Howdy Friends

[Fabber McGee]

Figgered I'd best make some sort of an introduction here. I was pleased to find this site while looking for ideas on how to modify the retired "Twinkie Truck" I bought on ebay a few weeks ago.

I'm less than a year from my 60th birthday and have been retired for almost 5 years. Born and raised on a homestead in Alaska and now own what's left of it.

Worked as a mechanic, weldor, auto body and paint guy, carpenter, cabinet maker, boat builder and control room operator for the local electric utility. Had a welding business building and repairing aluminum river boats for 8 years then decided to build a new shop and all the equipment for a powder coating business. Sold the powder coating business after 3 years and went back to work out of the union hall. Proud member of the Operating Engineers local 302 for 39 years.

I decided to do some ramblin' around during the coolest part of the Alaskan winters and don't want to spend a fortune to do it. So, when Hostess went out of business and flooded the market with used step vans, I decided now's the time to get my feet wet. I'm flying to St. Louis with my dog in January to pick it up then we'll make a leisurely journey south and west toward California before turning north and coming home. Figure to spend 5 or 6 weeks on the road.

The first year or two I expect to use it in a pretty crude condition while I work on insulation, plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems and figure out what I want for floor plan and finish. That'll give me plenty of time to look at other folks ideas.

Lot's of good folks and good ideas to be found right here it seems. Gene

 

[ilovemyvan]

Hi Gene,

Welcome to the group. All I could think about while reading your intro is how you have all the skills needed to build a wonderful house on wheels. It'll be fun to follow your progress.

All the best.

Nicole

 

[Donedirtcheap]

Welcome Fabber. With your background Im sure your truck will be a real beauty and you have a lot of experience to share.

 

[wagoneer]

that's a great combination and with the 5 spd. Easy motor to work on as well the one aspect of the E350 I don't like my hands are bigger than a childs and it seems to take small hands to get anything done on the 7.3 turbodiesel.

 

[Thoreau]

Welcome, Fabber. As others have indicated, you seem to have the hands-on skills that will come in very useful in building your rolling home. And a man of action like yourself, who gets things done, will undoubtedly achieve the goal of enjoying your travels in a nicely done conversion.

And, along the way, if you share your progress with the group, I'm sure this group (which includes a number of skilled men of action, too) can not only give you some tips, but learn from you, too.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Welcome.
Looking forward to pics of travel and conversion.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

welcome aboard good luck with your new van, I have a similar one to yours a little smaller, those Cummings engine are the way to go, and if I was to do it over I would be looking for them. I have a 292 six cylinder petrol gmc powering my 1986 Kurbmaster, I get around 15.8 to 16 miles per gallon imperial, camperized and loaded, I have the single wheel model gmc 1 ton chasse, good luck with your trip/build might see you up on the Alaska highway this summer.cheers fk

 

[Fabber McGee]

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome. I'll try to get some photos and updates on here when I get on the road.... if my smarty pants phone can teach me how. Gene

 

[Pikachu711]

Welcome to the group Fabber McGee! I can't wait to see pics of your new van.

 

[blkjak]

welcome from s.w. florida .... blkjak