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Quoted: Picked up a roof rack off of craigslist. This was important as I need it to hang my awning from. They were asking 125. I offered 80 bucks and they took it. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/183526/0503191859_jpg-933326.JPG And farting around with some small trim work. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/183526/0503191922_jpg-933327.JPG |
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My van came with a similar roof rack, although I have three cross bars.
If you mount the awning on the outside of the bars, you may have a bit of a gap between the edge of the roof and the back of the awning. This gap can let a little rain come through. Not a biggy, but something to think about. Those contractor bars a little different than most folks who mount the awning on the side of a basket. I also lopped the "antlers" on the top, down to about 2 inches. Enough to still be able to lash on a pole type item, but not so tall as to grab branches. You can pick up plastic plugs pretty cheap on Amazon, to plug the top of tube, along with a little sealer. These contractor racks are plenty stout. |
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Quoted: Beating the heat might be a little challenging without putting on an rv a.c. unit. But then I have comfortably slept under a tonneau cover in the bed of a pickup in July at oshkosh. As long as you can have some ventilation I would think it will be fine. I can tell you for a fact that I made sure it was insulated far better than 95 percent of the campers I have worked on.  Heat if I use it in the off season will likely be with a propane powered little buddy. Which with a little ventilation to pull in some fresh air will be absolutely fine. There will be a co, propane and smoke detector installed before heat is used. My Sprinter has an Espar that costs 5 times the price but a few guys on the Sprinter Forum have used these with great success. https://m.aliexpress.com/item/33006002585.html?pid=808_0000_0101&spm=a2g0n.search-amp.list.33006002585&aff_trace_key=846e0a53101243558006007cc2e3e577-1553939351672-05989-UneMJZVf&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=3544amp-egcIn5NR0tSahh6XipNIUw1556956946507 |
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Quoted:
You gonna cover them nasty wheel wells? Quoted:
Quoted: Picked up a roof rack off of craigslist. This was important as I need it to hang my awning from. They were asking 125. I offered 80 bucks and they took it. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/183526/0503191859_jpg-933326.JPG And farting around with some small trim work. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/183526/0503191922_jpg-933327.JPG 
Yes. I haven't decided exactly how I want to go about it yet. I have a few ideas in mind. |
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Quoted:
My van came with a similar roof rack, although I have three cross bars. If you mount the awning on the outside of the bars, you may have a bit of a gap between the edge of the roof and the back of the awning. This gap can let a little rain come through. Not a biggy, but something to think about. Those contractor bars a little different than most folks who mount the awning on the side of a basket. I also lopped the "antlers" on the top, down to about 2 inches. Enough to still be able to lash on a pole type item, but not so tall as to grab branches. You can pick up plastic plugs pretty cheap on Amazon, to plug the top of tube, along with a little sealer. These contractor racks are plenty stout. Those racks are super stout! I can rick the van by just grabbing one while on the ladder. the van moves, the rack doesn't flex. 
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Quoted:
This will be the best couple of hundred you ever spend. My Sprinter has an Espar that costs 5 times the price but a few guys on the Sprinter Forum have used these with great success. https://m.aliexpress.com/item/33006002585.html?pid=808_0000_0101&spm=a2g0n.search-amp.list.33006002585&aff_trace_key=846e0a53101243558006007cc2e3e577-1553939351672-05989-UneMJZVf&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=3544amp-egcIn5NR0tSahh6XipNIUw1556956946507 Quoted:
Quoted: Beating the heat might be a little challenging without putting on an rv a.c. unit. But then I have comfortably slept under a tonneau cover in the bed of a pickup in July at oshkosh. As long as you can have some ventilation I would think it will be fine. I can tell you for a fact that I made sure it was insulated far better than 95 percent of the campers I have worked on. Heat if I use it in the off season will likely be with a propane powered little buddy. Which with a little ventilation to pull in some fresh air will be absolutely fine. There will be a co, propane and smoke detector installed before heat is used. My Sprinter has an Espar that costs 5 times the price but a few guys on the Sprinter Forum have used these with great success. https://m.aliexpress.com/item/33006002585.html?pid=808_0000_0101&spm=a2g0n.search-amp.list.33006002585&aff_trace_key=846e0a53101243558006007cc2e3e577-1553939351672-05989-UneMJZVf&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=3544amp-egcIn5NR0tSahh6XipNIUw1556956946507 
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Quoted:
That actually looks really interesting. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted: Beating the heat might be a little challenging without putting on an rv a.c. unit. But then I have comfortably slept under a tonneau cover in the bed of a pickup in July at oshkosh. As long as you can have some ventilation I would think it will be fine. I can tell you for a fact that I made sure it was insulated far better than 95 percent of the campers I have worked on. Heat if I use it in the off season will likely be with a propane powered little buddy. Which with a little ventilation to pull in some fresh air will be absolutely fine. There will be a co, propane and smoke detector installed before heat is used. My Sprinter has an Espar that costs 5 times the price but a few guys on the Sprinter Forum have used these with great success. https://m.aliexpress.com/item/33006002585.html?pid=808_0000_0101&spm=a2g0n.search-amp.list.33006002585&aff_trace_key=846e0a53101243558006007cc2e3e577-1553939351672-05989-UneMJZVf&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=3544amp-egcIn5NR0tSahh6XipNIUw1556956946507 If you do some more research they may have a gasoline knockoff also. I still prefer the added safety of the Diesel heater over a gasoline powered one. It comes with a 10L tank. |
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Buddy gave me a few freebies for the van today.
