Jb1rd
Explorer
LOL< YES!!!!!!
(DIY) Builder Burnout
- Thread starter Jb1rd
- Start date
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
It can be discouraging for all of us who have jobs, families, and a budget to watch some of the fantastic builds that seem to happen over night. Meanwhile I'm coming on 25 years for my Fj40 and 3 years for the ambulance and neither are where I'd like them to be. I've come to accept that progress is slow when the mind is willing and the body isn't so co-operative.
1) The first thing I'd recommend getting things as functional as possible even if they aren't finished. In the case of the Ambo, the build has been simplified, and the bed is currently a mattress tossed on the floor. It isn't the 'Murphy Bed' it will one day be, but it is comfy and works.
2) Recognize forward progress that you do make. I'm happy to make some progress in some way... I get discouraged when I make none.
3) I've focused on the mechanics first, and cosmetics last (for the most part).
4) Keep it functional if at possible... drive and enjoy it.
1) The first thing I'd recommend getting things as functional as possible even if they aren't finished. In the case of the Ambo, the build has been simplified, and the bed is currently a mattress tossed on the floor. It isn't the 'Murphy Bed' it will one day be, but it is comfy and works.
2) Recognize forward progress that you do make. I'm happy to make some progress in some way... I get discouraged when I make none.
3) I've focused on the mechanics first, and cosmetics last (for the most part).
4) Keep it functional if at possible... drive and enjoy it.
chiliVANilli
Adventurer
Boy do I know what you mean! It's been super hard for me to stay motivated and focused. After spending almost 2 years building "Lucinda" just to get her roadworthy, and the interior or exterior hasn't even been dealt with. Let alone all of the leftovers that I have dial in to make it as safe and reliable, as a modern rig, and it's defintely there, but just needs some tweeking. I was pretty in meticulous in my build, and cut no corners, thought out, and planned everything. On the other end of the spectrum, I devoted almost every Saturday for a year and a half to make it happen. There were many, many set backs and re-do's as well, but now I have something that I am proud of. She's even taken top honors in a couple of car shows. And now, I have "Blueford T. Justice" to deal with. Which now has me considering selling "Lucinda", but I'll never get what I have in it, back out of it. And also, I'm trying to justify having two 4x4 vans. It's also hard not to start taking things from one and putting them the other.
And now I have "Blueford T Justice" to deal with. And I no longer have a full metal fab shop at my disposal. I feel like I lost my right arm. Clearly I want to make front and rear bumpers, a rack, and whatever else. The interior needs to be addressed, by that I am needin to finish insulating and carpeting, stereo, and adding a window on the driver side. Then whatever else rears it's ugly head.
And for just a little more fuel on the fire, my wife and I are expecting to have our baby boy any day now. Due date is December 20th, but it could be any day/hour. That means no free time for a while, family visiting, and my 3 year old, new job.......
Be happy with what you have, use the crap out of it, and build it when you're not using it. It's pretty sweet already, and I would focus on reliability, then function, then pretty. I will help you out when I can, too. It helps sometimes for me to work on someone elses rig to get me re-stoked on mine.
And now I have "Blueford T Justice" to deal with. And I no longer have a full metal fab shop at my disposal. I feel like I lost my right arm. Clearly I want to make front and rear bumpers, a rack, and whatever else. The interior needs to be addressed, by that I am needin to finish insulating and carpeting, stereo, and adding a window on the driver side. Then whatever else rears it's ugly head.
And for just a little more fuel on the fire, my wife and I are expecting to have our baby boy any day now. Due date is December 20th, but it could be any day/hour. That means no free time for a while, family visiting, and my 3 year old, new job.......
Be happy with what you have, use the crap out of it, and build it when you're not using it. It's pretty sweet already, and I would focus on reliability, then function, then pretty. I will help you out when I can, too. It helps sometimes for me to work on someone elses rig to get me re-stoked on mine.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
Driving it is important. When I get most discouraged with my Fj40 build, I drive it around for a while... the smile comes back on my face and I remember why I am doing it.
With the Ambo, it is closer to being finished in many ways (so much less to do). It is such a nice vehicle to drive, mechanically it's 95% of the way, and 95% cosmetically finished on the exterior. Really all that's left is finishing the interior, painting the frame, painting the rear axle, painting and installing the newer fuel tank, fixing the cruise control, having the recall addressed, and... it never really ends.
