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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16504 Location: Brookeville, MD
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owokie Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2003 Posts: 533
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Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 6:07 pm Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" |
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dobryan wrote: |
4Gears4Tires wrote: |
They're multiplying! I see you are 100% sold on the NAHT! |
Yep, after camping in the euroBus a few times my wife said she likes it better than the westy by a lot. |
Better not let her set foot in a Florida. |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16504 Location: Brookeville, MD
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owokie Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2003 Posts: 533
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Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 6:29 pm Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" |
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dobryan wrote: |
owokie wrote: |
dobryan wrote: |
4Gears4Tires wrote: |
They're multiplying! I see you are 100% sold on the NAHT! |
Yep, after camping in the euroBus a few times my wife said she likes it better than the westy by a lot. |
Better not let her set foot in a Florida. |
That is on an LT frame? If so too big. |
Yup. Meh, 15' vanagon vs 16' LT. Hardly make or break. |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16504 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 6:23 am Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" |
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I added a rear/front camera system. (Thanks to Tom Hutch for the recommendation.)
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XZ1D226/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This allows a virtual rear view mirror to be added to the standard rear view mirror. It is especially needed since I have blocked a good portion of the limited rear view with the cook box and will also have bicycles later too.
Here is the camera placement. It is off center but the image it gathers is fine.
The unit strapped to the rear view mirror. I ran the camera and power wires up under the windshield gasket so they are not visible. Notice how little view there is out the back window, and no bikes yet...
Power wires coming out the bottom corner.
Camera wires going into the headliner. It took me about an hour to fish these to the back. Next time I'll do this when I have the bus apart...
And driving image.
The other great thing is that this unit captures a 5 minute loop of front and rear video. If I am ever involved in an accident maybe I can use it to prove my innocence if necessary. This could be especially important in Europe where language could be an issue. (I hope never to find out.)
$33,450
$120 Van Top rear camera
$33,570 _________________ Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15144 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:29 am Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" |
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nice, how is the rear camera night vision? _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16504 Location: Brookeville, MD
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16504 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 10:45 am Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" |
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So I went out and got the euroBus weighed on Friday.
Me in the drivers seat, half a tank of gas.
I figure I have about 2-300 pounds more of equipment and travel stuff to add.
So the solo weight will be about 4700 lbs. If I carry three passengers and gear then add 800 pounds for a max weight of 5500lbs.
I have been thinking that the Nokians I have on there now are really good smooth road tires but really are not going to hack it on rough roads that I know I will encounter. I want to move over to an all terrain tire for durability but do not want to go larger diameter since I am running a stock 2.1 (otherwise I'd go for the 215/75/15 BFG KO2s).
These Yokohama Geolandars in 215/70/15 look like just the ones I need. Only 2% taller than stock and they are also sold in Europe for when I need a replacement.
Geolandar A/T G015 - Size: 215/70R15
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=...HR5G015OWL
Load range 98 is 1653 lbs but needs to be derated by 9% since that is the passenger vehicle rating. So 1500 lbs per tire gives me 6000 lbs max weight (my load distribution will be very close to 50/50 front/rear).
I am comfortable that I will be within the load rating for these tires.
Time to get some ordered and installed! _________________ Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16504 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 12:46 pm Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" |
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And I finally started on the under floor storage bin. (I intend this for tools and parts that I hope to rarely have to access. This way I can save the under seat storage for camping and living gear. The other spare parts area will be the bin under the drivers seat.)
When I removed the vinyl plank flooring I discovered that untreated plywood was a bad choice as an underlayment. I will get 1/2" pressure treated plywood to replace this. (Obviously some water had been spilled in the bus and got the plywood wet...)
Nice clean floor ready for surgery.
Opening up.
Treating the open wound edges with rustoleum.
Test fit of the first 1/16" thick aluminum side piece.
Three sides sitting in place. (The rear piece will be placed on after the bin is created as it does not overlap the opening. The bin goes about 4 inches under the floor.)
And the bottom laid in place. The bin now needs to be riveted and 3M 5200 used to hold it together and weatherproof it.
