Mission Dawn Patrol
- Thread starter volcomsurfer
- Start date
volcomsurfer
Adventurer
A picture came up in timehop the other day of when I first brought it home. I was still living in Antigua so I didn't get to work on it right away. But here's a comparison of a year out.
As far as visible progress, I fixed the led's so they would illuminate the cab more.
I made some mounts for the rear speakers. I didn't realize how big these things were until they were actually up there. :\ I'll have to get some lower profile ones later on.
I also installed the sirusxm satellite antenna and ran the cable to the head unit. The only spot I could see feasible that would give it a good signal was on top of the air vent. I just ran the cable through the vent too so I didn't have to put another hole in the roof.
Put the headunit in
I started working on the heaters. I dropped the tank and there wasn't an aux pick up so I just used the dual pick up that came with the kit. There was an existing hole plugged up that was the exact size. Just took a little bit of filing with some grease to get the washer in and it was pretty straight forward. I didn't get many pics because we were working at night. Everything underneath was super dirty. Made for a pretty nasty job.
I also decided to move the inverter to the other side of the bed so I can get to it from the inside. You have to manually turn it off and the remote switch that you can buy only allows you to go from 'charge only' and 'invert/charge' modes. I cleaned up the area a bit and got bigger bus bars so everything wasn't so crowded.
Got the windshield replaced.
And took a pic for instagram with all the boards im bringing on the trip. I'm going to try to get these all into the roof rack.
As far as visible progress, I fixed the led's so they would illuminate the cab more.
I made some mounts for the rear speakers. I didn't realize how big these things were until they were actually up there. :\ I'll have to get some lower profile ones later on.
I also installed the sirusxm satellite antenna and ran the cable to the head unit. The only spot I could see feasible that would give it a good signal was on top of the air vent. I just ran the cable through the vent too so I didn't have to put another hole in the roof.
Put the headunit in
I started working on the heaters. I dropped the tank and there wasn't an aux pick up so I just used the dual pick up that came with the kit. There was an existing hole plugged up that was the exact size. Just took a little bit of filing with some grease to get the washer in and it was pretty straight forward. I didn't get many pics because we were working at night. Everything underneath was super dirty. Made for a pretty nasty job.
I also decided to move the inverter to the other side of the bed so I can get to it from the inside. You have to manually turn it off and the remote switch that you can buy only allows you to go from 'charge only' and 'invert/charge' modes. I cleaned up the area a bit and got bigger bus bars so everything wasn't so crowded.
Got the windshield replaced.
And took a pic for instagram with all the boards im bringing on the trip. I'm going to try to get these all into the roof rack.
Last edited:
mk216v
Der Chef der Fahrzeuge
And took a pic for instagram with all the boards im bringing on the trip. I'm going to try to get these all into the roof rack.
Awesome pic!!
sixstringsteve
Explorer
Job well done. Great work.
Love the awning, I totally understand that the Bat Wing is too small to cover the side doors. Great work on the van. Your thread sucked me in.....dam it's 2:30am already.
I had to LOL at the magnets for the curtains. I had a friend sew blackout curtains for mine with magnets in the hem.
Great minds....
Enjoy.
I had to LOL at the magnets for the curtains. I had a friend sew blackout curtains for mine with magnets in the hem.
Great minds....
Enjoy.
morey
New member
A picture came up in timehop the other day of when I first brought it home. I was still living in Antigua so I didn't get to work on it right away. But here's a comparison of a year out.
As far as visible progress, I fixed the led's so they would illuminate the cab more.
I made some mounts for the rear speakers. I didn't realize how big these things were until they were actually up there. :\ I'll have to get some lower profile ones later on.
I also installed the sirusxm satellite antenna and ran the cable to the head unit. The only spot I could see feasible that would give it a good signal was on top of the air vent. I just ran the cable through the vent too so I didn't have to put another hole in the roof.
Put the headunit in
I started working on the heaters. I dropped the tank and there wasn't an aux pick up so I just used the dual pick up that came with the kit. There was an existing hole plugged up that was the exact size. Just took a little bit of filing with some grease to get the washer in and it was pretty straight forward. I didn't get many pics because we were working at night. Everything underneath was super dirty. Made for a pretty nasty job.
I also decided to move the inverter to the other side of the bed so I can get to it from the inside. You have to manually turn it off and the remote switch that you can buy only allows you to go from 'charge only' and 'invert/charge' modes. I cleaned up the area a bit and got bigger bus bars so everything wasn't so crowded.
Got the windshield replaced.
And took a pic for instagram with all the boards im bringing on the trip. I'm going to try to get these all into the roof rack.
Will you be locking the boards down some how? I plan on putting a similar amount of boards on my roof but I'm concerned with someone seeing all of them and deciding to take them while not at the van.
Travelin _man
HEY HEY HOCKEYTOWN!!
One bad build brother!!
huntsonora
Explorer
:drool:
volcomsurfer
Adventurer
I did some odds and ends today, also made my "dresser" which is just a small box for my clothes. It doubles as a step for the dog to get in the van as well.
I put the tv mount up and hooked up the antenna.
Here's where I put the antenna. I just used velcro.
I put the tv mount up and hooked up the antenna.
Here's where I put the antenna. I just used velcro.
volcomsurfer
Adventurer
I did some more electrical work today and started working on the black aluminess cab in the back. I put in the shelves. I'll get lights on the inside and move the license plate to it tomorrow. This is gonna hold all my flammable stuff, tools, and spare parts.
volcomsurfer
Adventurer
So I found this solar powered landscape led light kit at harbor freight for like 10 bucks. I thought it'd be perfect for the back box. So I tore it apart and put it in. Pretty straight forward. I just took the solar panel out and re-soldered it back to the board. Drilled a hole and siliconed it down nice and flush looking.
I also found a 4 led light at harbor freight for like 7 bucks. It has two levels of intensity and runs off 6 AAA's.
Ran the cord for shore power to the inverter and filled in the gaps around the box.
And since I was keeping fuel and butane in my cabinet I drilled a couple holes for a vent and covered it with some cheap handle from HD.
I moved the license plate to the top of the box so you can see it when the dirtbike is on the back. I also put in a light for it to keep the cop'ers off my back.
I cut the back drivers side panel out and put the air hose and I'll put an electrical cord and some dog bones for 30A and 50A connections.
I also found a 4 led light at harbor freight for like 7 bucks. It has two levels of intensity and runs off 6 AAA's.
Ran the cord for shore power to the inverter and filled in the gaps around the box.
And since I was keeping fuel and butane in my cabinet I drilled a couple holes for a vent and covered it with some cheap handle from HD.
I moved the license plate to the top of the box so you can see it when the dirtbike is on the back. I also put in a light for it to keep the cop'ers off my back.
I cut the back drivers side panel out and put the air hose and I'll put an electrical cord and some dog bones for 30A and 50A connections.
RememberTheFallen
Explorer
Awesome build! Looking really great as you finish it up.
As I plan to build my bed platform I am asking several folks the height of theirs to get an idea how it works out. What is the height at the top of the mattress to the floor? Do you have issues sitting on the mattress and say putting in shoes? And last, where did you get that mattress? Thanks for all of the ideas!
As I plan to build my bed platform I am asking several folks the height of theirs to get an idea how it works out. What is the height at the top of the mattress to the floor? Do you have issues sitting on the mattress and say putting in shoes? And last, where did you get that mattress? Thanks for all of the ideas!