Discussion Topic |
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MisterE
Social climber
My Inner Nut
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Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 24, 2008 - 05:46pm PT
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I haven't posted this on the Taco, so I thought I would share the process.
I started with a 2001 GMC Savana cargo Van, the intent was to make a "stealth" climber's van. I had some maple from a tree on my property I had milled up and had been carrying around for a couple of years. Put about 200 hours into the conversion. The rest is pictures.
Stealth additions:
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wildone
climber
Where you want to be
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Mar 24, 2008 - 05:50pm PT
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Hell yeah, boyee!
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tolman_paul
Trad climber
Anchorage, AK
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Mar 24, 2008 - 05:56pm PT
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Nice!
Where's the mirror on the ceiling?
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orange crush
Boulder climber
ca
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Mar 24, 2008 - 05:58pm PT
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niccccce what was the total cost on the restoration
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Mar 24, 2008 - 05:58pm PT
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van conversion skills get you chix!
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MisterE
Social climber
My Inner Nut
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 24, 2008 - 06:07pm PT
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I paid about 9K for the van and put another 2.5K into it, plus the time.
Can't wait to see your rig too, Kat!
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the Fet
Knackered climber
A bivy sack in the secret campground
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Mar 24, 2008 - 06:07pm PT
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Very cool.
That must heat up like a sauna.
Any roof vent/fan?
The mattress should be a bouldering pad.
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TKingsbury
Trad climber
MT
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Mar 24, 2008 - 06:08pm PT
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NICE VAN!
That is just RAD!
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divad
Trad climber
wmass
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Mar 24, 2008 - 06:13pm PT
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That's sweet. Nice job.
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graniteclimber
Trad climber
Nowhere
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Mar 24, 2008 - 06:26pm PT
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The sticker in the last pic is a nice touch!
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Moof
Big Wall climber
A cube at my soul sucking job in Oregon
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Mar 24, 2008 - 06:28pm PT
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Kick ass!
Have you had any troubles with running ground through the chassis? I got told to avoid that due to galvanics when I wired up my truck.
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Laddie
Trad climber
Reno, NV
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Mar 24, 2008 - 06:32pm PT
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Nice van, what a way to travel in comfort.
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valygrl
climber
Boulder, CO
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Mar 24, 2008 - 06:41pm PT
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Finally, a reason to use Clicker bindings.
That is beautiful.
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susan peplow
climber
www.joshuatreevacationhomes.com
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Mar 24, 2008 - 06:53pm PT
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Erik's got a nice ride, not doubt about it. With slick finishing touches like the bar that keeps his guidebooks from skating across the carpet and the pull out futon.
That said, nothing beats a Skamper™
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Jaybro
Social climber
The West
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Mar 24, 2008 - 09:04pm PT
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Two opportunities I've had to check out the inside of that van, and I didn't; too ordinary- d'oh!
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WBraun
climber
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Mar 24, 2008 - 09:07pm PT
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Pretty nice Mr. E
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TradIsGood
Chalkless climber
the Gunks end of the country
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Mar 24, 2008 - 09:28pm PT
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That is some really masterful craftsmanship!
Looks like a lot of good planning and outstanding execution. Details like the bookshelf, insulation, etc. make it seem like this might not have been your first go at this kind of project.
Nice detail with the decal. :-)
About the only thing that would make it any stealthier looking would be a rack on top the usual trade stuff that does not fit inside, and a business logo and phone number on the outside.
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WBraun
climber
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Mar 24, 2008 - 09:30pm PT
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I forgot.
You need to install a periscope.
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TradIsGood
Chalkless climber
the Gunks end of the country
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Mar 24, 2008 - 09:33pm PT
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For when he wants to come up for air?
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Mar 24, 2008 - 09:49pm PT
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very nice, I'm really jonesing for 510OW... whaaaaaa!
what I didn't see was the high gain wireless antenna so you can post TR's from the van!
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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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Mar 24, 2008 - 09:50pm PT
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Jeeeezzz, I can't believe no one has said a word about the Makers Mark...if the rest of the conversion was a failure at least ya had the right drink! I'll be knockin on yer door with my glass if I see yer van at the local crags! Maple looks really cool.
