Josephine, the van

[angeli]

Hi!<br /><br />Well here she is. &nbsp;Isn't she lovely? &nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" /><br /><br />The thermostat thingy just turned out to be not enough fluid. &nbsp;duh. &nbsp;I just assumed he'd topped off, and didn't check. &nbsp;Bad driver!<br /><br />So she's moving beautifully. &nbsp;A few spots of rust to which I will apply elbow grease.<br /><br />Note: &nbsp;She will never be this clean again. &nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif" /><br /><br /><br />

 

[angeli]

EDITED

 

[josephusminimus]

Appears to me to be a fine home in the making.&nbsp; Housewarmings to you and congratulations.

 

[Guest]

Yeppers, looking really like a good home platform....and the crew is a fine looking dog team....have lots of fun setting it up...<br />Bri

 

[angeli]

Thanks, guys. &nbsp;I don't know how well you can see, but the van is stripped inside down to the ribs. &nbsp;That makes it so much easier! &nbsp;The 12V wiring is exposed as well.<br /><br />First steps:<br /><br />Step One: &nbsp;Put vent in roof, after all this is FLORIDA.<br /><br />Step Two: &nbsp;have rear brake rotor bent back into shape. &nbsp;Not too bad, still very driveable, but I'd rather be safe than sorry here.<br /><br />Step Three: &nbsp;Go to junkyard and find a ladder rack to go over vent, and support solar panels and hot water tank.<br /><br />Step Four:&nbsp;&nbsp; Since I already have the panels, the charge controller, innverter, and two deep cycle batteries on the chalet trailer, I'll be transferring them to the van, to the top of the wood panel on the ladder rack, before I sell the trailer. &nbsp;EDIT: &nbsp;Ahem, only the actual solar panels will go up on the roof. &nbsp;

<br /><br />Step Five:&nbsp;&nbsp; Add a large diameter PVC pipe closed at both ends and painted black to the above roof rack, next to the solar panels, with a hose passing down thru the roof in the same place the solar wiring does. &nbsp;This will give me a passive water heater, and look "stealth-ish".<br /><br />(although the sound of a Russell terrier's feet bouncing off the walls is not the most stealthy thing.)<br /><br />So the object is to have the brakes up to speed, and the electrical system, wiring, and plumbing in place before messing with foam, etc. &nbsp;Obviously more research needs to be done, but I'm hoping to get this done this month (Nov).

 

[Seraphim]

Very nice! A good base unit to begin modifying. Flipping the front passenger seat to face rearward will give more living room and still offer one of the dogs to ride shotgun lol. Only if you plan on no human passengers.

 

[Guest]

Sounds like a good plan to me. Nice that you already have a good idea of what you want and how to go about it. <br /><br />Also good you are in FL where the weather should be good enough to get it done..<br />Bri

 

[peacetara]

YAY For Josephine having a new home!!!! and yay for a plan! I wish you lots of success!!<br /><br />With Love,<br />Tara

 

[ttpadilla]

i love it!!! congratulations!!&nbsp; The cab is so clean and pretty, and you have tons of room in the back for your home.&nbsp; I like Seraphim's idea of flipping the passenger seat.&nbsp; Is it possible to make it a "lockable" swivel, in case you DO get a people passenger?&nbsp;&nbsp; congratulations again. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[yesican]

Wow...what a great canvas...Have fun creating your new home!<img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br />Rae

 

[angeli]

UPDATE:<br /><br />Josephine is at the van vet's today. &nbsp;He's really good, bless his heart. &nbsp;So far he has confirmed that there is nothing major wrong with her, and that she will need some minor break repairs, an oil change and a tune up. &nbsp;Not bad for an 18 year old van and $1500. &nbsp;Wanted to spend more, but you have what you have. &nbsp;She came with brand new tires, so I figure that some minor repairs are well covered. &nbsp;I guess I'll see when I get the bill! &nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />Once she's back at home base, I'll install the roof vent and the rack for the solar panels. &nbsp;Yes, I'll have a rack over a vent. &nbsp;I figure that as I heat with kerosene, I'll absolutely need a vent to open, even if only an inch, for safety. &nbsp;As she is a panel van, there are no side windows to open. &nbsp;Also, having a board above the roof and the vent is a good way to stay cool in big heat, as some of the members have already stated.<br /><br />I've noted that the windows in the rear doors have screw holes just below them, and am wondering if they originally made windows that would open as an option. &nbsp;Having a tough time finding info on the van, I guess because of it's age. &nbsp;But finding some windows to fit those two spaces that had the ability to open would be a good thing.<br /><br />Bob promised to post some info about roof racks over on his blog, so I'm waiting to order mine until I read his post.

 

[Ballenxj]

Angeli, Late to the house warming party, but finally made it. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> <br />The van looks very good. The interior is a blank canvas waiting for your personalization. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> <br />-Bruce

 

[angeli]

Thanks, Bruce! &nbsp;I'm considering a mural, but can't decide if I like the idea of Renaissance cherubs smiling down at me from the roof. &nbsp;What do you think?<br /><br /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[Ballenxj]

Thanks, Bruce! &nbsp;I'm considering a mural, but can't decide if I like the idea of Renaissance cherubs smiling down at me from the roof. &nbsp;What do you think?<br /><br /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

<br />While the idea sounds good, I wouldn't do anything to the outside of it to make it stand out too much. Thinking stealth here. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> <br />-Bruce

 

[angeli]

Actually I was joking. &nbsp;Sorry. &nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />I keep forgetting that tone doesn't come across well on a forum.<br /><br />Can you imagine a bunch of fat naked angels painted on the ceiling of your van and staring at your every move? &nbsp;EEEK! &nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[joey]

Paint the Solar System on it,and use the glow in the dark paint!!

 

[angeli]

OMG, I did that in our Scotty! &nbsp;I loved it. &nbsp;And I also added those plastic glow stars as well. &nbsp;LOL!!! Much better than nosey cherubs....

 

[Lostinspace]

Angeli, looks great. Being a panel van you have clean slate to arrange however you want.

Congrats, Wade

 

[Ballenxj]

Actually I was joking. &nbsp;Sorry. &nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />I keep forgetting that tone doesn't come across well on a forum.

<br />Ha, No worries. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br />

<br />Can you imagine a bunch of fat naked angels painted on the ceiling of your van and staring at your every move? &nbsp;EEEK! &nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

<br />Uh oh, now you're scaring me.&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> Just Kidding. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> <br />-Bruce

 

[angeli]

UPDATE: &nbsp;Adding a goal, and adjusting one, to the list for Nov.<br /><br /><strong>Step three</strong> was going to a junkyard for a ladder rack. &nbsp;After doing some research, it turns out that it is easier and not much more expensive to order a rack new online.<br /><br /><strong>Step six&nbsp;</strong>(new) is to purchase a swivel plate that is compatible with the Dodge bucket seats that are in pretty good shape. &nbsp;That way I can turn the passenger seat around when I want, and have it face forward if Mooch decides to navigate. (Actually, I'd never have any of the furries in the front while in motion - too dangerous for them and me)<br /><br />Still waiting on getting Josephine back from the Van Vet and the final bill. &nbsp;Praying that it is a tiny little bill.....<br /><br /><br />