PhoTow: A Transformer PhotoRig

[Jsweezy]

Originally Posted by Otter

Thanks, Herb. That makes sense and good to keep in mind. I think we're ok. It's just a bit wider (265) but no taller.

Thanks for trusting me to do the work, I had a lot of fun making your van even cooler than it already is.

Your spare is actually a 245 not a 265, but bigger than the 225 that was under there. I highly doubt it's rubbing but you should probably just take a look anyway.

Glad your enjoying the van, I'm jealous of that interior!

[Otter]

Originally Posted by Jsweezy

Your spare is actually a 245 not a 265, but bigger than the 225 that was under there. I highly doubt it's rubbing but you should probably just take a look anyway.

Thanks for the reminder, J. I'll take a look underneath and check it out.

[Otter]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

Nice looking project, Otter. I'm a photographer, and my SMB is perfect in every way. I do a lot of landscape work, and the van puts me at the spot in comfort. You'll love it.

Thanks, Jeffrey. I'm enjoying the heck out of it so far and looking forward to more changes. Hey, love that pic of your rig in the Grand Canyon(?) Any interior shots you want to share would be welcome, too. Since I basically have a blank canvas to work with, I'm looking at all ideas that might help with my photo shoots. I keep wondering about that pop top and whether I would use it much for taking shots, or whether it would wind up being an expensive luxury in my case, with that $ being better spent elsewhere for me. Do you use yours that way?

Great photography on your site! Always enjoy looking at what other folks are doing. I haven't figured out how to embed my site in my signature, so here it is. I redesigned it this year and still need to upload the rest of my gallery, but like the Wordpress platform a lot:


Sauvie Island Images | Portraits of Island Life

.

[Otter]

Some days, it's the little things that can make all the difference...

Raided my garage (it's like the caves in "The Temple of Doom... you never know what "adventure" awaits you) to tear apart my old Yakima gear from back in the day when rain gutters were all we had to hang on. Then raided Re-Rack for extra-cheap 1A towers hardly anybody wants anymore. Added two more 66-inch bars from REI and Voila! A four bar system that should take care of everything till Aluminess gets the better of my wallet. No more worries about hauling the kayaks, Dory, or long pieces of lumber. Did have to take back one of the towers for a missing piece, so three bars for now. I always did want one unencumbered bar way at the back just for rolling. Thinking of maybe a piece of pvc on that, if it's not too noisy. Happy today.

Edit: Forgot to mention that a lot of my photography is done on the water, so I need to be able to move boats around, often.






.

[Jsweezy]

That van is getting better and better, I think the forum needs some full shots of it though.

[Otter]

Originally Posted by Jsweezy

That van is getting better and better, I think the forum needs some full shots of it though.

Thanks, J. And you're right. Pics are getting heavy on details. Maybe this weekend I'll get my super wide angle lens in there and see if I can get in the whole van interior.

I know you weren't looking for pics of my super-unique exterior

.

[Otter]

I've been trying to track down the right size for those McMaster D-Rings to retro-fit into the stock seat holes. Finally found em and thought I'd post them here for anyone else who's searching. I carry a lot of stuff around - including my pup in her crate - and I've been attaching things to seat belts. Well, about to take them out and wanted to be able to hold things down. After I remove the seatbelts, I'll figure out which bolts to use in those holes. Unless... anybody has that sizing handy?

Here's the link to the McMaster page for D rings:

McMaster-Carr








Here's a link to McMaster for the 7/16-20 bolts that fit the Seat bolt holes. 1/2" is flush to the floor with no ring, so I'm figuring 3/4":

McMaster-Carr







.

[BroncoHauler]

Another source of tie-downs.

D-Rings & D Ring Tie Downs: Trailer Tie Down Anchors & Weld On D Rings


Herb

[Otter]

Originally Posted by BroncoHauler

Another source of tie-downs.

D-Rings & D Ring Tie Downs: Trailer Tie Down Anchors & Weld On D Rings


Herb

Nice selection. Thanks, Herb!


For all: Still hoping somebody has that bolt size for the seatbelt bolt holes

.

[Brian94ht]

Just happened to be strolling through, van looks great.

Rear upper seat belt bolts are m12x1.25