Some stackable fuse holders, breakers and a really nice multi battery isolator. Attached File |
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Quoted: I think I may look for another set. I would prefer three up there to better support the awning. I can install an angle iron between the two to support the c- channel for the awning and get away with it. but I would like a little more center support ideally. I test fit it last night and the gap up there was small enough that I don't think it will be a huge issue. Short of a wind driven rain from the right direction, The gutters should stop a majority of the rain. Those racks are super stout! I can rick the van by just grabbing one while on the ladder. the van moves, the rack doesn't flex. Correct on the gutters doing a good job. In a straight down rain, I can sit in my side doorway and I only get a touch of rain. My solar panel covers most of the width of my door, and I taped (VHB) an awning rail to the side of my panel, so I can add a small awning to span the gap, if I want to fiddle with it. A company called "Sailrite" sells the nice awning rails (grooved aluminum track) and awing strips (hard plastic tube that goes in track) with a ballistic nylon edge that you can easily sew to tarps or cloth. The awning rails can go up with 3-m VHB tape for a very stout connection. With Sailrite goodies, you can do very custom first class awning projects, and they sell first class extendable poles, grommets etc. Done many an order with zero issues. |
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Threaded some 10 gauge wire to the front cabinet where the power panel will reside.
Then began the fun task of covering the rear pillars and wiring. It took some work but it came around. Organized and taped back the wiring. Attached File I used reflectix. I began by putting it against the wall and cutting to the shape I needed and stapled along the corner seam by the rear pillar then folded it all back. Again trimming it back and putting down a layer of gorilla tape and taping it down to that. Attached File Then the felt had to be cut to shape and 3M super 77 used to glue it to the reflectix and the tape. Attached File Attached File Wash, Rinse and Repeat. Attached File |
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Long day at work, I was however offered a nearly new roof top AC from work for free, I turned it down as I want this to look as cargo van as possible outside. Nothing exciting tonight. Too pooped to work much tonight. Just a little touch up and some better pictures with a real camera. Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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Long day at work, I was however offered a nearly new roof top AC from work for free, I turned it down as I want this to look as cargo van as possible outside. Nothing exciting tonight. Too pooped to work much tonight. Just a little touch up and some better pictures with a real camera. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/183526/DSC04305_JPG-936863.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/183526/DSC04296_JPG-936869.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/183526/DSC04295_JPG-936871.JPG |
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Quoted:
Disguise the AC unit in a gun turret: https://media.defense.gov/2017/Aug/01/2001786077/918/612/0/170726-A-EP975-009A.JPG 
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Disguise the AC unit in a gun turret: https://media.defense.gov/2017/Aug/01/2001786077/918/612/0/170726-A-EP975-009A.JPG Ask how, call now!
*bottles of gunner piss not included
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Quoted:
At last, a simple and elegant solution for condensation, school debt, and traffic problems in your camper van! Ask how, call now!
*bottles of gunner piss not included Quoted:
Quoted:
Disguise the AC unit in a gun turret: https://media.defense.gov/2017/Aug/01/2001786077/918/612/0/170726-A-EP975-009A.JPG Ask how, call now!
*bottles of gunner piss not included
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Walking through the building at work yesterday...Parts guy told me to stop by and see him tomorrow. So after pulling an all day road trip in the work truck I stopped by and talked with him a bit. He was getting ready to liquidate some old stock and decided to give me dibs on some old stock. He is one of the guys at work that has seen the van... Only a couple people at work have seen the van, but everyone knows about it. 100 bucks got me this today.
