SOCAL build

[shadzima]

Early Christmas. Beside surfing, Watching a Pop Warner game and hitting the salvage yard I have some weekend work to do...

[shadzima]

Cut out all the Reflectix, keeps the van so much cooler. $50 at Lowes, well worth it.

[shadzima]

Installed Kenwood DX370 and backup cam. Did not buy the $200 Kenwood backup cam. Bought a $12 backup cam and had to buy an additional 25' of cable. Installed a wire from the backup cam and stereo to the reverse light wire (Black and pink) in the driver side tail light. Works like a champ.

[shadzima]

Stereo was no easy install. You need to cut back some of trim on the dash then try and figure how to mount it in. Took some time and was not easy but eventually got it. Also read that grounding the parking break wire for the DVD player will allow you to watch DVD's while you drive (sitting at the border). That worked, found it funny that they actually sell a kit for this.
$12 backup cam works like a champ and even lights up.

[shadzima]

Installed overhead console and CB.

[Spoolin]

Sweet project and great job with all the pics and detailed descriptions and links of the parts your using! Subbing for the continuation of this build.

What kind of accommodations are you planning on building inside the Van?

[shadzima]

Plumbing is done, just wrapping up wiring, lasting thing to order is the solar panel and battery then I have to test everything.

Next will be getting a few dents banged out and rhino lining the bottom of the van exterior.

With that finished I will take it to have ceiling, walls and flooring done by a upholstery shop, this will just be grey carpet and the rubber coin flooring. After that I will go a local cabinet maker or similar craftsman and have the cabinet and shelves that will house electrical and hide plumbing built, bench\bed built and any little custom wood work. Nothing too fancy, just some basic storage and a place to sleep. With that done back to upholstery guys for covering.

Then I will button up the electrical and plumbing, wrap up the exterior with so $ spent at Aluminess.

[shadzima]

A few people have PM me so here we go:


Backup CAM ( I am impressed so far and reviews on it are good): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0049LBJ56/ref ... 1_ST1_dp_1


Stereo: (no blue tooth but everything else and a steal for the price):
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DDX370/ ... 0&skipvs=T


Overhead console (only about 5" width but pretty solid, I like it so far: http://www.autoanything.com/shop/VDP-Ov ... rage-Shelf

CB\FIRESTK\ETC all off of Amazon.

[shadzima]

Firestik Antenna installed. During the test fit I installed it without the plywood backing or the wedge. It angled forward and looked like it would rip a hole in the roof. After the test fit and plastic dipping the spring I found a plastic wedge left over from something and used that. Don't know how long it will hold up but I will keep my eye on it.
Two vice grips = one friend holding a wrench...

[shadzima]

And forgetting to add the wiring to the antenna cost me about a half hour. Also installed the PA speaker under the driver side door for the CB. Now I can rock "La Cucaracha" when I cross the border.