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Old 03-11-2015, 11:52 AM   #1
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The Zombie Van Build (feat. REDOVAL)

Nobbie's Zombie Apocalypse Van
Featuring Scott (REDOVAL) Thompson



Greeting Forumites,

It's been a month or so, before I felt comfortable starting this thread. The Zombie Van came into my possession last month, but it's been in and out of shops for most of that time. Main issues were a massive battery drain that caused many nerve-wracking moments when you wondered if it would start at all.

But, the ZV is in the more-than-capable hands of Scott Thompson (REDOVAL) now. I had originally reached out to Scott to install his uber-cool and highly-functional HID Projector Headlight upgrade. Highly recommended by the way.

We chatted when I was there and the more we chatted, the more we realized he was a natural to oversee and effect the conversion of a rather tired and beleaguered Halliburton/Snowboarder beater van into the ultimate bugout vehicle for the imminent Zombie Apocalypse. Or at least to cut back on my testosterone supplement prescription. (Just Kidding. I've been told I need a testosterone reduction supplement. Yeaaaahhhright!)

Anyway, I will post some pics and notes. But they will more than likely be from Scott and in his words. This is very much a collaborative effort. And I am thankful for having met Scott. I look forward to him teaching me how to ride a Trials bike....not!

More pics to come! (Pic above was taken the day I first met the ZV.)


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Old 03-11-2015, 01:39 PM   #2
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Re: The Zombie Van Build (feat. REDOVAL)

First order of business is track down this massive battery drain that the previous owner just dealt with by detaching the main starter battery from the positive lead.

That meant cleaning up the rat's nest of wires under the dash.




Scott noted some odd wiring tricks:



There we go:

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image1.JPG   image5.JPG   image4.JPG  
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Old 03-11-2015, 01:40 PM   #3
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Re: The Zombie Van Build (feat. REDOVAL)

The previous owner did have sound deadening and insulation added before putting the van up for sale. Here is the driver's side door with the new Pioneer speaker installed.



A close up of the speaker:

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Old 03-11-2015, 02:07 PM   #4
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Re: The Zombie Van Build (feat. REDOVAL)

Romex! That's something you don't see every day!
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Old 03-11-2015, 02:44 PM   #5
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Re: The Zombie Van Build (feat. REDOVAL)

Quote:
Originally Posted by rallypanam
Romex! That's something you don't see every day!
Unless you're an electrician!
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Old 03-11-2015, 02:55 PM   #6
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Re: The Zombie Van Build (feat. REDOVAL)

Here is a photo of the level of work done by the previous owner(s) of the van. It takes a lot of time to solder wires to the top of fuses (center 5A) to create an add-on circuit......

Scott
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Old 03-11-2015, 03:28 PM   #7
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Re: The Zombie Van Build (feat. REDOVAL)

Got the rear pop out windows installed yesterday. Went smooth and the added air flow inside the cabin is worth it.

Scott
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Old 03-11-2015, 03:31 PM   #8
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Re: The Zombie Van Build (feat. REDOVAL)

detailed shots of the window hardware
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Old 03-11-2015, 03:35 PM   #9
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Re: The Zombie Van Build (feat. REDOVAL)

As Nobbie mentioned earlier in the thread, we had a huge electrical leak that would kill the batteries in a matter of hours. We changed the main battery under the hood and the second main battery under the side door. The aux main had never been changed and was likely a large contributor to the draining issue. These factory Ford battery boxes are a bear to work with, but very well designed and function/fit great. We will be adding two more of these on the driver side frame rail for the house batteries asap.

Scott
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Old 03-11-2015, 04:25 PM   #10
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Re: The Zombie Van Build (feat. REDOVAL)

So, the tires were pretty much shot and needed replacing. They were already the larger size of 285x75Rx16, so we opted for the Michelin LTX A/T2 LT285/75R16/E126R from Costco with the $70 rebate.

For now, this will do. More of an asphalt monster than anything, they will serve our needs as we'll probably spend our first couple of seasons hitting campgrounds more than truly going out into nowhere. At least until Scott adds 4WD to his rig!

Here's a pic of the installer taking a break from checking all the Costco whimps' tire pressures. Ugh.


The ride home was a bit unnerving as I discovered that the new tires and their full tread rubbed the running boards' splash guards. This is the driver's side:


So, a little DIY hacking was required!
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IMG_4404.jpg   IMG_4415.jpg   IMG_4414.jpg  
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