What did YOU do to your van today?

[dhaavers]

^^^ Already looks less dusty than mine, any day of the year... ([email protected] forest roads...)



- Dave
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86 White Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[Vanlife Geek]

I purchased a Verizon 8800L MiFi off eBay which gives me unlimited data with no throttling and no caps (it has special "mojo"!). This gives me the ability to stream video (assuming I have a decent cell signal), so I thought I'd get a Roku unit for my existing TV. While I was at it, since my 12V TV only has one HDMI input, I added a small HDMI switch so I can switch between the RoKu and my laptop by simply pushing a button. Since my existing broadcast antenna and the RoKu both need USB power and the TV only has one USB port, I also added a tiny USB hub which I already had. It's all semi-neatly mounted on the back of the TV and is hidden from view. It worked out really well. The TV speakers suck, as is to be expected, so I've routed the audio to a small Anker speaker, which has way better quality. I have a decent movie collection on an external hard drive for when I don't have cell coverage. I know many of you will question why I want that many entertainment options in a camper when I should be enjoying nature, but I will be moving into the van full-time in January and will want some "home comforts", plus I'm just sort of a geek that way. Although most of my time will be spent hiking through the high mountain forests and desert (depending on time of the year) taking pictures and making videos, I'll still want to keep up with the news and "Netflix & Chill". Plus I'll be uploading videos to YouTube and don't really want to depend on Starbucks, McDonald's, etc. for WiFi, although I do have an external, amplified WiFi antenna and router just in case. Next is probably a cell booster antenna, but that's another post.

Note the MiFi velcro'd next to the cup holder above some charging ports in the above image. The TV is hardwired and is controlled by a switch, which also activates the USB ports, a 12v port and a voltmeter.

_________________
Vanlife Geek
Current:
1986 Syncro Westy
Previous:
1983 Westy
1981 Westy
1972 Bug (Last year you could buy a new one for under $2,000)
1965/66 Bug (2 bugs from a junk yard combined to make 1 functional bug)
1959 Bug (Pre Gas Gauge Era)

[mcarlson_sb]

We finally got the moded closet (almost) back in today.
The doors are still getting a few coats of polyurethane and will follow tomorrow.

The wood for the pantry, backing boards, and new shelves are upcycled from a discarded Ikea dresser our neighbors put on the corner.

Doors are left over birch plywood we've been using to replace panels.

Also, my wife finished the first few denim curtains that go behind the closet.
The rest will follow.

It's nice to have solar hooked back up keeping the batteries topped up.

Cheers,
Matthew

[jlrftype7]

[mcarlson_sb]

With doors

[andy52]

[revolution337]

Finally looked into why my high beam indicator was not working in the cluster. Traced it down, found a loose wire on the back of the fuse panel for the left high beam fuse. Snipped off the spade connector and installed a new one. Clipped back onto the fuse panel and checked function, now it works! Don't know why I waited so long to address it, glad it was a simple fix.

[mcarlson_sb]

Surfer Dude PO had turned the rear overhead lockers into a (poor) soundbox for speakers using a combination of hand saws, screws, duck tape, spray foam, and pure evil.

I've removed the speakers, patched the holes with wood from a salvaged ikea dresser, cut away the extra with a chisel, and used wood filler to cover my mistakes and poor life choices. Currently waiting for the filler to dry so I can sand it.

Then we will add some new contact paper to the inner lockers and spray tool dip for the outer (where shower stuff goes) before mounting a laminated map my wife bought underneath.

[Alluvial Van]

Sent off my odometer/speedometer to get fixed. My odometer hasn't worked in the 8 years I've had the van and excited to be able to track mileage for maintenance purposes instead of guessing based on time. The simple things.

[vanis13]

Rescreened side screens with conventional channel

Full topic here https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9491486#9491486

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83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace

[leecat]

FINALLY found a full used skylight setup in great shape, and the final single 14" factory alloy to complete my set. Need to sand down and repaint the alloy (L091 paint, according to the good ol' Samba knowledge base) before clearcoating it. So much fun stuff to work on over the winter - Spring is coming!!!

[vanis13]

Though thousands of miles passed over decades with the golf umbrella staying where it should, a recent post reiterated that possible issue of it sliding back preventing the door from opening so printed this....a little color bling until I get back back in the printer

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83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace

[mcarlson_sb]

I really need to take out the window, remove the rust, use a converting primer, and repaint.
But, that's not a possibility right now. So instead I tried to cut, polish, and wax to see if I can at least protect what is currently there and make it look not quite so bad.

Now, to do the rest of the van.

[4Gears4Tires]

I would paint some rust converter on top of the rust in the mean time. It'll slow the rusts roll somewhat. Mar-Hyde, Ospho, etc, even just paint will do something.
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition

[mcarlson_sb]

My wife was amazing today!
She took a rats nest of wiring (solar, two independent AUX battery banks, starter batter, Prosport on board battery charger, inverter, etc.) and made it sane. This also has the side effect of creating more usable storage space under the sink.

Also, we reworked what was our old poorly done pantry space in the fridge cabinet and converted it back to hold our new12v fridge.
We still have some work to build a shelf above and a pull out drawer beside. But that will be another weekend.

Also, also - the fridge is now hook up to AUX power and can be used.

Also, also, also, we have a better system for the stoves 1lb propane cylinder. The one in use fits into 2 hose clamps in the top right of the fridge cabinet. The propane hookup used to be in the electric cabinet - and that always made me a little nervous.
I'm much happier with this system. Better use of space and gas isn't right next to a potential spark.

Also, also, also, also, we found a use for the little cubby.
Previously we has cooking gear there, but it worked *poorly*
We basically had to tear the van apart to get things out.
Now the Little Buddy Heater we picked up and spare propane fits it perfectly.
Its gone from annoying to convenient.
After we add the shelf above the fridge cooking gear will stowe there.

We are quickly getting to a place for all the things and everything in its place.

[mcarlson_sb]

And while I wasn't looking my wife finished the denim roll up blinds

[kiltedhiker]

Upgraded my wheels and tires from 15" Mefros with BFG KO2 215/75r15 to CLKs with BFG KO2 215/70r16

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1989 Syncro Westfalia (bought new) sold
1990 Syncro Westfalia sold
1990 Syncro TinTop

[dhaavers]

^^^ Sweet!

- Dave

PS: How much you want for the Mefros...???
_________________
86 White Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[andy52]

[Vancouveria]

Last night’s goal was to clean out under the rear seat. The heater control valve had leaked previously so the heater was bypassed. Once we pulled the seat things were even more disgusting than we had imagined, so now we’ve deleted the rear heater and are pulling up the floor.

Any hints on removing the wall panels on an 85 Weekender? In the spirit of “while we’re at it” we want to clean behind them and check for hidden rust.