The things I've done to my van so far

[caseyc]

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The other day, I was thinking about the various things I've done to my van in the last 1-1/2 year that I've had my 1995 Ford E150 conversion van.&nbsp; I only bought the van for a few thousand dollars from a used car dealer.&nbsp; I had no idea that I would spend so much time making improvements to the van.&nbsp; Here's a list of things I've done so far.&nbsp; Anyone think this is going overboard?&nbsp; I should probably stop now. <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>Repair - new radiator</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Repair - new rear shocks</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Repair – new wheel bearings, brakes pad, rotors, alignment</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Repair - new fuel pump and starter (but still has problem with ignition not starting sometimes)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - Installed Super Springs to rear suspension</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - Installed 4 new light truck tires, plus additional 2 identical spare tires (under van &amp; tire rack)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - brighter headlights</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - Installed additional curtains for inside interior</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - new black wheels with locking lug-nut for each wheel (to replace standard Ford rims)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - installed stainless steel tailpipe tip</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - added new front grill (to replace standard Ford grill)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - added front hood bug deflector shield</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - added 2 front side window wind shields</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - added 2 Yakima skyboxes (large model 21 size) with matching keys</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - added 1 Yakima MegaWarrior Basket with matching keys</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - added 1 Thule cargo box with lock and key</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - installed 2 solar panels (20 watts each) to trickle charge new auxillary battery</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - installed Group 27 AGM auxillary battery (underneath van floor in separate housing)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - installed new 2,000 watt pure sine wave inverter</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - Installed 4 additional 12 volt adapters (along 2 left side window-sills) connected to aux battery</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - Installed many hooks, racks, holders (20+ items) inside van interior walls and doors</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - professionally installed medium shade window tint to all windows (except windshield)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - installed new complete bed with twin size iComfort memory foam mattress &amp; bedframe with headboard (removed and sold 2 middle captain chairs and rear bench fold down seat)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - installed 3 separate removable tables in different parts of van (between front captain chairs, behind front passenger swiveling chair, at rear of van next to right wheel-well)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - installed spare tire rack to left rear door (including matching light truck tire) with side and front cover (with lock and key)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - installed ladder to rear right door</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - installed front tow hitch (connected to GoRhino step hitch used as bumper guard)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - installed rear tow hitch (connected to step hitch as bumper guard) </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - installed swivel base to front passenger captain char (to swivel 180 degrees backwards)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - installed new Pioneer stereo system</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - installed new speakers to both front door panels</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - installed Audiovox 11.3” ceiling flip-down DVD player with 2 wireless headphones</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - installed 10” bass subwoofer amplifier with housing</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Upgrade - added various 12 volt electronics (to use inverter less): Blueray DVD player, 19” LCD<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>flatscreen television, Android tablet, Windows PC computer&nbsp;tablet</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - installed new Rydeen GPS/Backup camera mirror (removed standard mirror)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - installed new deer alarm (to ward off deers while driving)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - installed C.Crane wifi antenna on roof connected to USB cord inside van </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - added Dometic 12/24/110 volt refrigerator (from Camping World store)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - added 19” Toshiba LCD television &amp; Terk amplified&nbsp;TV antenna to pickup free TV shows</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upgrade - added Sony PS3 playstation with 2 wireless controllers (with various racing and combat games, also plays DVD movies)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Security - installed Viper remote entry alarm system with remote engine ignition start and panic button</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Security - installed additional separate alarm system to protect rear of van</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Security - installed additional alarms stuck to windows to sound if windows broken (from Radio Shack)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Security - installed 2 separate Master locks (hockey puck style padlocks) with matching keys for exterior rear doors and middle doors (similar to locks installed onto cargo vans)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Security - installed permanent metal D ring hasps to floor of van to lock down safeboxes via Kryptonite brand heavy duty steel cables</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></p>

 

[Ziggy Moon]

If you have the money to spend and it makes you happy, go for it! <br><br>I'm more of a minimalist myself, less is better and my needs, or the needs for the van, come above my wants.<br><br>I think you've done an awesome job, casey.

 

[maritimecamper]

The worst thing is your wheels are now the perfect setup for thieves ...A friend of mine spent BIG bucks for a high priced stereo, had a false plate on the front. Thieves disabled the alarm, stole the stereo. He figured the kids working in the stereo store, passed on his address to the crooks? ??

 

[caseyc]

Hi Ziggy, thanks! &nbsp;I am a wannabe minimalist! &nbsp;Hopefully one day, I will succeed at it. &nbsp;Worthy goal for sure!&nbsp;

 

[caseyc]

Hi Maritimecamper,<br><br>I forgot to mention, I have locks installed on all 4 new black wheels. &nbsp;When I ordered the wheels, I specifically also ordered locks to be installed on each wheel. &nbsp;Actually these particular wheels are simply "nice" in my opinion, but not fancy. &nbsp;You should see up in my neck of the woods, many vehicles (eg: Escalades, Suburbans, etc) have huge 20 to 22 inch chrome wheels and tires. &nbsp;All that chrome costs more than what I initially paid for my van! &nbsp;My wheels are simply 15" wheels and tires and are simply ho-hum nice, but not particularly flashy.<br><br>When it comes to security, everything is locked down. I have locks for everything. I have locks to back up other locks. I have more keys for locks than I know what to do with. &nbsp;I even have The Club steering wheel lock, plus The Club brake lock as additional physical deterrents in addition to my multiple alarm systems. &nbsp;Crazy, but true. &nbsp;It would take a thief a lot of effort to break through all the multiple redundant locks.<br><br>Actually, I don't really have anything very valuable inside my van. &nbsp;That's because I'm not a fulltime vandweller. &nbsp;I'm not even a parttime vandweller. &nbsp;I'm more like a weekend camper. &nbsp;I keep all my valuables at home, not in the van.&nbsp;

 

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Good onya caseyc.&nbsp;Sounds like your been busy in the last year or so. Nothing wrong with improving your ride. </SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Geoff</SPAN></STRONG></EM>

 

[offroad]

Wheel locks dont really work. Take a tire iron.&nbsp; jam it on there lock and turn.&nbsp; it will have enough bite to pull it off.&nbsp; Is there something better?

 

[Zil]

Making your vehicle safe and dependable is a proper investment. If the sheet metal is not rusted, go for it all.<br>Did you do the rear wheel bearings?<br>Deer whistles don't work.

 

[ilovemyvan]

Casey, your van sounds great, so well thought. Do you have photos? I think it would be very inspiring.<br><br>Take care,<br><br>Nicole

 

[caseyc]

Hello Zil,<br><br>I don't remember which wheels had the bearings replaced/repaired. I spent around $2000 last year at Wheel Works to install&nbsp;6 new light truck tires, plus had repairs done such as wheel bearings, brake pads, rotors, alignment.&nbsp; The reason for&nbsp;6 tires (versus 4) is because 2 are spare tires.&nbsp; There is no rust on the van body at all. I figure the van must have been born and raised in California all her laugh, haha!&nbsp; &nbsp; <br><br>As for the deer "alarm" for lack of better terminology, this is a special system installed under the hood of the engine that emits an electronic sound. The conversion shop also installed an on/off toggle switch under the dashboard.&nbsp; This is NOT the cheap $6 deer whistle stick-on thing that can be bought at WalMart.&nbsp; This deer alarm system cost over a $100 to have it installed and is designed to scare off deers on the road while driving.&nbsp; I have no idea whether this really works or not since I haven't had the chance to experience an encounter.&nbsp; Thought it was worth a try at the time.&nbsp; Problem is that I keep forgetting to turn on the sucker, haha!<br><br>Casey

 

[caseyc]

Hi Offroad,<br><br>Better to have locks than not to have locks. It's for deterring the casual thief.<br><br>Casey

 

[caseyc]

Hi Nicole,<br><br>Thank you. I have tons of pictures, so many that I don't know where to start. <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>By the way, you should see the looks and stares from both drivers and pedestrians.&nbsp; Just last week while cruising down Highway 1 to Santa Cruz, a driver in a VW Vanagon coming from the opposite direction was driving by me and gawking at my 2 large Yakima boxes coming towards him. His mouth was literally hanging down from his jaw while his eyes were staring at my Yakimas as he was driving by. I said to my GF at the passenger seat, "did you see him gawking away?!" <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif">&nbsp;She told me she did.&nbsp; I thought it was pretty funny because I'm the one&nbsp;normally staring and gawking at a fully loaded VW Vanagon, especially when parked and with the roof-top up and awning out at a campsite, haha!&nbsp; I'm pretty sure the Vanagon driver mentioned to his wife/GF at his passenger seat, "I want that too!". I literally get that kind of stares every single time I take the van out for a roadtrip...without fail.&nbsp; Various strangers even come up to me and say "is that yours, wow?!" I find it amusing usually. Actually, it's annoying sometimes.&nbsp; I don't so much mind it when "normal/decent" people are making comments to me personally.&nbsp; But I don't care for the homeless and downright strange looking suspicious types.&nbsp; When I passed through downtown Santa Cruz a couple weeks ago, a couple weird guys in a pickup truck came up to me and asked "is that yours?!".&nbsp; I was coming back from a store, and promptly said yes as I was entering the van and getting the hell out of there.&nbsp; The reason I left quickly was because my GF was sitting in the passenger seat at the time waiting for my return, and I didn't want her to be scared from those 2 guys coming up to the van.&nbsp; I swear that Santa Cruz has some of the weirdest people there, especially in the downtown area. I normally only go to the Beach Boardwalk area, and avoid downtown alltogether.&nbsp; Sorry if I sound like I'm discriminating, but after living in the Bay Area since 1980, I know which areas have the weird ones! <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif">&nbsp; Another time recently while parked at a golf resort lot, a weird looking dude with his equally looking weird family parked next to me. At one point he came out of his car and was&nbsp;checking out my front tow hitch which is a special GoRhino chrome step hitch attached to another heavy duty&nbsp;hitch piece for elevation. As I was coming out of the restroom, I noticed him touching the tow hitch and checking it out. I was annoyed at him immediately because he was literally touching the tow hitch of my van. At that point, I pressed the remote entry of my Viper alarm which gave a loud beep-beep noise to let him know the owner is nearby.&nbsp; He immediately looked at me and said "is that yours, wow?!".&nbsp; I simply said yes, and ignored his <a href="mailto:dumb-@ss" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">dumb-@ss</a> as I got into my van.&nbsp; I could tell he was harmless, but I was annoyed that he had the nerve to touch my tow-hitch.&nbsp; I'm sure he quickly realized that my tow hitch had not one, but two separate Master locks attached to two separate hitches in turn attached to the tow assembly. In other words, that hitch won't simply come off without a whole lot of force. I'm not going so far as to say he was intending on stealing the hitch, but suffice to say, everything is locked down on my van with multiple lock and keys.&nbsp; The funny thing is I don't actually use the tow hitch to tow anything.&nbsp; I have nothing to tow. I use the tow hitch as a bumper, and to keep vehicles parked nearby me at a good distance. When other drivers park either in front of me or behind me, they are VERY cautious to park at an extra distance because those tow hitches are rather intimidating, and they don't want to scratch or dent their own bumpers. <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif"><br><br>EDIT:&nbsp; Nicole, attached are 2 pics<br><br>Casey

 

[caseyc]

Hi Maritimecamper,<br><br>I wouldn't be surprised if the same people that installed the alarm system might be the same people who are the thieves, especially in small(er) towns. I've heard such stories myself.&nbsp; I'm not worried about that happening.&nbsp; As for my stereo system, although it's nice, it's not high-end.&nbsp; High end would have been installing a stereo system that has a 7" motorized screen that comes up for GPS Navigation and DVD movie playing.&nbsp; However, my van dashboard only has&nbsp;a "DIN-1" instead of a "DIN-2" setup (not sure if I got the terminology correct). A larger size DIN-2 is required for installing a system that can accommodate a 7" motorized screen that comes up from the inside.&nbsp; That would have required a custom job of sawing/drilling a larger opening on my dashboard to accommodate a larger stereo system. I didn't feel like doing that, plus it literally would have been nearly triple the cost.<br><br>Casey

 

[ilovemyvan]

Hi Casey, nice van. You're right it does look intimidating. Thanks for taking the time to post the photos.<br>&nbsp;Blue Skies,<br>NIcole

 

[caseyc]

Hi Nicole,<br><br>Thanks. Notice the front and rear step tow hitches that I'm using as bumper guards?&nbsp; That's why other cars give me distance, haha! <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>Casey

 

[wagoneer]

All I can say is wow!!! long list for sure mine so far (not the end)<br>upgrade 1 &nbsp;roof basket for sp<br>upgrade 2 Yeti cooler (bear proof)<br>I hope you are well and never need to use your security hardware. see you around town. Adrian

 

[caseyc]

Hi Adrian,<br><br>Thanks, bud!&nbsp; Hope you're doing well too.&nbsp;Happy travels to you Adrian!<br><br>Casey