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Wed Feb 18, 2015 3:57 pm

singletrackrod wrote:

Working on the inside too. Custom ribbon birch rear table and trim. I have also been looking for a material to use for flooring in my van that is dog-proof, easy to clean, not too expensive and at least somewhat attractive. Ideally it would also have some cushioning. The architect in me found a good fit in a product that is used for weight room floors...its also recommended for use with golf spikes, so the dog won't hurt it. As a big plus, it's a very effective sound deadening material too. A 4 x 10 foot piece is just $100 with free shipping. http://www.rubberflooringinc.com/mats/straight-cut-mat.html. Check out the photo of my installation.

Really nice work, and interesting product. I couldn't get the link to work but found the website and sleuthed my way to the cut mats. Did you also put some on top of your stove/sink? I assume its no-slip so nice idea there too.

Also curious what you have for a house battery set-up to run your electronics.

Wed Feb 18, 2015 4:30 pm

Tarandus,
Yes exactly, a piece of that mat on top of the stove cabinet silenced the heat shield rattle. It is actually good at having things stay where you put them up there too.

The solar/electronics system is fairly involved. My westy has two aux batteries that total 220 aH A small one under the driver seat and a much larger one in the sink cabinet. Each runs a separate set of circuits and devices. That is a 100w panel and a shore charger to keep things topped up, but so far I have had plenty of power. Most all the lights are LEDs and this summer I will be adding a Danfoss driven fridge - probably keep the original fridge and just add a console unit between the front seats (Dometic CF-025DC).

Wed Feb 18, 2015 4:39 pm

Thanks for the details. If I can ever find a single middle seat, I'll be adding rails and need a floor cover to go over it.

Thu Feb 19, 2015 8:21 am

I forgot to mention that the 4'x10' mat will also allow you to cut a piece to put over the engine cover/rear bed area - and still have a welcome mat leftover. I didn't use the matting for the typical floor mat locations (driver/passenger) as I had recently upgraded to the good German rubber floor mats. With three weekend trips of use, I am loving this stuff, easy on the knees and super easy to keep clean. Now one of my favorite additions to the van.

Thu Feb 19, 2015 8:21 pm

Today the pipes above the garage froze up, so I was forced to heat up the garage. I decided to take advantage of the crappy situation by moving my Weekender engine from the cold barn to the 70*F garage. Luckily I was able to unfreeze the pipes while installing reconditioned VanCafe connecting rods in my Weekender's engine.

Now I just have to:
Finish the Engine
Replace all fuel lines
Replace the Radiator
Rebuild the brake calipers
Get new rear wheel cylinders
Put in new brake hoses
Get a new Gas tank
Fix the rear end sag...
Then I can finally register the car.

Fri Feb 20, 2015 11:49 am

Ok this wasn't just today but over the last couple of months, Installed a new Stereo a Blaupunkt while I had the dash removed to replace the fan/heatercore. Went with this unit as it looked right, has Bluetooth, sd card reader and front and rear USB ports so I can plug my Android into a cord and have it in the glovebox out of sight. Very happy with it so far good sound out of new front speakers, haven't rewired the rear so the are currently disconnected.

Also have to say that I'm glad I did the work myself was able to clean connections and repair damaged wires that I didn't know had been cut. New cig lighter that lights up, replaced the seals in the air box, now everything upfront works as it should.
most recently I have been sewing up a new set of curtains for my Yogi. Found the old poly ones seemed to be full of static all the time and rather sheer. The new drapes have blackout lining so no light leakage and are made with a fun dog bone camouflage print, just missing a couple tiebacks on the passenger side.

We are really looking forward to our first getaway

Sat Feb 21, 2015 10:03 am

I found a thin 4x10 foam exercise mat on a roll at a big box store for $20. Cut into two pieces it makes a great read cargo and back seat cover allowing the 35 year old fabric a chance to make it another 35 years...

The material is thin enough to fold into a full back seat cover for animals and messy children...

Ok, I just hose'em down and toss then in the back..

The 'Possum approves...

Sat Feb 21, 2015 6:48 pm

I fixed the cable to my heater control valve. The valve was is good shape. The cable seemed very stiff and had bent and became disconnected from the dash lever.

I removed the cable and pulled the wire from the housing. I cleaned, lubed, and reinstalled. I also did the mod to push the housing closer to the lever so it won't bend again. I'm glad to have working heat again.

