Hodakaguy
Adventurer
Lol, didn't find any treasures. The stupid design is just Winnebago saving a few pennies.
Hodakaguy
Hodaka"Pops" Revel Build - Traveling in Comfort
- Thread starter Hodakaguy
- Start date
Lol, didn't find any treasures. The stupid design is just Winnebago saving a few pennies.
Hodakaguy
Hodakaguy
Adventurer
Next Updates: First up is to mount our Maxxtrax recovery boards on the roof. I enjoy fabricating brackets etc but pressed the easy button on this one and ordered the mounts from Agile Off Road, sometimes it nice to receive a setup powder coated and ready to bolt on 
.
Install was quick and easy. Assemble the mounting pins onto the mount rails then bolt the rails onto the OEM roof rack. I had to loosen the bolts on the solar panel and slide the whole assembly forward a tad to get everything lined up. Just minutes and this project was completed.
Here the bars are mounted onto the OEM rails and ready to accept the Maxxtrax.
And Maxxtrax installed. We are carrying two tracks but the pins allow carrying a set of 4. Once you twist the top of the pin to lock the tracks in place it opens up a pass through hole where you can also add a padlock.
Nice out of the way storage solution and adds a bit of security for the tracks as well.
Next up....VanMadeGear insulated window covers. Warmth and blackout capability!
I've ran the VanMadeGear insulated window covers on my van for several years now and they are one of our favorite mods, they provide a huge amount of warmth when camping in colder weather and also help keep the interior cooler in the summer months. When my father recently purchased his Revel we knew we wanted to add a set to his setup as well. The factory Revel window shades offer bug screens and privacy shades but don't offer blackout capability (We've camped at several areas where bright street lights were present and having the blackout covers are really nice) or insulation. The front window covers that were provided with the Revel are very heavy and don't fit the windows well so we replaced them with the VanMadegear units as well.
Fresh out of the box....VanMadeGear is soooooo nice.
Stock window shade unit. You can slide down the bug screen or slide up the privacy shade. This setup doesn't offer insulation or blackout capabilities, and they don't tend to last that long before they start developing issues. Time to install something with a LOT better quality and function.
To Install the VanMadeGear shades you first remove the corner trim pieces on the OEM units by sliding them straight out, then remove 8 total screws per shade assembly. Once the screws are removed the OEM shade assembly simply pops off the wall.
OEM shade assy removed. Now clean up the surfaces with an alcohol wipe in preparation of installing the self adhesive Velcro strips. The shades also come supplied with metal clips that pinch the ends of the Velcro onto the plastic wall trim and ensure it stays in place, for some reason I didn't get photo's of these.
Here I'm rounding the ends of the adhesive Velcro strips on each cover prior to installing the tape, rounding the corners will make the tape less likely to lift.
Do the same process to remove the Slider door and bedroom OEM window shades. Here you can see that this unit is already having issues, when driving the bug screen keeps lowering itself down and won't stay fully opened....not a problem any more
The rear door/window covers are magnetic and are provided with small metal clips that attach to the plastic window trim to give the magnets something to latch onto. The clips pop in place without tools and once installed the rear window covers provide an amazing fit. Takes seconds to remove/attach the covers when you get to camp. Nice!!
Here's one of the rear window covers, they fold up nice and compact when not in use. We will store them on the bed under the comforter while on the road, quick and easy access when getting to camp for the night.
Continued Below.....
.Install was quick and easy. Assemble the mounting pins onto the mount rails then bolt the rails onto the OEM roof rack. I had to loosen the bolts on the solar panel and slide the whole assembly forward a tad to get everything lined up. Just minutes and this project was completed.
Here the bars are mounted onto the OEM rails and ready to accept the Maxxtrax.
And Maxxtrax installed. We are carrying two tracks but the pins allow carrying a set of 4. Once you twist the top of the pin to lock the tracks in place it opens up a pass through hole where you can also add a padlock.
Nice out of the way storage solution and adds a bit of security for the tracks as well.
Next up....VanMadeGear insulated window covers. Warmth and blackout capability!
I've ran the VanMadeGear insulated window covers on my van for several years now and they are one of our favorite mods, they provide a huge amount of warmth when camping in colder weather and also help keep the interior cooler in the summer months. When my father recently purchased his Revel we knew we wanted to add a set to his setup as well. The factory Revel window shades offer bug screens and privacy shades but don't offer blackout capability (We've camped at several areas where bright street lights were present and having the blackout covers are really nice) or insulation. The front window covers that were provided with the Revel are very heavy and don't fit the windows well so we replaced them with the VanMadegear units as well.
Fresh out of the box....VanMadeGear is soooooo nice.
Stock window shade unit. You can slide down the bug screen or slide up the privacy shade. This setup doesn't offer insulation or blackout capabilities, and they don't tend to last that long before they start developing issues. Time to install something with a LOT better quality and function.
