Our van build

[loper]

Got more done! Built the fridge slider and stuck the fridge in. Still need to box in the front, but that depends on building the counter...everything seems to depend on everything else.
Got my 4X4 conversion scheduled for June...

 

[loper]

Another update:

Fridge cabinet/latches built.

Electrics run and wired in, except...I need more cable to make the battery cables (dammit!).

And now it's calico, working on the liner stuff paint job. Got the top (pain in the butt), front clip, and back doors done, and everything else scuffed waiting for weather.

Going to get hectic, I have lots of NG stuff this month and it's going to Oregon the 1st for the 4X swap.

 

[loper]

And it's not calico anymore!

 

[loper]

4x4, 4:88 gears, true tracks on both ends, sitting on 35s. Waiting to pick it up tomorrow after the rack, sliders, and ladder are installed.

More pictures and a better write up after we make the 400 mile trip home.

 

[loper]

So, here's the rack, etc. Drove it about 550 miles home, no problems.

Felt a little squirrely at first, but a tire pressure adjustment calmed it right down.

8500 pounds all in, right at 10' at the top of the rack.

 

[Michael]

So, here's the rack, etc. Drove it about 550 miles home, no problems.

Felt a little squirrely at first, but a tire pressure adjustment calmed it right down.

8500 pounds all in, right at 10' at the top of the rack.

That looks great! I did a caster correction to help my squirreliness after the lift. Helped a ton!

 

[loper]

Got to play in the desert a little, pretty happy with how everything behaves. Going to try some kind of off road trip pretty soon.

 

[OBB]

So, here's the rack, etc. Drove it about 550 miles home, no problems.

Felt a little squirrely at first, but a tire pressure adjustment calmed it right down.

8500 pounds all in, right at 10' at the top of the rack.

What an amazing rig. Congrats dude!

I was close to get an Ecoline and had planned to make a 4x4 conversation by Ujoint, but I missed the opportunity to purchase one I wanted by a couple of hours. Looked for so long that I gave up and went another route.

 

[loper]

What an amazing rig. Congrats dude!

I was close to get an Ecoline and had planned to make a 4x4 conversation by Ujoint, but I missed the opportunity to purchase one I wanted by a couple of hours. Looked for so long that I gave up and went another route.

Thanks! We looked for a few months and found exactly what we wanted to build on. From there it has just been a question of time, money, and work.

 

[Sparksalot]

Another update:

Fridge cabinet/latches built.

Electrics run and wired in, except...I need more cable to make the battery cables (dammit!).

And now it's calico, working on the liner stuff paint job. Got the top (pain in the butt), front clip, and back doors done, and everything else scuffed waiting for weather.

Going to get hectic, I have lots of NG stuff this month and it's going to Oregon the 1st for the 4X swap.

what did you use for the tan finish? Did you do it in the driveway or rig a spray booth?

 

[loper]

what did you use for the tan finish? Did you do it in the driveway or rig a spray booth?

Monstaliner bed liner-type paint. Did it in the driveway. The manufacturer's (monstaliner) website recommends rolling it on with textured rollers, more than spraying.
Monstaliner has a lot of color choices, pretty easy to work with, BUT: the fumes will wreck you (even outside) and of course the prep work is critical.

 

[Sparksalot]

Monstaliner bed liner-type paint. Did it in the driveway. The manufacturer's (monstaliner) website recommends rolling it on with textured rollers, more than spraying.
Monstaliner has a lot of color choices, pretty easy to work with, BUT: the fumes will wreck you (even outside) and of course the prep work is critical.

I’ve been thinking about Raptor liner. Same black and white scheme I have currently. I’ve been trying to determine how much I need.

 

[loper]

I’ve been thinking about Raptor liner. Same black and white scheme I have currently. I’ve been trying to determine how much I need.

Raptor liner's coverage guide says it covers 2 coats 20 to 30 square feet per liter, depending on how heavy you lay it down. I know raptor sprays well.

I measured the van all over and bought slightly more than monstaliner's coverage guide called for. I ended up with a LOT extra, so maybe drop your estimate a little.

 

[loper]

More work, Got the counter built, sink and burner plumbed and tested, built the drawers, insulation and backsplash up, and a couple of storage baskets screwed down on the top shelves.

 

[loper]

Made a little trip through Celebration, across the birds of prey area, to Swan Falls dam and out past Black's creek to another part of birds of prey.

 

[AbundanceNaught]

Just to prove we get out of the driveway once in a while, here's a camping picture before we got the top done.View attachment 167688

what netting is that over the rear doors?

 

[loper]

what netting is that over the rear doors?

Just a big square bug net. The bugs were really bad that time. Forgot where I got it.

 

[loper]

Haven't really made much progress over the winter, but we have gone out and played a little. Sort of confirming what we have so far works, and getting ideas for the next steps. Have taken a few pictures, though...

 

[loper]

Whipped up a shovel/axe mount and some bigger bump stops.

 

[Built By Fluffy]

Very nice build! Love the interior and the roof rack, you're makin me think my van could use one. Haven't seen many high tops w/ a roof rack