1993 Ford Club Wagon (Juanita born again)

[rvpopeye]

I'll admit to being an Ex-Spurt but not an expert!

No matter how much someone knows about a particular subject there is probably more to it that is not known or even seen until you reach a level that allows you to recognize the "next step of info".

This happened to me many times while trying to master the audio engineering trade .
Even with the help of 7 different trade mags a month. And accumulating an extensive library on all aspects.

Then there is the variable of new products changing everything !

 

[GotSmart]

There is no "easy" repair.  It involves lifting the top and cleaning off all the old sealant, A couple people with 2 X 4's and scrapers can usually get it done in a day. 

It is just time consuming.  

Doing a patch job means you run the risk of it continuing to leak.

 

[AbuelaLoca]

There is no "easy" repair.  It involves lifting the top and cleaning off all the old sealant, A couple people with 2 X 4's and scrapers can usually get it done in a day. 

It is just time consuming.  

Doing a patch job means you run the risk of it continuing to leak.

Well, I'm gonna basically do the patch job anyway. I bought the sealant stuff and once the weather is dry enough, I plan to use it all the way around the high top. There is a fiberglass repair shop down at the lake that I may take it to later (much later but before I take off for parts unknown) and have the outside glazed or sprayed or whatever they can do because it is 24 years old! So far, though, it is only leaking in one place on the passenger side over the rear wheel well.

 

[AbuelaLoca]

So today we started a little demolition! I'll admit it was fun tearing the yucky stuff out, but at the same time, seeing bare metal scared the s*%t out of me!!



Removed seat belts first because they were holding the headliner and the paneling on...



This is the paneling gone; scary!!



The wiring harness... another scary issue!!



And, finally, the rear A/C unit. I think this should probably go away. My son-in-law started to remove it, but freon started coming out, so he stopped. Hopefully, the shop I take it to will remove it for me!

 

[Charlotte's Web]

...started a little demolition!  I'll admit it was fun tearing the yucky stuff out, but...

 
You go girl! 
Just thinking "demolition" makes me nervous, but you've begun & I am with you all the way.
Always hoped demolition wasn't in my future, but I may not escape it.  Will be watching your
progress with great interest.

!Vaya!
Charlotte

 

[Headache]

I'm definitely going to be watching!

 

[AbuelaLoca]

dr_nelson just posted a link to these roof racks... Can anyone tell if these would go high enough for my high top? The price isn't terrible! The description says 56-77 inches... I'm guessing that's lateral and not vertical??

"[font=Arial, sans-serif]3 height settings allow for differences in roof design, Adjusts from 56 inch to 77 inch"[/font]

https://www.amazon.com/Pro-HTVANRK-...rd_wg=U40uV&psc=1&refRID=ADEMPDSSGJMV7K6CNPJB

[img=500x500]https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81-Ghv1jW8L._SL1500_.jpg[/img]

 

[Txjaybird]

I'd like to find some for my Safari.  I read the info on the amazon link and never saw the height adjusments mentioned.  I'll see what I can find on roof racks later today.  We have a "Sourthern Truck Outfitters" nearby.  They are the only ones that  I found for rain guards for my 25yr old Ranger ,so I will check with them.

   I'm watching you have all this fun with your van       Anything else goes wrong on mine I'm gonna take a long walk on a short pier   :huh:   No wait... I can't do that 'cuz I'd probably have a flat on the way there 

Jewellann

 

[AbuelaLoca]

   I'm watching you have all this fun with your van       Anything else goes wrong on mine I'm gonna take a long walk on a short pier   :huh:   No wait... I can't do that 'cuz I'd probably have a flat on the way there 

Jewellann

Having just begun, I have a feeling I am merely right behind you on that pier!! Definitely interested in what you find out regarding racks!!

 

[Queen]

You're doing great so far!  Very adventurous, and just enough caution to not be as stupid as I am about these things.  I'm a damned bull in a china shop when taking things apart.  I go in guns blazing and tear the hell out of things... only to realize later "hmm, I think I needed that".  

 

[AbuelaLoca]

Adventurous... yes, I need to keep that in mind! This is an adventure, and a journey, and it's okay if I'm accidentally a bull in a china shop! 

It's really kind of funny, though, because I would say something like "just pull that out, I don't need that" and one of the kids would say, "woah... hold up"! We tried to save the seat belts, but so many of the bolts were rusted into place that we had to cut a few loose. Some of the screws holding those metal strips that the wheelchair was strapped to, also have rusted screws that won't move... I said, just pry it out with a crow bar... my son-in-law said, "no, have the shop wd-40 them when they have it in the air!" LOL

AbuelaLoca, going where no man has gone... in this van, anyway!!!  

