Pictures of my e350

[WanderingRonin]

Hi y'all!<div>Rod here. Finally, I got a picture to share of my conversion stage... It's not much to look at right now. I reckon this is how everyone's van looked like at first. Pictured here is my toolbox and gear... The smooth table board I hope to make into a bed. I have been saving that for 3 years... did not know for what, but now I do. The plastic bin contains my bath gear... woooh. It's on, now!&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I just had the seats removed and gave them away to the mechanics who helped me unload them and fix the driver's seat armrest.</div><div>(reckon it's a good way to build relationship with that shop as I intend to go back there anyhow)</div><div>So it's an empty van right now!&nbsp;</div>

 

[WanderingRonin]

Hmm.. I think the pic did not upload...

 

[VanTramp]

Yep it didn't <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> Looking forward to seeing it though, hope you try again.&nbsp;

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<b>Can't wait to see it Rod.</b><br><b></b>&nbsp;<br><b>Dragonfly</b><br>

 

[cyndi]

<P><FONT size=3>Copy and paste maybe easier than uploading.&nbsp; You can resize by dragging the corners of the picture.</FONT></P>

 

[WanderingRonin]

<img src="C:\Users\Rod Espinosa\Desktop\Pictures"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WxQ01yJzVfU/TmQBZRBqH0I/AAAAAAAAABU/FTIJZFmMMek/s1600/100_0460.JPG"><div>aha!there you go~! I finally figured it out! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> Well, as you can see, I just got done removing the bolts for the seats on the left side... the right side still has the bolts attached to the seat brackets. It's just been too hot to work lately and I've been busy with my job... But I think setting up the rig won't take more than a full day so I can take my time... I want to install curtains with velcro to make it easy to remove and attach them. Any tips? I just don't want it to look bad from the outside... or cheap. I was considering putting on reflectix. Anyone know if that attracts unwanted attention or do people ignore a vehicle whose windows are covered in reflectix? Is that a dead givaway that someone is living in the vehicle?&nbsp;</div>

 

[4x4tour]

Your concern is why I Limo tinted the windows, prior to reflectex.&nbsp; As you can see, you can't tell the windows are all covered with reflectex.&nbsp;&nbsp; Im gonna order the day/night shade kit from camping world (they know the ford window measurements).&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; <br><br>

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[stude53]

And, it is cheap, too.<br><br><A href="http://www.seatcoverconnection.net/window-tint-limo-p-295.html" target=_blank>http://www.seatcoverconnection.net/window-tint-limo-p-295.html</A><br><br>If you do it yourself.<br>

 

[WanderingRonin]

AWesome! Thanks for the info! I will definitely look into that.&nbsp;

 

[4x4tour]

My driver/passenger doors have a 2nd to the lightest films on them.&nbsp; Just wanted to add that, since I see that you can see through the the drivers door window in the pic.&nbsp; The "rearer" windows are dark, then a layer of reflectex, then a sheet of lows R-12 half inch styrofoam, then upholstered 1/4 inch walls.&nbsp; I made a 1" block of covered styrfoam to fit inside the window in the pic.&nbsp; So far, it seems to be enough insulation for the van. <br><br>

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[Seraphim]

<P><FONT size=3>We made window covers out of thin ABS sheets, velcroed to the inside. Light tight, inexpensive&nbsp;and easy to pop on and off. Doesn't collect dust as curtains do. Stealth? Take them to a graphic shop and have them put a business logo/name on them, so the graphics&nbsp;show when the covers are&nbsp;in position. Might even leave them&nbsp;up full time, as they won't interefere with visibility.</FONT><BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3>You can fit reflectex between the cover and glass for insulation if necessary - the cover will hold it in place.</FONT><BR></P><FONT size=3>You have other options here - the white ABS will reflect sunlight back out the window, heeping it from heating up the interior&nbsp;in hot weather. Black felt between cover and glass will absorb the light and warm the felt, etc, providing a layer of warmth in cool weather (providing there's direct sunlight).</FONT><BR><BR>

 

[WanderingRonin]

The ABS sheets are probably the most promising for my skill level. I don't trust myself to install my own tint. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mMXecl5cOno/TmuJoEe7FJI/AAAAAAAAABY/AIxkVGOHJVs/s1600/100_0483.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CkMBtfy7dvg/TmuJo6dQl8I/AAAAAAAAABc/dHXTVCIWGlI/s1600/100_0484.JPG">T</div><div>That's my van... and the bed is now set up behind the driver's seat. I'm pretty pleased so far! 3 weeks to go before I move in! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></div>

 

[She]

The ABS sheets are probably the most promising for my skill level. I don't trust myself to install my own tint. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><div>That's my van... and the bed is now set up behind the driver's seat. I'm pretty pleased so far! 3 weeks to go before I move in! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></div>

<div><br></div><div> Every time I try to put something like that anywhere I get bubbles. Wallpaper included.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I really like that set up you have so far. Is that a door or a table for your bed? Or something else?</div>

 

