repurposing bench brackets

This is a milk crate full of metal brackets and hardware that was holding in the CWV's benches. I've been meaning to weight it because it is HEAVY!

These are screen grabs from a video of SBF sawing on metal to repurpose some of the bench brackets to use as spacers for one of the back seats. He needed something to level out the other side of the seat where he welded those plates to attach it to the van. It's a little complicated sounding, but I'm sure it'll all make sense when we see the finished product. 

The benches

The benches are what my SBF was most excited to GET RID OF. And I must say, removing them created a lot of space and really made it so you can see all the POTENTIAL. Like how a big ol' mattress would fit. And where the fridge will go. The important things.

When my big kid drove the CWV she said she felt like she was driving a bus. Y'all that's because it really does look bus-ish. The CWV with all her benches in place:

The CWV with all her benches GONE!

Sister van getting loaded with benches ... For some reason someone already took all of her old ones.

Sister Van is crammed full with benches now! If you're looking for rows of benches for really short people, THIS IS THE PLACE.

junk yard trip #1

Tuesday night SBF went to a junk yard after seeing an ad on Craigslist for a similar van with big front SEATS for sale! WHAT?! He took the seats out -- the plan is to remove the benches from the CWV and put in two more normal seats so we can all ride in style and comfort and SAFETY. He also scored an owner's manual and a big ol' hitch that he is going to bolt onto the back. We need the hitch for the bikes, of course. This was on the priority list so it's a super sweet find. I wish I could have gone to document ... next time!