Peace
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adventurewagen
Trad climber
Seattle
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Mar 24, 2008 - 10:05pm PT
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Thats some nice work man. I've done a similar bit of work to my VW. Insulation, spray foam, vapor barier and new wood, etc... Yours is really top notch though, a step above for sure. I like he inverter batter setup. You should toss in a vent for the batteries but it's probably ok.
All in all, I'd most definitely stay in that rig. It's not a VW but you can't beat quality!
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Gobie
Trad climber
Northern, Ca.
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Mar 25, 2008 - 12:27am PT
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You are craftsman!!!
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dirtineye
Trad climber
the south
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Mar 25, 2008 - 12:27am PT
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Excellent and wonderful.
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J. Werlin
climber
Cedaredge
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Mar 25, 2008 - 12:38am PT
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Holy shizzle! A dirtbag with motivation.
Exceptional work Mr. E.
Is the reflectex on the rear windows part of the stealth system?
I like your insulation on your H2O res. as well.
Did you pirate the floor plan or??? I like your layout in there--
not to crowded like most U.S. van conversions.
When in the valley I used to have red lenses I put on my little
halogen lights as part of my stealth deal.
I've always wanted to start with a blank slate like that
(a Sprinter would be sweet, except for the $$$) and
make a custom road rig in the style of nice sailboats.
You beat me to it. Again, very well done.
I don't think your thread is OT at all.
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Raydog
Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
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Mar 25, 2008 - 01:04am PT
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RE:
"Exceptional work Mr. E. "
ditto.
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Jaybro
Social climber
The West
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Mar 25, 2008 - 01:07am PT
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Nice work (understatement) Mr E
Ed, what's the word? 510 OW to the batholith?
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Sherri
climber
WA
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Mar 25, 2008 - 02:16am PT
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TradIsGood said: "Nice detail with the decal. :-)
About the only thing that would make it any stealthier looking would be a rack on top the usual trade stuff that does not fit inside, and a business logo and phone number on the outside."
Werd.
I once passed by a van with "MOM'S HOMEBAKED COOKIES" innocently advertised on the side. On the way home, I saw it again but with its doors open this time...it was full of tools and construction equip. Stealth, indeed.
Love your rig, E!
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WanderlustMD
Trad climber
Lanham MD
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Mar 25, 2008 - 08:58am PT
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Excellent work!!
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MisterE
Social climber
My Inner Nut
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 25, 2008 - 09:29am PT
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Thanks for the props!
OK, to answer some questions:
The battery box IS vented
I blew an inverter because of grounding issues. It was during start-up, though, and I have not had any trouble as long as I turn off the inverter before start-up.
The walls are insulated with R-19, so I don't get quite the oven effect I would if it weren't insulated.
The Maker's Mark ran out, eventually.
The futon is much more comfortable than a crash pad. I have storage for crash-pad in the back. It doubles as back-rest for reading in bed.
Next time I would do an inverter/converter set-up, as the batteries do not get fully charged without generator/solar to top them off.
Wish I could stand up - next time it's the Sprinter, for sure.
I have secret storage for stereo/laptop under drawer of clothing closet (d'oh! Not secret any more!)
Cheers, Erik
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Zander
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Mar 25, 2008 - 10:44am PT
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Awesome job, Mister E
Looks like you had a good time doing it.
Zander
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Double D
climber
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Mar 25, 2008 - 10:51am PT
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MisterE: That's just way too cool! I remember many such conversions but none as techie as yours.
Speaking of which, Dale Bard took some serious time off from climbing and lived in Oakland while he converted his truck/camper. If I remember right he lived out by the Buttermilks for a while in this rig. I never got to see the end product but I know he poured his heart and soul into the thing.
Anyone out there in tacoland have pictures???
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TitaniumTendons
Sport climber
LA, CA
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Mar 25, 2008 - 01:00pm PT
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Awesome van!!! I have a Toyota Previa that I love but damn you got one sweet rig there. I wish I had the know how to customize something like that. Very nice work and thanks for all the pics.
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wildone
climber
Where you want to be
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Mar 25, 2008 - 01:28pm PT
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As for a logo on the side to make it look like a working van, I keep remembering from some spoof movie, an fbi van doing surveillance, and the side said, in big letters,
Flowers
By
Irene
With the first leeters of the words in bold.
