Vincent, my Van that Goghs... in progress

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BTW... I did take down a part of my headliner a while back to peek at what was up there.&nbsp; When I discovered that it already has insulated up there... I put that baby back together and gave up all ideas of taking it any further apart.&nbsp; I may still cover the ceiling with something that isn't so ugly... but for now... I have no further plans to do something heroic with the ceiling in Vinny.&nbsp; Besides... with that gravity thing... well... I'd rather not have to fight that battle.<br>
 
<p style="margin: 0px;">Hey, Ms. Vangogh</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I just got back from visiting and catching up on your blog, and my congratulations on your progress. Glad you caught the leaks before you had added more stuff to get soaked.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Once you have everything done, are you staying in Virginia, or moving to an even more temperate clime? Maybe more insulation will not be needed.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Bob</p>
 
Hi Bob,&nbsp; feel free to call me Carmen.&nbsp; I'm planning on staying here in Virginia near family, I have clients here who have been very good to me.&nbsp; My plan is to live in my van for at least a year, save some money, and then I have some projects in mind.&nbsp; (write a book, build a house, get my Masters, etc...)&nbsp; I also hope to get out and see the world some more, that would be grand.<br>
 
<p style="margin: 0px;">Hi Carmen,</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I grew up in Alexandria, Virginia and have relatives all over Virginia ... have also lived in Bladensburg, Maryland ... Dayton, Ohio, and now in rural&nbsp;North Carolina.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Sounds like a good plan!</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>
 
a little more global warming and winters will be lovely here in Virginia, why move?!&nbsp; =)<br>
 
Hello Carmen!<div>I am glad you caught the leak before it does more damage. Will you be putting something over the cork or will that be the floor? Just curious...</div><div>I wish I can come over and help when you build your house...</div><div>Looking forward to reading more of your conversion process.</div><div><br></div><div>Rod</div>
 
Carmen, the BLUE color of your van interior reminds me of the Dodge van I owned when I lived in Norfolk VA back in the mid 80's, mine was a 1978 1/2 ton, when I pulled into the driveway with it my youngest son was standing there with his diaper dragging, he saw me got a big smile on his face and yelled out at the top of his lungs&nbsp;<div>BLUE!!!!!! and that was the name of the van...to this day he sometimes asks if I think BLUE is still around..LOL Thanks for the smile...</div><div>Mike (Big)</div>
 
A picture of BLUE, while I was rebuilding the engine with the help of my son..<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><div>this must have been 24 yrs ago</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://vanlivingforum.com/file?id=1246496" target="_blank">BLUE.jpg</a></div><div><br></div>
 
Thanks for the photo, Big.&nbsp; looks like you really had a project on your hands with little boy and Blue.&nbsp; Now if you want a new Dodge cargo van, you can get it in any color you want, as long as it's white.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> <br><br>
 
Hi Rod, I will need to finish the cork floor with either wax or poly, have not decided which yet.&nbsp; The benefits include being comfy underfoot, and being very forgiving in the case of compression or scratches.&nbsp; It also serves as acoustic insulation and thermal insulation, which is why I may also covering the ceiling with it also.&nbsp; And, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.healthyhomeplans.com/articles/information11.php">according to this article</a>, it is also moisture, rot and mold resistant, which is good news.&nbsp; It seemed ideal.&nbsp; And even though cork flooring is widely available these days, it's still pricey.&nbsp; So my approach with tiles on sale from Staples was perhaps a bit unconventional, but it looks good now and we'll see how it wears.&nbsp; Plus, I'll throw a rug in there just to make it feel like home.&nbsp; Sometimes my experiments work, and sometimes I just clean up my mess and go on.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; lol!<br><br>
 
Carmen, I have a GMC Safari, but I have been going auto auctions with a friend of mine who has a car lot, I am looking for a BIGGER van, and hopefully one with a diesel engine, preferably a Ford...LOL. I think the Safari is a bit small for me..<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><div>He also has a nice 36 ft class A which I can get for a very good price, but I don't think I want to go that big..LOL</div>
 
my friend talked me out of looking for a diesel because fixing them is so incredibly expensive.&nbsp; he had a diesel box truck that he got for a steal, and every time it broke down, it was five grand to get it running again.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; something about glow plugs and yada yada... i'm not a mechanic and tend to glaze over when things get too technical.&nbsp; Anyway, good luck with your search. &nbsp; <br>
 
Looks like you all are doing a very nice job.&nbsp; I like the cork floors - the first one I ever saw was&nbsp;on the floor at&nbsp;Shillito's in Cincinnati (a large department store). When I asked about the durability, I learned they are very durable and&nbsp;insulating.<BR><BR>Polyurethane, imo. never heard of wax being used, but I'd think the poly would be more durable.<BR><BR><BR>
 
the jump box does an excellent job of helping me jump a low battery on Vincent.&nbsp; And it has a little light and other cool features.&nbsp; So far so good.&nbsp; <br><br>Oh, and my van needs a new battery, I have had to jump it three times lately.<br><br>
 
Have someone check the power output on your alternator before you buy a battery to make sure it's putting out enough to charge the battery properly. It's possible the battery may not be dead, just I sufficiently charged. You're probably correct, but it only takes two minutes to check the alternator.

 
Have someone check the power output on your alternator before you buy a battery to make sure it's putting out enough to charge the battery properly. It's possible the battery may not be dead, just I sufficiently charged. You're probably correct, but it only takes two minutes to check the alternator.

 
I've finished building out the bed area and put up some wainscoting to cover the wheel wells.&nbsp; I painted a piece of plywood along the back of the bed frame.&nbsp; I discovered that the area under the bed perfectly fits two laundry baskets - score!&nbsp; <br>I have two coats of poly on the cork floor now and it's drying.&nbsp; It's 39 degrees outside and 65 in the van, thanks to an excellent ceramic heater that is set on 'low."&nbsp; I'm really pleased with how well the heater is working, otherwise I wouldn't be making much progress at all this week.&nbsp; I hope the heat helps the floor dry so I can make more progress this week.&nbsp; <a target="_blank" href="http://myvangoghs.blogspot.com/2011/12/poly-gress.html">"Poly-gress" on my blog shows more photos<br></a>
 
I think my new thermal-electric fridge/cooler is pretty cool!&nbsp; I bought the <a target="_blank" href="http://myvangoghs.blogspot.com/2011/12/koolatron.html">Koolatron from Amazon</a> in one of the smaller sizes.&nbsp; It feels solid and looks great.&nbsp; It will heat or cool, depending on how you plug it in.&nbsp; That's a cool feature though I doubt I'll use the heat feature often, if ever.&nbsp; I haven't plugged it into my 12v outlet yet, but I'm looking forward to see how this baby performs on the road!&nbsp; It's made in Canada, so it should last for a while.&nbsp; Can't wait to try it!<br>
 
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