Attached File |
ok, now you suck 
Dang, the Noco is still in the wrapper, and the batteries look pretty new. Can't tell whether they are starting batteries or deep cycle, but for 100 smackers I would have thrown my back out digging out my wallet. Nice score. I am new to Noco stuff, but I picked up one of their monster jump packs last fall (6.0 liter here, with two starting batteries), and have used it a couple of times with my neighbor. So far, impressed. Your pillar wraps are a great idea. I cannot tell you how many evenings I have spent in my van, slugging beers and staring at all of my pillars, trying to decide what to do. The pillar at the rear of my side doors is the run down from the roof solar, and back up from my charge center, to cable runs on both sides of my van. My wires were on the outside of the pillar, and I was contemplating boxing things. I got all my wires re-run and tucked inside the pillar, so now wrapping is an option. debating about maybe using some elk hides, or make some mesh pockets for incidental storage, or maybe both? |
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Quoted:
ok, now you suck
Dang, the Noco is still in the wrapper, and the batteries look pretty new. Can't tell whether they are starting batteries or deep cycle, but for 100 smackers I would have thrown my back out digging out my wallet. Nice score. I am new to Noco stuff, but I picked up one of their monster jump packs last fall (6.0 liter here, with two starting batteries), and have used it a couple of times with my neighbor. So far, impressed. Your pillar wraps are a great idea. I cannot tell you how many evenings I have spent in my van, slugging beers and staring at all of my pillars, trying to decide what to do. The pillar at the rear of my side doors is the run down from the roof solar, and back up from my charge center, to cable runs on both sides of my van. My wires were on the outside of the pillar, and I was contemplating boxing things. I got all my wires re-run and tucked inside the pillar, so now wrapping is an option. debating about maybe using some elk hides, or make some mesh pockets for incidental storage, or maybe both? I also sat and stared at those damn pillars for a good while too. Noco is dang good stuff. I used my buddies Noco charger conditioner to bring back some batteries that seemingly were shot with just basic charging methods. |
 1988 Pete Ellis Vans - Bellflower, CA. commercial |
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KA, not sure where you found that video, but now I know why my cop buddies and other friends call mine a rape/drug mobile. If I dressed like those guys, I would expect to be pulled over by passing Police.
Goodn, not that you need my help, but if I found a deal like those batteries, before I made a custom enclosure/space for them, I would measure one out to make sure it was of a standard case size of perhaps quality batteries that you might replace with, just in case they do not hold up. Then I would install, and run them like you stole them, which you did. There are not a lot of companies that actually make batteries, and many times smaller label sellers will have them built by a quality maker. You might be able to do a little digging to figure out who the actual maker is, to determine whether or not they are of good quality, or perhaps get the maker recommended charge profiles, to help maximize their life span. Have you started shopping for big wire crimp tools on Amazon? I see some serious crimping in your near future
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Quoted:
KA, not sure where you found that video, but now I know why my cop buddies and other friends call mine a rape/drug mobile. If I dressed like those guys, I would expect to be pulled over by passing Police. Goodn, not that you need my help, but if I found a deal like those batteries, before I made a custom enclosure/space for them, I would measure one out to make sure it was of a standard case size of perhaps quality batteries that you might replace with, just in case they do not hold up. Then I would install, and run them like you stole them, which you did. There are not a lot of companies that actually make batteries, and many times smaller label sellers will have them built by a quality maker. You might be able to do a little digging to figure out who the actual maker is, to determine whether or not they are of good quality, or perhaps get the maker recommended charge profiles, to help maximize their life span. Have you started shopping for big wire crimp tools on Amazon? I see some serious crimping in your near future Wiring will be pretty simple, and as far as crimping or soldering. That will be covered, My boss will let me use the shop at work, or I will do them at my buddies shop. |
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I'da taken that a/c.
It's really coming together well man, I'm jealous!  It was sitting in the warehouse as of yesterday. Thanks! It really is coming together. I went in with a plan, But as usual once things got rolling there was a lot of sitting down and thinking and plan changes followed by "Winging it". LOL |
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Got some time between work and a funeral to do a little more work on it. I started work on the divider. Attached File |
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Got some time between work and a funeral to do a little more work on it. I started work on the divider. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/183526/0512191944a_jpg-943275.JPG |
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Surprised you’re leaving the “windows” open on the divider. Most builds I’ve seen close those off since the cab isn’t as well insulated as the rest of the van. Quoted:
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Got some time between work and a funeral to do a little more work on it. I started work on the divider. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/183526/0512191944a_jpg-943275.JPG I like the center one. That might get framed and have plexi or something put in its place with a blind over it. That is usable to see out of the beck when driving. The other by the slider is going to have a tv backer and maybe a closable vent installed there. So a small tv will be hanging there. |
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Well. Its not done yet...
But, it looks like I will be using it.. Took my wife to the ER at 1am and they admitted her at 7am. And decided to transfer her to a hospital 80 or so miles away in a smaller town that has a specialist. So I went home and grabbed some things and followed the ambulance there with my van. |
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Well. Its not done yet... But, it looks like I will be using it.. Took my wife to the ER at 1am and they admitted her at 7am. And decided to transfer her to a hospital 80 or so miles away in a smaller town that has a specialist. So I went home and grabbed some things and followed the ambulance there with my van. |
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Good luck. Hope all goes well. I cannot sleep in the craptastic chairs in the hospital. So this might be as good of a time as any to use the van. It might give me some other ideas too. I grabbed a power inverter and a battery for the road trip. So it is pretty minimal, but it should do for what I need right now. |