tequilasunset
Adventurer
Dare I say... Hey, nice rack!
Newbie AWD Astro Overlander Build
- Thread starter nobodyhome
- Start date
nobodyhome
Adventurer
Awwww shucks, bet you say that to all the vans.:sombrero:
Actually, I'm not 100% happy with it, pretty narrow on this van, only 39" wide and I feel like it should extend further, to the edge of the rails so like 44"-46".
Last edited:
danfromsyr
Adventurer
This basket is still on sale till Oct2nd now for $99 with a promo code 16BONUS10 for (free shipping + $10 off)
there are charges for sales Tax & oversized box ($8) but they took $10 off and credited the order for shipping.. so was $105/delivered for me in NY..
there are charges for sales Tax & oversized box ($8) but they took $10 off and credited the order for shipping.. so was $105/delivered for me in NY..
nobodyhome
Adventurer
D'OH! I wonder if they will give me the difference.... NOT!
Thanks for the update
Thanks for the update
tequilasunset
Adventurer
Rack jacked....
nobodyhome
Adventurer
They said it was too long ago, but gave me a $20 gift card to soften the blow... sweeet!
nobodyhome
Adventurer
Well... busy weekend over here... I got brave and attempted to build up some cabinets for the BatVan. now, nothing too big or fancy since its a road trip vehicle, not so much a camper, but of course... options are a good thing.
Sooo, since I'm no fabricator and especially no good with wood, I didn't know better than use spray satin/ varnish in one. It looked like C R A P in the morning! OK, here comes the dark grey paint...
That's better. OK, no to get it installed and setup. OK, maybe not, pushes the seat back up so I'm going to trim the driver rear side panel a little to give me some breathing room.
2 of the 3 vertical panels are notched as you can see in the photos. Right one for the rear heater and middle for the gas filler neck. On the back of the left panel, I'm installing a fold down table for my daughter (like in the back of airplane seats). The legroom on that side is a little cramped, but it will work fine for a kid or adult on a short trip (would suck after 2+ hours).
Here's the basic idea; simply just a place for the essentials, like cold frosty beverages, agua, stove aaaand a crapper.
Hard to tell in these pictures, but the dark grey actually matches portions of the dash.
The fascia on top is actually storage for cups, plates, spices, food and assorted cookware. It folds down for a little shelf to put stuff on while kitchen is in use. I'm going to have to trim it in front; didn't realize the headliner came down a little about half way up (where the knob is in this picture).
So far, I'm into this kitchen build for about $30; I'm thinking I'll get my money's worth out of it
Sooo, since I'm no fabricator and especially no good with wood, I didn't know better than use spray satin/ varnish in one. It looked like C R A P in the morning! OK, here comes the dark grey paint...
That's better. OK, no to get it installed and setup. OK, maybe not, pushes the seat back up so I'm going to trim the driver rear side panel a little to give me some breathing room.
2 of the 3 vertical panels are notched as you can see in the photos. Right one for the rear heater and middle for the gas filler neck. On the back of the left panel, I'm installing a fold down table for my daughter (like in the back of airplane seats). The legroom on that side is a little cramped, but it will work fine for a kid or adult on a short trip (would suck after 2+ hours).
Here's the basic idea; simply just a place for the essentials, like cold frosty beverages, agua, stove aaaand a crapper.
Hard to tell in these pictures, but the dark grey actually matches portions of the dash.
The fascia on top is actually storage for cups, plates, spices, food and assorted cookware. It folds down for a little shelf to put stuff on while kitchen is in use. I'm going to have to trim it in front; didn't realize the headliner came down a little about half way up (where the knob is in this picture).
So far, I'm into this kitchen build for about $30; I'm thinking I'll get my money's worth out of it
nobodyhome
Adventurer
Did a little fine tuning to the kitchen last weekend. Was having trouble figuring what to do with the space around the rear heater and finally said screw it and glued up some felt behind it.
That looks cleaner. Needed some more storage space so I went ahead and built up a simple little drawer. Some 3.5" board, some paneling and a set of slides later.. DONE! Total kitchen project is now up to $41.
It is currently anchored down by a couple simple L brackets until I can figure out a better way to attach it to....something. It is designed to be removed easily and returned to stock in under 10 minutes, although I did decide not to cut out holes for the front bench.
Next up- re-route the rear heater vent. I'm thinking flexible vent line and tie into the rear AC plenum with a 1-way valve as not to degrade the AC performance by routing cool air into the heater haha. Just an idea, i'll have to see if it works.
That looks cleaner. Needed some more storage space so I went ahead and built up a simple little drawer. Some 3.5" board, some paneling and a set of slides later.. DONE! Total kitchen project is now up to $41.
It is currently anchored down by a couple simple L brackets until I can figure out a better way to attach it to....something. It is designed to be removed easily and returned to stock in under 10 minutes, although I did decide not to cut out holes for the front bench.
Next up- re-route the rear heater vent. I'm thinking flexible vent line and tie into the rear AC plenum with a 1-way valve as not to degrade the AC performance by routing cool air into the heater haha. Just an idea, i'll have to see if it works.
Last edited:
Corneilius
Adventurer
I dig it. I didn't come up with a good solution to trim out my rear heater box, its under my bed but exposed. I tell myself its to maximize airflow lol
nobodyhome
Adventurer
Hey Everyone, Nobodyhome here with a tough decision. I mentioned a while back that I may keep the van I was building to sell, and sell the BatVan... well, that day has come. With 100K less miles and that G80.... hard to let go of. I will be posting in Craigslist and locally soon.