The inside dimension is about 9.5 " wide and 6.5" deep. It hangs no lower than the gas tank or transmission so it should be fine. Basically the same as a propane tank.
_________________ Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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4Gears4Tires Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018 Posts: 3048 Location: MD
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Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 1:17 pm Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" |
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Ambitious cutting! But great utilization of otherwise wasted space. How are you going to access it? 2 small hatches? 1 large hatch? _________________ '87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16504 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 3:47 pm Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" |
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4Gears4Tires wrote: |
Ambitious cutting! But great utilization of otherwise wasted space. How are you going to access it? 2 small hatches? 1 large hatch? |
One large flush floor hatch. Lift off, no hinge.
Not sure what 'handles' I am going to put on it. I'd like to find something that can fit flush to the floor and then somehow pop up to grab. _________________ Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15144 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:08 pm Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" |
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very nice and an easy DIY method for those who can't weld
there are all sorts of options in the 'recessed latch' world.
some can even be used with a length of wire to a slide pin as a remote operation.
https://www.google.com/search?q=recessed+latch _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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Wolfram Samba Member
Joined: June 23, 2005 Posts: 184 Location: Waiheke Island/On The Road USA
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Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:16 pm Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" |
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Dave,
something like this for your new storage container?
https://www.absolutemarine.co.nz/2-flush-latch-316...64EALw_wcB _________________ 88 Westy, '07 EJ25 Vanaru.
Either van-less on Waiheke Island in New Zealand where we spend the Southern summer, or Wolfram is in Seattle/Olympia in storage. |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16504 Location: Brookeville, MD
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DuncanS Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2013 Posts: 4583 Location: New Hampshire
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Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2021 4:28 am Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" |
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If you are going with that one, I would suggest upgrading to:
https://sea-dog.com/groups/2948-hatch-handle-latch
It is what I use on my boat as it secures the hatch and prevents rattling.
Clip the under the seat end with something like the engine deck lid uses and the front will be held securely down with the handle/locking mechanism. Or you could just salvage the hardware from a donor engine deck lid. |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16504 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2021 7:18 am Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" |
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Over time I have noticed that the gel coat on the NAHT has been weathering. I did not want to have to wax and polish it every year to keep it in shape. Mike Hanyi (puchfinland) works in a boatyard and recommended that I go with a two part topside polyurethane paint, specifically the Awl Grip products.
Here is what I used.
I chose that version of white because it had no yellow/brown tint in it. I would have gone with a slightly cooler white but it was not in stock.
Sanded the NAHT with 220 grit sand paper. One coat of primer rolled on with a 4" roller (use the rollers that say they are for varnish. The regular foam rollers for house paint tend to fall apart when these paints are used.) Sanded the primer a few days later with 320. Then applied two top coats. I used the flattener to give the finish a semi-gloss vs gloss (thanks Mike!) and am very happy with the results. The paint appears bulletproof.
For application of the top coat I found that I needed to work in a 2' area, roll the paint out, then go back over that area with the roller in a slightly dry condition to knock down any tiny air bubbles and overlaps. This resulted in a nice dimpled finish similar to the Westy poptop. I did not sand between top coats, about 2 hours between coats was enough for the first coat to set up and be ready for rolling the second coat.
It took 20 ounces of paint (2base + 2flattener + 1converter = 20 oz total) for one coat rolled on.
$33,570
$150 Paint ($300 for the total but I only used 50% on this top. I'll do the West Coast Westy NAHT with the remainder.)
$33,720 _________________ Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16504 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2021 7:28 am Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" |
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And I assembled the storage box.
I will need some spacers for the side closer to the slider since that part does not have the ridges that are in the center portion. Fortunately some leftover jalousie window pieces that are cut off when I do a conversion were just the right thickness.
I pop riveted and 3m5200'd it together.
Now I'll start working on the floor and hatch. _________________ Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32625 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16504 Location: Brookeville, MD
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DuncanS Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2013 Posts: 4583 Location: New Hampshire
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2021 11:11 am Post subject: Re: Building a bus for travel in Europe "euroBus" |
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4" sausage or hot dog rollers. Make sure they can handle aggressive solvents.
After a second coat there will be no bubbles if you are careful. |
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