My New Van & Progress

[Roniit]

Hey! I'm super excited because I put down a deposit on my van today! I'm going to pick it up tomorrow.&nbsp; It's a 2002 GMC Savannah extended with a raised roof.&nbsp; It also has lots of cool features such as MP3 capabilities, a rear camera for backing up, and fully insulated.<br><br>As of now it's kind of dirty and needs help, but in the coming month I'm going to clean it up real nice, put down carpet, install a bed, install a second battery for power, and a lots of other things.&nbsp; I'll keep you all posted with pictures.&nbsp; Here are some for now.&nbsp; <br><br>The beginning:<br><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/cooties05/Screenshot2011-11-05at10149AM.png"><br><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/cooties05/Screenshot2011-11-05at10202AM.png"><br><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/cooties05/Screenshot2011-11-05at10228AM.png"><br><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/cooties05/Screenshot2011-11-05at10251AM.png"><br><br>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<b>Very nice, will be fun making it your own.&nbsp; Can't wait to hear your new song in full this month right?.</b><br><b><FONT color=#00ffff size=4>Dragonfly</FONT></b><br>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Nice find, Roniit</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Good base to start with. Will be watching to see your progress to make it into your own.</p>

 

[cyndi]

<P>congratulations! It looks great! keep us updated!</P>

 

[Seraphim]

Looks like a good choice. You may also have room over the cab for storage. Room for a standup shower and toilet. So many possibilities.

 

[Seraphim]

The little ledges on ours (check out photos on blog) where the roof meets the cap are great for putting small items you use often. At night our wallets, glasses, phones, change etc go up there so they're handy the next day.

If you are younger, there' s also space for an over the cab bed - eliminates the need for a sofa on the ground floor and more living area. You're making me jealous I don't have a van to build up...

 

[Les H]

nice van. Same eng/ trans setup as my 2000 gmc. I have the raised roof, but a couple extra feet long would be nice. Enjoy it.
Les

 

[bob144]

Sweet van&nbsp;

 

[Roniit]

Thanks everyone! Ah, sorry got so busy and forgot to respond..<br><br>Haven't been sleeping very well because I'm too excited.&nbsp; Have to park the van at my parents house in the mountains because I live downtown and parking is a big issue.&nbsp; Finally going up to clean the van today and lay down some carpet! <br><br>I'm going to get a futon mattress and put it across the middle/back.&nbsp; I've found that they are short enough and much cheaper than RV mattresses.&nbsp; The back will have 2 or 3 feet sectioned off for gear.&nbsp; I'm also going to build a desk and mini recording studio because that's how I make money.&nbsp; <br><br>DragonFly: Yes, the new song should be out this month.&nbsp; I've been so busy, but it will be done in the next couple days if all goes as planned!<br><br>As far as plans go, we just have to do this as cheap as possible.&nbsp; We plan on getting a "luggable loo" toilet which is just basically a bucket.&nbsp; That will only be used in instances where we dont have access to a bathroom.&nbsp; For showering I'm sure we will use friends houses because a lot of the cities we are stopping in on our tour we know people, but for emergenies I'm going to get a 12v shower pump thing and a plastic tub to stand in.&nbsp; Gonna build a high platform bed and put storage drawers under it for clothes and other things.&nbsp; I'm also gonna buy folding chairs and a tv tray so we have a little setup for eating dinner.&nbsp; We just bought a mini slow cooker so we can cook stuff while we are driving.&nbsp; I found these awesome battery powered christmas lights to hang inside.&nbsp; I'm excited to sit on my floor and play cards haha.&nbsp; Ah so many plans! <br><br><br>I'll post some pictures soon, once I get things going.&nbsp; Gonna be moving in on January 17th.&nbsp; <br>

 

[Roniit]

One more thing... here are the tour dates.&nbsp; Only about 10 of them are booked as of now, the others are in the works.&nbsp; Come out to the shows if you can, venues will be listed soon.&nbsp; I'll give you a tour of the van <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><BR><BR>tour.roniit.com<BR><BR>I'm also trying to get a sponsor to put their ad on the back of the van.&nbsp; I have some friends that just started an internet radio station that might do it for a monthly fee.&nbsp; It would be a way to cover expenses while touring since most gigs don't pay much.&nbsp; <BR>

 

[gp]

<P>Roniit, when I got my van, there was no owner's manual with it. I&nbsp;found a used one at&nbsp;Half.com (ebay's&nbsp;media section)&nbsp;for only a few bucks. Already, it has saved me over $100 in repairs (how to reprogram my keys when they quit working). It is well worth it if you can find one for your van. </P>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

I hoped you would pencil in the RTR on your tour.<IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif">&nbsp; I may get to see you in Ohio or SC<br><b><FONT color=#ff00ff>Dragonfly</FONT></b><br>

 

[Roniit]

What is the RTR? &nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> I'm still a forum newbie and don't know all the lingo

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://cheaprvliving.com/Renezvous.html" target=_blank>http://cheaprvliving.com/Renezvous.html</a></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Answer, RTR? Check here!</p>

 

[WanderingRonin]

That's a very promising looking vehicle, Roniit! And yeah, I have no clue what RTR means, either...&nbsp;<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif"><div>But so far, things look really cool and exciting inside that vehicle! Looks like you got your program set so excited to see your vehicle as it comes into shape.</div><div><br></div><div>Cheers,</div>

 

[Roniit]

<P>RTR sounds like fun!&nbsp; Not sure if we will be able to make it due to money issues and will be packing up our apartment around that time.&nbsp; I'll have to see though.&nbsp; </P>

 

[Roniit]

Put down carpet today. &nbsp;Need more light in the van, will probably install a window soon. &nbsp;The walls are covered with black carpet like stuff. &nbsp;I'm thinking about covering it with lighter colored fabrib. &nbsp;Staple gun? Would that hold?<div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img src=""></div><div><br></div><div><img src=""></div>

 

[romani10]

Very cool van. A lot of potential. A light fabric will hold with a staple gun. A heavy fabric (such as more carpet) will not hold. The staples have to be large enough to penetrate the carpet you are covering.

 

[Seraphim]

What's under the carpet Padding? Wood? Just put down something Lang the edges to keep it from sliding- double edged tape. If you didn't put down padding, bows the time to reconsider its good insulation.

 

[VanTramp]

Hey Roniit, That's a great looking van to start with! As others have said, so many possibilities <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> Should be a lot of fun to design and build!<div><br></div><div>What Seraphim was saying is a good point. If this vehicle is going to be something you really want to build and have solid/reliable/comfortable for many years, now is the time to make sure the foundation is built right. If there isn't good padding under the carpet, there really should be. Same with the walls, it would be worthwhile to know exactly how the black stuff was hung/supported(hopefully is well secured and insulated). Attaching material to it could be as simple as using those strong metal office clips or maybe velcro or snaps. Lots of ways. Staples might be fine too, could be painful if they pull out and ends up on the floor though.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>