2/14/2010 11:10:35 PM
SIXSIXZERO
Posts: 222
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I had kind of a hard time finding any pics about this. Lots of threads
and how to's, but no pics. Its seems like theres lots of interest in
these projects, but nothing really to show for it, as far as people
like me looking for ideas. So, I figured Id start out with the story of
the van, then in time as I build, I will update with Info & Pics!!
I
came across this unit through a friend of mine. I had actually parked
next to the van when we went to play thursday night dart league. When I
got inside, my friend asked if I saw the van. "Yes" I said, I parked
right next to it. "Its for sale " he says. So on & so on......
Basically, the guy wanted it out of his driveway, and I wanted this
van. So, $300 later, I signed the title & drove her home. It is a
white 93' Ford E150 Cargo van, no windows in rear. 5.0liter 302 w/
130,000 miles.
New balljoints & U-joints, Decent tires, Straight
body w very minimal rust. The only 2 things wrong are an exhaust leak,
& the tranny doesnt have OD. (I dont use OD pulling trailer anyway,
but I have another OD tranny if I need it.)
The plus side of the deal so far is, I took out the metal partition wall, center counsel, shelves and am removing ladder rack.
The
counsel and shelving unit, I already have sold for $100. Plus the wall
& Rack should bring another $250-300, so all in all, I will have
gotten this van FREE!!
Im putting any & all $ made from parts
off this thing, right back into the van. I have most, if not all the
lumber I need to complete the build. So, as far as I see it, even if I
spend $1000, Im going to have a really cool setup! I have decided not
to put a water tank in, as I dont really have the room. I will do that
when I eventually get an extended van. As far as the design, I havnt
finalized it yet, but have a good solid idea I think will work really
well. It will have a full queen bed, that folds completely out of the
way, plenty of storage and sitting area, removeable chocks so I can
haul bikes inside on shorter trips. Hopefully I can get a small flat
screen for the wall, as I plan on having an inverter anyway for
laptops, ect.
Anyway, I could ramble on forever, so Ill jus wait
untill I start making progress for all that. I will post pics of the
van as i got it, then move on from there.
Hope you guys enjoy it, I think itll be fun!!
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VET MHSC #660
4 Wheels moves the Body, 2 Wheels moves the SOUL!
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2/15/2010 12:15:19 AM
old n slow
Posts: 262
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For hot showers, jeff Shelton uses a Coleman Camping propane powered hot shower, and man that thing is great..a guy can take a hot shower with a 5 gallon bucket of water...just something to consider...its a portable thing, u just stick its hose in the bucket of water and fire it up..instant hot water. Im thinking some kinda drain pan in your floor that you could keep covered, then uncover it for showers..just let the water drain out the bottom of the van??
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2/15/2010 7:27:58 AM
danz92
Posts: 86
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Good idea, It called a cowboy shower, it works great to and yah i like to ride horses, it is easy to set up and to store, we might have to try and build that into the van Jame's..
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2/15/2010 10:32:51 AM
SIXSIXZERO
Posts: 222
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well, youll be helping me build, so any input will be considered. if we can do it without sacrificing much space, well do it!! Like I said before, Ill plan on doing more of the things I want when I get the extended van......
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VET MHSC #660
4 Wheels moves the Body, 2 Wheels moves the SOUL!
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2/15/2010 4:24:08 PM
c-mux71
Posts: 17
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Check this out. Now you got me wanting to spend money. http://www.mxwebsites.com/motocrossvan.htm
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www.shomeracing.com
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2/15/2010 4:47:05 PM
CZ274
Posts: 15
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James,
Go to Brian Jahelka's website, http://www.moto-tally.com , and click on Hardware, then on Scoring Trailer. It's a good read and he's got some great ideas for setup of a van or trailer.
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Rick Whelove
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2/15/2010 6:31:20 PM
j. shelton
Posts: 22
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old n slow wrote:
For hot showers, jeff Shelton uses a Coleman Camping propane powered hot shower, and man that thing is great..a guy can take a hot shower with a 5 gallon bucket of water...just something to consider...its a portable thing, u just stick its hose in the bucket of water and fire it up..instant hot water. Im thinking some kinda drain pan in your floor that you could keep covered, then uncover it for showers..just let the water drain out the bottom of the van??
2.5 gallon per shower.
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2/15/2010 6:32:00 PM
danz92
Posts: 86
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thats some good stuff!! some day it will come true ) Jame's will have a good set up if i know him, he has a head on them shoulders..
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2/15/2010 7:38:34 PM
SIXSIXZERO
Posts: 222
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Here are a couple of pics of the van as i bought it. Ill get some better ones, but gives an idea.
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VET MHSC #660
4 Wheels moves the Body, 2 Wheels moves the SOUL!
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2/16/2010 4:18:47 PM
SIXSIXZERO
Posts: 222
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I have a new Idea. Im going to measure a Bench Seat/ Bed from a conversion van tonight. I wanted a bench seat in front insted of buckets anyway, for an xtra seat.
The Idea is if this thing will fit in as a front seat, then i will have 2 queen size beds, and the rear one is still foldable (along lines of Brians trailer) to keep hauling & storage to a maximum. Matt is donating a 26" flat screen to the cause, will be custom wall mounted. You guys have me lookin into a small water tank as well. 10-15 gal max is what I want. Found a 35 gal, but thats too big for this space. I found a really neat tankless water heater for $120. Also looking into a solar charger for the batteries in back. Smaller, cheaper than a generator, and will work just fine for what Ill be running.
im tryin to gather most materials, make measurments, and finalize before I move ahead, but that will be soon.
