sound complicated but it is super easy. Tap's can be found at any hardware store. Good luck! Walbert 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Campervanman Posted July 27, 2022 Share Posted July 27, 2022 On 9/10/2021 at 1:31 AM, bvz2000 said: https://www.astrotools.com/product/13-plusnut-and-extra-long-rivet-nut-setter-kit-metric-sae/ Apparently this tool will also do rivnuts as well. You do not need this exact make and model, but look for something similar. There might be another tool out there that can set plus nuts, but I have not found another one. There are a lot of tools that will set rivnuts, but you need a tool with the extra long shanks like that Astro tool to do plus nuts. I don't know of any others that have that aside from that Astro tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.