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Metal Van Cabinets

December 28, 2020 by Ben Leave a Comment

Metal Van Wall Cabinets. Wall-mounted upper cabinet storage is a great way to add storage to a van. Having storage at eye level allows for easy viewing and ergonomic access to contents. Installing Metal Van Cabinets

Inspired by RB Components metal Wall Cabinets. We found a way to match the look and function without spending the exorbitant price. 

Keep reading to see how we install metal cabinets in our Ram Promaster Van…

Metal Van Wall Cabinets

We had been pondering for a while about how we were going to build upper cabinets in our van. We weighed up the options for building wood vs metal cabinets in the van. I really liked the idea of some type of pre-assembled cabinet that is easy to secure or remove when not needed.

Van Cabinet Design Criteria 

Let’s take a look at some of the design criteria we reviewed before making our cabinet selection.

  • Easily Removable 

Being able to haul is a huge benefit when keeping your rear bay open. In the event we needed to move a large amount of cargo, we needed the cabinets to come out with relative ease. 

  • Secure

When I say secure, I mean under lock and key. Having the ability to lock up your Van Cabinets is another way to slow down potential thieves. 

  • Modular / Easy To Add Or Remove Sections As Needed

Need more storage? Just add another cabinet section. Or vice versa. 

Metal Van Cabinets- Inspiration

We just love the look of these pre-made metal conversion van cabinets. If money was no object, we would be installing some of these. 

RB Components – Enclosed Cabinets 

RB Components offer an amazing selection of enclosed metal Van Cabinets. Galley cabinets with refrigerator. Tailored Sprinter Van models as well as wall cabinets and specialty options. Check out their gallery for a closer look at their clean-looking Van Cabinets.

Stack-On Pistol Security Cabinet

Browsing the Canadian Tire catalog I stumbled upon these Pistol Security Cabinets by Stack-On. 💡 The cabinets were being offered at a huge discount, almost half price. If the project doesn’t turn out, not too much is lost. Was it worth a go? I think so.Stack-On Pistol Security Cabinet

Now let’s take a look at how we install these metal cabinets in our van.

How To Install Metal Van Cabinets – How We Did It

The Tools

  • Battery Drill
  • Drill Bits
  • Socket Set
  • Greenlee Slug-Buster Knockout Punch 1 Inch

The Materials

  • Pistol Security Cabinets by Stack-On
  • ⅜” Bolts 
  • ⅜” Unistrut Channel Nuts

The How – Installing Our Metal Van Cabinets

This is not so much a How-To, but more of us showing you how we did it. You can do it the same way or draw inspiration from this post and make it better with your own ideas.

Step-1 Inspect and Measure

After getting the cabinets out of their packaging, we tossed around ideas to make the cabinets sit flush against the roof of the van. Instead, we decided to install at a more functional level with room for a shelf on top.Step-1 Inspect and Measure our new metal van cabinets

Step-2 Install Push Button Glove Box Latch

Initially, we thought using the key every time to unlock the cabinets would become a chore. To counter this we installed these push-button glove box latches.Step-2 Install Push Button Glove Box Latch

To give a professional install, we made the hole using a knockout punch. Turned out clean!Step-2 Install Push Button Glove Box Latch -2

Step-3 Make Template And Drill Mounting Holes

Ram Board works a treat for making templates. We have used it previously when installing our RIB Altair Seat. Step-3 Make Template And Drill Mounting Holes

Step-4 Install

The cabinets are fastened to unistrut channels place using unistrut channel nuts and ⅜ bolts. We shimmed out the bottom with some wood to make them “straight “ 😂 . Step-4 Install

Our Metal Van Cabinets are ✅ 

I think they turned out ok, in fact, they are actually very functional. It is a bit annoying if you forget to close the door and it clangs back and forth when you drive, but otherwise, they work well for our situation. Metal Van Cabinets

More Great Articles From Weekender Van Life

Interested In Some Of Our Other Van Interior Installations?

  • Van Kitchen Pod/ Prep Area
  • Van Fridge Sink Unit 
  • Webasto Van Heater Enclosure 

Good Ventilation Is The Key To Being Comfortable In Your Van

  • Campervan Ventilation – What You Need To Know
  • Van Roof Vent Selection Guide
  • Van Roof Vent Installation

Who Doesn’t Like Staying Nice And Warm? 

  • Gasoline Parking Heater Install
  • Van Heater Air Duct System – Update / Upgrade
  • Chinese (Webasto Copy) Parking Heater First Look
  • Parking Heater Maintenance

Thanks for reading, and remember to always take the road less traveled!

Weekender Van Life – Van Life Blog – weekendervanlife.com

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