EDIT: Removed ad, and just made this a status of build posting. Decided it was poor taste to advertise on the build thread.
EDIT: Removed ad, and just made this a status of build posting. Decided it was poor taste to advertise on the build thread.
Last edited:
nobodyhome
Adventurer
Well, before the BatVan leaves our driveway for good, I felt it appropriate to take it on one last adventure.
Hit the Mojave Desert to explore, climb some hills and check out the unspoiled views...
Old spoils chute at an abandoned quartz/ gold mine (yes, I had to park on that boulder to show that I could )
...and the grand finale...
WOW... THIS is why we do what we do my friends.
Happy to say he performed FLAWLESSLY as expected and as always turned a few heads.
Hit the Mojave Desert to explore, climb some hills and check out the unspoiled views...
Old spoils chute at an abandoned quartz/ gold mine (yes, I had to park on that boulder to show that I could
)
...and the grand finale...
WOW... THIS is why we do what we do my friends.
Happy to say he performed FLAWLESSLY as expected and as always turned a few heads.
nobodyhome
Adventurer
ROAD TRIP! PNW Good Will Tour 2016
The journey began Saturday morning but by the time I actually hit the road, it was more like 3PM. Managed to make my way up to Lake Shasta, CA. Camped out on a blow up bed in the van and even though its insulated, it was COLD AF! It got down to mid 30s, but the cold just cut right through those big azz windows and I froze! Woke up to some beautiful views though.
Cooked up some breakfast on my cool little kitchen. Cracked open the window there for fresh air but also, to pour out the wash water (YES, biodegradable soap).
Found a random dirt turn-out road on the side of I5 at Sims Rd, decided to see where it lead..
WOW.
Further up the the road, found this little hidden spot, so I drove up the side of a hill and found even more cool stuff...
That night, I got a spot at a small RV park in Southern Washington and hunkered down for the night. I cut panels of Refletix to cover the rear windows.. WOW what a difference! I also strung up a bungie behind the front seats and hung a sheet over it for privacy. It also helped isolate the cold radiating through the front windows so I was much more comfortable. Listened to the rain falling in the forest and on the roof of the van was awesome, very relaxing.
Hit the road again Monday morning... drove by THIS BEAST! WHOA must have been around 12ft tall!
Hit Stevens Pass around 10PM so it was super icy on the road. I wasn't sure how well everything would do, so I found a large spot of road and "tested" it out... hehhhehh ICE DONUTS!!!
Then drove through the beautiful town of Leavenworth, WA
Going through town there I ran across these gigantic festive MF'rs..
Wednesday was petal to the metal to make it home in time. Did about 850 miles that day, so gas-n-go all the way. Let's just say it was a BLESSING having that crapper onboard... i'll leave it at that. haha
Managed to sneak in another shot of Mt Shasta though...
After all was said and done, the trip was 5 days, 2,500 miles! I am happy to report the BatVan performed FLAWLESSLY for the entire trip and worked exactly as planned! Since there was a lot of up n down, the mileage fluctuated pretty significantly, but average was about 16.6 MPG and as high as 19.2!!! WOOT WOOOOT!
Hope you enjoyed the story!
The journey began Saturday morning but by the time I actually hit the road, it was more like 3PM. Managed to make my way up to Lake Shasta, CA. Camped out on a blow up bed in the van and even though its insulated, it was COLD AF! It got down to mid 30s, but the cold just cut right through those big azz windows and I froze! Woke up to some beautiful views though.
Cooked up some breakfast on my cool little kitchen. Cracked open the window there for fresh air but also, to pour out the wash water (YES, biodegradable soap).
Found a random dirt turn-out road on the side of I5 at Sims Rd, decided to see where it lead..
WOW.
Further up the the road, found this little hidden spot, so I drove up the side of a hill and found even more cool stuff...
That night, I got a spot at a small RV park in Southern Washington and hunkered down for the night. I cut panels of Refletix to cover the rear windows.. WOW what a difference! I also strung up a bungie behind the front seats and hung a sheet over it for privacy. It also helped isolate the cold radiating through the front windows so I was much more comfortable. Listened to the rain falling in the forest and on the roof of the van was awesome, very relaxing.
Hit the road again Monday morning... drove by THIS BEAST! WHOA must have been around 12ft tall!
Hit Stevens Pass around 10PM so it was super icy on the road. I wasn't sure how well everything would do, so I found a large spot of road and "tested" it out... hehhhehh ICE DONUTS!!!
Then drove through the beautiful town of Leavenworth, WA
Going through town there I ran across these gigantic festive MF'rs..
Wednesday was petal to the metal to make it home in time. Did about 850 miles that day, so gas-n-go all the way. Let's just say it was a BLESSING having that crapper onboard... i'll leave it at that. haha
Managed to sneak in another shot of Mt Shasta though...
After all was said and done, the trip was 5 days, 2,500 miles! I am happy to report the BatVan performed FLAWLESSLY for the entire trip and worked exactly as planned! Since there was a lot of up n down, the mileage fluctuated pretty significantly, but average was about 16.6 MPG and as high as 19.2!!! WOOT WOOOOT!
Hope you enjoyed the story!
