Van Conversion Guide

Base Build

Why Frame Your Van Interior?

Framing helps smooth out the natural curves, ribs, and awkward edges of a van’s interior, giving you clean, consistent lines to work with for lining your walls and ceiling. It sets the stage for a more professional finish and makes mounting cladding or cabinetry far easier down the line.

Even experienced DIYers can struggle with the raw shapes of a commercial van, so taking some time to give yourself an even canvas to work with makes a huge difference.

Material

9mm Marine Plywood

  • Bends well to fit curves (ideal for small vans like Hiaces)

  • Strong enough to support internal cladding and cabinetry

  • Can be used thinner than cheaper options, helping save headroom

  • 📐 Tip: 1220mm wide sheets work perfectly for walls/ceiling in a 2004–2018 Toyota Hiace

Framing walls

Achieving a consistant surface to fix your walls to.

Placement of Framing:

  • Space 5 vertical timber strips evenly along each wall

  • Keep spacing no more than 500mm apart

  • Fix each strip at three anchor points: top, middle, and bottom

  • Double-check strip alignment—each one should reach the same height to avoid dips or bulges in your cladding

✅ Consistency is key here. Keep strips as consitent with eachother as possible, even using packers where necessary to keep consistant, straight lines down the length of the van wall.

🪚 Framing the Van Interior

🧰 Fixing Ceiling Strips

Same method as the walls:

  • Sikaflex adhesive for strength and vibration dampening

  • Riv-Nuts or metal screws as your fasteners

  • Double-check alignment along the van’s length for a seamless finish

Young woman in casual wear, including a black sports bra, shorts, and slides, working inside an unfinished, stripped-down van with exposed metal walls. She is bent over with her hands on the van's ceiling, using a level and surrounded by tools and construction supplies.
Woman working on the interior of a van, standing inside it with both hands on the ceiling, surrounded by tools and construction materials.
A woman bending forward inside a van, working on the interior. The van's interior is stripped with some plywood and insulation panels. Tools are scattered on the metal floor of the van.

🔩 Securing the Timber Strips

You have two main fixing options:

  • Riv-Nuts (recommended for a pro-grade result)

  • Self-tapping metal screws (a common, simpler method)

In both cases:

  • Use a strong adhesive like Sikaflex between the timber and metal wall

  • Sikaflex helps absorb vibration and improves the longevity of your fixings

  • If using screws: place two screws per mounting point

  • If using bolts, use sikaflex or loctite to prevent loosening due to vibration

Framing the Ceiling: Extra Strength & Precision

Ceiling framing follows the same basic principles as wall framing, with a few added considerations due to gravity and load-bearing.

💪 Structural Requirements

  • Install at least 6 horizontal timber strips spaced evenly across the van’s ceiling

  • Fix each strip at 5 points along its length for added strength

  • Use 9mm marine ply or similar strong material to avoid sagging

Woman in black shorts and slide sandals working inside an empty van, reaching overhead with tools and a yellow measuring tape on the floor.
Person working inside the empty stripped-down interior of a van, holding onto the ceiling with one hand, wearing black shorts, a black sports bra, and striped slippers, with tools on the floor.

Strip Positioning on the Ceiling

Unlike wall strips, which can be placed wherever they make sense structurally:

  • Ceiling strips must be aligned with the van’s existing metal ribs

  • After removing all factory panels, you'll see 5 fixing positions per rib, consistent throughout the length of the van

  • Following these ribs ensures your ceiling cladding will sit evenly and securely

💡 Jake’s Tip: If you plan to mount heavy items to your ceiling later (like cabinets or lighting tracks), use wider or thicker strips where needed, and make sure they’re solidly fixed into metal ribs.

Watch my step by step walkthrough on how to install timber framing to your van conversion.