Stay tuned......
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VET MHSC #660
4 Wheels moves the Body, 2 Wheels moves the SOUL!
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2/16/2010 4:52:19 PM
Kwackerman
Posts: 235
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I had a full length (not extended) Ford E150 van in Germany. It had the two buckets and a bench seat. I took the bench seat and moved it forward till the rear mounts lined up with the front mount holes. It still had plenty of room for three people to sit comfortably and the seat belts still reached too. My brother and I bought a pair of 1985 CR 500 huskys and they fit in that van perfectly, with the front wheels against the back of the bench seat and the rear knobbies just touching the rear barn doors when they closed. We didn't angle the front wheels but rather rolled them straight in and the bars just touched each other without hitting the van walls. Howie
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GAS IT!!!
HBGP #888
BJEC #1955
MHSC #211
2001 KX 250
1990 KX 500 (The beast!)
1995 XR 600 (The Tractor)
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2/16/2010 4:54:58 PM
Kwackerman
Posts: 235
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Oh yeah, another trick we used was to take a tie-down strap and hook one end around the front axle and the other around the handlebar and we pulled it down about three inches, so the bikes would roll in the back doors without having to do magic tricks. Without the strap on there, it was almost impossible to get the bikes through the back doors. I guess that will depend on the overall height of your bikes, but something else to consider... Howie
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GAS IT!!!
HBGP #888
BJEC #1955
MHSC #211
2001 KX 250
1990 KX 500 (The beast!)
1995 XR 600 (The Tractor)
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2/16/2010 4:57:41 PM
rgp332
Posts: 33
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James: I have a 300 watt inverter that runs off a trolling motor battery. It will run my 2 lights in my trailer all weekend. Then just recharge the battery before the next trip. I wired the 2 lights with those fixtures like in a basement with the chain pull switch and use the new bulbs . They don't use much electricty. Just a idea you might want to check out.
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MHSC #332 SS
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2/16/2010 8:40:41 PM
SIXSIXZERO
Posts: 222
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The lighting will be 12 volt. Im gonna use 2 batteries. 1 for lighting, wich will include interior and some exterior fog lights on the rear for those late night tire changes.
The 2nd will be for the inverter, but 300w aint gonna do it to run TV, DVD, and laptops. Im thinkin a 1000-1400w will be needed for that application.
Oh ya, the water pump for the tank will run off the lights battery. Im looking for a small generator for cheap, but no luck so far.
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VET MHSC #660
4 Wheels moves the Body, 2 Wheels moves the SOUL!
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2/16/2010 8:50:18 PM
SIXSIXZERO
Posts: 222
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check this out. some good ideas. I like the battery setup in this van.
http://www.mybigadventure.com/index.php?action=Build-A-Camper
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VET MHSC #660
4 Wheels moves the Body, 2 Wheels moves the SOUL!
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2/16/2010 10:51:21 PM
Crash217
Posts: 16
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I got roped into going to aldi's today... they were selling 6600 watt generators for $399.99 kinda big, but it'd power alot of home appliances if the power goes out too.
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2/17/2010 10:45:29 AM
SIXSIXZERO
Posts: 222
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I already have a large 5500 watt generator, but thats the thing, its too big to haul around everywhere. I found a nice small 1800 watt gen, but its like $600. not really wanting to spend that much of my budget on 1 thing.
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VET MHSC #660
4 Wheels moves the Body, 2 Wheels moves the SOUL!
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2/17/2010 12:41:38 PM
rportell
Posts: 10
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This is a sweet idea cant wait to see it. Remember to take a lot of pics.
edited by rportell on 2/17/2010
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2/18/2010 5:47:26 PM
SIXSIXZERO
Posts: 222
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I purchased a "Couch bed" from a conversion van last night. $50, so i couldnt pass it up. I almost have all the stuff i need to get goin, so hopefully next week I can start postin pics of the build.
Wouldve started today, but went ridin instead!!
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VET MHSC #660
4 Wheels moves the Body, 2 Wheels moves the SOUL!
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2/19/2010 2:12:18 PM
SIXSIXZERO
Posts: 222
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I was gathering things together today for the project, all of wich I have here at home already!
2 sets of fog lights, 1 for front & 1 for rear. Shur Flo extenal water pump, 42 psi self priming. Most of the hinges, all except piano hinge. Approx. 90% of the lumber needed for the build. CD/DVD player ( I think it still works ). New Radar Detector that ive never used, Remote unit for 360 deg protection. Small 400 watt inverter for laptops or phones. CB Radio w antenna. 26" TV (Thanks Matt!). Hitch off of my F150, selling truck anyway, also may utilize the folding rear seat from xcab & some other donar parts from truck. Enough spray paint to do bumpers, wheels, and some rust touch up ( going to do Graphics on van anyway, so you wont even notice the touch ups). Have 2 spare wheels & tires from truck as well, plus the aluminum wheels if I wanna use em!! I have more stuff, but you get the point...... Plenty to get goin!!Once I get the tile for the floor, Ill get going on the project.
I put the couch bed in to check fitment, & I think it will work just great. You can see that my removeable wheel chocks still fit with it in, & when folded up, leaves 9' to the back doors!!I think this may work better than I thought.....
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VET MHSC #660
4 Wheels moves the Body, 2 Wheels moves the SOUL!
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