Starting Model 2.0 - PIC HEAVY

[Crabbyjerry]

I've been on this website for a while watching with great envy the beautiful lives that people here live. I, unfortunately, can't venture out into complete van life due to an eye disease. I'm going to eventually lose my eyesight. My conversion if for camping in the mountains in Colorado and the canyons in Utah. Maybe some cross country road trips too! 

Anyway, the 2 first pics are from the day I bought my van. 

The next two are a just some cabinets I put in the original interior.

If it's too personal that fine, but I was curious what was the eye disease you have. Good job so far on your van.

 

[Chrisbx7]

Not to personal at all. I have retinitis pigmentosa or RP. I don't drive after dark anymore because I don't see well at night. I see great during the day. I will eventually have tunnel vision. Imagine looking through paper towel tubes.... No worries though, I live in a beautiful state, have a great career, and get to see the mountains, waterfalls, valleys, canyons, glacier lakes and hike the Colorado Trail. I've only been in Colorado for less than 2 years and could post a ton of pictures from the awesome places I've already been.

I bought my van last year and camped in it for a season to figure out what was important to me. I decided the I needed a murphy type bed that would allow me to just fold up my sleeping quarters in the morning. I got so tired of rolling my bedding up every morning... I also wanted to bed able to walk through the van so I figured out a way to have a walkway about 2'-6" from back to front. Between a cargo carrier behind me and the storage inside, I should be able to go anywhere I want and stay for as long as I want.

 

[Crabbyjerry]

I kind of had a feeling that's what you would say. My wife has same . Doctors have told her she will have some form of vision for the rest of her life but naturally reduced from what it is today. She drives but I'm not comfortable knowing she has areas of no vision. You probably have a hearing loss that is tied to the vision loss as I'm sure you've been told. I thought she was able to hear great but several Drs said same thing. We've been to specialist in Manhattan New York that were quite interested in her case. Where have you been for evaluation?

 

[Chrisbx7]

Sorry to hear about your wife. You may look into something called Ushers Syndrome. That's when someone has RP and hearing loss. I haven't experienced any hearing loss yet and I hope I don't. I want to wish you and your wife the best of luck dealing with the struggles of this disease.

It's really tough sometimes and makes you find an inner strength that, truthfully, I struggle to find on some days. My mother had RP and I watched her struggle. I decided whenever I found out that I had RP that I would travel. I moved to Denver, bought a conversion van and started seeing the west while I still had a chance to see it. I've been all over Colorado and a little of Utah so far. I hope to finish this project and take a few weeks and to see a lot more.

Again, I want to wish the best to you and your wife.

 

[Crabbyjerry]

Sorry to hear about your wife. You may look into something called Ushers Syndrome. That's when someone has RP and hearing loss. I haven't experienced any hearing loss yet and I hope I don't. I want to wish you and your wife the best of luck dealing with the struggles of this disease.

It's really tough sometimes and makes you find an inner strength that, truthfully, I struggle to find on some days. My mother had RP and I watched her struggle. I decided whenever I found out that I had RP that I would travel. I moved to Denver, bought a conversion van and started seeing the west while I still had a chance to see it. I've been all over Colorado and a little of Utah so far. I hope to finish this project and take a few weeks and  to see a lot more.

Again, I want to wish the best to you and your wife. Thank you.. My wife is curious how old you are and when did you find out. Did your doctor check or tell you about your hearing yet. The doctor in Manhattan was looking in her eyes when he said she has a hearing loss from looking. She had no idea and I know that she hears everything so that was a new discovery. She was told to keep it at bay for as long as possible to take high dosages of vitamin A while having regular blood work..

 

[Crabbyjerry]

My wife is curious how old you are and when did you find out. Did your doctor check or tell you about your hearing yet. The doctor in Manhattan was looking in her eyes when he said she has a hearing loss from looking. She had no idea and I know that she hears everything so that was a new discovery. She was told to keep it at bay for as long as possible to take high dosages of vitamin A while having regular blood work.. Hope I didn't hijack this thread.[/font][/color]

 

[Chrisbx7]

Got a little more done this weekend. Almost finished with the top cabinets. Now to complete the remainder of the walls, ceiling and floor. Oh, and my electrical too

 

[highdesertranger]

nice work. where are you getting your hardware? I like those locks. your pup looks angry, give him a treat. highdesertranger

 

[Chrisbx7]

Here's a few more from the weekends works... got the stereo, amp and speakers installed and most of the wood stained. I wasn't completely ready to stain but I'll never turn down free help!

 

[Chrisbx7]

nice work. where are you getting your hardware?  I like those locks.  your pup looks angry,  give him a treat.  highdesertranger

Thanks! I guess what has surprised me the most was how well the Ryobi One + cordless tools work. I've done this entire build with those cordless tools. 

I'm getting most of the hardware from Home Depot, however, I've also found a few things at Lowe's. Just looking in the cabinet hardware sections.

My pup just looks that way. He's a turns into a mountain goat at 10,000 feet

 

[ViaVacavi]

Thanks! I guess what has surprised me the most was how well the Ryobi One + cordless tools work. I've done this entire build with those cordless tools. 

I'm getting most of the hardware from Home Depot, however, I've also found a few things at Lowe's. Just looking in the cabinet hardware sections.

My pup just looks that way. He's a turns into a mountain goat at 10,000 feet

Looking great!

I bought into the Ryobi One tools when they first came out and I have pretty much everything that they make.  They are by far the best cordless tools I've ever owned.  I built an entire 32x24 pole building using nothing but those tools with absolutely no issues

 

[Chrisbx7]

I put my floor in yesterday. I found a 100% vinyl floor that 100% waterproof. It's installed just like laminate flooring. I think it looks really good. I'm getting trim and more stain (ran out over the weekend) today and I will finish it out! I'm going camping in Crestone, Colorado this weekend and test it out.

 

[cargovanconversion]

You're making good progress!

Van Williams

 

[Chrisbx7]

I camped all summer with my van not finished....finally decided to work on it again since the weather here in Denver has been so nice. I installed 2 fold down tables. These are attached to the back of the murphy bed that folds down. I also installed some LED can lights and finished some trim around the window. The wiring you see will eventually be covered up. This is where my fuse panel and light switches will go.

 

[masterplumber]

Looking good. I was going to do some tables like that under my bed/couch on one side, but I realized I never seem to fold the beds up once I figured out I could get my motorcycle between them.

 

[Chrisbx7]

I could see that happening. I fold it up everyday while I'm camping because I don't like the dust and stuff getting on my bed.

 

[ArtW]

That is some nice work man

 

[Chrisbx7]

Thanks! It's been a labor of love