Super-busy couple of weeks working on the SMB in preparation for our month-long westward trip in two weeks.
The culmination is going on right now at my local mechanic, where I'm having a 2012 front suspension and brakes retrofitted to my 1998 E250 2WD. This should be a nice upgrade to the newer-style brakes and suspension. Also installing new Bilstein shocks front and rear. Once I get it back I'll put on the Firestone rear airbags (and fronts, too, if I have the time) and also possibly a rear swaybar pulled from an E450 at the junkyard.
Also:
1. Installed new CO detector
2. Added two auxiliary 12v power points front and rear, to more easily use 12v fans. Just ordered an Endless Breeze fan... woo hoo!
3. Added front Starcool switch (see post above).
4. Replaced both Starcool aux fans with Mr. Gasket fans from Partstrain.com
5. Replaced Starcool electrical parts outside in the 110v "panel," including new 12v and 110v relays, and a new capacitor.
6. Added a Supco "hard start" capacitor in tandem with the stock AC capacitor. Seems to start a lot easier now, even from my home 15A outlet as a short test. I'll do a write-up on this separately when I have some time.
7. Redid the front cabin headliner, pre-ran power for a future drop-down TV/DVD player.
8. Installed new Kenwood rear camera, on PH near third brake light (replacing one I previously installed near the license plate).
9. During headliner project, prewired for a CB and antenna in the overhead console. Installed CB and external antenna using fender mount (like Jage did).
10. Prewired for an XM Radio kit that just showed up today from Crutchfield.
11. Built a "secret compartment" in my existing cabinets to hide valuables when parked. I'm pretty proud of this clever (IMO) mod, but am torn about writing it up, since that kind of defeats the purpose of a secret compartment, right?
12. Made a new dinette table out of oak plywood to replace the SMB-built one that was showing its age. Also made it a bit smaller width wise for more comfortable seating at the dinette.
13. Swapped out all cabin lights for LEDs.
14. Added reading light for third captain's chair area (inside barn doors), like most newer SMBs come with (mine didn't have one).
15. Installed pop-out windows on rear doors and side "40" barn door.
16. Repaired curtain tabs.
Still to do:
1. Cut Relectix for rear and side windows.
2. Make screens for pop-out windows (any suggestions on how to do this?).
3. Make and install privacy/divider curtain for behind front seats.
Whew! No wonder I'm tired all the time anymore.