HowTo ·

The Backbone of Your Build: How to Secure Unistrut in Your Van

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

On today's edition of the blog we're talking about how to install Unistrut. We've found that Unistrut is the most effective, safe, and versatile way to mount cabinets directly into the van's superstructure while offering endless flexibility for future modifications.

We are excited to finally offer our pre-cut, powder-coated Unistrut kit as a mail-order product, but you can also source and cut it yourself using our provided measurements!

What is Unistrut? Why Use It?

Unistrut is a common standard in commercial construction, used by electrical contractors to hang conduit, junction boxes, and panels.

Feature Unistrut Traditional L-Track
Hardware Availability Excellent! Available locally at almost any hardware store across the country. Requires specialty fittings and specific ordering.
Adjustability Infinitely Adjustable. Hardware (strut nuts) can be twisted and locked anywhere along the channel. Indexed (fixed) every one inch.
Security Bolts directly into the van's steel superstructure, creating a rock-solid, secure foundation for all cabinetry. Primarily used for light-duty tie-downs and cargo.

The flexibility is unmatched. The hardware, called a strut nut, inserts into the track, twists to lock, and can be slid anywhere you need a tie-down point.

Our AVC Unistrut Kit

We've designed our kit specifically to bolt into the 8mm factory inserts on the Ford Transit. This ensures a highly secure connection that mounts your cabinets directly to the vehicle's frame.

  • Labeling: Each section is labeled for its location (e.g., R for Rear, F for Front). The label should face up on the driver's side and will face down on the passenger side.

  • End Caps: Our ceiling track has special pill-shaped cutouts that allow you to use our 3D-printed Unistrut End Caps to provide a clean, finished look where the track is exposed.

  • Wall Tracks: Wall tracks are dedicated solely to attaching cabinetry and will usually be covered by cabinets, so end caps are not required.

Step 1: Prep the Wall and Ceiling Holes

To install the Unistrut, you must expose the existing factory 8mm inserts.

🔩 Hardware Requirements

  • Walls: You will use 8mm hardware for the walls, which corresponds to the 8mm threaded inserts provided by Ford from the factory.

  • Ceiling: At AVC, we install 8mm rivnuts in our ceiling, allowing us to use one consistent hardware size (8mm) throughout the walls and ceiling. (If you installed your own rivnuts, make sure to use hardware that matches your thread pattern.)

✂️ Exposing the Inserts

We cut our wall kits only in the locations where Unistrut and cabinetry will be mounted, preserving the clean look everywhere else.

  1. Locate the Wall Inserts: The holes in the wall kit align perfectly with the factory 8mm inserts. Gently feel along the installed wall kit until you find the soft spot where the hole is located.

  2. Cut the Wall Kit: Use a sharp knife or utility blade to slice through the wall material to expose the 8mm insert beneath. You may need to slightly adjust your cut until the entire insert is accessible.

  3. Ceiling Prep: If you have our ceiling kit installed, you must slice open the material to expose the 8mm rivnut in the ceiling above.

Step 2: Install the Unistrut

Once your holes are exposed, the installation is straightforward.

  1. Orientation:

    • Driver's Side: The "R" or "F" label should face up.

    • Passenger Side: The "R" or "F" label will be upside down (same part used on both sides).

    • Pill Shapes: The upper, vertical pill shapes are for the upper mounting points, and the side-to-side pill shapes are for the lower section.

  2. Mounting the Track: Line up the Unistrut with the exposed 8mm inserts. Use your 8mm stainless bolts and washers to secure the track to the wall and ceiling. Tighten securely—this is the foundation for your cabinets.

  3. Finishing the Ceiling Track (Optional): On exposed sections (like the passenger side ceiling where no cabinet is installed), slide the end cap into the slot and secure it with a small screw.

Note: The screws go through the Unistrut slot, not through the cap itself.

With the Unistrut securely bolted into the van's superstructure, this install is complete! You now have a versatile, durable, and adjustable mounting system for all your cabinetry and accessories.

If you want Unistrut for your build, you can order our pre-cut, powder-coated kit from our store here.

Thanks for reading! We hope you found this helpful. We'll see you on the next project.

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