With the Ambo, it is closer to being finished in many ways (so much less to do). It is such a nice vehicle to drive, mechanically it's 95% of the way, and 95% cosmetically finished on the exterior. Really all that's left is finishing the interior, painting the frame, painting the rear axle, painting and installing the newer fuel tank, fixing the cruise control, having the recall addressed, and... it never really ends.
shenrie
^^^ hates cars
we put the poptop on ours then built a bed platform. then started camping. make it so you can use it and you wont get burnt out. that way its not a distant goal to have a camper, its goal to have a finished camper. if you can enjoy a minimalist setup while building, the goal of having a finished camper will keep you motivated.
im glad we didn't build our first few designs. after living in it for a few seasons our design changed quite a bit. only way we could know was to use it and figure out what worked for us and what didn't. what we could and couldn't live without. only problem now is we have a hard time doing anything that keeps us from actually going camping. so nothing is getting done on the rig other than camping, lol. its a problem were having no issues with
im glad we didn't build our first few designs. after living in it for a few seasons our design changed quite a bit. only way we could know was to use it and figure out what worked for us and what didn't. what we could and couldn't live without. only problem now is we have a hard time doing anything that keeps us from actually going camping. so nothing is getting done on the rig other than camping, lol. its a problem were having no issues with
Jb1rd
Explorer
Looking at some instant motivation and these came across my radar and wonder if anyone has experience with them. I need new tires but want to upgrade to 17" or 18" wheels which I am not quite ready to commit to so these seem to be a reasonable option for interim use.
https://www.amazon.com/Kenda-Klever-KR29-Terrain-Radial/dp/B008BWNX44
https://www.amazon.com/Kenda-Klever-KR29-Terrain-Radial/dp/B008BWNX44
Luinil Explorations
Adventurer
This thread can at the perfect time. It is 40 degrees and raining here. To cold to spray the 3M 90 adhesive on the walls so cannot install the Refletix. To wet fix the roof leak. To wet lay on the ground to run the wiring under the van. All very frustrating.
Changed priorities to combat the frustrations. Buying the plywood for the cabinets this weekend. Start kitchen cabinet build after that. Ran some of the internal wiring to the USB outlets and ceiling lights. Installed blocking for the wall panels. Purchased needed electrical and plumbing components.
Just doing one thing at a time and being flexible when problems and delays turn up.
Changed priorities to combat the frustrations. Buying the plywood for the cabinets this weekend. Start kitchen cabinet build after that. Ran some of the internal wiring to the USB outlets and ceiling lights. Installed blocking for the wall panels. Purchased needed electrical and plumbing components.
Just doing one thing at a time and being flexible when problems and delays turn up.
89s rule
Adventurer
Great timing on these thoughts. Been dragging my feet among other things for about 2 yrs. Recently found a 2011 for a good deal and am seriously debating buying it, its stock but its running and driving with new trans. I'm giving myself to the new year to evaluate where I am with my current van and decide on whether to put it up for sale and buy another van. Been extremely discouraged. It certainly would help if mine was running and driving, just wondering if I bit off more than I can chew. Keep saying it sure will be nice when I'm done with the 7.3 custom conversion/camper vs. a gas passenger van.
Jb1rd
Explorer
This thread has definitely helped, so a big THANK YOU!!! I reexamined my thought/build process (it's scary it there) and realized that my insistence on having my kayaks travel inside and under the bed is limiting me to a build that does not suit my other wants and needs. I also realized that the sub-woofer box threw a whole other wrench in the system so now I will be going to one sub and a new box (for some reason I have an aversion to redoing things that are in perfect working order) possibly even getting a different sub-woofer set up all together if I can not get the current sub to fit and sound right in a less obtrusive box/location. I have seen some of those "shallow" mounted subs but have never heard one so I may have to go see if I can find one to audition. I am also going to go to HD and get some template material and just going to mock up some generic cabinets just to see if my idea is even feasible and drive around with it to see how it flows and what can be tweaked. I also remembered that an old friend around here was thinking about building/restoring Airstream interiors so going to locate him and his shop to see if he can help with the wood work. I also have to see if my mosquito screens work. The black out material sewn to the reflectix turned out great, it now just looks like tinted windows when my curtains are in place and they just pressure fit into place, I may need to add some type of retaining device down the road but for now so far so good! I will post pics once I get the skeeter screens installed.!!
Winter is now for me is an exercise in patience, as a younger man I loved the snow and could not wait for it to start falling, now, NOT SO MUCH. I dream of sun my boardies and waves and long days.
Winter is now for me is an exercise in patience, as a younger man I loved the snow and could not wait for it to start falling, now, NOT SO MUCH. I dream of sun my boardies and waves and long days.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
Regarding the roof leak... Home Depot (and others) sell gutter caulk to setup under water
boardrider247
Weekend warrior anarchist
The best piece of advice I can give it to try and keep the van mobile.
I try my best to break down projects into small enough pieces that my van is only "under construction" for a week at a time.
That way if I decide to use it I can. Doesn't always happen as the hightop install took closer to a three weeks to finish up but for the most part I like to have the van ready to go on a adventure at any time.
And that seems to make it easier to keep perspective
I try my best to break down projects into small enough pieces that my van is only "under construction" for a week at a time.
That way if I decide to use it I can. Doesn't always happen as the hightop install took closer to a three weeks to finish up but for the most part I like to have the van ready to go on a adventure at any time.