So funny
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poop*ghost
Trad climber
Denver, CO
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Mar 25, 2008 - 01:37pm PT
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I'm in love w/ that van. Awesome craftsmanship.
Are you a carpenter by trade? Was this your first conversion?
I'd love to try something like this, but know that I'd end up a pile of wood in the backyard for about 2 years.
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TradIsGood
Chalkless climber
the Gunks end of the country
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Mar 25, 2008 - 01:45pm PT
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If you want to raise the roof a bit, try finding a local hot-rod club. They usually chop tops to lower the roof, but the same skill could probably take a roof out of your local junkyard in some desirable size and raise yours with some nice welding, bondo, and paint and glass or fiberglass as desired.
Or auto-body shop...
Bus conversions often increase the ceiling height as well.
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scuffy b
climber
up the coast from Woodson
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Mar 25, 2008 - 02:58pm PT
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It's great to see all the insulation in this conversion.
Without that, your obviously beautiful, wonderful and
creative work would have something of a Potemkin Village effect
on me.
I have a question, though: how do you get a figure of R-19
for your walls?
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Fletcher
Trad climber
Varied locales along the time and space continuum
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Mar 25, 2008 - 03:06pm PT
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Yes, nice touch with the Maker's Mark. It definitely stood out on my first viewing. Good stuff. I found a giant bottle of it at my mother-in-law's recently that my wife said has been there since she was a kid. Very smooth!
Fletch
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Ricardo Cabeza
climber
Meyers,CA
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Mar 25, 2008 - 03:08pm PT
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Was just at South Shore Motors today. MSRP on a new E-2(3?)50 4wd is 39,600. Steep! That said, I would love to be able to trick out a van as you did, E. Very nice craftmanship in there!
Strong work, B-
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'Pass the Pitons' Pete
Big Wall climber
like Oakville, Ontario, Canada, eh?
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Mar 25, 2008 - 06:57pm PT
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Sweet rig! One assumes the Marker's Mark has a hidden velcro base, otherwise it's gonna be gone on your first sharp left turn.
Love the carpet, or as Charles de Gaulle said,
"Vive le Quebec libre!"
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nature
climber
Santa Fe, NM
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Mar 25, 2008 - 07:09pm PT
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Shameless plug.
Come to Santa Fe SushiFest IV:XX and you can get a personal tour of the Mystery Van.
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k-man
Gym climber
SCruz
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Mar 25, 2008 - 07:17pm PT
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Flowers
By
Irene
Along those lines, Mista E could have a logo that reads:
Credit Bureau
Popular in these times, fer sure.
Props to MisterE!
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artmusicsouth
climber
VA
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Mar 25, 2008 - 08:37pm PT
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ABSOLUTELY ROCKIN'!
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L
climber
You can't get there from here
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Mar 26, 2008 - 12:22pm PT
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No Way! Erik, you need to post your van on the "Art" thread. That thing is the ultimate in fashion and function!
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JerryGarcia
Trad climber
South Lake Tahoe
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Mar 26, 2008 - 12:42pm PT
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How much gas mileage did you lose?
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Moof
Big Wall climber
A cube at my soul sucking job in Oregon
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Mar 26, 2008 - 02:16pm PT
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All hail the sound proofed pedophile van!
My favorite story was someone who put a life sized doll of a kid screaming in the back window of their generic white panel van. Classic.
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PaulR
Trad climber
Bishop, CA
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I just bought a 2006 stelth express van(AWD). I havn't had the time to trick it out yet, but I have found that an Aerobed of the full size fits perfectly between the rear wheel wells. With the included 12v air pump you can go from cargo space to a comfy bed in about 2 min. You need a foam pad between you and the air mattress to keep your bottom side warm. There is plenty of room for two people. Just got back from field testing it at the Creek.
Your's is a lot cooler than mine on the inside. The number 3 was a good touch!
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Condorman
Trad climber
Lake Forest, CA
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I like the bonsai in the door myself! Nice touch for the road trip! A couple questions if I may: 1) With all the niceties and solid materials of the cabinets, I'd imagine you added a good amount of weight to that van. How did the handling and gas mileage get effected? 2) Joshua Tree trip? (the rock looks too familiar). VERY nice job. Nice cascading jin too!
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Hawkeye
climber
State of Mine
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very nice.
mirror on the ceiling and new paint job and it would be like pimp my ride brah.
course it may not be invisible then...
