GotSmart
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Miles Irving
- Thread starter GypsyDogs
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GypsyDogs
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Yep- was planning on insetting.
I figured uBolts around the rack and use the brackets (bottom edge mount) for the panels.. then just attach to the bottom of the uBolts.
Pretty much the same thing you did, but replacing the pia drill-through with uBolts.
And I think we have almost the exact same rack system. lol.
Planned this for 2 reasons.. rack in emergency, and less lead edge wind drag on round than flat surface. Also probably going to paint the sides of the frames that show- a matte black. Less noticeable.
I did get the seats covered, and the rack assembled. Not On the van yet tho. Need to (surprise!) drill through for the cross piece. Ran out of time.... but it is together and ready to size for drilling. Means I have to, essentially, install them twice.. sigh. Oh well. Done right the first time, won't have to do it again for a Long time.. hopefully.
I figured uBolts around the rack and use the brackets (bottom edge mount) for the panels.. then just attach to the bottom of the uBolts.
Pretty much the same thing you did, but replacing the pia drill-through with uBolts.
And I think we have almost the exact same rack system. lol.Planned this for 2 reasons.. rack in emergency, and less lead edge wind drag on round than flat surface. Also probably going to paint the sides of the frames that show- a matte black. Less noticeable.
I did get the seats covered, and the rack assembled. Not On the van yet tho. Need to (surprise!) drill through for the cross piece. Ran out of time.... but it is together and ready to size for drilling. Means I have to, essentially, install them twice.. sigh. Oh well. Done right the first time, won't have to do it again for a Long time.. hopefully.
GypsyDogs
Well-known member
oh- droooooooolllll.
GypsyDogs
Well-known member
Yay- got the roof rack on (with a bit of help from the hubby) and it looks pretty good. May need to move the rear mount a little, once I have the panels and brackets up there.. not sure exactly how far apart they need to be.
Also- LITERALLY FOUND THIS.
it was just sitting, alone, in a shopping cart, on the little-used side of the grocery store. Clean and unmarked. Just appears to be missing its battery. pff.. I'm ok with buying a 33-35 ah battery.. jeeeeeez.
Oh, and it needs the power connector/s too.
It rattled when I picked it up.. so I took it apart to see why.. the terminal bolts were the cause of the rattle. It even still has the batt-hold down strap. wooooo!
Also- LITERALLY FOUND THIS.
it was just sitting, alone, in a shopping cart, on the little-used side of the grocery store. Clean and unmarked. Just appears to be missing its battery. pff.. I'm ok with buying a 33-35 ah battery.. jeeeeeez.Oh, and it needs the power connector/s too.
It rattled when I picked it up.. so I took it apart to see why.. the terminal bolts were the cause of the rattle. It even still has the batt-hold down strap. wooooo!
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GypsyDogs
Well-known member
Yep- the electric lunch box works fine.
Thank you, Found-Things-Gods.....
Thank you, Found-Things-Gods.....
GypsyDogs
Well-known member
Well.. that was a $10/2hr lesson on how Not to cut mitered corners...
Building a box for the controller for the solar power.. Want to 'frame' the face of the box, make it look finished and nice.
Figured, just get some outside corner molding, and cut 45's and edge the box.. right?
Well.. let me tell you, that is not as easy as it sounds.
Stained the wood.. and took careful measurements..
And proceeded to cut it wrong..
figured that out
and cut it wrong again..
Ok..
3rd time I got it right.. cut to exactly the length I measured to... then discovered that the measurements didn't allow for angle/corner..
crap.
"Just frame the face of the box," she said.. "It'll be easy.." she said.
now I need more molding........
Building a box for the controller for the solar power.. Want to 'frame' the face of the box, make it look finished and nice.
Figured, just get some outside corner molding, and cut 45's and edge the box.. right?
Well.. let me tell you, that is not as easy as it sounds.
Stained the wood.. and took careful measurements..
And proceeded to cut it wrong..
figured that out
and cut it wrong again..
Ok..
3rd time I got it right.. cut to exactly the length I measured to... then discovered that the measurements didn't allow for angle/corner..
crap.
"Just frame the face of the box," she said.. "It'll be easy.." she said.
now I need more molding........
Vanada
Well-known member
What do you reckon the story with the goal zero minus a battery was? That's pretty crazy...
There are people on the forum who will know better than I but would boxing in the charge controller not inhibit airflow / cooling? I don't know how essential it is to be honest as I haven't checked to see if mine really heats up when under heavy load.
Very good progress anyhow!
There are people on the forum who will know better than I but would boxing in the charge controller not inhibit airflow / cooling? I don't know how essential it is to be honest as I haven't checked to see if mine really heats up when under heavy load.
Very good progress anyhow!
GypsyDogs
Well-known member
This box is for the remote-brain/monitor thing..
Runs off a network cable.
Runs off a network cable.
GypsyDogs
Well-known member
Yay- Finally started on my floor. Took a couple false starts.. couldn't find the screws I thought I had.. then, when found.. too short.
Went and got some different screws.. nope- those didn't work either. 2nd trip to store- new new screws.. and Yay.. floor.
Need to get some cardboard to do templates for the 'around things' part of the floor.. make it easier.
I want to try to do a test-camp early in October.. so I want my basic floor and bed platform done.. and some sort of window coverings.. lol
LOL
I swear- it is one silly thing after another with this van..
1st rule of van club: you don't talk about van club
Went and got some different screws.. nope- those didn't work either. 2nd trip to store- new new screws.. and Yay.. floor.
Need to get some cardboard to do templates for the 'around things' part of the floor.. make it easier.
I want to try to do a test-camp early in October.. so I want my basic floor and bed platform done.. and some sort of window coverings.. lol
LOL
I swear- it is one silly thing after another with this van..
