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Old 09-15-2012, 02:28 AM   #1
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Hola! My official introduction - 2002 White SMB EB50 7.3 4x4

Hey folks.

Going a bit ass backward. Lurked and posted awhile before making this post.

Also helped setup a local So Cal SMB meet coming up next month in Gorman.

Gotta say I've been a long time fan of SMB. Sucker for everything Aluminess too. Really never was dead serious about getting a rig, mainly because of budget. Sold my 1997 VW eurovan camper to help fund my first SMB.

This was too good a deal for me to pass up and it came in under budget. Found it on Exp Portal and here and within a few emails and phone calls I was making arrangements to leave So Cal within a day and pick up my rig with 291,000 miles on it at Earth-Roamers (ER) hq in Dacono, Co. Smb are puny in comparison! Owner made an impulse buy and bought a used ER hence his letting go of his SMB that he took really good care of.

This is what she looked like when I picked her up and made the 1000 mile trek in 2 days from CO, through UT, AZ and NV, back to So Cal.


When it comes to modding my vehicles I love the "this is what it should have came with from the factory" styling or "aggressive stock" look.

I'll be continually adding pics to this thread as I throw hard earn cheddar at this enjoyable money pit. A lot of these add ons where from your suggestions and gathering consensus after reading most of your posts.

Things Ive added in my first few weeks of ownership:
Yakima mega warrior roof rack
Teak floor mat for side door
Infinity 6.5 kappa speakers
Honda eu2000i generator
The good people at Aluminess installed these today
*expedition kit (new single stack, 1-lock version)
*driver side ladder
*front bumper hitch receiver so I can use my Yakima bike rack
*rear bumper upgrade kit (ramped bumpers to relieve the load off the hinges)



My plans:
Diamond Eye 4" turbo back exhaust with heat wrapping
5-star sct tuner
48" Hi-lift jack with bumper mounts, keeper and off road base
Powerbuilt 3-ton unijack
Satin black with polished lip mod to my existing wheels
Aluminess roof rack with flood and halo lights
Aluminess rear bumper swing arm locks
Extra solar panel
Flat screen tv
110v electric water heater
Rear exterior water shower so I don't soak up the interior since I bathe like a baby elephant and splash everywhere
Side door latch that John sells
17" rims, style tbd

So far we've camped Millsite reservoir, Ut, Jalama Beach, Ca, and where I'm typing this post right now, the worst camping experience ever, at Campland, Mission Bay, Ca.


Everywhere locally was sold out and Im too timid to take my wife and toddler to the remotes (I wouldn't know how to get there even if I tried). Looking foward to contributing to the forum, partially because I would love guidance on how to camp at some of these gorgeous locations I see at the top left corner of my screen. Those pics inspired me to buy my SMB. Help me get away from the crowds!

Thanks for dropping in.
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Old 09-15-2012, 07:56 AM   #2
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Re: Hola! My official introduction - 2002 White SMB EB50 7.3

Quote:
the worst camping experience ever, at Campland, Mission Bay, Ca.
Details, details.
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Old 09-15-2012, 10:52 AM   #3
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Hola! My official introduction - 2002 White SMB EB50 7.3 4x4



Hmmmm...where do I start:
*sites stacked on top of each other - my awning is 5 ft shy of making shade for my neighbor
*$65-100 per night
*drunk golf cart drivers bumping "this is how we do it"
*drunk bicyclist cutting in front of your rig as you pull through
*camp host that remind you of the quality of service you receive at DMV
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Old 09-15-2012, 11:06 AM   #4
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Re: Hola! My official introduction - 2002 White SMB EB50 7.3

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ocsmb
The good people at Aluminess installed these today
*rear bumper upgrade kit (ramped bumpers to relieve the load off the hinges)
I think we need more info on this rear bumper upgrade kit
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Old 09-15-2012, 12:41 PM   #5
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Re: Hola! My official introduction - 2002 White SMB EB50 7.3

Thanks for the OFFICIAL introduction...The van looks and sounds great...
Also thanks for your many contributions thus far...

As for the camping all I can say is that sucks and "Welcome to California" the land of fruits and nuts...We have camped at a few of those places out here and even has stayed at a hotel instead of the van becasue of just not finding a decent spot that was not packed to the hilt the people you described and still $75 plus a night. But that said there many really great spots too just not all of them.

Looking forward to hearing more about the van and your trips and possibly even seeing you and it in a few weeks...


...Jamie
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Old 09-15-2012, 02:14 PM   #6
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Hola! My official introduction - 2002 White SMB EB50 7.3 4x4

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gnarvan
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ocsmb
The good people at Aluminess installed these today
*rear bumper upgrade kit (ramped bumpers to relieve the load off the hinges)
I think we need more info on this rear bumper upgrade kit
You beat me to it. Let me just say for the money (around $25) it's well worth it. It means longevity for your hinges, ease of pulling out and returning your swing arms. I believe these and the arm locks come standard now on new bumpers.


Couple more pics from the factory.

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Old 09-15-2012, 02:21 PM   #7
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Hola! My official introduction - 2002 White SMB EB50 7.3 4x4

Must haves imho
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Old 09-15-2012, 04:13 PM   #8
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Re: Hola! My official introduction - 2002 White SMB EB50 7.3

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ocsmb
Must haves imho
Some members, who shall remain nameless, prefer "Planky 'Ole Wood" to them fancy things.
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Old 09-15-2012, 05:07 PM   #9
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Re: Hola! My official introduction - 2002 White SMB EB50 7.3

I've returned to "Planky 'Ole Wood" after breaking several of the orange ones. The SMB is just too heavy . . . or the dirt was just too soft.
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Old 09-15-2012, 09:43 PM   #10
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Re: Hola! My official introduction - 2002 White SMB EB50 7.3

Quote:
Originally Posted by macmcintire
I've returned to "Planky 'Ole Wood" after breaking several of the orange ones. The SMB is just too heavy . . . or the dirt was just too soft.
X2

Mine broke too.
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