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MisterE
Social climber
My Inner Nut
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 7, 2008 - 08:32pm PT
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More questions to answer:
R-19: R-13 insulation + plastic + panelling for walls. Ceiling has ~R-10, floor R-6. Thinking of spra-foaming undercarriage before next winter trip...
Gas mileage: it is a 1-ton, made for heavy loads, maybe lost 2-3 mpg. Gets 14 freeway, 10 city.
Erik
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Melissa
Gym climber
berkeley, ca
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Bravo!!!
All y'all are making me have camper envy.
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rich sims
Trad climber
co
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Werner
How about some pictures of your wood burner
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BLD
climber
excramento,CA
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MisterE The batteries are they in a sealed/vented area separate from the sleeping space? I think they can give off toxic fumes of some sort. You may want to check it out.
Great work! I wish I had that kind of time.
Blair
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jiimmy
Boulder climber
san diego
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Nothing beats a Skamper! Except for a custom conversion, a Yugo, or a bicycle.
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Dr. Rock
Ice climber
Castle Rock
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Not one grip glued on the wall.
I thought the van was being outfited with overhang grips, what a dis a point ment.
Rock On,
Iai'nt talkin Doctor Spock, I am Doctor Rock!
It's a free concert from now on.
That does not measn, that aything goes, it just means that your welfare is a lot more important than the al mighty dollar, dig?
Larry Love = Hank Williams
It;s not poison, it's just bad acid.
Mine are:
1. Climb it from the bottom
2. Place no bolts
3. Pound no pins
4. Chip no holds
5. Leave no trace, no trash
6. If you can't climb it in style..leave it for someone else
losives! Explosives! Explosives!
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MisterE
Social climber
My Inner Nut
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 8, 2008 - 09:45am PT
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Posting drunk is never a good idea. See above ^^
Battery box is sealed and vented.
Erik
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toejahm
Trad climber
Chatsworth, CA
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Apr 11, 2008 - 12:16pm PT
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When I read the subject, I half expected some exterior landscape painted on the van, or shrubs attached to it. Much perfer your choice of stealthy!
Like everything about it,
especially the Bansai.
KR
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Miwok
climber
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Apr 11, 2008 - 03:19pm PT
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Bad ass van man! Nice job on the attention to detail.
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Apr 11, 2008 - 03:58pm PT
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How is that Olympian heater working for you? I'm thinking about getting one for my rig.
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MisterE
Social climber
My Inner Nut
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 12, 2008 - 10:26am PT
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The Olympian is a great catalytic heater - no off-gasses, quite efficient. Get a small dc fan to help with air circulation. This improves heating and insures proper ventilation since the heater burns oxygen.
Eric #1: consider foaming undercarriage? low voltage (dc) pipe wrap should take care of freezing pipe problem
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pud
climber
Sportbikeville
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Apr 13, 2008 - 01:47am PT
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Great Job !
Thanks for some cool ideas.
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Justo
Gym climber
Providence RI
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MisterE,
This van is a masterpiece. I'm blown away. Congratulations. What kind of wood did you use for the walls?
Wow. I'm still in shock after seeing this thing.
JC
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Beagle
Trad climber
CO
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Jun 24, 2008 - 12:01am PT
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God Damn, not one cynical reply... yet. I love being first. I bet you get great MPG's. How much does it weigh? And how come nobody noticed the frikin' framed pictures, bonsai and flowers. I mean come on, it's not like you'll ever catch a lady in there, maybe a Boulderite or two. I have an 88' honda civic (40+ MPG) and the best part about it is that nobody ever tries to cram in it when it's raining...
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Jun 24, 2008 - 12:05am PT
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Beagle, you haven't posting around here long enough to post cynical...
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Jul 24, 2008 - 12:27pm PT
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Words of wisdom...
It's not the falling, it's the impact.
It's not the bullet, it's the hole.
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Wes Allen
Boulder climber
KY
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Jul 24, 2008 - 12:50pm PT
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Not nearly as stealth, but, in preparation to take a few month road trip, and have something that we can use to camp with all four dogs, Tania and I bought a little scamp tailer. 1978, thus making it older then her! It is a little bit bigger the a VW bus, weighs around 1200 pounds and is mostly fiberglass....
