The Wanderers build

[superbuickguy]

If you didn't read my footer - void every warranty - you'll see why that is true

but first, tweeters need installed

so cute

then a hole for the radio control unit

not a lot of room behind the dash pad...

mark for 2nd hole

almost last test fit.... still need a bit more space in the back

and now room is created

then CAD then make it in aluminum

so shiny... why aluminum, see below

then finish it off with pop rivets.... why not just glue? ever heard the expression - when you have a new hammer, everything is a nail? In this case, I have a new milwaukie pop rivet gun

see if I can head off two concerns. 1) why not use the stock spot... not enough room, I like big maps and this entertainment system will also be my GPS unit when off road, and 2) but blocking the vent will make the system not work as well.... I think GM put that box like it was out of convenience because nothing goes straight up from the hvac unit below. in any case, there is plenty of room for the same volume of air to go around the notch. Add to this, I used to do V8 S10 conversions. We took at least 1/2 if not 2/3rds of the hvac space in creating room and we never had a complaint about the a/c system not working as well as stock....

 

[superbuickguy]

now fits just fine

just sitting in place....

yes, it will be kind of a pain to adjust while driving but I can get a remote or steering wheel controls if it really bugs me

with that said, it puts it in a place that I can watch it from the back (when the camper is on), and gives the navigator access to it. Not just that but the screen is huge, and should easily be seen from the driver's seat. Also, that gives me a space for a cubby for my phone where the radio used to be.... a win to me.

 

[Kingsize24]

now fits just fine

just sitting in place....

yes, it will be kind of a pain to adjust while driving but I can get a remote or steering wheel controls if it really bugs me

with that said, it puts it in a place that I can watch it from the back (when the camper is on), and gives the navigator access to it. Not just that but the screen is huge, and should easily be seen from the driver's seat. Also, that gives me a space for a cubby for my phone where the radio used to be.... a win to me.

I REALLY like that alot. Great install!

 

[superbuickguy]

alright, holidays over and moving is progressing
it never ceases to amaze me at the randomness of things. I need a license plate light. Easy, no? well, not for me. This is just one verse of this song. I buy one from Summit - a Hella .... see anything missing from this light?

wtbh? I know I've looked at least 5 times in local stores for lights and most just plug in - which doesn't work for what I'm doing.... so the search continues
more stereo work....need to fasten this

there's where it needs to mount

which brings me to yet another whine... warning?.... it used to be you could mount a stereo to the Mars Rover with all the brackets they sent 'stock' now? they don't even send screws.
then build brackets to attach to the dash 'pad'

but yet, an hour later, it's in place (and I can remove it with the pad in place

 

[superbuickguy]

one more bite on that elephant
this time, seats

so the problem, mine is an 86, these are 87 seats. IMO they are so much more comfortable and supportive then the 86. Add to it that it doesn't rattle like the 86 and older...
but it's not a bolt in at all...

first is make adapters....

still deciding if I like the seat bottom angle... I feel like I'll be revisiting this - so maybe I'll just send it ....put a seat bottom at 10 degrees back or so... the Jeep is 15 degrees, the Corvette is 5 as is the dually

in other news, a clunk reduction is being performed here

hopefully tomorrow I can really start finishing this up... I have more interior liner coming then I'll seal it all up, run some wires... and drive it. Which is good timing, the transmission seems to be having issues in my Colorado (use it as a 1 ton and it only lasts 140k miles - such junk lol)

 

[superbuickguy]

time to mark done on one thing... rear bumper/hitch

instructions? why? it's 4 bolts... turns out it was just a product list for a different hitch

of course, nothing is easy.... I put the rear bolts in the wrong hole....

I win

then back to the interior.... amazing the level of 'clunk' one can get from the shifter hitting the cover

next up is wire the reverse lights

I also think I've got a solution for the seat mounts.... but more on that, later.

 

[superbuickguy]

one of those days I'm thankful for a helper who spent 6 hours on this

yep, undercoating coming very soon

 

[superbuickguy]

a couple quick vids on sound suppression materials.

 

[superbuickguy]

so the actual work
painted the underside of the center cover

I'm a huge fan of DEI anything (the insulation, the other, not so much)

installed it on the hump. I never sprayed the cover with Durabak - so getting the most protection was key. Keep in mind, though, I sprayed the interior with Durabak, put stick down sound mat everywhere (including doors). It's a diesel so it has a firewall pad, I paid for the extra thick carpet which comes with extra insulation. I really do want this to be a comfortable place...
before I install the center piece, I need to wire the reverse lights

of course, the plug was broken but thankfully it was a common connector

ran new wires that are the same color as GM

the automatic plug (I removed the shifter, cut the stand off the column, blacked out the dash)

remove the plug and wire in solid

center screwed down (I probably should have used captive nuts but since this is kind of glued down now it didn't seem like it'd be worth the effort.

and sealed with camper seal

so plush

in other news, painted the seat stands....

and yes, the carpet has to come back out again however, Anthony's truck is leaving Sunday so I need to have the carpet somewhere else but over his truck (dewrinkling)