HowTo ·Dec 09, 2025

Finishing the Foundation: Installing AVC Step, Trim, and L-Track

Hey everybody, Matt here for AVC and welcome back to the blog!

On today's edition of AVC Chronicles we're showing you a crucial step to completing the flooring of your camper van: finishing the edges and adding crucial tie-down points by installing our AVC Step and Trim Kit and the specially designed L-Track from our friends over at Stayrede (thanks, Greg, for the great US-made L-Track!).

Let's get this floor fully locked down and ready for the build!

Part 1: Installing the AVC Step and Trim Kit

Our Step and Trim kit consists of five pieces designed for a seamless, finished look:

Component	Description & Key Feature
Replacement Step	Reduces the factory step area to a $\text{29-inch}$ opening. This provides a "happy medium" that extends available kitchen/cabinet space while still allowing comfortable shoulder-width access when the seat is back.
Front Trim	Runs along the front of the van. Features cutouts beneath the passenger seat for running wiring (e.g., Espar furnace) and an extra-thick cutout near the driver's seat for CCP (vehicle charging) wires. Pre-drilled holes ensure perfect screw spacing.
Z-Trim	Welded three-piece aluminum trim that goes over the top of the step. Features a unique angle at the back of the passenger door for a clean detail.
Rear Trim	Cut, welded, and bent in Colorado. Tall enough to perfectly hide and protect the soft, insulated edge of our subfloor system at the back of the van.
Spare Tire Drop Cap	A $\text{3D}$ -printed cap that covers the spare tire crank access. Features our Colorado logo and a small notch to use the Transit key for easy removal.

Installation Procedure

Prep and Dry Fit: Wipe down the floor and step areas with isopropyl alcohol (ISO). Dry-fit all the trim pieces to ensure everything aligns perfectly before applying adhesive.
Install the Step: Apply a few dots of a flexible adhesive/sealant (like $\text{740}$ UV or Silicone $\text{2}$ ) to the underside of the step. We glue the step instead of screwing it to avoid potential leak points and keep the finish clean. Press it firmly into place, ensuring the front lip hangs over your flooring edge.
Install the Z-Trim: Lock the Z-Trim into the back corner of the step and secure it with black screws. Ensure the trim is pressed tightly back into the step.
Install the Front Trim: Line up the mitered edge with the Z-Trim and screw the front trim down using the pre-drilled holes.
Install the Rear Trim: Place the rear trim at the back of the van and secure it with screws.
Install the Cap: Press-fit the $\text{3D}$ spare tire cap into the access hole, ensuring it locks into place.

Part 2: Installing the Stayrede L-Track

This L-Track is custom-designed for AVC to ensure the mounting holes miss the Ford Transit's hardened steel frame rails, simplifying installation.

L-Track Features

Length: $\text{46 inches}$ long.
Mounting: Designed to miss hardened steel sections.
End Caps: Includes two aluminum machined darts that fit perfectly and secure the ends of the L-Track.
Hardware: Kit includes $\frac{1}{4}\text{-20}$ stainless steel bolts, washers, and Nylock nuts.

Installation Procedure

Insert Shims: The $\text{L-Track}$ sits over an open channel in the floor. Insert a $\frac{1}{2}\text{-inch}$ shim (we used Baltic Birch) into this channel. This provides something for the end caps to screw into and prevents over-compression of the floor system.

Press Fit the L-Track: Insert the aluminum darts into the ends of the L-Track. Press fit the entire assembly into the floor channel. It should be a tight fit. Use a mallet to gently tap it down completely.

Match Drill Pilot Holes:
- Drill Stop: Since one of the front holes may sit over the extended gas tank, use a drill stop to ensure you don't drill too deep.
- Use a $\frac{1}{4}\text{-inch}$ drill bit to match-drill five pilot holes through the floor and the metal of the van.

Prime: Vacuum up the shavings and apply primer to all bare metal holes to prevent rust.

Bolt it Up (The Buddy System):
- Apply anti-seize to the $\frac{1}{4}\text{-20}$ stainless bolts to prevent galling.
- Drop the bolts through the L-Track.
- This step requires two people: one person inside with a Phillips #3 bit and one person underneath the van with a $\frac{7}{16}\text{-inch}$ wrench to install the washers and Nylock nuts.
- Communication is Key: Tighten slowly, coordinating with the person underneath, and do not over-tighten!

Secure the Ends: Once the main bolts are tight, use $\text{1-inch}$ black screws to screw the aluminum darts (end caps) into the wooden shims.

With the L-Track installed, this floor system is complete, durable, and ready to secure any cargo, cabinets, or seating you plan to build! We hope this helped, and thanks for reading!