It came with a stove, refrigerator, sink and furnace, though only the stove was working for sure. It also had a bed/table thing on one side, and a bench on the other. And, one cabinet thing on the other side...
Since we needed space more then those things, out they came!
Since then, we added plywood across the back and a full size futon mattress. Still have to replace a little bit of rotten wood on the floor and add something to insulate the vents were the stove and furnace were. And, maybe add some shelves. Oh, and dog beds as well! Once we are finished, we should have around a double sized bed, a bench in the front for the dogs, and a pretty good amount of storage. Add a window unit AC while we are in the red this summer, an electric heater for Heuco over the winter, and I think we will just about be set.
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L
climber
Far off places where I left lipstick traces...
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Jul 24, 2008 - 01:05pm PT
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Sweet Scamp, Wes!
Can't wait to see the photos when the refurb's complete.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jul 24, 2008 - 01:26pm PT
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post up a thread on the finished product and your production steps, I'm still looking at customizing out my truck bed a bit.
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FeelioBabar
climber
Sneaking up behind you...
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Jul 24, 2008 - 01:40pm PT
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One hell of a van!
Proud work.
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Standing Strong
Trad climber
sunlight on the surf
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Jul 24, 2008 - 02:15pm PT
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"What do he do when there is only one banana?"
 jage
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Metabaron
Social climber
NYC, NY
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Great job, it looks awesome. I'm planning on doing something similar in the very near future, I've just started looking for a van myself.
I wish he'd have some text explaining some of the pictures though.
I'm particularly puzzled about the extra batteries setup - how is he planning to charge them up, is the regular alternator in the van strong enough? And what exactly is that third one attached to the outside of the batteries box for, anybody know?
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Batrock
Trad climber
Burbank
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Wow!!!! nice work on the van. You would love this website www.expeditionportal.com look in the forum section for other really cool van and truck builds.
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Largo
Sport climber
Venice, Ca
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I can't build sh#t so I'm astonished what you did there. Love the whisky bottle on the sink.
JL
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rich sims
Trad climber
co
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Oct 12, 2010 - 09:18pm PT
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(WBraun
I forgot.
You need to install a periscope.)
What ever happened to the van in the Valley with the wood burning stove?
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bubble boy
Big Wall climber
topanga, CA
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Another van project! I'm about halfway done. Insulation, bed and table, wood panel and of course zebra fabric. Still to do: electric, propane, shelving and a good three month road trip to make sure she works.
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MB of the Central Valley
climber
kingsburg, CA
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Bubble Boy:
The potted-plant-holder-in-the-door detail in the OP is a Must Do. Too cool.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Dec 10, 2010 - 03:27am PT
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MisterE, do you still have the van?
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mike m
Trad climber
black hills
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Dec 10, 2010 - 10:48am PT
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Very cool. Just doing the first few steps would allow for a great platform to camp haul gear around and would still be useful for other duties.
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justthemaid
climber
Jim Henson's Basement
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Dec 10, 2010 - 11:07am PT
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Mr.E sold the van a couple of years ago before moving to Cali. We did one last trip down to Cochise in it. The tiny propane wall heater is also a must-have in any good stealth van.
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MisterE
Social climber
Bouncy Tiggerville
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 10, 2010 - 03:41pm PT
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Nice work, Bubble Boy!
Note: hard to put the bonsai holder in with the sliding door...
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MisterE
Social climber
Bouncy Tiggerville
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 10, 2010 - 03:48pm PT
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I sold it to a college kid in Flagstaff who was doing a lot of travelling between time at school.
He was super psyched about it, and I was looking to down-size.
Hey bubble boy, I see you are in Topanga. I live in Canoga Park. Hit me up if you want some feedback on the conversion.
Erik
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bergbryce
Mountain climber
Oakland -> SLT
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May 13, 2011 - 04:05pm PT
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bump for a sweet van thread
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Ney Grant
Trad climber
Pollock Pines
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Ok, so here is about as non-stealthy as you can get. This is our van, which is waiting for the interior to be converted by Sportsmobile in March. So no, not as creative or resourceful as MisterE.
But it has been fun to work on the outside of it (painted a bunch of stuff black, climbing rope graphics, lights, etc.). Can't wait for it to be built out...
