Jaleo 2- Building a 2012 E-350 4x4-Third time is the charm

[CaptainBuilt]

Looking good!

 

[deserteagle56]

Well, this little project is done. Now, it looks like the Rigrunner. I got a weird "deja vu" feeling.
Pretty happy with the results. Now time to re-install the roof rack, the rear bumper, and the whole inside.
No more white van. I'll miss the graphics.

Love that color! What was the paint code #? I may just have to consider having my rig painted that color!

 

[Raul]

The color is Toyota Quicksand (4V6)

 

[Raul]

Spent a few days in New Mexico with the North Texas Overland gang. Good times, good people. South NM is quite arid and dramatic. The northern part is more to my liking, with a more Alpine vibe.
Most of the Forest Roads were closed for winter even though they didn't seem to have lots of snow.
We started the trip at Carslbad Caverns, which is always a great visit.
Getting there, we were welcomed by several sandstorms. I felt like I was in a disaster movie.

First night outside Carlbad



Caverns entrance




Sureal sandstorm













I like the new color.



Not sure how well it hides the dirt.



I stoped at a scale, and it turned out I'm chubier than expected.

 

[rruff]

Spent a few days in New Mexico with the North Texas Overland gang. Good times, good people. South NM is quite arid and dramatic. The northern part is more to my liking, with a more Alpine vibe.

Plenty of mountains with pine and spruce forest in S NM as well! You just weren't in that part...

 

[ITTOG]

I like the color as well. Looks good. I don't think any color hides all dirt given all dirt is not the same color.

 

[Raul]

Plenty of mountains with pine and spruce forest in S NM as well! You just weren't in that part...

You are right. I should have said east NM. We passed by Cloudcroft, and it was a beautiful area. I wish we had checked the railroad.

 

[rruff]

I live in Ruidoso, which is a bit north of there. If you head west of here 100 miles or so, the vast Gila Forest is north of Silver City.

 

[Raul]

I love the Maxx Air fan because it's quiet, and the dome can stay open during the rain. What I do not like are the controls, especially when they fail. On my previous van (Rig Runner) and on this one, whenever I try to run full speed, it shuts down and starts beeping until I pull the fuse. So I always had to run them at low speed.

I got tired of it. A new control board is $80. You may want to add a 12V controller so the voltage is constant, another $18.

I got the basic model as I didn't want bells and whistles. Never used the thermostat, so I just needed to control in/out and speed.

The solution, a $14 motor controller. Big switch for in/out and a potentiometer to modify speed. No more trying to hit the right button at night.




Gut the original board out, take the controller out of the box, and find a place for the new board. Cut a square hole for the switch and use the thermostat hole for the potentiometer.



Enjoy the basic setup. So far, I love it. Hopefully, it will last.

 

[iggi]

Thanks for posting that Raul! I certainly don't want to pay for another Maxxair controller and like you. The thermostat doesn't really get used. If I do miss it I'm confident I could wire one in rather easily.

 

[Raul]

This summer, we were up for a challenge. San Juan Mountains in Colorado, including Ophir Pass, black Bear Pass, Poughkeepsie Gulch, Engineer Pass and some others.

On the gear department, I modified the trunk to fit these boxes snugly between the bed rails and the center floor rail




My Co-pilot



Engineer Pass. Yeah, it's not the flex you expected when someone else is there on a bicycle. Of course I show them my respect.



We found this nice spot heading towards Lake City.



Heading Towards Mosquito Pass from leadville



Mosquito Pass. Nice pass. Not technical, but paved with boulders the size of cantaloupes.



Dinner and a movie at Oliver Twist Lake.




We also hiked. Mount Sherman.



The Wall at Poughkeepsey Goulch



Black Bear



More to follow

 

[ITTOG]

Looks like a great trip so far. I assume the guy holding up the van was staged? LOL

 

[ExpoMike]

Great pics!!! Love that area of CO.

 

[Raul]

Looks like a great trip so far. I assume the guy holding up the van was staged? LOL

Not really. He spotted me in the first section. After I passed, the van tilted, and he was in the wrong spot at the wrong time.

 

[ITTOG]

Not really. He spotted me in the first section. After I passed, the van tilted, and he was in the wrong spot at the wrong time.

He was lucky.