Robert OB 33/48 Rigs

[Robert OB 33/48]

Ok, we didnt make it today. Rain made us really slow. So, the Bed frame is ready. We started on the Tent, but like I said, rain spoiled everything.
And the metal hose is beyond repair. Tomorrow morning first a call to the person who delivers the new one. If they make it in time. If not, there is a plan B. Even a plan C.

Worked again on the kitchen, which is mostly done now. Just wiring the 12V and that one is done as well.
So, with some luck, we get the Tent ready tomorrow. And the Van ready as well on tuesday. And if so, we are of on tuesday evening. If not, it will be wednessday.

here the few pictures of today.

Frederique does a good job making the Tent. Especiallly as she knows my standard. She is way better as I am.

Greetings from Robert

 

[Robert OB 33/48]

hello you all,

As we went to Bad Kissingen and I already put up some pictures there, I just will repeat some here as part of the build project. Which isnt over yet.
Ok, Tent is done, but needs some improvement. Little things. In basic everything worked fine, but we like it to be a little better.

As you can see it is ok now. We sleep with our heads in the Van and feet outside the van. Still underneath the Tailgate door.
The wooden board is been carried through a metal mount and two jacks from a VW LT. So, it can carry us without any problem.
I think, maybe I will change that into something else. But it works fine at the moment.

The rear cover is extra long, as if needed and we wont use the Tarp, it will be ok if it will rain unexpected.

The cotton flap at the back of the car, provides some disclosure of the back of the Van. Just keeping things out of sight.

The interior looks great, as far as I can say so. And we are done there.

Just little things for storage and were we put things is now the issue. But that we will manage if we did some little trips. Those things sort out themselves.

And so was our camp at Bad Kissingen.

For our trip to Morocco we will bring the trailer but not the Oztent. So, the trailer will have a different rack on top.

Last but not least, during the Show, but not at the show, I ordered a new suspecion kit with stronger and longer springs and better shocks. The shocks are from Koni which is a dutch company. Actually very famous as far as I know.
So, with some luck the arrive this week and I can fit them this weekend or early next week.
If all is ok, the car will be raised then by around 2 inches. Well, that is wishfull thinking. haha.

Ok, that is it for the moment.

Greetings from Robert

 

[Robert OB 33/48]

Hello folks,

Back again. And again some little work done this week.
First of all I made some Gas springs in the trailer, now the cover can be opened much easier.
Two handles make it even easier and your fingers wont get stuck.
Today I build a Battery case on the Trailer. For lights and a waterpump. In the future there will be a solar panel on it.

Tomorrow some paint and that is done. Wiring as well, but that is very simple.
There will be some LED lights on it. And a shower waterpump. Which is coming from china. so that will take a while.
More tomorrow.
Yesterday I made a little "kitchen sink" on the trailer. So, cooking and such will be more comfortable.

Well, it aint much, but it is ok for me.

And more to come Tomorrow.

 

[Wolvee]

I love that trailer!

 

[Robert OB 33/48]

Hello you all.

I just upgraded the trailer. It has now its own solar panel system. 80 watts. Plenty for lights, charging phones, tablets and laptops. And if needed a night having the fridge on it. Just have a look

Well tomorrow we will have a go and test it again.

Greetings from Robert

 

[SkipsTheRiot]

I've enjoyed watching your build Robert. It's given me plenty of ideas for my 2wd riot. Can't wait to see more.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Robert OB 33/48]

Hello again,

After all the builds, it is time to do some maintenance. As one of the minor things of a VW vanagon Van is the rust, I had to make some repairs again. This year just repairs, next year I will do some major panels swap.
Anyway, the van looks a bit poor at the moment.
As I had a flat tyre in the UK, I ordered new rims and tyres. They arrived and I cleaned up the rims

Then I took of the Spare Tyre rack and give that one a paint job as well.

And when you think just to remove a little rust, you will find more, much more as you wished.

So, doing sanding, fixing holes, weld in little pieces of metal and slowly the Rat look is getting better.
Still it will have its rat look from the outside, as that hopefully will prevent people from stealing it. hehehe.
So, I hope this weekend to paint the van, except for the roof.
If so, it looks much better again and next week we will do the roof and Roof rack. After that, its ready again.
Untill........ I find something new to work on.

