The Tan Hot Dog Build - Page 25

Jsweezy · 08-15-2016, 12:07 PM

Got some more done yesterday, decided that the rear axle differential fluid probably hadnt been ever changed so I flushed that and cleaned up the differential cover. Also realized while cleaning it up that the differential cover was covered in the garbage undercoating that's all over the underside of the van. I wonder how much cooler the differential will stay now?

Before -

After -

Something to think about before you start undercoating. While it does seem like an amazing thing to do, if for whatever reason it cracks and water gets behind it, it will hold the water and rust. Even though differential cover was coated heavily, it's also pitted a lot from moisture getting behind the coating.

Also FINALLY got my door talon mounted. It was way easier than I thought it was gonna be, and I thought it was gonna be easy.

Jsweezy · 08-20-2016, 10:29 PM

Found a couple individual seats (unfortunately grey) with integrated seat belts somewhat local to me for cheap so I went and snagged them up. I got one installed today and now am trying to figure out if I want to put the other one right next to it for easier access in the side door or have them spaced for an aisle. Either way here is what it looks like now...

So much room for activities!!

Brianjwilson · 08-21-2016, 09:01 PM

Man, your side window is so much bigger than the cr Lawrence window I had installed. I like that size but I really wanted one that tilts out on the bottom to keep rain and snow out.

Plans for covering the walls yet? My 2 year old daughter is so happy to have everything carpeted in back right now, she loves to run and jump and play in back. We stopped and ate in back of be van on the way back from the coast, and afterward she just wanted me to cuddle and said "it's so nice in here!"

Jsweezy · 08-21-2016, 10:26 PM

Really? I thought this CRL window was pretty standard. I like the size of it for sure and am debating putting another one in behind it but am enjoying having the privacy back there.

I don't have any plans yet for the walls but was talking to MG about some plastic products to try out and I'm gonna use the products Hein has since he is so close and seems legit.

I'm glad to hear your enjoying your van! I can't wait to have more experiences once my son gets a little older.

Brianjwilson · 08-21-2016, 11:01 PM

The tilt out window is smaller. Not by a huge amount. The kids are happy to look outside so far anyway, so it works!

I initially wanted to have another window in back too, but we are enjoying it being more private and dark in back. Eventually I'll have a sliding door with window painted and installed so the kids will have plenty of visibility when traveling.

I have the 3m thinsulate from hein behind my pro van panels too. Maybe I'll plan to come by one day when my smallest kid is in day care and we can compare notes, you can see what you think of interior sound levels etc.

Jsweezy · 09-02-2016, 08:19 AM

Update!

I know it's been a while because the front suspension swap wiped out my bank account. Because I am a man with priorities and I finished the suspension and got the windows tinted, next on the list is stereo/sound deadening.

I had already started the sound deadening process to the point of not hearing the van panels wobble earlier on but now with the speakers going in it was time to get serious. So I ordered some more materials from cascade audio in Bend and of course it was at my house the next morning

.

For speakers I went with the brand "Hertz" similar to the rental car ha ha. I hadn't ever heard of them but swung into my local "stereo King" to find out what they recommended and this was it. They played me some different music on the wall off of a standard deck like I already had and it sounded great so I bought them. Two 5x7s for the front and since the rear was going to be custom and is so far away from the front I went with two 7x10s.

Here is the rear passenger side 7x10 installed. I was so excited to get it going I forgot to take some process pics but it's not that complicated of a process.

Here is what I had to do to get the 7x10s to fit and fortunately they are just shallow enough to fit in the door comfortable with the wooden panels.

I still need to finish this install and will put up a couple pictures of this door.

And then the fronts were fairly simple. Just pull the door panel, put the butyl pad against the inside of the outside, then put the Deflex pad behind the speaker hole, clean the door, trace the plastic barrier between the door and the door panel onto the VB2 and put that on the door...

Once that's on you just use a heat gun to get it flexible and use your hand to form it into the spaces. You can get super detailed with this if you want (like I did on Otters van) or you can just slap it on and do it half ass like I did last night. Then just put the door panel on and enjoy the crisp sound and not seeing your rear view mirrors move when the speakers are blairing.

This is my second time using this stuff and I love the sound every time I get done. It sounds less like a highschool Honda and hopefully kills some road noise in the process.

Jsweezy · 09-02-2016, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianjwilson

The tilt out window is smaller. Not by a huge amount. The kids are happy to look outside so far anyway, so it works!

I initially wanted to have another window in back too, but we are enjoying it being more private and dark in back. Eventually I'll have a sliding door with window painted and installed so the kids will have plenty of visibility when traveling.

I have the 3m thinsulate from hein behind my pro van panels too. Maybe I'll plan to come by one day when my smallest kid is in day care and we can compare notes, you can see what you think of interior sound levels etc.

Ya definitely, let me know when you wanna come over because I'd love to check it out!

Jsweezy · 09-02-2016, 11:20 AM

As promised here are photos of the rear doors...

Jsweezy · 09-03-2016, 07:01 PM

I also got around to finishing the side doors today...

86Scotty · 09-04-2016, 12:50 PM

Wow. Just wow! What a journey. OK, confession. I'm on this forum way too much but sometimes I just overlook things. Sometimes a thread I'm interested in gets long and I put off reading it because I don't have time to finish and then it gets longer, and longer, and then 25 pages like this one. I'm glad I finally sat down today and read yours start to finish. It's amazing! You've done just what I want to do to my van. I want to be sitting at around 4" on 33"s. I really dig it.
One of the last things Ramsey said to me was "why don't you convert it yourself? You've got the skills. There's no need for you to hire someone to do it." That was great advice and I hope I don't let him down. This is going to be a winter project for me after I finish a couple of other big projects. Bro, I've just got to say this and I hope you don't take it the wrong way. You get around and just get stuff done for a person with a disability. This is both humbling and encouraging. Said simply, I'm impressed.