Chris Cordes
Expedition Leader
Thank you very much! I wanted to lay out the build plan and convey that this truck can get out there just as it is, but it doesnt make for a very interesting piece.
ExPo's 2000 7.3 Excursion Build
- Thread starter Chris Cordes
- Start date
Thank you very much! I wanted to lay out the build plan and convey that this truck can get out there just as it is, but it doesnt make for a very interesting piece.
justcuz
Explorer
It's not a trip report really, it's an introduction! I think it conveys the message appropriately. For anyone not following the thread it is perfect. For me since I have been following the thread, the additional pictures of the vehicle out there in its evaluation stage are wonderful. It may have something to do with the subject color also, I'm not sure a black vehicle would compliment the scenery as much as the green. Eh I'm no artist but I know what I like and I like the photos of the Excursion and the locations.
Haiti_Missionary
Observer
Following this build thread. started my own thread on my Excursion >>>>>http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/163175-My-2004-6-0L-Excursion-Build
I had an entire Safety Devices rack deck built for a DI out of the stuff, and it would support a good deal of weight, but only weighed about 4 or 5 lbs.
Chris Cordes
Expedition Leader
I ended up just buying two 1/2" birch sheets from home depot. While they arent exactly high quality, I think they will do the job when coated with bed liner, color matched to my interior of course
NMC_EXP
Explorer
Material density
Chris
Interstate Plastics has a link to a specification sheet for King Starboard sheeting:
https://www.interstateplastics.com/interstate-plastics-king-starboard-specs-uses.pdf
Per the spec sheet the density is 0.955 grams per cubic centimeter.
Here is a link to a density conversion calculator. Plug 0.955 gm/cm3 in and it will give you the density in lb/in3 or lb/ft3. I came up with 59.6 lb/ft3.
http://www.unitconversion.org/unit_converter/density-ex.html
Per Interstate Plastics these materials are High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). This material is typically used for cutting boards.
I found a generic density for plywood of 34.08 lb/ft3. That converts to 0.546 gm/cm3.
Summary:
King Starboard HDPE sheeting = 0.955 gm/cm3 = 0.035 lb/in3 = 59.6 lb/ft3
Plywood................................= 0.546 gm/cm3 = 0.020 lb/in3 = 34.08 lb/ft3
HDPE sheeting is about 75% heavier than plywood.
Chris
Interstate Plastics has a link to a specification sheet for King Starboard sheeting:
https://www.interstateplastics.com/interstate-plastics-king-starboard-specs-uses.pdf
Per the spec sheet the density is 0.955 grams per cubic centimeter.
Here is a link to a density conversion calculator. Plug 0.955 gm/cm3 in and it will give you the density in lb/in3 or lb/ft3. I came up with 59.6 lb/ft3.
http://www.unitconversion.org/unit_converter/density-ex.html
Per Interstate Plastics these materials are High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). This material is typically used for cutting boards.
I found a generic density for plywood of 34.08 lb/ft3. That converts to 0.546 gm/cm3.
Summary:
King Starboard HDPE sheeting = 0.955 gm/cm3 = 0.035 lb/in3 = 59.6 lb/ft3
Plywood................................= 0.546 gm/cm3 = 0.020 lb/in3 = 34.08 lb/ft3
HDPE sheeting is about 75% heavier than plywood.
Chris Cordes
Expedition Leader
Thanks NMC! Yeah i ran across a few different board estimates that seemed super heavy and was wondering if that was the case
ScottF4444
New member
I was excited to see the Excursion being featured. Here's mine:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/163277-Scott-s-Excursion
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/163277-Scott-s-Excursion
That weight info is disappointing. I found the two pieces I had done for the DI rack lighter than the plywood alternative, but perhaps I what I had been comparing it to was a different thickness plywood.
D
D
Chris Cordes
Expedition Leader
Well things have started moving along this week and there are several pieces coming together
First AT Overland installed my new FlexoPower solar panel. For those who aren't familiar with them, you can check them out here https://www.flexopowerusa.com/collections/camping-solar-kits/products/atacama-79-kit
We're using (and testing) an ATACAMA-79 complete solar camping kit. It comes with the panel, all necessary wiring, a regulator, a carrying case, and a monitor that displays the output of the panel, draw of your fridge, and status of your battery. Thus far im really impressed with the quality of all the components and the effectiveness of the panel in partial shading and cloud cover. Ill break down more info in the review of the system for expo but their recommended wiring pattern is really impressive and much more efficient than standard setups ive seen and used in the past.