And that seems to make it easier to keep perspective
villageidiot327
Explorer
yeah, I'm completely suffering thru builder burnout right now.
a little routine preventative maintenance snowballed on me pretty huge this weekend. what should have been 4-5hrs work has been 12, so far. more parts on the way.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/151472-Simple-kind-of-van-a-2006-e150-build-thread?p=2206325#post2206325
a little routine preventative maintenance snowballed on me pretty huge this weekend. what should have been 4-5hrs work has been 12, so far. more parts on the way.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/151472-Simple-kind-of-van-a-2006-e150-build-thread?p=2206325#post2206325
I built my entire van by myself, and I started it september 1st of 2015.... I completely tore it down to the shell, and removed/replaced literally every single nut/bolt/screw in the entire van, harness and all, on top of completely fabricating the suspension and engine/tranny crossmembers from scratch (4x4 conversion). I stopped counting my hours at about the 500 hour mark, and that was 6 months ago.... There were days that I absolutely DREADED having to go and work on this thing, like hated life... I mean, I could've bought a pretty damn nice vehicle that was turn-key, ready to go, and I'm over here trying to stuff $12k worth of off-road parts into an old crappy $200 chevy work van....:ugh: On top of just telling myself that it was going to be awesome, and my son and I were going to make countless memories in it, frankly, I had too much money invested in it to turn back, and I HAD to finish it or I was going to be stuck with a pile of scrap iron! haha
You just have to put your head down, and plow through it some days...But no matter what, you have to just keep working... It's kind of like drinking a 40oz you know? You have to just keep drinking or the beer will get warm and flat, and nobody wants flat beer....unk03: Make a list of everything that needs to be done, and just start checking things off the list. Whether it's big things or little things that get done, it all adds up over time. Trust me man, one day you'll look up and suddenly you'll have a complete, running/driving vehicle that you no longer have to work on and can just enjoy!
Here's what mine looked like the day I took ownership of it, when I first drug it out of that field....and the other pic is what it looks like as of today.... Sooooooo much work man, but every time I look outside, I just smile ear to ear, and my son LOVES our monster van.... Everywhere we go, people are taking pictures and stopping us to talk about it. Knowing that people dig it as much as they do, and I literally turned every single bolt inside of it, makes me feel like a million bucks.
But I have to get off of here and get back to work on it, the torque converter is leaking (for some stupid reason) and I had to pull the tranny out yesterday. I have to go find a torque converter and get this thing back on the road so we can hit the trail! Then I have to insulate the inside and get some carpet in it, and put the stereo in, and finish the roof rack...ugh... Still checking things off that list! haha Cheers!
Here she is as of yesterday morning when the paint was finally dry....
You just have to put your head down, and plow through it some days...But no matter what, you have to just keep working... It's kind of like drinking a 40oz you know? You have to just keep drinking or the beer will get warm and flat, and nobody wants flat beer....
unk03: Make a list of everything that needs to be done, and just start checking things off the list. Whether it's big things or little things that get done, it all adds up over time. Trust me man, one day you'll look up and suddenly you'll have a complete, running/driving vehicle that you no longer have to work on and can just enjoy! Here's what mine looked like the day I took ownership of it, when I first drug it out of that field....and the other pic is what it looks like as of today.... Sooooooo much work man, but every time I look outside, I just smile ear to ear, and my son LOVES our monster van.... Everywhere we go, people are taking pictures and stopping us to talk about it. Knowing that people dig it as much as they do, and I literally turned every single bolt inside of it, makes me feel like a million bucks.
But I have to get off of here and get back to work on it, the torque converter is leaking (for some stupid reason) and I had to pull the tranny out yesterday. I have to go find a torque converter and get this thing back on the road so we can hit the trail! Then I have to insulate the inside and get some carpet in it, and put the stereo in, and finish the roof rack...ugh... Still checking things off that list! haha Cheers!
Here she is as of yesterday morning when the paint was finally dry....
Jsweezy
Explorer
I think this thread was a great idea and we can all benefit from it. Misery loves company.
I'm just now getting to the point where my van is mechanically sound, I think. I bought it back in February and have literally touched everything under the van in an effort to have it driving like it should. It's been nothing but repair after repair and I even tried selling it because it's just so taxing always having stuff lingering.
But literally anytime I go anywhere I have people tell me how awesome my van is and how they wish they had one exactly like mine (what they don't know won't hurt them) and it makes me feel better. It's like having a crazy girlfriend that drives you insane but she is so hot all the other boys are jealous so you can't let go.
I'm just now getting to the point where my van is mechanically sound, I think. I bought it back in February and have literally touched everything under the van in an effort to have it driving like it should. It's been nothing but repair after repair and I even tried selling it because it's just so taxing always having stuff lingering.
But literally anytime I go anywhere I have people tell me how awesome my van is and how they wish they had one exactly like mine (what they don't know won't hurt them) and it makes me feel better. It's like having a crazy girlfriend that drives you insane but she is so hot all the other boys are jealous so you can't let go.