New SMB Owner: 1993 E250 RB30

[BrianBlair]

My girlfriend and I just purchased our Sportsmobile a few weeks back. It popped up on Craigslist and was exactly what we were looking for. This van should see lots of trips to the Eastern Sierra/Utah/Flagstaff/Baja.

The interior is immaculate, almost no sign that it's ever been used. The exterior was repainted the silver flake color in the last few years. The wheels/tires were done two years ago. It doesn't really need much work for it to be perfect for us....just a few little cosmetic things(getting all the exterior fixtures in black!) and finding a way to keep it cooler in the back for our dogs.

The first weekend we had the van we drove from Silverado, CA to Pismo/Paso Robles. No problems at all. It was good to get out and start learning all the particulars of it.

The bumpers/grill have been sprayed flat black since this photo was taken....much better looking in my opinion.

 

[86Scotty]

:l1: Nice and Congrats!

:b5:

 

[BrianW.]

A nice-looking van. And welcome to yet another Brian to the forum!

 

[chaos-SMB]

Hey Brian,
Welcome!
What kind of bike rack/hitch are you gonna use? Have you decided?
I got rid of a T2, it was just such a PITA to access the the back, with or w/o bikes on it.
Have you tried using Tani's Northshore hitch to see if the clearance is any better when tilted/folded down?

-Rodel

 

[BrianBlair]

Hey Brian,
Welcome!
What kind of bike rack/hitch are you gonna use? Have you decided?
I got rid of a T2, it was just such a PITA to access the the back, with or w/o bikes on it.
Have you tried using Tani's Northshore hitch to see if the clearance is any better when tilted/folded down?

-Rodel

We're using the T2. We have a few of them as well as the 2 bike extension....so we're fairly committed. We don't wind up needing the rear open very often as we have an aisle floorplan.

The new Softride rack looks nice and similar to NorthShore. That might be a good option and it'll be readily available in the US.

Next on the list......outdoor shower(maybe).

BB

 

[jage]

Inside, inside, inside!

Also gallery > attachment!

Also welcome!

Also this!
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=110

 

[E277-SMB]

I agree.... MORE PICS! That rig looks sick. Nice find.

 

[schluchtenflitzer]

Nice looking van!
I have a complete aircon (starcool) for rear for sale if you are interessted send me a pm

 

[buckkiller]

Nice score and welcome.
Buck

 

[rawdawg-SMB]

Congrats on ur new ride. I have been upgrading my van since I purchased it in 2011.I live by the orange plaza so if your in the area let me and I 'share the do's and don'ts of these fantastic vehicles

Cheers


:h7:

 

[BrianBlair]

Another photo from a recent weekend. We drove from SoCal out to Gooseberry Mesa in Southern Utah. 4wheel drive isn't necessary to get out to the campspot in the photo....but some extra ground clearance does help. I made it just fine with some careful driving.

We're learning little bits here and there...and changing things to suit our needs as we go. We definitely need more freshwater capacity.....either a larger fresh water tank or a rear swing out for water cans.

Otherwise....we couldn't be much happier with it.

Interior photos.....I'll get there

BB

 

[BrianBlair]

Another weekend in the desert southwest. We drove from Socal to Page, AZ via Zion. Came home through Flagstaff in time for their fantastic farmers market. Camped on BLM land all weekend and didn't see a soul.

 

[BrianBlair]

A few changes have been made over the past year:

Black rear step bumper(bought from a forum member and had it powdercoated)
Aluminess spare carrier, also bought on this forum.
New black front bumper
Black turn signals/lenses
Bushwhacker flares

We've also replaced all the indoor lights with LED and replaced the 12v sockets with USB ports.

Next up.....install our new awning once the brackets arrive

 

[BrianBlair]

A few more......finally took interior pics but couldn't be bothered to vacuum

 

[BrianBlair]

We turned one of our cabinet ends into a cork board. Fun place to tack photos

 

[BrianBlair]

Santa Barbara sunset a few weekends back

 

[86Scotty]

I like the cork board idea. I really like the idea of pics/postcards/whatever displayed in the 'vacation' home. Check out Llamadave's Sprinter for some really cool ideas on this.

 

[BrianBlair]

Finally done with the awning install......total fiasco getting everything to go together but it's great now.

 

[BrianBlair]

A few more....

 

[BrianBlair]

The other change this week.....found a set of leather seats from a 2003 that are in great shape. Super easy job swapping them out. Way more comfortable and I like the looks of them. I need to hit them with some leather cleaner/treatment but otherwise we're good to go.