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    Truck camper jacks

    I have never had a set but I they are promoted as easier to jack up and down than the manual type. I imagine it depends on the weight of your rig. Not sure what kind of maintenance you must do to them. If you already have them I wouldn't see any particular reason to change them out until they...
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    What else will I need for 2+ weeks on road

    If you can get your car rigged up to sleep in, you shouldn't need much. Some food, some water, a few clothes and toiletries. Make sure you have some extra cash for emergencies. Worst case scenario if it isn't working out for you after a couple days get a cheap motel and "regroup" I would...
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    Cooler tests - overland journal

    That topic has been hashed out here multiple times.   Cooler = lower up front costs, simple - best for == those starting out, those who don't need refrigeration all year due to climate (or not fulltiming) or those without the up front budget for fridge / solar system Fridge + Solar - up front...
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    Cooler tests - overland journal

    I guess they have now posted the cooler test online - or maybe it was there before and I didn't find it - just happened in to it today: http://expeditionportal.com/the-big-chill-overland-journals-cooler-test/
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    Cooler tests - overland journal

    I don't know where to post this.  Thought others might be interested?  Overland Journal did a test on a bunch of coolers in the fall 2015 issue - Yeti, a bunch of their knock off's and a couple 80 dollar ones from Wally World.  Filled with the same amount of ice, were in the sun half day and...
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    over 200k miles compresion test?

    If it were me - you know what they say about Opinions - I wouldn't be buying a vehicle with over 200K on it unless it had extensive service records that seemed, legitimate, and /or I was paying a very low price, hence an expensive repair which is likely at this age would make it worth while...
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    over 200k miles compresion test?

    On modern computer controlled engines if a cylinder was missing - even intermittently - the ODBC should pick it up and throw a code.  So if your compression was awful you should get a mis-fire code, along with a bunch of other emission codes.  This is the likely (but not guaranteed) scenario...
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    Pass through window

    That looks pretty sweet! The one in the video is an S10, so hopefully the opening on a full size is a little bigger? If you get one be sure to report back.
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    over 200k miles compresion test?

    The issue is not putting the plugs back in once they have come out cleanly. The issue is that if they have already been in there for 10 years they may be seized and take the threads with the plug or the plug can break and stay in the head if you pull them. If you don't know how long they have...
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    Van budget... How much?

    I think it would depend a lot on how many miles you plan to put on it each year. If your not going to drive a ton of miles each year, newer makes no sense. Probably 8 years old / 100K or just over seems to be the sweet spot. However I would agree rust free is well worth the effort. Most...
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    over 200k miles compresion test?

    Depending on the engine, I don't blame him one iota. 5.4L ford - plugs might be seized in.  Each one costs about 400 bucks dealer price to fix the stripped threads x 8. A lot of newer engines require the intake manifold to come out.  Can cause future air leak problems. A lot of newer engines...
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    over 200k miles compresion test?

    The whole xxxx mileage thing is really a misrepresentation of engine component wear. If I drove a engine at highway speed continually for 200K miles you would see hardly any internal wear. You might need timing chains, but that would be about it. If I drove the same thing for 100K in start...
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    Trying to understand my options with wheels and rims

    With AWD do you really need winter tires? The cost of rotating them and holding extra rims to me far outweighs any savings long term. If it were me, I would find a All Season with a good traction rating. They are rated by letter, AA, A, B, etc. Of course the rating is for wet roads, not...
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    over 200k miles compresion test?

    A compression test is never a bad idea, however if it has really bad compression the OBDII will usually throw a code. However you would need to check for codes and also that all the readiness monitors are all set - meaning the owner hasn't simply just reset the codes. A good ODB II tester will...
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    Van shopping...

    This is why new cars are so popular. Not all used car dealers are bad (however the "buy here - pay here" crowd usually should be avoided). Sometimes the corner lots are owned by someone just trying to make a living. Craigslist can work, but those often are dealers also (even if they don't...
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    YET ANOTHER "WHAT WOULD YOU PAY"

    I would hazard a guess that it needs more than a front end alignment. Its very likely out of alignment due to bad ball joints and tie rod ends on the front. Very common for those parts to be worn in these years. They didn't last long even when these vehicles were new. Having said that, those...
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    Vehicles I'm considering

    If I could only choose from that list I would choose the Prius. You can likely find a reasonably used one for under 12K, and it gets closer to 50MPG, which I assume is one of your key criterium. Many others already using it as a vehicle to live out of so its proven as useful for that purpose...
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    car inspection question

    Most states have a "must register in our state after 60 days" or some such law (unless your active military). So if pulled over, the sticker could start a conversation that ends up in some sort of ticket - for expired sticker, or not registering, or whatever. Each state and county wants their...
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    The Right Van: Reliabilty, MPG and Suspension

    Are you sure your not looking for a pickup truck? Get an 8 foot box with a raised roof topper - lots of 4x4 options, very reliable, slightly better mileage than a van typically, clearance and approach angles are generally better.
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    Truck camper without a truck bed?

    You could buy a truck service body and convert it - however I imagine a service body - new or used - is wildly expensive?
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