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Ney Grant
Trad climber
Pollock Pines
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Wow, that van has "steal my sh1t" written all over it. And/or "tool me now".
Well, that is a depressing response. There are a lot of conversion vans out there, especially 4x4s, with lights and lots of crap on them. I didn't think that made them a target. Granted, more of a target than a stealth van.
Well, you certainly took the edge off the fun I had working on the graphics.
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Walter
Trad climber
Bolinas, CA
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Go Climbing!!!
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NutAgain!
Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
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I remember being super-inspired by this conversion project, didn't remember that it was MisterE! My lady has Westfalia on the brain for when her car dies, but I'm going to try to convince her to go this route (but in something with either all-wheel drive or better gas mileage).
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
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I like the Celtic Clove Hitch graphic.
I'd LOVE to have a Sprinter.
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nfejohn
Trad climber
Los Angeles
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Ney Grant. Love the graphics!
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Charlie D.
Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
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Great graphics on the Sprinter, it won't make you any more of a target then anyone else! Everytime I just step into our van it brings a smile to my face! Enjoy and Mr. E great work, awesome job.
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Ney Grant
Trad climber
Pollock Pines
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Charlie - Do you have a Sprinter that says "Rock" something on the license plate?
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the Fet
climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
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Yeah, great clove hith graphics!
I keep debating on my next ride. I thought I had found it, a 2004 Chevy Express AWD conversion van for cheap. But I climbed under it to inspect and it wasn't AWD :-(. I don't think the guy selling it knew he was mistaken, but I'm not sure why he tought it was AWD in the first place. I need AWD or 4WD for skiing; I'm not putting on chains. It's next to impossible to find the express AWD used in California at a reasonable price. I need to sit at least 4, preferably more, and want to camp too. Will probably up end with a diesel crew cab pickup and camper.
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Dingus McGee
Social climber
Laramie
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Supporter Washington State Troopers Association
He fell for this? A group in WY tried to get me to donate & I immediately called the local sheriff to find out they only see about 10% of the "donation" at the state level and the donatee gets to pocket the rest. It is all legal under the Federal Rules of non-profits. The sheriff told me they would see a lot more, 100%, if I would just mail the check to them.
NO decal and it doesn't mean sh#t to the patrolmen anyway the sheriff said. They know the decal sales peoples pitch," If an officer sees ones of these it is likely he will let you go. So Simple!!
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MisterE
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 5, 2014 - 08:50pm PT
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Nice to see this bumped!
Dingus - the sticker was already on the van when I bought it...
I really wanted to do a Sprinter! That one looks sweet - be sure and post up after Sportsmobile does the conversion!
Erik
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Ney Grant
Trad climber
Pollock Pines
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I just have a psychological block concerning flaunting the climber identity.
I obviously pushed that button, but its not actually a "climber's van" as we equally ski, bike, hike, climb, kayak, etc. Its a big plain white van and I wanted some graphics so people wouldn't say, "hey, nice FedEx van". (which they still do) My wife found the knot online in vector format, and I was able to play with it to get a pattern that would work. We played with other graphics with paddles, etc., and it was too complicated.
But you are right, some will see that van parked at a climbing spot and expect some hot climbers with attitude but what they will find is a middle-age couple of moderate climbing ability.
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Dirka
Trad climber
Hustle City
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Sick!
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couchmaster
climber
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Bump for amazing van conversion stuff!
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Dingus McGee
Social climber
Where Safety trumps Leaving No Trace
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The Ford Van Econoline series is no longer produced. A few weeks ago I took a look at a 2015 Ford Transit, the big one which is similar looking to the Dodge Sprinter van. It had a 3.5 L Ecoboost V6 $43G. The little Ford unit is called the transit connect.
http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/engine/
EcoBoost regular gas, 365 hp, 420 ft=lb torque, electronic 6 speed auto trans.
The drivers position for navigating in close quarters is excellent. w/Rview camera.
Laramie Regular $1.97, Diesel $2.97 translates to more Kcal/$ for Gas.
Will the particulate dispersing Diesel Die? Think Asthma reduction if so.
I suspect Ford Transit sales even in the first year will roll over the Sprinter sales.