[4x4tour]

Always use high-temp velcro fasteners, if you can... I learned the hard way on using regular velcro in the heat.&nbsp; They all failed and got "gooey"... <br>

 

[Seraphim]

<SPAN id=post_message_1270167583>Always use high-temp velcro fasteners, if you can... I learned the hard way on using regular velcro in the heat.&nbsp; They all failed and got "gooey"... <BR></SPAN><BR>

<br><br>Yep. We only had problems once: the bathroom is a small area and we left the window covered all day in the hot sun. An easy fix though.<br>

 

[WanderingRonin]

She, I believe it used to be a table of some sort.&nbsp;<div>I picked it up 4 years ago in a neighbor's garage pile and never really knew what I would use it for... now I know. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></div><div>I find that anything from the house can be used temporarily in the van as long as they are fastened down. Most of my stuff so far are crates and a few shelves I will move in pretty soon.<br><div>I will have more pics up later. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></div></div><div><br></div>

 

[gimo76]

<div>&nbsp;I want to install curtains with velcro to make it easy to remove and attach them. Any tips? I just don't want it to look bad from the outside... or cheap. I was considering putting on reflectix. Anyone know if that attracts unwanted attention or do people ignore a vehicle whose windows are covered in reflectix? Is that a dead givaway that someone is living in the vehicle?&nbsp;</div>you said....<br><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>here is my two cents on Velcro. &nbsp;Do not put the sticky side on the windows, sew it to the liner if you can. &nbsp;I had the drapes all up and working and looking fine and the first hot day I came back to the Van and they had all slid down the window. &nbsp;What a Mess. &nbsp;When I get my new Van next week I will have to figure out some sort of track system.</div><div><br></div><div>After the Velcro fiasco, I screwed tea cup brass hooks into the liner and then put safety pins on the drapes and it actually worked pretty good. &nbsp;I still want to have something better for the new Van... The drapes on the tea hooks were single layer sheet material so were not heavy. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I do not need the back side windows in my Van so plan to make a wall over them, like a back rest for the bed. &nbsp;Then I can also put a few short shelfs up.. &nbsp;It will take care of any drape need on the furthest back side two windows. &nbsp;Of course once I get the Van my ideas might not end up being so good but only time will tell. &nbsp;I actually can't wait to get the Van started.</div><div><br></div><div>gimo76</div>

 

[WanderingRonin]

My van began as a 15 passenger model. As you can see with the pictures, it still had the large screws where the seatbelts attached. I used those to thread my curtain lines through as they almost go from front to back of the van.&nbsp;<div>Yeah, sometimes our plans don't match when we get our vehicles. I have had to adjust my own plans accordingly. Now, I no longer use velcro on anything. The sticky side is unreliable as people say it is.</div><div>You may still want to use blacking materials over the back windows just to prevent light from escaping that way. It helps with your concealment.</div><div>Good luck with your conversion!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>

 

[WanderingRain]

<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">"Cheating" right now...<br /><br /><br />I am right now in my office cubie camped out here. This is near the Mexican border and it is very very hot outside so I'd rather not roast in my mini home. It feels like cheating but hey... the airconditioning at my office is on whether I am here or not here. So why not make use of it? Now, I am open about this and I did let my boss know. He's pretty cool and easygoing guy so he doesn't mind. Rules for being a good guest always apply even more here: keep your area clean and be very discreet. Wake up early and pack it away before anyone comes by.</p><p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">I am really getting used to living like this. It is easy and once one gets the hang of it, not a problem at all. I know this is mostly guys doing this. I think many of us men are happy sleeping in the woods &nbsp;and outdoors if society lets us.&nbsp;<br />Born to be wild and that's what I'm doing!<br /><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">I suppose it's when we get a partner in life and she wants the comforts of civilization that we do have to give up a bit of this wild life and settle down into normal city life.&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">but hey.... as long as I'm single... yo-ho-ho, the vagabond's life for me.</p><p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">It doesn't even feel like I am homeless anymore.&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">I suppose it is because I am secure in my finances, no longer worried... I have my little home if I really have to go... and I can eat out more because of the savings. You can't beat living like this IMHO. I see deer walking in the bushes below me... it's awesome.</p><p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">Today, I had Indian curry from a bottle with some leftover rotisserie chicken --great combo with frozen carrots and a slab of butter --melt that in there and you got heaven in a bowl. Whip out the roti bread and you got yourself a meal. Not contented with that, I even had some Korean rice porridge on the side (the last of a batch I made a while back) . Then some friends and I go to this Japanese restaurant where I have even more curry... It just turned out that way. I had a choice between the curry and some ramen. My curiosity about the Japanese curry won out.</p><p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">It's been great so far. I cannot wait till winter comes so I can move back into my little home on wheels... or finally get to install my purchased solar panel. We'll see... lots of work to be done in the meantime.</p>

 

[sidat202]

Nice van. Are those ramps on top? I was thinking about carrying some with me but I didnt know where to put them. They are handy if you need to get under your rig.