 

[AbuelaLoca]

I need to keep better track of what this is costing me, so I'm going to start with this post and add to it as I go!

Van - $900
State inspection - $12
License & tags - $122.61
Small tools - $21.57
Rags & cleaning stuff - $8.60
Seat belt sockets & plate screws - $30.25
Door cable repair kit - $24.95
Reflectix for windows - $16.09
Geocel for high top leak - $25.82
Bed - $104.17
Mattress - $98.95

Total so far: $1365

Called the shop today and I take her in tomorrow. They'll have her all week because they're busy... they also work on diesels, so pretty popular around here! The Man Upstairs has been on my side so far, so I'm praying his favor is still with me!!!

 

[highdesertranger]

very reasonable so far. highdesertranger

 

[Gunny]

It's nice to read about your progress. Moving right along you are.

Rob

 

[dr_nelson]

Throwing out a few links that I gathered during the "elicitation" phase. But I think I will go with mounting "L" aluminum angles or unistruts directly to the roof.

1) Ford Econoline Conversion Van 3 bar 1992-2014 Ladder Roof Racks Steel White Rack
These will fit over the high top, but a little pricey with $213
[img=336x251]http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/2KAAAOSwxYxUyRhc/s-l1600.jpg[/img]


2) Rage Powersports RBHD-3967 37-62' Adjustable Commercial Van Roof Cross Bars
Not high enough for the high top, but I was thinking maybe with some modification it could fit.
Price is attractive $90.-

[img=331x331]https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61iQoQ0XUSL._SL1000_.jpg[/img]



3) Vantech Aluminum H3 Rack 3 Bar System for a Ford Econoline 1992-On
Not high enough, but also an option for modification. But the price... hol-EE moly.
$417.-

[img=332x332]https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41zDxGiETjL.jpg[/img]



4) Pro-Series HTVANRK 500 lbs. Capacity Multi-Use Van Rack
The ones that you mentioned above, AbuelaLoca. They are not high enough, as per my research.
I also did not consider them for modification, as some of the reviews said the mount is a little on the "weak" side.
$80.-
[img=337x337]https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/713jgAg6svL._SL1500_.jpg[/img]

5) Roof Mount Gutter Van Ladder Rack Cross Bar 3 Bar Black Ladder Universal Steel
Steel racks. Not high enough either but it is a set of three.
$100.-
[img=396x396]http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/LjAAAOSwu1VW347L/s-l1600.jpg[/img]


6) Also, found this site. They have quite a few, but I did not do any further research, as I decided against the roof rack in order to better "hide" the solar panels.

I should have picked welding classes in high school.

 

[AbuelaLoca]

Wow... yeah, gonna be costly for the high top... might go suitcase to start just to avoid that!

I will be visiting a junkyard or two in the coming weeks, so I will keep an eye out for any at that time. I'll also scour craigslist. Now that I know what I need and what they cost new, I can probably find them used somewhere!!

Thanks for all the great info!!

 

[Almost There]

Talk to John about the new Renogy Eclipse panels before you buy a suitcase.

I had the 100 watt suitcase but it wasn't enough solar for me. I sold it and bought 2 - 100 Eclipse panels and hardwired in the solar controller so that's inside the van (rain doesn't bother me now...lol). The controller is wired to a connector on my rear bumper. I just plug in the cable to it and away we go!!

The 2 panels are lighter than 1 suitcase is and I can pack each of them into the van separately.

Yes, a little bit more on cost but I've been really, really impressed with the Eclipse panels in every way.

 

[AbuelaLoca]

^^^ Excellent information!! Thank you! The cost might still be less than panels plus that expensive roof rack!!!

 

[GotSmart]

Talk to John about the new Renogy Eclipse panels before you buy a suitcase.

I had the 100 watt suitcase but it wasn't enough solar for me. I sold it and bought 2 - 100 Eclipse panels and hardwired in the solar controller so that's inside the van (rain doesn't bother me now...lol). The controller is wired to a connector on my rear bumper. I just plug in the cable to it and away we go!!

The 2 panels are lighter than 1 suitcase is and I can pack each of them into the van separately.

Yes, a little bit more on cost but I've been really, really impressed with the Eclipse panels in every way.

We installed 3 on bLEEp's bus, and they were generating energy last night from the moon.  

Not much, but they were working by moonlight.

 

[rvpopeye]

PB Blaster for those rusted bolts .
WAY better than WD 40 !