Custom kitchen galley cabinet with Truck Fridge and Espar

[msewalson]

Figure I would share my recent build with the samba group.

To start off this was our old set up that I built in 2015. Overall it worked great but the down side for us was the big chest style fridge, not pictured. It took up way to much floor space.

I decide to go with a truck fridge which required a new cabinet be built. This also meant a new cook top would be needed. I went with a SMVE combo unit and sourced it from the UK. I purchased it off of eBay and was a little hesitant not knowing if I would need to pay a bunch of import fees. In the end I never had to and the total cost including shipping was much cheaper than purchasing it in the States.

Here’s a view of the cook top I used.

I also redid the floor too. I purchased a garage floor rubber off of Amazon and glued it to a 1/2” piece of Baltic Birch. The exposed end by the slider is built up to 3/4” and rounded over so I could wrap it with the rubber. The floor is secured using t nuts imbedded into the flooring and secured from the bottom through existing seat mounts.

I also installed an Espar B1LC under the Fridge. I sourced the unit from Esparparts.com. I went with the high altitude fuel pump since it will be used mostly at higher elevations. I used a mounting plate that I sourced from heatso.com that made installing it in the corrugated floor much easier.

Routing the intake and exhaust was pretty straight forward.

I did have trouble locating the needed brass fitting for running the fuel supply line. I ended up purchasing them off the internet.

Initially I had a little leak at the fuel pump but switched out a fitting to get it all tighten up.

I also added a 5 gal fresh water tank and GoWesty camper hook ups. I went with the water fill, 110V and solar plug. The 110v is only for a GFI plug that the fridge is plugged into. The solar plug is for our portable solar panel that I put out when at camp.

Overall I’m really happy with this setup but have a few things I would like to change.

Matt
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87 Syncro w/EJ22

[MsTaboo]

Nice setup, looks good. Great work!
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Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec

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[jimf909]

Super sweet!

Is the cooktop incorporated in the lid that covers the sink? Is it an induction type?

Edit: does the drying rack move to reveal the burner?
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- Jim

[Love My Westy]

I saw it at Syncro Solstice. What a nice van! Matt always does a great job.

[msewalson]

[msewalson]

[llilibel03]

Very clean work. Little details like wrapping the end of the floor make the difference.

I also like the rails to protect the drive shaft. What are the three balls? I was maybe something to do with sir suspension?

Again, compliments.
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87 syncro tintop
90 gl tin top
85 westy 2.0 tiico automatic (present)

[dobryan]

Matt is a craftsman for sure.
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[MsTaboo]

[llilibel03]

[Multiman mv]

Rock solid job! I’m a builder and cabinet maker and you can plainly see that you know what you’re doing. I like the choice of Baltic birch for the cabinets also. It’s a very clean look. Well thought out and executed. Congrats on a great build. The espar is one of my favorite additions to my van. It’s luxurious to be able to camp with a cabin heater. Again, great job!

[msewalson]

[msewalson]

[bjrogers86auto]

Really nice build!

Can you tell me what the pulls are you used? Always looking for options myself.

Thanks
Brian
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86 Vanagon GL Westfalia 2.1
18 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X
19 Honda Civic Hatchback

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[dobryan]

[msewalson]

[msewalson]

[Steve Arndt]

Can you post a link or part# for the water tank?

[msewalson]

[Steve Arndt]