Sun Feb 22, 2015 8:43 am

I'm a bit partial to tan having owned a '84 one. Also have a 86 tin top syncro, gotta make mind up by mowing time, either convert to pop top wk ender or sell, old mule sure been handy past 12 yrs.

Sun Feb 22, 2015 4:06 pm

I just finished installing my GoWesty base vacuum system for my future locker/disconnect projects. It went in very smoothly. I have one knob that does nothing for now but it looks good.

Mon Feb 23, 2015 2:02 am

Drilled out my LCA bushings:

Ran the parts through the dishwasher and then scrubbed the hell out of them with wire brushes and steel wool. That old panel wax is a pain to get off but it's easier when it's warm.

Painted with VHT "Roll Bar & Chassis":

Can't wait to get this stuff bolted back on with new bushings and ball joints.

Mon Feb 23, 2015 8:58 am

a2d2 wrote: Drilled out my LCA bushings:

Ran the parts through the dishwasher and then scrubbed the hell out of them with wire brushes and steel wool. That old panel wax is a pain to get off but it's easier when it's warm.

Painted with VHT "Roll Bar & Chassis":

Can't wait to get this stuff bolted back on with new bushings and ball joints.
Nice. You gonna do something about those ugly bolts? :)

Mon Feb 23, 2015 9:00 am

Removed bumpers and cladding.
Cut and welded and mounted my new rear westin bumper, front is on it's way.
New geolanders all around and moog 5658 front springs with my westy's springs in the rear until syncro springs arrive...

Mon Feb 23, 2015 4:26 pm

VwTravis wrote:

Now I just have to:
Finish the Engine
Replace all fuel lines
Replace the Radiator
Rebuild the brake calipers
Get new rear wheel cylinders
Put in new brake hoses
Get a new Gas tank
Fix the rear end sag...
Then I can finally register the car.

Be encouraged, that's a short list...Looking good from here

Mon Feb 23, 2015 7:41 pm

lets see...it got warm this weekend so I finished the rattle can paint job on a newer, non rusty hatch that's been in the garage for the last 8 months and put it on my van...took the gauge cluster out and adjusted the heater control cables...took off the side door and cleaned and greased everything....hey all the sanding between coats on the hatch looked really good so why not, I started sanding the whole van with 400 grit...it looks GOOD, well, better...one thing leads to another as they say so I ordered up new window seals...gonna try my hand at painting the whole thing this summer....
And then to top it all off, I polished the trim rings and hub caps...
SHINY!

Mon Feb 23, 2015 9:55 pm

Made a step to help get my big carcass "upstairs".....

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Tue Feb 24, 2015 3:15 pm

Couple cups of coffee and 2 free oatmeal cookies from Van Cafe later......
SA Status!

Thu Feb 26, 2015 3:12 pm

I'm not doing anything heroic, pulling trannys or replacing ball joints. But, I did finish the RetroSound install by adding their 45w amp. The unit needs the extra umph driving down the road. Easy enough to install ..I'm not after rock concert recreations but if does help, fits nicely behind the glove box.. :wink:

Then, I added a power fuse block under the dash for the radio, amp and anything else that comes along... =P~

Also, I added a few snaps to hold the slider door curtain against the door...just have to remember to unsnap before I open the door..

The transmission rebuild and new ball joints will have to wait until the weather gets friendlier....
maybe even install one if these compact toilets.... :oops:

Sun Mar 01, 2015 9:54 pm

A productive Sunday afternoon spent fixing small annoyances:
1) Cleaned up the metal packed splines on a floppy wiper arm
2) Sorted badly corroded drivers side running light/turn signal (course grit sandpaper & liberal application of deoxit spray)
3) Black silicone applied to several screw holes in the bed that were leaking into the treasure chest
....and new 'no-flop' mirrors courtesy of ebay :D

Tue Mar 03, 2015 8:21 pm

Well perhaps not what i did to my van today per say, but over the past couple of weekends.
This is the 3rd one of these conversions I have been involved with.
It involves shortening the bay poptop 11 inches, cutting the mating surfaces of both the front cargo area and the rear pop up sections profile to fit that of the eurovan.
and of coarse cutting the rear roof section out of the van, having a custom tent fabricated. And all of the finish work that is involved inside. hope to have the custom tent done by the end of the month.
here is a couple pics:

to see more of the process go to the gallery and have a look.
Mikie
near ottawa canada
cyber green
97 lwb diesel eurovan homeaid camper