Introducing... Yeti

MargaretA · Nov 17, 2011

...so named because it is a Big White Beast. <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/file?id=1230849"> It is a 1992 Dodge one-ton passenger van that I bought a couple of weeks ago. It was originally converted for carrying wheelchairs but has now been un-converted from that use as I sold the wheelchair lift a couple of days ago. Now that the back is completely empty (the lift was mounted in the rear) I am trying to get it clean so I can do stuff to it. Here's a shot of the back: <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/file?id=1230850"> It's kind of fuzzy, but then so was I by that point <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> . On Sunday I went out to take some pics of the base of the lift for the person who wanted to buy it and ended up spraining my ankle badly when I tried to step off a curb that turned out not to be where I thought it was (too many leaves). Today was the first day the swelling was down enough that I felt like I could attempt any cleaning. But it was still hard because I was moving around so carefully and I was pretty tired when I took this. I want to put carpet down but I'm not putting it on a dirty floor and the cleaning, even without the ankle problem, is turning into a real challenge. Under where the lift was there is a lot of oil and I'm not sure how to remove it, so I guess that's my first "conversion question." I've thought about taking it to a detailing place and having them clean it but I'm not sure I can afford it. I decided to at least attempt it myself and see what I could do. I'm not sure how well you can see it, but I tried to take a picture of the oily part in the back: <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/file?id=1230851"> I haven't said much here in the last few months because I was concentrating on the search and that combined with trying to make some money was taking up a lot of my time. Now I have to work on getting this thing ready for living, hopefully as soon as possible (before I run out of rent money). I'll try to share what I can; maybe it will help others who are as non-mechanical as I am. Meg

stude53 · Nov 17, 2011

Meg, I'm very happy for you. The van looks ideal for a conversion. Yes, it's dirty, but that can be remedied, once your ankle has a chance to heal. My first thought about cleaning is to get a roll of quarters and take the van to a coin-operated self service car wash, spray down the floor with a good degreaser and let it sit for  a while, then spray with the water/soap on the hottest setting.  I think this will get the worst of the grease and dirt off. Take some old towels to mop up the water after rinsing.You may still have to use spray cleaner and a brush to scrub stubborn spots. Looking forward to seeing your progress. In my opinion, you've taken a big step forward toward your goal. I hope it's not to cold in Colorado for you to do this. Do you have an inside space available to do your conversion? Bob

MargaretA · Nov 18, 2011

Taking a hose to the floor was my first thought, too. But when the lift was removed I was reminded that it had a backup battery. That battery was long dead - it was probably the original one, and the buyer very kindly took it away to recycle it for me - but the wires for it are still there in a small space in the back corner on the driver's side (you can't see it in the picture). And as far as I know they're still connected somehow to the main electrical system; I'm hoping to be able to use them somehow (and if that sounds like I don't know how this works - it's because I don't). So I'm reluctant to spray water on the floor. That's why I actually mopped the other mats - it was easier to control where the water went. Maybe I'll just take some Dawn to it; that stuff works wonders on T shirts... <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> No, I don't have anyplace inside to work on it; I don't even have off-street parking. There's a small lot in back of my building but even if all the spaces weren't reserved this thing wouldn't fit back there, it's way too long. I could temporarily move it to the alley - which it would block - for anything major, but for the most part the choices are either this main street or a side street. I'll just do what I can.  And so far I've been lucky with the weather; it was 61 today. There is one other nice thing about Colorado in the winter; with 20% humidity anything you get wet doesn't stay that way long. And really, I'm not planning on doing a lot to it. The carpet (and padding) probably won't be fun but so far that's about the worst I can think of. After that I'm just going to put stuff in it. Right now I have no idea how I'm going to get either water - preferably running water - or electricity set up. But the mechanic who was going to remove the lift (before I found a buyer) suggested a local store that sells survival gear; I'm going to take a trip there and talk to the owner about this. I can ask questions and get info online but sometimes I just really need to check things out in person. And a survival store is probably more set up for long-term "off the grid" stuff than even a camping store would be. I'm really glad he recommended it; I would never have thought of that otherwise. So, now I have a few things to do. I'll let everyone know when it starts being fun. <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/confused.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"> Meg

