FOUND IT, THE VAN ! !

[Ballenxj]

I hope it's an easy fix this time. Let us know what happens. <br>-Bruce

 

[Ziggy Moon]

Sorry to hear of your troubles, Fireman. If you where somewhere close I'd offer to help out if needed.<br><br>This is one of my worries... I want so bad to just get up and go out to see my oldest son in TX and I want to travel in my van, take my time, and just enjoy it all.<br><br>I've drove my van all over Florida and up through Georgia - Yet, with the mystery 'stall' problems I have had in the past months (haven't had a stall in a nearly a month since doing some minor repairs/replacements/maintenance - Knock-On-Wood), I'm hesitant to go outside of the 100 mile tow range I have with AAA. Not to mention, I've never considered the possibilities of problems that may occur due to change in climate, as you've stated. <br><br>Good Luck, Fireman!

 

[Fireman428]

Thanks Bruce, the easy fix is the engine hasn't messed up since I turned around and went back to the Firestone store.&nbsp; I have noticed the tranny shifting odd and unable to hold in overdrive over about 60~65mph.&nbsp; So we talked about heat related vacuum problems, (cracked hose, fitting, seals...) may cause the modulator valve in the transmission to not work right. <br><br>And yes Ziggy heat related climate changes effect all us older things, I've tried to post this three times ;-)<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On a conversion note, the Fan-tastic fan has been blowing air in on mid speed for three nights and using a Fluke meter the battery voltage is still 12.02.&nbsp; I have only been able to use the "suitcase solar" a total of maybe 5hrs since I can't set it up traveling. I have been vigilant to set it up anytime I knew I was stopped for more than just gas.&nbsp; It's been interesting the comments and questions I get while doing that. <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The LED light strips I put in temporary will become permanent with the addition of two more when I put in the ceiling.&nbsp; These are in the Autozone store accessory aisle, the SuperBrite white LED flexible strip lights.&nbsp; If I remember correctly about $29.&nbsp; Lots of bright white light little current draw.<br>One more suggestion for folks, I am running my laptop charger off a 100watt inverter plugged into one of the 12vdc ciggerete (sorry I mispelled that I smoke cigars) recpt wired to the house battery. I figure that wasted current is much lower on the 100w model than on the bigger 1000w inverter and therefore may get longer time before charge.<br><br>Layla sez it's nap-time, I maintain being as smart as my dog.<br>Fireman428, out.

 

[Fireman428]

Had to wait till dark to show the LED light strips.<br>I just think they worked out well.<br>For permanent install I'll put two strips on one switch and two on the other,<br>dual level lighting for you know when the mood's right. <br><img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-...0-h450-no/LED+flexible+strip+light01small.jpg" class="uw xO bbc_img">

 

[Ballenxj]

<span id="post_message_1278560527">Had to wait till dark to show the LED light strips.

<br>Sounds like you need some window covering. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">&nbsp;<br>Looks good. <br>-Bruce<br></span>

 

[Fireman428]

yeah, had to make some out of cardboard for tonight. Parked in front of repair shop in what might be a rough neighborhood Seems the radiator just won't make it. So stealth mode for sure tonight.

Gotta go walk Layla before dark.

 

[Fireman428]

Added to the conversion/rebuild list is now a new radiator!&nbsp; <br>I should have this thing rebuilt by the time I get back to Kentucky.&nbsp; <br>It is running great now, still a little shift problem, staying in overdrive at highway speeds.&nbsp; <br>Gonna go spend the night in the Mark Twain Nat'l Forest where I hope to get a couple of small mods done while sitting still.

 

[Fireman428]

Recovered from trip and starting back to work on van.<br>Put 1" styrofoam in one of the long side windows, and both of the back windows.<br>Also put down one section of subfloor, foil-backed celtex. I think I'm liking it so it may stay.&nbsp; That will be covered with layer of 1/4" insulating board then 1/4" plywood and then the flooring.&nbsp; Not sure what type of flooring yet, I'm open to suggestions.&nbsp; <br>Remember Layla hates cleaning up when I have *accidents*.&nbsp;&nbsp; ;-)<br><img style="width: 640px; height: 480px;" rel="lightbox" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-...C6tAnrxRKs/w640-h480-no/sub+floor+section.JPG" class="uw xO bbc_img">

 

[Fireman428]

It was late, I realized I left out rear window pics. I actually liked the way they turned out the 1" panels fill them up nicely.&nbsp; And, yes the captain's in the background with her watchful eye.<br><img style="width: 640px; height: 480px;" rel="lightbox" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-...i8/w640-h480-no/rear+window+insulation+01.JPG" class="uw xO bbc_img"><img style="width: 446px; height: 595px;" rel="lightbox" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-...TQ/w446-h595-no/rear+window+insulation+02.JPG" class="uw xO bbc_img">

