Arathi's 1978 Vandura

[Guest]

This isn't a conversion, but it's home, and I didn't see a "Show us your ride" thread, so I'll post here with the other homes. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>Here it is, my baby.<br>

<br>Not exactly "stealth" as so many here seem to want/have, but I have never had an issue.<br><br>This is the inside of my home from the front seat<BR>

<br>Still looking back:<BR>

<br>My counter, with laptop<br>

<br>My bed. It pulls out into a double, and is quite comfy with two people on it<BR>

<br>My closet which only hold six shirts well, and more if I cram. The drawers, I bought at Walmart. The top three are for clothes, and the bottom three are for food. The bucket behind with the mesh bag is my laundry basket.<BR>

<br>The front of the van from the back. As you can see, I use the top bunk for storage.<BR>

<br>I bought this magnetic rack from a home supply shop<BR>

<br>Range and furnace<BR>

<br>Storage under the bed<BR>

<br>Pots and pans cupboards<BR>

<br>A sink, with hand pump. I have a cover here as well, and that's where my laptop sits.<BR>

<br>A little modification I made so that I don't have to connect my phone and inverter into the front cigarette lighter. My phone is my alarm clock so having it up front is annoying<BR>

<br>One of my trickle charger solar panels wired into the deep cycle battery<BR>

<br>Hope you liked my home! I know it's not a conversion, and it certainly isn't stealth, but I have never had an issue, and I've slept all over the city.<br>

 

[Guest]

<P>Very cool sig! Thanks!!</P>

 

[4x4tour]

It looks very comfy...&nbsp; I love the magnetic knife array.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>A.J. <br>

 

[4x4tour]

Houston, we have a problem... <BR><BR>You HAVE to relocate that spare tire to the back.&nbsp; That tire is blocking 50% of the radiator and probably 100% of the transmission cooler (it needs one if it doesnt) and power steering cooler. <BR><BR>The engine in your van is weak for loaded vans. It probably has a 2-bolt main cap 350, meaning only 2 bolts hold down each&nbsp;main bearing cap.&nbsp; That, coupled with a cast iron crank, is...........not so good... (major flexing, causes bearing wear).&nbsp; They need TLC,&nbsp;and every factor to function to BARELY survive.&nbsp; <BR><BR>If you have a 4-bolt main 350 (4 bolts hold each cap), then you may also have a forged steel crank (NIIIICE).&nbsp; Is it the original engine? <BR><BR>A 4-bolt main engine with a&nbsp;cast iron crank is&nbsp;(NIICE) lol <BR><BR>Ok, back to my point.&nbsp; You are blocking must-needed airflow to the&nbsp;most important parts of your drivetrain AND A/C (the condenser).&nbsp; Is your AC warm on hot days?&nbsp; Does&nbsp;the engine get hot?&nbsp; The transmission not shift&nbsp;right, or slip? If not, you're fortunate for now...<BR><BR>Get a junkyard&nbsp;swing-away door mount for like 40 bucks and save your van...&nbsp; <BR><BR>&nbsp; <BR>

 

[cyndi]

<FONT size=3 face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Arathi, your van looks very comfy.&nbsp; I'll be looking for one of those metallic strips!</FONT><br><FONT size=3 face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">&nbsp;</FONT><br><FONT size=3 face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">As a side note, I think stealth is, at least in part, a state of mind.&nbsp; I learned about the "invisibles" a few years back.&nbsp; Invisibles choose, either consciously or unconsciously to become invisible.&nbsp; It's pretty easy in today's society.&nbsp; Many people choose NOT to see.</FONT><br>

 

[Guest]

@4x4tour: Wow, thank you for that info! Everything is original as far as I know. I don't know a huge amount about engines, but can do what I need to for repairs. I could get some pics?<br><br>I don't have AC, or if I do, then yes it's warm. lol The tire was on the front when I bought it, I'll keep an eye out for a swing arm at the wreckers, and get it moved to the back.<br><br>@cyndi: It certainly is comfy! I still hear about people getting bothered, and they're trying so hard to be invisible. I personally feel that is part of the problem. <br><br>As van shows up in your neighbourhood, and parks. It's late and on your street, you can't help but be suspicious, and call the cops. A campervan does the same, you know exactly what it is when you see a light on from a tv or a little movement because the person is making it very clear they are just parked for a bit. You don't think, "Is this van there waiting for the lights to go out? Or someone to walk by?" People usually thiunk the worst first, and the obvious second. :/<br><br>Everywhere I parked, I never tried to hide the fact I was in there, I had lights on, watched movies, played music, talked to my friends on the phone. Hell, my side door was open some nights until I went to bed, or if I got a good spot, open all night. lol Never once bothered! But then again, it could be a culture thing here.&nbsp;Calgarians are known for their hospitality. At least they used to be until everyone in the east started moving here bringing bad additudes with them.<br>

 

[4x4tour]

Ironically, I was at walmart getting cans of freon.&nbsp; I just replaced the AC compressor on my van and recharged the system.&nbsp; AC is very important and it's designed to be used for defrost as well. <br><br>Take a picture of your dashboard climate control area and post it.&nbsp; That rig <EM>should</EM> have had AC installed, so maybe yours is fixable.&nbsp; I'm AC certified, so&nbsp;let's diagnose this puppy <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br>

 

[Guest]

Here it is <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>

<br>

 

[4x4tour]

GADZOOKS, you don't...&nbsp; Man, that surprises me. <br>

 

[Guest]

<P>It is old! lol</P>

 

[VanTramp]

Hey Arathi, Great looking rig <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> I like it a lot! Old perhaps, but cool!&nbsp;

 

[Guest]

Thanks Mike! It's older than I am, but it is a strong van, and everything works great aside from the isolator, which I'm replacing with a continuous duty solenoid. It has everything I need except a toilet, but that's what the portable are for!<br><br>My friends love it too, been out "pre-drinking" at a bar in this thing a time or two. We all party in the van, and then go in and have fun without spending a tonne of cash! Afterwards, I just go to sleep outside the bar. lol<br><br>Actually was just asked recently about doing it again sometime soon. Have a beer, make some chow, listen to music, and BS with eachother, then go sing karaoke!<br>

 

[sl1966]

Are you reading "The girl with the dragon tattoo"? I think I saw it crammed between the bed and wall in picture. Is it any good?

 

[Guest]

<P>

Are you reading "The girl with the dragon tattoo"? I think I saw it crammed between the bed and wall in picture. Is it any good?

</P><br>Yes I was, and it is fantastic! I highly recommend it if you like a good murder mystery.<br>

 

[stude53]

Hey, Arathi<br><br>I read your blog, and just looked&nbsp;through this post about your van ... cool ride, even if it doesn't have a/c. Have a good summer with your son.<br><br>I like mysteries, too. I got a Nook for Christmas last year, and spend time&nbsp;reading mystery stories just about every evening. I read " The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" last month, and I agree its a good one.<br><br>Bob (aka stude53)<br>

 

[Guest]

Thanks Bob!<br><br>I'll try to get something better than that one akward post with links instead of pics set up. It was a bit of a battle as I wrote everything out, and expected that images would be placed where my cursor is, not at the top and such. It caused problems. lol<br><br>Summer should be good, and we shall see how much fun we're able to have on the weekends, while we trek out to different lakes and such camping in style <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<P><b>Beautiful rig and sounds like a great life!</b></P>

 

[Guest]

<P>Thanks <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> I really really miss being in the van. Only in a stickbuilt for my kid.</P>

 

[vonu]

<p>Thanks <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> I really really miss being in the van. Only in a stickbuilt for my kid.</p>

<div><br></div><div>The kid would probably enjoy the alternate lifestyle as much as you do.</div>

 

[Guest]

<P>Possibly, if I had a little bit larger of a place. The van doesn't quite have the room for him as a bed, and I'm not keen on curling up at night with him. lol</P>