Week 4 is when you can really see things happening.
But first let's visit the dictionary for a moment:
Def: picayune (adjective) so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention <irritatingly picayune complaints>, Related words: hairsplitting, nitpicking, Example(s): Chumley
Def: project manager: A project manager is the person responsible for accomplishing the stated project objectives. Key project management responsibilities include creating clear and attainable project objectives, building the project requirements, and managing the constraints of the project management triangle (quadrangle), which are cost, time, scope, and quality. Forecast of possible scenarios resulting in avoidance of undesireable outcomes. Fretting a lot. Example(s): Chumley
I made no changes that I am aware of... Really there were a couple of changes afoot that were not cost issues just confirmation of items already in the works. I'll explain later.
During the week I got a call from the audio/visual guy Rob of IA. Rob was calling because of a question regarding switching, there is a lot of switching going on with this unit. God that worries me. Anyway I in turn asked him about where on the roof they installed the XM radio antenna. He said they don't, they install the antenna on the dash along with the GPS antenna. I did not know that and promptly let him know that I was surprised (I don't like surprises). My past expereince had always been that satellite radio antennas were on the outside of the steel (albeit perforated steel) boxes we travel in. I used to build a lot of RF (radio frequency) shielded rooms in the early days of cellular telephones for companies like GTE Mobilnet. These rooms were basically regular rooms with expanded metal panels in the walls along with some grounding. Okay, that's where my expertise ends but I use it to sound like I know what I am talking about.
I don't. So I made my concern known and Rob was very, very accommodating in settling my concerns. He also went to the SMB shop and found out that the center speaker cover on which they usually lay their antennas can be removed so they might be able to place the antennas under it now. No guarntee about how well it will work but he will move them back on top of the cover if it doesn't. That is what I call customer service. He has been doing this a long time and likely forgot that someone picayune like me might come along and question his routine. He was willing to accept that I had a concern, founded in science or ignorance, and worked with me. I like that. I am going to once again be a guinea pig but as a BMW motorcycle owner I am used to the role. Only this time it won't cost me thousands of dollars to fill out the reports...
I went to SMB West last Friday to see the build progress for myself. I had been looking forward to this for a couple of weeks. I was hoping to go more frequently but things conspire to keep you away. At the current rate of construction I may only get to visit once during the build because it is progressing so quickly. I was told that they had an efficiency expert visit and make recommendations a couple months back and they are starting to realize the fruits of that effort. My van will likely be done before originally forecast. I should know later in the week when it might be expected. Gotta sell that old van now...
Something I just learned on this visit is that the SMB build process is kind of like watching a hot dog being made or a cow being butchered to make that rib eye steak. You will likely love the results but the process is not for the faint of heart...
It started with me being late again, I hate that. Apparently the SMB staff is pretty casual and don't seem to mind but I hate it since it can reflect a lack of respect for other's time. I just have bad luck...
I met my Salesman/PM and as usual he was cheerful and welcoming. He had been showing what appeared to be potential customers the Fuso prototype, man that thing is cool. The wife and I have been discussing a 4x4 SMB option and maybe we will build a Ford 4x4in a few years when we have more time to use it properly. First gotta get this one done.
We started with the usual walk around and I noticed that an LED backup light had been installed.
That was great except I didn't know we had decided upon a light fixture or the associated cost yet. I had been thinking rectangular and it was round. Not a huge deal in its own right but a surprise. Saw the Golight mounted up front on top and it looked good. Later I was taken to a completed floor sample and shown the remote control and how well the light worked even in a fully lit workshop, impressive. The remote was like a small TV remote which turned it on as well as rotated and aimed up and down with the beam of light shining bright in the corner about a hundred feet away. Every annoying thing should have one of these.
Next I checked the generator. I measured it and the enclosure hung about 8" from the ground but a bracket with bolt on the mount for the muffler hung down to about 7". I can live with that. The decision to go with the 3500 seems to be paying off since it provided that extra inch (notice how I keep reaffirming my decision?). I say that because the van is likely going to settle a bit as it gets loaded with interior improvements. It already appears to have settled a bit since looking at in the parking lot that first time. SMB will work with me to figure out if a flap can be hung down below and warn me if clearance issues come up.
I went inside and it was impressive.
The base cabinet frames had all been installed. You can see how the cabinets are bolted thru the floor with "L" brackets and several small "L" brackets screwed into the floor to keep them from vibrating and help retain shape. Everything is screwed together and looks like it should last a long time plus I can perform any modifications or repairs myself. It was mentioned by another member that there are better construction methods available, like those used in the boating industry, but this appears to be a good balance between cost and effectiveness. I gotta say that I am blowing that one out of my arse, I am just familiar with the "L" bracket assembly and it works for me (but I bet that efficiency expert knows).
I then started looking around and the part about not seeing it in progress sunk in. There were plastic parts piled up on the unprotected dash. That just happens to be a pet peeve of mine. Dashes are incredibly expensive and I don't know why anyone would take a chance blemishing one but I was told that this is normal and they never have damage. Only time will tell, I'll let you know at pcik up.
There was a lot of glue on everything from the interior wood panels to the flooring and the body itself. I was told that they have detailers remove it all and am not really worried, it just looks scary and I'll be checking for it upon pick up (I wonder what that efficiency expert said about that). I wonder what the heck the workers look like at the end of the day, can they even sit on something without having to be pried off later? Bet they never drop their coffee mug. There appeared to already be a scratch on a wall but it may just be a splash that looks like a scratch. But edge trim covering part of it leads me to believe it might have been there before assembly... Mind you, nothing is perfect but a possibly damaged piece that is still installed does not meet my sh!t happens philosophy of acceptable goofs.
The cabinet base for the refer that sits at the edge of the sliding door opening is hanging out in space. The cabinet is pretty far over and maybe they have only one floor substrate plan for these vans so it just didn't fit, otherwise someone mis-measured. I would like to know how they would normally handle this. I have seen that they normally put a flooring covered panel as a closure plate under the floor extension. I could only hope that they find a creative way to put an operable door over the open end that looks like it supports the cabinet and make storage room for something.
I was happy with the amount of aisle room, I could pass my wife as long as I stay away from too many hot dogs and rib eye. The counter height is about 34"-35" (normal 32") since the refer is so tall and I like it since it is close to what we have in the kitchen at home.
Overall I am very excited. As a recovering project manager I know that many, many industries have an "ugly phase" where the uninitiated would freak out if witnessed. Most try to hide it, SMB does not. To me that means that they believe that they have it under control and are not worried, the end product will speak for itself. I hope that they can put up with the picayune project manager client in the meantime because it creates reason for fretting. When I fret, we all fret.
I would recommend SMB and my salesman to anyone in the future at this point. I think that there is still a minor issue with communication at times but I also think that if you have an issue they will listen and fix it for you. These guys are fitting a house in a van and there is no end to the possible complexity you can create but that is what you pay these guys for so they gotta perform. It appears they do.
Chumley
My fault but I didn't visualize it properly. One person, on another forum, warned me that the generator will drag on some driveways but I think it should be okay. The 3500 sits a little higher and it looks like maybe the rear is jacked up a little higher than the 2500, maybe (here's to hoping...). 
Linear Mode