See you around.

 

[Robert OB 33/48]

Ok, more work done.
The Van is almost ready to go on the road again.
Here are the results of this weekend.

The "new" rims but still without the tyres. They come tomorrow.

At last, the emblem number 48 is in place. Now both are set number 33 and number 48.

Good, almost done. The end is near.
This coming week we will do the following stuf;
1. Roof Rack complete paint and making more storage control connectors.
2. Rock slider repair. (two holes, dirt in it and then its ok again)
3. New side awning. Frederique will do that one.
4. Painting the roof itself.
5. Changing the rear tyres with the new ones. Then repaint the old steel rims.
Getting the Van and trailer ready to go out for a drive this weekend.

Greetings from Robert

 

[SLO Rob]

Very cool, Robert! Those are great mods to a very nice van...

 

[deeker]

Robert,
Do you put anything on the roof rack since the van has a pop-up roof? Just large tools (shovel, etc.) and an awning?

 

[Robert OB 33/48]

Hello Deeker,

Yes, in the front I have my sandladders and solar panel. But in the back, so behind the pop up roof I have space for three Plano cases.
Ik will make some pictures of it today. As I am packing the van and trailer anyway for our weekend trip along the border.

 

[Robert OB 33/48]

And as promised, the last updates of the van.
The new spare tyres.

So now I do have all tyres in the same size. And two spare ones. The only problem I had was that I had to deflate the tyres otherwise the ywould not fit on the rack.
Lucky I do have a compressor on board. So no problem.
And Deeker, here you can see one of our three Plano cases. That part of the Roof Rack is especially made to carry those three cases. Or something else. But those cases will fit perfectly.

And the High Lift is up ther as well.

Greetings from Robert

 

[Steve]

I know where you got your inspiration! "Number 5 is alive!"

But seriously, that's looking great, @Robert OB 33/48

 

[Robert OB 33/48]

Hello folks,

Half way there with the snorkel on the Van.
Just need to connect it. That I will do this afternoon as I need to clean the carburator as well.
And it looks not too bad I think.

Greetings from Robert

 

[Robert OB 33/48]

At this moment, the van is broken down. We came home from Morocco with no second gear. No starter motor, some lights gone, and a little oil leak and water leaking. But we made it home.
So I took the gearbox out and brought it to a gearbox specialist.
Damage is one main bearing, and a damaged crown wheel and pinion axle. Rebuild, and upgrade will be 1200 euro's.
And it looks so sad now.

I hope next week it will be ready, and we can rebuild the car.
I hope to be back on the road soon.

Greetings from Robert

 

[Robert OB 33/48]

Hello folks,

It has been a while, but at this moment Iam a bit busy with the build of a rear bumper for the Frontera.
Here is a photo report of my work until now.

I removed the old bumper.

And I found lots of wiring that wasnt good anymore.

Removed the old tyre carrier.

And put an old checker steel plate on top of it. Now I could start building.

I used a wheel hub to let the tyre carrier turn.

In the meantime the brackets made thicker and there was a hole in at the end.

My grilfriend cleaned up the trailer coupling and the chassis. So I could work on a nice clean area.
Then I started to close the bumper

And now the tyre carrier

And this is the status at the moment. Tomorrow I hope I can finish the build and get it painted.

 

[roamingtimber]

Nice work!

 

[Robert OB 33/48]

It has been done, this weekend it will be tested. If all is ok, I can paint it next week. And do those little beauty things I still have to do.
Then I will mount a LED flood light for the back, a rear view camera, and will make jerrycan holders for it as well.

Here is the result of two weeks of thinking, working, adjusting, making stupid mistakes, think how to solve them and finally finish it.

Will chance the location of the license plate as well. All will be done next week.

 

[Robert OB 33/48]

Ok guys,

Mechanically it has been done. Now I just need to wire up the LED Flood light, the license plate light and the rear view camera.
And then stage 2 will come. That will be the jerrycan holders.

This is the result.

I hope you all like it the way I like it.

Greetings from Robert

 

[roamingtimber]

That looks pretty good Robert! I like how it attaches to the roof as well as the bumper, I'm sure that adds good stability.