VanTramp · Nov 18, 2011

Congrats Meg! This has been a long time coming huh! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> To remove the grease you could go with "simple green".  It does a pretty decent job and isn't too nasty to work with. Looks like Yeti is a pretty big rig, lots of room to be creative! Looking forward to seeing what you do with it!

dragonflyinthesky · Nov 18, 2011

Congrats Meg.  Before putting in carpet, you might think about a solid vinyl flooring  or laminate with throw rugs. A piece of vinyl remnant can be had for 20 bucks or so. The Yeti is awsome. Dragonfly

Seraphim · Nov 18, 2011

Duct tape the wire ends inside plastic bags, and disconnect the main battery terminals before you begin washing. No worries. If you're going to try to wash this on the roadway or even in an aprtment complex lot, it might cause problems. Stude's idea about the car wash is a good one, but an attendant might not be happy with it. Engine degreaser would work, as would carburettor cleaner (which is caustic and needs be handled carefully). Soak it in degreaser, let it set 30 minutes, and hose in the car wash.

Guest · Nov 18, 2011

Water won't short out a 12 volt system. It has to be salt water. Cover the end of the wires to prevent corrosion.

I bought an old gun completely soaked in cosmoline a while back. This is the crap left over after refining oil. Total pain in the butt. The wood stock was tricky, but murphys oil soap took it right off and made the wood shiny....

Your oil should come off way easier then my cosmoline.

Seraphim · Nov 18, 2011

Not worth gambling on when two minutes will make certain. I've seen batteries drained by ice - the salt-free kind. I've also made an arc-welder out of an alternator: entirely by accident of course. One learns by doing.

cyndi · Nov 18, 2011

Congratulations, Meg! I am excited for you! That looks like a vn/beast with a ton of potential! I guess you'll just have to drive that beast down to the RTR where it's warm enough to work on and you'll have an audience to cheer you on and advise!

Seraphim · Nov 18, 2011

Cyndi

Then she'll put everyone else to work on it, too...

akrvbob · Nov 18, 2011

Meg, what a great find that is, it will make a great home!! A great friend of mine has one very similiar to yours so i thought I would share some of what she did. She put her bed across the back, high enough for storage underneath. She put in a nice, used desk and set of drawers which gave her great organization. I helped her to mount them with L brackets at all 4 corners screwed into the floor. She also used 18 gallon rubbermaid totes stacked two high for organization. Very cheap and simple and yet made a great home. Plastic drawer units also work great . Bob

MargaretA · Nov 18, 2011

Wow, look at all these replies! And the last one I got notified about was VanTramp's. I'm glad I bookmarked this page. Anyway - thank you all for your suggestions. I'm going to try the Dawn today just because I have it, and it's just that back section that has the oil. If that doesn't work I'll check out SimpleGreen because I want to stay with less toxic stuff; I have heard of it but haven't used it in years. The rest of the van isn't too bad now; I did a lot of scrubbing yesterday. Tomorrow I may drive to the local "Shiny Happy Car Wash" (I love that name) for some vacuuming but I think that's about it. The inside, except for that back part, wasn't super dirty, it just had the typical stuff you see in Colorado because it's so dry here. It *does* have a lot of potential; I think it's the biggest van you can buy (would have probably been a 15-passenger if it had all its seats). But I wanted something I could do my own arranging with; it's still a small space and while an RV would have also worked (if I could have found anything newer than about '76) I would have been limited to using it the way it was set up. This thing I can set up however I want. About the floor - I did think about using flooring instead of carpet but I keep leaning toward carpet. Whatever I use I'd still have to put some kind of padding down, it's too hard to walk on the way it is now. And carpeting gives better insulation. If I do flooring I'd have to add rugs, and they could slide around, and besides it would take me a while to make them since I sold most of my yarn <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> . But one thing at a time - get the floor clean, then cover it - with something. Thanks again for all your support and your suggestions, please keep them coming. Meg P.S. What's RTR?