To Install the VanMadeGear shades you first remove the corner trim pieces on the OEM units by sliding them straight out, then remove 8 total screws per shade assembly. Once the screws are removed the OEM shade assembly simply pops off the wall.
OEM shade assy removed. Now clean up the surfaces with an alcohol wipe in preparation of installing the self adhesive Velcro strips. The shades also come supplied with metal clips that pinch the ends of the Velcro onto the plastic wall trim and ensure it stays in place, for some reason I didn't get photo's of these.
Here I'm rounding the ends of the adhesive Velcro strips on each cover prior to installing the tape, rounding the corners will make the tape less likely to lift.
Do the same process to remove the Slider door and bedroom OEM window shades. Here you can see that this unit is already having issues, when driving the bug screen keeps lowering itself down and won't stay fully opened....not a problem any more
The rear door/window covers are magnetic and are provided with small metal clips that attach to the plastic window trim to give the magnets something to latch onto. The clips pop in place without tools and once installed the rear window covers provide an amazing fit. Takes seconds to remove/attach the covers when you get to camp. Nice!!
Here's one of the rear window covers, they fold up nice and compact when not in use. We will store them on the bed under the comforter while on the road, quick and easy access when getting to camp for the night.
Continued Below.....
Hodakaguy
Adventurer
Continued from above....
And rear covers installed on the windows. You simply fold them out and push them against the window, the sewn in rare earth magnets hold the covers snugly in position. Fit and finish is excellent!
Rear bedroom window cover installed.
Once installed the shades offer several ways to use them. When zipped closed they offer Blackout/Insulation. You can zip open and roll up the outer cover to utilize the bug screens for a nice breeze when the window is open or zip open the bug screen and roll the screen and outer cover up together for a completely open window (How we like to leave them when driving so the windows are all open).
The slider door has stiffening rods sewn into the panels so when you open the window and fold up the inner covers they remain tight to the window and won't rub the van when the slider door is being opened. Nice!
Continued below....
And rear covers installed on the windows. You simply fold them out and push them against the window, the sewn in rare earth magnets hold the covers snugly in position. Fit and finish is excellent!
Rear bedroom window cover installed.
Once installed the shades offer several ways to use them. When zipped closed they offer Blackout/Insulation. You can zip open and roll up the outer cover to utilize the bug screens for a nice breeze when the window is open or zip open the bug screen and roll the screen and outer cover up together for a completely open window (How we like to leave them when driving so the windows are all open).
The slider door has stiffening rods sewn into the panels so when you open the window and fold up the inner covers they remain tight to the window and won't rub the van when the slider door is being opened. Nice!
Continued below....
Hodakaguy
Adventurer
Continued from above....
Same features and functions on at the Dinette window.
Next up is to install the insulated magnetic cover for the Maxxfan. To install you remove the 4 screws securing the trim piece around the fan then remove the trim piece.
Here's the fan without the cover.
Open the cover up and set the plastic trim piece on top of the cover. Then take the provided magnets and set them around the edges of the trim piece, the magnets will snap into place aligning themselves with the magnets sewn into the cover. Once all the magnets are in place use some tape to secure the magnets in place, then just re-install the cover.
Here I'm using some packing tape to keep the magnets in place.
Trim piece screwed back in place. The insulated cover just snaps in place and can be folded open and left in place as well. As an added benefit to insulation and blackout capabilities it also helps to reduce road noise when driving.
On the front we went with Black fabric on the inside and reflective on the outside. The reflective is great for keeping the interior cooler on hot days and when we want to camp and not draw as much attention to the fact we are camping we can reverse the covers and put the black side out. We also ordered a set of the magnetic bug screens that we can snap in place when we are camping and want to keep the windows down and bugs out!
Magnetic Bug Screens.
Continued Below....
Same features and functions on at the Dinette window.
Next up is to install the insulated magnetic cover for the Maxxfan. To install you remove the 4 screws securing the trim piece around the fan then remove the trim piece.
Here's the fan without the cover.
Open the cover up and set the plastic trim piece on top of the cover. Then take the provided magnets and set them around the edges of the trim piece, the magnets will snap into place aligning themselves with the magnets sewn into the cover. Once all the magnets are in place use some tape to secure the magnets in place, then just re-install the cover.
Here I'm using some packing tape to keep the magnets in place.
Trim piece screwed back in place. The insulated cover just snaps in place and can be folded open and left in place as well. As an added benefit to insulation and blackout capabilities it also helps to reduce road noise when driving.
On the front we went with Black fabric on the inside and reflective on the outside. The reflective is great for keeping the interior cooler on hot days and when we want to camp and not draw as much attention to the fact we are camping we can reverse the covers and put the black side out. We also ordered a set of the magnetic bug screens that we can snap in place when we are camping and want to keep the windows down and bugs out!