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Beautifull work. personally I like a much less cluttered layout in a climbing van. Most conversion vans are way over done inmop. I especialy dislike any kind of captain style chairs in the back. they suck up liveing space. My vanagon I built a compact kitchen with cubbyhole storage like you would see in a boat. the cooler lived right behind the passenger seat/battery compartment and made a perfect seat. The only kind of seats I would want in a van other than the bed would be foot locker style with padded lid. I generaly prefered that simpler rig to Isa's decked out Westy. The westy is so full of useless sh#t that it feels cramped on bad weather rest days. By compareson my simpler set up in my vanagon had ample room for 2 people to sit and play full sized guitars out of the weather. The added bonus was my vanagon was a Syncro and an absolute beast on bad roads. I have very few photos of that rig:(
My current succession of mini vand have had no choice but to keep it simple..
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Ezra Ellis
Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
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Bump
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MisterE
Gym climber
Being In Sierra Happy Of Place
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 31, 2015 - 11:15am PT
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The gauntlet has been thrown down - the conversion by which all other conversions shall be compared. All hail the castle-truck, and bow down before it's awesomeness:
[Click to View YouTube Video]
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Ney Grant
Trad climber
Pollock Pines
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Jul 31, 2015 - 11:42am PT
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Someone had asked about a year ago to post photos of our Sprinter van after buildout. We've now had it about a year and have had a blast with it. The "climber" buildout with the platform bed and plenty of storage underneath is the way to go. We got the smallest shower/bath you can get to maximize windows, and we got the diesel furnace and additional insulation package for use in winter.
We get asked a lot, is it worth it to get the 4x4 version? For us it would be yes but we didn't want to wait since they are just now coming out. We've gotten stuck 4 or 5 times now in mud, sand and snow but we have taken it to places where only 4x4's normally go. I now carry traction sleds, a pick, shovel and air compressor.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Jul 31, 2015 - 11:52am PT
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I now carry traction sleds, a pick, shovel and air compressor
Have you considered getting a power augur and a winch?
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MisterE
Gym climber
Being In Sierra Happy Of Place
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 31, 2015 - 12:22pm PT
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Cool rig, Ney - can we see some more pictures of the inside? Shower, cabinets, etc?
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Bad Climber
climber
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Jul 31, 2015 - 12:48pm PT
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Yeah, Ney, very cool. More detail pics, please.
@MrE: That castle truck is amazing. Of course, you don't want to move camp very often. Oy, what a chore to setup/take down.
BAd
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Ney Grant
Trad climber
Pollock Pines
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Jul 31, 2015 - 01:47pm PT
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OK, here is another outside shot and some inside shots I just went out and took:
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TacomaDome
Trad climber
Tacoma, WA
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Jul 31, 2015 - 03:26pm PT
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Sweet looking van. In my mind I am sitting there at the beach too with wine in hand. Did you pay a company to do the conversion or did you do it yourself? If you don't mind can you let me know the total cost? Or cost of van + cost of conversion separated out.
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Ney Grant
Trad climber
Pollock Pines
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Jul 31, 2015 - 04:30pm PT
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We used Sportsmobile for the conversion. You can see photos of the van before conversion upthread a few pages. We bought a standard "fleet" van. I worked on the outside and my wife designed the interior. Sportsmobile did the interior and some exterior work. They are known for quality 4x4 van conversions and they did do an awesome job. I sent you a PM on the cost.
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Mar 15, 2019 - 02:21pm PT
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That's funny - that guy posts all day long to those sprinter and transit forums - never seen him in person. Skilled and a good craftsman - but his ideas in general seem often overthought and expensive.
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Mar 16, 2019 - 07:06am PT
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roadtrip nostalgia bump... my astro is a full time tool truck now :(
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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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Mar 16, 2019 - 07:47am PT
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Penny hasn't got much of a build out; just the bed platform with plenty of bin space below, and a clothes attic I made by slatting some boards between the upper side window frames and the *mood light* wooden covers. But, this is cross-country trip number five, with a Shenendoah Skyline and Blue Ridge Parkway winter also.
Here we are cooling her brakes after coming through the pass on Lingua Mountain into Jerome, AZ a few days ago.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Mar 16, 2019 - 07:11pm PT
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Screw stealth - go big or stay home! 🤡
The ‘living room’...
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Aeriq
Sport climber
100-year Visitor
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Mar 17, 2019 - 04:56pm PT
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Thanks for the bump!
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