 

[Fireman428]

New Captain's chair....<br><img style="width: 462px; height: 616px;" rel="lightbox" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-...FZITwg/w462-h616-no/New+Captain%27s+Chair.jpg" class="uw xO bbc_img"><img style="width: 462px; height: 616px;" rel="lightbox" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-...AAAAAfw/vnrxVaD-Wps/w462-h616-no/On+watch.jpg" class="uw xO bbc_img"><br>I mean really,,,,,, Whadda ya expect&nbsp;&nbsp; ;-)<br>This actually solved the problem of her not wanting to ride up front.

 

[Fireman428]

<div style="text-align: left;">Replacing these two mirrors was going to be $25-$75, local junk (sorry, scrap) yard to retail prices.<br>OR, 1 can white primer and 1 can white appliance epoxy.... $12. sandpaper I had already.<br>And this is only first coat of appliance epoxy.<br><img style="width: 640px; height: 480px;" rel="lightbox" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-...AAAgo/nI-WvCr40oQ/w640-h480-no/Old+Mirror.JPG" class="uw xO bbc_img"><img style="width: 640px; height: 480px;" rel="lightbox" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-...pUIKYz944/w640-h480-no/Old+Renewed+Mirror.JPG" class="uw xO bbc_img"></div>

 

[ilovemyvan]

Looks great!!!!!!!!!!!!&nbsp; Sorry you had so much difficulty on your first outing. I enjoy following&nbsp;your&nbsp;progress.<br><br>All the best <br><br>Nicole

 

[Fireman428]

Thanks Nicole,&nbsp; I'm counting the first outing as just a sTrEsS tEsT <img src="/images/boards/smilies/idea.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br>For the van not me, Layla and I just camped wherever the van made it to until the money starting getting close.<br>I was sad we didn't make RTR but there's others.<br><br>AND YES I THOUGHT THE MIRRORS TURNED OUT GREAT!!<br>I'm not a painter so I was exicited, I can hardly wait to see what the second coat looks like.<br>Hope to see ya on the roads somewheere.<br><br>Dan

 

[stude53]

<span style="color: rgb(0, 128, 0);"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Dan,</span></strong></span><br><br><span style="color: rgb(0, 128, 0);"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Yes, the mirrors are turning out great, and so did the captains perch. The look of approval is evident.</span></strong></span><br><br><span style="color: rgb(0, 128, 0);"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Bob</span></strong></span>

 

[Curtis]

Appreciate the pics Fireman, good job!

 

[Fireman428]

Working on the Phoenix a little at a time...<br>This weekend working on it in the Daniel Boone National Forest...<br><img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-...M/w640-h480-no/workin+on+it+in+D+B+Forest.JPG" class="uw xO bbc_img"><br><br><br>I have to say that the campers that were before me were most likely NOT vandwellers....<br><img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-...uf2m4rszulw/w640-h480-no/Not+Van+dwellers.JPG" class="uw xO bbc_img"><br>Shame, shame, shame.&nbsp; I guess their momma didn't teach 'em better.<br><br>

 

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Looks good Fireman, sometimes you just gotta spend the bucks to get them running correctly before the fitout starts.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Will be a great van when your done. Geoff</SPAN></STRONG></EM>

 

[Fireman428]

Finally got the ceiling in place.&nbsp; Gonna add some trim later...<br><img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-...zI1-d41s/w462-h616-no/IMG_20130810_183525.jpg" class="uw xO bbc_img"><br>Yeah the boss is as wore out as I am.&nbsp; And, framed one wall (test panel attached).<br><img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-...ykbRP0YM/w462-h616-no/IMG_20130811_152055.jpg" class="uw xO bbc_img">Hope to have everything in place by Oct. GTG in Tenn.

 

[Fireman428]

Woo-hoo,&nbsp; got one wall section in place this morning ! ! !<br><img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-...fCdLpI84/w462-h616-no/IMG_20130812_120614.jpg" class="uw xO bbc_img">

 

[Patrick46]

Alright Fireman!! Good to hear things are moving foreward again!!<BR><BR><BR>I love this pic...<BR><IMG style="WIDTH: 462px; HEIGHT: 616px" class="uw xO bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-...AAAAAfw/vnrxVaD-Wps/w462-h616-no/On+watch.jpg" rel="lightbox"><BR><BR>I had the same set-up for my traveling buddy in my semi tractor. He was a great listener...but not much for conversation!! <IMG class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif">