Update on the GadgetVan

[Gadget728]

Well, I got my White, 06' Extended Hi-top G2500 GMC Savana for $4500 and $2000 trade in. I've now put $750 into the front end and $500 in the engine. I recently bought & installed 5 new BFG All Terrain TA KO2's on it for roughly $1100. Approx. $8850 spent so far. She now runs and drives great!

Some other Items purchased, but not yet installed - $240 for a MaxxAir Deluxe, $300 for 2 - Trojan 
T-105 RE batteries, $106 for a 12.5' telescoping ladder and $260 for a tall ladder rack for solar panels. Approx - $900

I'm down to a few thousands dollars for this build, although I continue to sell my old stuff and work my computer shop. Because I paid off the bank, I'm now essentially debt free. 

Things I still need - Whynter 45 Qt. fridge/freezer @ $450. Either a Yamaha or Honda Generator @ approx. $1000. Last but not least, my solar panels, charge controller, inverter. 

Since shipping on solar panels is so high, my plan is to get the rack installed and purchase Solar panels from a store in Arizona when I go to the RTR. I will already have the charge controller, inverter, batteries all wired up and ready since I will be charging my Batteries with the generator. I also went through Bobs links when I bought my suitcase Renogy 100 Watt set up.
We are planning on insulating & installing the walls soon, I'll post pics then. 

GMC now stands for Gadget-Man's Camper 

 

[frater secessus]

I like your choices there. I've been thinking about buy PV on location, too.

 

[jimindenver]

PV, especially the big panels are much cheaper if you can pick it up. I was thinking of picking up some 435's on the way down to the Q until I remembered I'll be living in the trailer and have no where for them to go.

 

[BradKW]

hmm, pictures would add so much here...

 

[Gadget728]

Another $983 to finish the engine work and repair the damage done by the guys who worked on it last week. Zimmers Auto, mentioned a broken exhaust manifold bolt and the head would have to come off, I told them not to fix it. George & I inspected the exhaust manifolds when I first got it, and there were no broken bolts, but there was one gasket needed replaced.

I took the van to a different repair shop (Galva Cash Service) and they said the broken bolt was fresh, not rusted, they guessed it had just been broken recently. The bad gasket had created an air leak, which told the sensor to enrichen the mix, which in turn started destroying the catalytic converter. Zimmers also charged me $120 for replacing the dip stick tube grommet, the new repairman REALLY replaced it. He actually had to cut it and replace the whole tube, because it was so stuck. He said Zimmers never touched that tube and I should ask for my money back. I'll just never go back to Zimmers. I only gave him my business because he bought a computer from me. I'm done with him now & know better than to trust him with anything.

I knew there would be repairs when I first bought it, and I'm still glad I have it. I just spent a little more getting it right than I thought I should have to. It's coming together, and when we start on the interior, I'll post pics.

 

[rvpopeye]

Wow Gadget , you're really making some progress !

Too bad about Zimmers' screw ups. Maybe you could get some money back (they know they broke that bolt !) Show them the repair slip from Galva as proof of that and the other problems they caused. If they're local , they won't want you to tell everybody not to go there? God luck !

 

[Gadget728]

Thanks rvpopeye - Zimmer is a giant prick, but he lets me park my van on the shady side of his building, across from my shop.(it used to be my Moms building) He actually spent more money with me, than I spent with him. One of the things his helper fixed was fine and I'm glad for that. I'll never NEED his help again, and we are such close in proximity, I don't want any conflicts. His Karma will get him for me.

Of course, you know the old saying - Do someone right, they'll tell their friends, do somebody wrong, they'll tell everyone!!

 

[djkeev]

In The World of mechanics when fixing old and often rusty vehicles...... Crap happens.

An old rusty manifold nut siezed onto a stud can give even the best mechanic grief.
The mechanic didn't rust it and often in good faith, they break upon removal.
Now an EXPERIENCED mechanic knows it will break and will take action to minimize the chances of it breaking. This action takes time and costs money.
Sometimes even with the best proactive steps, studs still break. It is your problem, not the repair shops.

Now, they were first class schmucks to not tell you a stud broke and to offer you the options for it's repair.

I'm extremely careful with rusty fasteners..... I have probably a 95% success rate getting them off without damage, but that 5% I fail at are real buggers!

Dave

 

[Gadget728]

Thanks djkeev - Yep rusty fasteners, especially exhaust bolts get rusted in almost solid. George & I were going to tackle that job after Zimmers got done with the work I requested done, the exhaust gasket wasn't on the list of things for him to fix. Zimmer is just one of those guys you look at and don't really trust. He doesn't have very good people skills.
When the trouble code for the C. Converter popped up, I just let Galva Cash do it, and they replaced 6 bolts and planed the manifold. No matter who did the work, the bolt would have probably broken anyway. I'm really happy with all the work Galva Cash Service did. The van is running superb now!!

On a sad note - The owner of Galva Cash died this morning, so we sent flowers and a card. They did business with us when we were a hardware store. Really good people, his sons will carry on the business.

 

[rvpopeye]

I hear ya about too close to piss off . Bad karma is something I avoid like the plague !
The good part is it's all fixed up now and reliable !
Sorry about your loss of a good guy. He'll be cashing in all his good karma points ......

 

[Headache]

It's coming together, and when we start on the interior, I'll post pics.

Pics or it didn't happen!  We need van porn!   :angel:

You have a good attitude about handling bad repair work so kudos to you.  Thankfully nothing truly "bad" happened and you could drive it to a better shop.