Recent content by gvvaughan

Just remembered another job that I didn't get to: 3. Put some gas struts on the bed platform. I currently have a very comfortable, but weighty 8" queen mattress... I can definitely lift the platform under that mattress to access the under-bed storage, but some gas struts would hold it open for...

Thanks for the props @jjx0.usa ! Haha, you're right that it hurts to have sunk so much time and money into this rig, and not to have some real adventures with it... almost as bad as paying to live full-time in a dozen dog-friendly short-term AirBNBs for the the first 6 months before we realized...

In the spirit of complete transparency, here are a few things I didn't take care of among all the work I did have performed: The mattress is as new, slept on fewer than a dozen times; but before I replaced the main skylight above the bed, there was a leak that stained it somewhat -- not that...

Actually, you make a good point... I pulled that off the spec sheet I got from the previous owner without thinking it through -- of course they are pneumatic brakes! Now your question makes sense :-) Thanks for catching that, let me update the original post. Doh!

Hi Joe, Yes indeed. Still running the standard hydraulic dual circuit drum brake system that this chassis was built with. Replaced both rear drums (and shoes) last year. I've been pleasantly surprised at how much stopping power they have for a big ol' truck like this.

Something that makes this rig very special is the complete lack of electronics in the chassis, so you're not going to get stranded out in the wilds due to a fault code that prevents the engine from starting. With the right tools and spares and maybe some help from a shop manual (which I have...

While I'm actually located in Arizona, the GXV is currently at my mechanic's shop in La Junta, CO after having had a few regular maintenance issues taken care of. Rob Pickering is the owner of the shop, and incidentally was the original importer for the 1017A chassis back in 2010. He is...

I forgot to mention that I was unable to register this GXV in California (long story that involved 9 months of visiting DMV, CHP, CARB & EPA for impossible to satisfy inspection certificates), so it continues to enjoy permanent registration inside a Montana LLC. I would be more than happy to...

Here's the original forum post from the previous owner who sold this GXV to me, which has more exterior photos that are still relevant, and also plenty of interior photos so you can see the huge improvements from my total interior rebuild and massive electrical modernization...

In case you're wondering why I'm selling such an awesome rig? I was living full time in here with my wife and dog when we noticed that some of the original alder was starting to lose its edge banding, bow with the heat from the old electrical system and beginning to peel away from the habitat...

2010/2023 GXV Global Traveller Mercedes 1017A 4x4 Expedition Truck Mileage: 34,XXX Price: $295,000 Current location: La Junta, CO. Regular specialist service (most recently September 2024): Full 2025 annual service at my expense before you collect Spare parts included: ~$3,000 worth of spare...

Howdy! Yep, Betts of Sacramento. They seem to specialize in brakes and service, but were willing to take my rig across the street for diagnosis of any transmission issues (but didn't need to in the end), and they took my drums to another shop to have the alignment checked. They have been...

Hi! Thanks for asking :) And yes -- more or less: Betts diagnosed everything properly for me, and found nothing wrong except one of the front drums is slightly warped. The manual says that within certain tolerances, the drums can be resurfaced no more than 3 times. Since the warped drum...

I met with a tow truck driver to successfully move the rig to Betts in Sacramento, and the shop I was moving it from said that the shaking under braking was from the front end, and not the rear as I was originally told by the service desk, but that they had since repacked all the front bearings...

I originally bought it with a plan to drive to the tip of South America (before COVID made borders more challenging), which does have some extremeley high altitude sections... there are roads in Chile and Argentina above 20,000ft. At best that trip is extremely delayed (not only by the...