Beginning the Build...HighTop Done, new pics 8/12

[Sandi]

So, a quick update on the build details...

- The pop-out window showed up. Now we have all three! Time to take them to the tint shop!

- The JC Whitney insulation was a bust. The wanted $200 for a large roll, and then tried to charge $200 for "oversize shipping." Uh, no. So we're going with Luan, covered foam, and insulation batting instead.

- We took a three day trip this past weekend, camping at a nearby lake. We took along the ARB fridge. Plugged it into the socket at 4 pm on Friday, and this morning, it was blinking "error" on us. The bad news - the temp had gone from 41, to 51 - since last night.

We assume this was the fridge detecting a voltage drop in the truck battery, and refraining from full cooling. Note that the truck was driven until 9 pm on Friday night, driven for 10 minutes on Sat/Sun/Monday mornings, and another 10 minutes on Sat/Sun/Monday evenings.

So, the dry run was helpful. DH is now convinced he needs two house batteries for the build, with isolators for each. It may even lead to solar panels, since he wants to add an inverter and cell phone chargers and a fan, occasionally.

The good news - our high top is IN! Now if we can get the wiring, the windows, and the welding done, we can get the van in ASAP for the top and interior panels!

Sandi

[Sandi]

And this week's update...

- The replacement windows have been tinted. $125 for three.

- I cleaned up the junkyard windows with a lot of elbow grease and a razor blade to remove the overspray-like material on them.

- I also cleaned up the rubber gaskets...they look great, and we saved $210 each window assembly.

- Dave also took a rattle can to the windows' metal hardware. All nice and glossy black now.

- Dave finished welding the E-Track on the interior sides of the van (to be used for tie-downs when we use it as a cargo van). He also has some idea of using the e-track for the bed frame...I don't quite get what he intends on this part, but it's done.

- Last night, switches and dimmers were installed. Today, he's buying some 1/8" aluminum as mounting plates on the doors.

- Tonight, wiring.

Hopefully to San Jose by Thursday to drop it off for the high top and interior panel installation.

Yay!

Sandi

[billwilson]

Originally Posted by Sandi

And this week's update...

-Hopefully to San Jose by Thursday to drop it off for the high top and interior panel installation.

Sandi

1) i am lazy and did not read back

2) who's high top??

3) interior panel style/material?

bw

[loopie]

There is a saying ...

[billwilson]

Originally Posted by loopie

There is a saying ...

Amen Loopie!

[Sandi]

Yep, took pics tonight. I will upload them soon.

Tonight, we removed 3 windows, and replaced them with the tinted ones after cleaning the frames.

Three hours, three windows out, three windows in.

We're getting there......

Sandi

[Sandi]

Originally Posted by Sandi

And this week's update...

-Hopefully to San Jose by Thursday to drop it off for the high top and interior panel installation.

Sandi

Originally Posted by billwilson

1) i am lazy and did not read back.

2) who's high top??

It's a Fiberine, installed by Happy Vans in San Jose.

Originally Posted by billwilson

3) interior panel style/material?

It's luan/foam/interior fabric, built out over the cargo interior. Dark Gray.

Pics s/b available in ~ 2 weeks....

Sandi

[Sandi]

OK, so here's the week's set of pics:





The first two pics show the welded E-track along the interior walls.

The next three show the window removal project.







The next two show the installed, tinted, pop-out windows.





The high top should be done by the end of July - we're dropping it off Friday morning. Yay!

Sandi

[Sandi]

OK, we're up to three "product fails" thus far...

1) JC Whitney insulation. As mentioned, the 48' roll was ~ $200. And then they wanted an additional $200 for shipping. Back to luan and fiberglass and foam, thanks.

2) The VanTred. Its supposed 1/2" thickness was closer to 1/8". And its "foam backing" was minimal. It also claimed to have contours...not true. $220 for a rubber mat? No thanks. It was shipped back. Thanks goodness for Amazon's return policies.

3) The Visor-View monitor. We ordered the camera and the visor monitor. The monitor is THICK. We couldn't figure out how to easily and attractively shim it once inserted into the standard visor. And it seemed likely that every road bump would result in the visor flopping down in the field of vision. We kept the camera, sent the visor back. And so we're now looking at a Gentex Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror as our monitor, since we don't want a clip-on, we don't want a dash mount, and we don't want to spend ~ $1500 on an OEM system.

Still no solution for #2....

Sandi

[Sandi]

OK, van is at the shop, having the high top installed. I stopped by to drop off the backup camera and monitor, and snapped some pics....









More in next post....