Magnetic Bug Screens.
Continued Below....
Hodakaguy
Adventurer
Continued from above....
And the front window shades.
They come in a very nice storage pouch that fits perfectly up on the overhead shelf above the driver/passenger seat.
The set even came with some sweet swag
If your looking for the best insulated window shades out there look up VanMadeGear, Simon's quality and customer service is second to none!
Lastly we picked up a WeatherTech rubber hitch step for the rear of the Revel. I have the same unit in the smaller size on my van and it's been brilliant, my father decided to go with the wider version on his. These steps are super durable and convenient, no having to carry and mess with a portable step when accessing the rear of the van.
More to come.....
Hodakaguy
And the front window shades.
They come in a very nice storage pouch that fits perfectly up on the overhead shelf above the driver/passenger seat.
The set even came with some sweet swag
If your looking for the best insulated window shades out there look up VanMadeGear, Simon's quality and customer service is second to none!
Lastly we picked up a WeatherTech rubber hitch step for the rear of the Revel. I have the same unit in the smaller size on my van and it's been brilliant, my father decided to go with the wider version on his. These steps are super durable and convenient, no having to carry and mess with a portable step when accessing the rear of the van.
More to come.....
Hodakaguy
Hodakaguy
Adventurer
Let's install some Hood Struts!
The hood on the newer sprinters leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to the prop that keeps it open. You pop the hood then lift it up, then hold it up while you work your way over to the passenger side. Next hold the hood open with one hand and use the other to fiddle with the tiny hood prop and get it in place. What a crappy design. Luckily there is a solution....Gas Hood Struts!
Van shops are asking up to $150 for basically this same setup. While searching Amazon recently I came across a kit for $44 that looks just like the others. Ordered it up and it's time to install!
Install took about 10 minutes and now the hood is soooo easy and nice to open. Just pop the latch and lift the hood...done! Should have left the factory this way!
Supplies used:
Note: The links below are my Amazon Affiliate links, I make a small portion each time someone purchases from Amazon using one of my links, at no extra cost to the buyer. I only provide links to items that I personally like and use myself. i use the money to put back into my builds and support making videos/posts. If you prefer not to use my links you can search for the same items directly off Amazon. Thank you for the support!
Hood Strut Kit: CLICK HERE
Here's the kit installed and in action.
Kit components
You cut the provided pieces of silicone to take up the slack for the upper ball pin. I would have rather seen an aluminum bushing but the silicone actually worked great so I'll roll with it.
Factory hinge, drivers side.
Installing the upper ball joint pin in the existing holes.
Removing the factory hood prop and plastic bushing. The passenger side ball joint pin will mount in its place.
Does help to have a second person here. Snap the gas strut onto the upper ball joint and snap the lower bracket/ball joint onto the lower portion of the gas strut. Remove the factory 10mm bolt then have someone lift the hood up higher to give you clearance to slide in the bracket. Now just bolt it down with the OEM bolt you removed earlier. Done.
Hodakaguy
The hood on the newer sprinters leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to the prop that keeps it open. You pop the hood then lift it up, then hold it up while you work your way over to the passenger side. Next hold the hood open with one hand and use the other to fiddle with the tiny hood prop and get it in place. What a crappy design. Luckily there is a solution....Gas Hood Struts!
Van shops are asking up to $150 for basically this same setup. While searching Amazon recently I came across a kit for $44 that looks just like the others. Ordered it up and it's time to install!
Install took about 10 minutes and now the hood is soooo easy and nice to open. Just pop the latch and lift the hood...done! Should have left the factory this way!
Supplies used:
Note: The links below are my Amazon Affiliate links, I make a small portion each time someone purchases from Amazon using one of my links, at no extra cost to the buyer. I only provide links to items that I personally like and use myself. i use the money to put back into my builds and support making videos/posts. If you prefer not to use my links you can search for the same items directly off Amazon. Thank you for the support!
Hood Strut Kit: CLICK HERE
Here's the kit installed and in action.
Kit components
You cut the provided pieces of silicone to take up the slack for the upper ball pin. I would have rather seen an aluminum bushing but the silicone actually worked great so I'll roll with it.
Factory hinge, drivers side.
Installing the upper ball joint pin in the existing holes.
Removing the factory hood prop and plastic bushing. The passenger side ball joint pin will mount in its place.
Does help to have a second person here. Snap the gas strut onto the upper ball joint and snap the lower bracket/ball joint onto the lower portion of the gas strut. Remove the factory 10mm bolt then have someone lift the hood up higher to give you clearance to slide in the bracket. Now just bolt it down with the OEM bolt you removed earlier. Done.
Hodakaguy