Since my sleeping and cargo setup has yet to be installed AT did a temporary mount with velcro for the screen and hid the regulator neatly behind the jack inside the rear compartment. It fits nicely and still allows you to secure the jack in its regular position. We ended up running the wiring through the back tail light housing and out a small hole to the rear bumper. Since I will be changing that bumper eventually we went ahead and drilled into it and secured it to the bottom out of sight.
Ill also include this fun video for the solar panels, who doesn't love shooting panels with an AK-47 and throwing them to crocs for chew toys? Skip to about 2:45 if you just want to watch the carnage and skip the details https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL1LDdW5OEc
Okay so this is just a note of personal appreciation but after bad experiences with other 4x4 shops I feel it needs to be said. Adventure trailers is one of the most thoughtful and considerate bunch of people I have seen when installing equipment. Not only did they help find a way to hide nearly everything, but they vacuum all the metal shavings and dust out of the area and leave no trace that they were working there. Its a level of attention to detail that Ive found to be rare these days.
Next I worked with one of AT's employees on measuring up the rear end for the cargo deck. Since I lack a lot of the tools and space required for woodworking in my tiny apartment we will be using their shop and expertise to help produce a well polished final product. Ill post pictures and details of the build as we go. Just look at all that space though!
First AT Overland installed my new FlexoPower solar panel. For those who aren't familiar with them, you can check them out here https://www.flexopowerusa.com/collections/camping-solar-kits/products/atacama-79-kit
We're using (and testing) an ATACAMA-79 complete solar camping kit. It comes with the panel, all necessary wiring, a regulator, a carrying case, and a monitor that displays the output of the panel, draw of your fridge, and status of your battery. Thus far im really impressed with the quality of all the components and the effectiveness of the panel in partial shading and cloud cover. Ill break down more info in the review of the system for expo but their recommended wiring pattern is really impressive and much more efficient than standard setups ive seen and used in the past.
Since my sleeping and cargo setup has yet to be installed AT did a temporary mount with velcro for the screen and hid the regulator neatly behind the jack inside the rear compartment. It fits nicely and still allows you to secure the jack in its regular position. We ended up running the wiring through the back tail light housing and out a small hole to the rear bumper. Since I will be changing that bumper eventually we went ahead and drilled into it and secured it to the bottom out of sight.
Ill also include this fun video for the solar panels, who doesn't love shooting panels with an AK-47 and throwing them to crocs for chew toys? Skip to about 2:45 if you just want to watch the carnage and skip the details https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL1LDdW5OEc
Okay so this is just a note of personal appreciation but after bad experiences with other 4x4 shops I feel it needs to be said. Adventure trailers is one of the most thoughtful and considerate bunch of people I have seen when installing equipment. Not only did they help find a way to hide nearly everything, but they vacuum all the metal shavings and dust out of the area and leave no trace that they were working there. Its a level of attention to detail that Ive found to be rare these days.
Next I worked with one of AT's employees on measuring up the rear end for the cargo deck. Since I lack a lot of the tools and space required for woodworking in my tiny apartment we will be using their shop and expertise to help produce a well polished final product. Ill post pictures and details of the build as we go. Just look at all that space though!
Chris Cordes
Expedition Leader
Haha yeah makes you wonder... But honestly those stains bothered me more than id like to admit. Thats why im covering them with a platform bedlined to match the tan interior
This build has encouraged several people to come out of hiding with their Excursions, new or resurrected threads popping up all over the place! Kudos! I am very interested in this kind of a build, I do not see being able to talk my wife into a 4x4 Van, but this is certainly in the realm of possibility!
Chris Cordes
Expedition Leader
And this is... a water gun.... yeah. :ar15:
Its really exciting! I think a lot of us full-sizers have felt like there wasnt any love for these trucks so why share. Clearly that's not the case, and we've got a little community going now lol.
Just take her for a ride in an X and tell her it gets 20mpg. she'll be sold.