Seraphim · Nov 18, 2011

There is a waterproof backing used for tile - can't come up with the name at the moment - and I've used it on numerous occasions. You score it with a razor and it breaks along the score.  Comes in 1/4" and  1/2" thicknesses Good insulation.  Never used it under wood flooring before, but should do nicely, as it's designed to support a more brittle tile (I love to tile). Wonderboard! Believe that's it. We're getting rid of our carpeting because it just holds too much crud, especially if one has allergies. It's a pain to keep clean, especially with our outdoor treks. Just a thought before you kill the idea of wood floor completely.  If you carpet, suggest a very close, tight weave. No knap. No shag.  Learned that lesson in the early 70s. Our van currently has a short knap carpet, but we have a tight weave runner down the middle. Photos in blog below. *shameless plug*

MargaretA · Nov 18, 2011

Sorry, Jerry, I thought the flooring suggestion was for tile, not wood. Does wood come in little sections? I'm limited in how much I can manage; even carpet would have to be in small pieces. Meg

cyndi · Nov 18, 2011

Meg, the 2nd Annual Rubber Tramp Rendezvous coming up in January (and not that far from CO! Plus it will be waaaaaaaaaaay warmer)<div> </div><div><a href="http://cheapgreenrvliving.com/Rendezvous.html" target="_blank">http://cheapgreenrvliving.com/Rendezvous.html</a></div>

dragonflyinthesky · Nov 18, 2011

You are putting plywood over the 'coorigated sp?' floor, right? It should fit without cutting much.  Lowes and Home Depot will cut a straight cut for you, one cut free unless you play up being a hopeless female, then you can get them to cut more. I think it will take 2 pieces. It will fit between the wheel wells. If you get it at either of those places they will also load it for you.  I suspect Blkjak and AJ and others also put insulation under thier plywood.  Look up those two conversion threads, there are some good pics and descriptions of what you may consider doing. Also, look up Habitat for Humanity 'Restores' and see if any are in your area. You can get lots of building stuff fairly cheap. Dragonfly

Seraphim · Nov 18, 2011

Wood comes in strips, that lock together . More expensive, but it can found at discount prices. Carpet's easier. Just depends on what you want.

MargaretA · Nov 18, 2011

Dragonfly - No, I wasn't planning on any wood, just padding over the mats and then carpet on top of that. Will that not work? Is there some reason I should use plywood? And I'm sorry, but I don't know what "'coorigated sp?' floor" is. Jerry, thanks for clarifying. If carpet is easier and cheaper, then that's what I'm going with. The cleanup process is continuing. Hopefully next week I'll be ready to deal with covering the floor. Meg

dragonflyinthesky · Nov 18, 2011

The picture of the floor of your van does not seem to be smooth, am I seeing it correctly?  I would consider putting something down to make the floor flat if it isn't already. Maybe its just my aging eyes.  I can't spell worth a darn-corrugated, like cardboard. Dragonfly

MargaretA · Nov 19, 2011

Oh, OK - I get it now! The floor actually is smooth; the mats are a bit ripply, especially at the back where the oil leaked. And there are metal strips that I think were where the seats were attached. They're bolted to the underside somehow so I can't remove them. But they're not very high - about 1/4", I think - so I was thinking padding would probably even things out just fine. If not, I suppose I could put padding between the strips and then more on top of that. I'm not really sure how I'd handle plywood; I used to work in a store that sold it (many years ago, before there was Home Depot and Lowe's) so I know what it looks like and I don't think I could lift those 4x8 sheets (I have a bad back). And, I haven't measured but I'm guessing the inside is about 6' wide so the sheets wouldn't cover the whole floor anyway; I'd have to use some partial pieces and I have no way to cut those. I hope that makes sense. I'm open to suggestions; I just need to keep this as simple as possible. Meg

Introducing... Yeti

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