1st rule of van club: you don't talk about van club
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user 37446
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Great start to your van abode... I look forward to seeing it continue.
I've heard of gutter lip rust from at least 3 Dodge owners on the forum, SternWake was one... is it mostly a Dodge thing??
I'd like to see how you clamped the panels onto the round roof racks... I agree that is the better way for air deflection, I know that I couldn't drill a clean hole in a round tube to save my life...
Look forward to seeing how you frame for the bed, crosswise or what, and the lumber dimensions. Not sure why people use 2x2's when there's so little weight difference with 2x4, and 2x4 can be so much easier to work with and select straight pieces... maybe it's just me but most 2x2's I see at box store lumber yards are suitable for boat building instead of framing...
Then your window treatment is another question I've always had about conversion vans... Glad I get the benefit of your build!
You're doing great!!
TWIH
I've heard of gutter lip rust from at least 3 Dodge owners on the forum, SternWake was one... is it mostly a Dodge thing??
I'd like to see how you clamped the panels onto the round roof racks... I agree that is the better way for air deflection, I know that I couldn't drill a clean hole in a round tube to save my life...
Look forward to seeing how you frame for the bed, crosswise or what, and the lumber dimensions. Not sure why people use 2x2's when there's so little weight difference with 2x4, and 2x4 can be so much easier to work with and select straight pieces... maybe it's just me but most 2x2's I see at box store lumber yards are suitable for boat building instead of framing...
Then your window treatment is another question I've always had about conversion vans... Glad I get the benefit of your build!
You're doing great!!
TWIH
Hi GypsyDogs, Have you posted any pre-conversion photos of your van interior? I just got my van (2001 GMC Safari) and it looks to be the same size as yours. Was wondering what you started with.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
GypsyDogs
Well-known member
GypsyDogs
Well-known member
[quote="This world isn']
I know that I couldn't drill a clean hole in a round tube to save my life...
[/quote]
I cheated- Took a couple pieces of scrap hard foam, and used double stick tape.. attached them to another large flat piece of wood equidistant apart.. made a 'cradle' for the pipe. Holds it in place .. then center-punch before you drill.. settles the bit in place, and the cradle holds it steady. Patience and some WD40 periodically on the bit.. and you are good to go.
I know that I couldn't drill a clean hole in a round tube to save my life...
[/quote]
I cheated- Took a couple pieces of scrap hard foam, and used double stick tape.. attached them to another large flat piece of wood equidistant apart.. made a 'cradle' for the pipe. Holds it in place .. then center-punch before you drill.. settles the bit in place, and the cradle holds it steady. Patience and some WD40 periodically on the bit.. and you are good to go.
GypsyDogs
Well-known member
I found 4 24" interlocking gym-floor foam panels...wonder if I can use those on the big windows.. for privacy/insulation?
cut to fit.. just slightly oversize.. and skrunch them into place... like you do with reflectix.
would also cut down noise... and not have the give-away shiny bubble visual.
with the dark tint already.. and black mats..should be nearly invisible?
and have the bottom slider section cut separately.. so I can still open the window/s.
oooo could even use spray adhesive and face one side with the emergency blanket mirror-mylar.. for summer.. and to reflect light in the van at night.
awaits daylight.. has tape measure in hand....
cut to fit.. just slightly oversize.. and skrunch them into place... like you do with reflectix.
would also cut down noise... and not have the give-away shiny bubble visual.
with the dark tint already.. and black mats..should be nearly invisible?
and have the bottom slider section cut separately.. so I can still open the window/s.
oooo could even use spray adhesive and face one side with the emergency blanket mirror-mylar.. for summer.. and to reflect light in the van at night.
awaits daylight.. has tape measure in hand....
GypsyDogs
Well-known member
Miles got a nice set of chromed metal window visors yesterday. Looks really slick with his vintage.
GypsyDogs
Well-known member
all subfloor cut to fit, cut for pedestal inserts, and basement door cut/routed (carpet easement) yay
all the holes have been dicor'd and drying.
I am hoping there will be full floor pics later today.. Once I fill a few skanky plywood holes with filler and lay the linoleum.
Oh, and cab curtain hung... not attempting Full-Stealth.. just privacy.. Miles IS an conversion van, after all...
all the holes have been dicor'd and drying.
I am hoping there will be full floor pics later today.. Once I fill a few skanky plywood holes with filler and lay the linoleum.
Oh, and cab curtain hung... not attempting Full-Stealth.. just privacy.. Miles IS an conversion van, after all...
GypsyDogs
Well-known member
Ok.. we have achieved FLOOR!
Just need to trim the overhang, and attach the edging to cab and side-barn edges..
This morning's pre-caffeine project.. finish designing bed frame for storage, safety with storage over both wheel wells, slide-stops for cargo, and conversion from sideways twin to longways queen---
... the only part I haven't figured out is the legs for the expansion
Just need to trim the overhang, and attach the edging to cab and side-barn edges..
This morning's pre-caffeine project.. finish designing bed frame for storage, safety with storage over both wheel wells, slide-stops for cargo, and conversion from sideways twin to longways queen---
... the only part I haven't figured out is the legs for the expansion
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bigsallysmom
Well-known member
looking good. isn't it great to mark another task off the list
GypsyDogs
Well-known member
Got the needed lumber for the bed.. and almost have the design figured out. (if it weren't for danged Physics.. I'd be able to do what I Want to do.. but I can't hinge a solid piece of plywood, nor can I have 2 pieces occupy the same space.. lol) But I think I have an interesting solution to my predicament. Just need to finish clevering it on paper...
Just need to finish clevering it on paper...
