WUZombies
Adventurist
Yes that's what I really call it, I know it is cheesy but the van is a solid base for what I want to build. It is a '03 Ford E-150 that I picked up used this June (after a few camping trips with an overloaded minivan). I have no idea what this van did in it's previous life, but it is a 12-year-old 8-passenger that is straight, some dings and only had 30,000 miles when I picked it up!
Right now I'm in a bit of a rush to build all the things I need for the big trip summer 2016. The family (along with 2 other families in caravan, including another being build E-van, and I are driving from Texas to Tetons/Yellowstone and then to Glacier for 5 nights of camping between both (I know not enough time) and driving home. That's a lot of road time but it will be worth it. This summer we went to GSMNP and hit up Big Bend again. BBNP was the first camping trip with the "new" van and I couldn't be happier. Plenty of room to carry the gear, we took basically the same load out as we took to GSMNP but in the minivan we had to use a large roof rack with 3 Plano 1819/1919 cases, and external pole carriers for the tent poles. Everything was in the interior of the new van.
So far the majority of the work has been things you wouldn't see, new tie-rods, etc. Although in the interior, I the windows tinted, I did delete the ash tray to house hard-wired USB charging and then put RAM mounts on the dash for the iPad mini I use with a BadElf puck for navigation and the cellphones. I also mounted a Wilson dual band amplifier, although the magmount stock antenna sort of sucks it was a rock star in BBNP. For the first time ever we had 3G/4G connectivity in the park! However, all minor things compared to the next step in the project build.
Put together a sturdy gear platform with tiedowns and even though it is simple, it is exactly what I wanted so I can slide Sterlight totes and Pelican cases into the enclosed cubbies. The left side are totes with tools, recovery and tiedown stuff, the right side is pelican cases with camera gear and "right now" supplies for late arrival to camp (stove, table, etc) since my small children generally don't like waiting around to eat after a late arrival. You can see the bolt on (mostly, like most bolt on stuff I had to modify it to fit) visor shelf, which is awesome. After the roof rack the shelf will hold a Dual Band HAM mobile unit and a CB. I've also since added tie down track to the front and back of the shelf for more attachment points.
(Sorry for the crappy cell phone photos on the next two).
That gap on the right where the stock jack is located fits a Pelican 1430 perfectly. Which is nice since that's what I carry my speedlights and triggers in.
Hopefully this week the tubing I ordered will arrive at the metal shop and I'll be able to get cranking on building the roof rack. Followed by bumpers.
Even sitting stock (for now), as long as you're not stupid, it is well mannered off the asphalt. You might notice the Plastic Jesus sitting on the dashboard..."I don't care if it rains or freezes, as long as I've got my Plastic Jesus, sitting on the dashboard of my car..."
-Dave
Right now I'm in a bit of a rush to build all the things I need for the big trip summer 2016. The family (along with 2 other families in caravan, including another being build E-van, and I are driving from Texas to Tetons/Yellowstone and then to Glacier for 5 nights of camping between both (I know not enough time) and driving home. That's a lot of road time but it will be worth it. This summer we went to GSMNP and hit up Big Bend again. BBNP was the first camping trip with the "new" van and I couldn't be happier. Plenty of room to carry the gear, we took basically the same load out as we took to GSMNP but in the minivan we had to use a large roof rack with 3 Plano 1819/1919 cases, and external pole carriers for the tent poles. Everything was in the interior of the new van.
So far the majority of the work has been things you wouldn't see, new tie-rods, etc. Although in the interior, I the windows tinted, I did delete the ash tray to house hard-wired USB charging and then put RAM mounts on the dash for the iPad mini I use with a BadElf puck for navigation and the cellphones. I also mounted a Wilson dual band amplifier, although the magmount stock antenna sort of sucks it was a rock star in BBNP. For the first time ever we had 3G/4G connectivity in the park! However, all minor things compared to the next step in the project build.
Put together a sturdy gear platform with tiedowns and even though it is simple, it is exactly what I wanted so I can slide Sterlight totes and Pelican cases into the enclosed cubbies. The left side are totes with tools, recovery and tiedown stuff, the right side is pelican cases with camera gear and "right now" supplies for late arrival to camp (stove, table, etc) since my small children generally don't like waiting around to eat after a late arrival. You can see the bolt on (mostly, like most bolt on stuff I had to modify it to fit) visor shelf, which is awesome. After the roof rack the shelf will hold a Dual Band HAM mobile unit and a CB. I've also since added tie down track to the front and back of the shelf for more attachment points.
(Sorry for the crappy cell phone photos on the next two).
That gap on the right where the stock jack is located fits a Pelican 1430 perfectly. Which is nice since that's what I carry my speedlights and triggers in.
Hopefully this week the tubing I ordered will arrive at the metal shop and I'll be able to get cranking on building the roof rack. Followed by bumpers.
Even sitting stock (for now), as long as you're not stupid, it is well mannered off the asphalt. You might notice the Plastic Jesus sitting on the dashboard..."I don't care if it rains or freezes, as long as I've got my Plastic Jesus, sitting on the dashboard of my car..."
-Dave
