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Mezzanine
Mezzanine Dork
6/9/20 6:25 p.m.

I get some strong Johnny 5 vibes from that front end. Love it. 

Ben_Modified
Ben_Modified HalfDork
6/10/20 12:08 p.m.

In reply to Mezzanine :

Funny!

Ben_Modified
Ben_Modified HalfDork
6/12/20 3:50 p.m.

 

Safari windshield is done!

Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter)
Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
6/12/20 6:50 p.m.

In reply to Ben_Modified :

That turned out awesome Ben! I think you need to add a smiley face mouth down between the front wheels next. :-)

Ben_Modified
Ben_Modified HalfDork
6/12/20 8:48 p.m.

In reply to Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) :

Thanks Pete!

Ben_Modified
Ben_Modified HalfDork
11/2/22 8:43 p.m.

Recessed the lighting a bit

Ben_Modified
Ben_Modified HalfDork
11/2/22 8:44 p.m.

Ben_Modified
Ben_Modified HalfDork
11/2/22 8:47 p.m.

Ben_Modified
Ben_Modified HalfDork
11/2/22 8:49 p.m.

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
11/2/22 8:53 p.m.

Im happy you're back!!!

Ben_Modified
Ben_Modified HalfDork
11/2/22 9:06 p.m.

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :

Thanks! I have spent the last two years on non-motorized tasks. Finally catching up.  Most of my time now is going into a short term stealth rv project.  When I finish it, I can get back into the fun projects!

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
11/2/22 9:10 p.m.

Nothing wrong with a break! 

 

Care to share the rv stufif able?f 

 

 

 

Kreb (Forum Supporter)
Kreb (Forum Supporter) PowerDork
11/2/22 9:44 p.m.

Interested

OHSCrifle
OHSCrifle UltraDork
11/2/22 9:45 p.m.

In reply to Ben_Modified :

Please do

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
11/2/22 9:45 p.m.

In reply to Ben_Modified :

That actually looks like a good idea for going to the track! Keep us updated please

Ben_Modified
Ben_Modified HalfDork
11/3/22 2:46 a.m.

So the first upgrade was the steering wheel.  The Van is a Ford E-350 Chassis w/ the Morgan Olson aluminum body. It had an ugly generic stock wheel.  Swapping it out made a huge difference in how it feels to drive it.  The van never had airbags, so no problems if I sell it later.  I found a steering wheel adapter on ebay which then required an adapter to the adapter, but it all worked out.  The van came twin fiamm horns, so no missing it!

NEXT was a camera system (there may be something wrong with my priorities).  The van is very wide and somewhat long with no windows, so parking in a crowded lot is difficult.  You have to back in right away as backing out of a spot is nearly impossible.  On the right side of the photo you can see the camera monitor.  It is a system from S. Korea with a 10" monitor which uses four Sony heated infrared cameras. The monitor offers many combinations of split screens and also dedicated screens when a turn signal is activated or reverse engaged.  The split that I typically use shows the front right corner, both sides and the rear.  The always on rear view makes it very easy to know that you have successfully passed a car and can move back into the right hand lane as the rear bumper and the other car are both in view. In the photo, you can also see that the van came equipped with a radio/cd/usb system. And for the height of luxury an A/C and a passenger seat.

Ben_Modified
Ben_Modified HalfDork
11/3/22 7:11 a.m.

I have had 3 of these vans over the years and they have all been rattle traps.  I have put a lot of effort into quieting it.  Nylon shims in the latching mechanisms of the sliding doors and several mods to the rear doors.  Also hush mat everywhere. The rear has been outfitted with a furring strips and insulated with sheep wool.  Then clad with AB plywood which will be lightly sanded, primed and painted.

TurboFource
TurboFource Reader
11/3/22 7:20 a.m.

Nice! How big are the cameras?

Ben_Modified
Ben_Modified HalfDork
11/3/22 8:43 a.m.

In reply to TurboFource :

Thanks! The side and rear cameras are 3x3x2 and the front is 2x2x1

 

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
11/3/22 10:26 a.m.

Aluminum body!

Are you concerned with how much weight you are adding for the plywood and furring strips? I'm thinking for tow capacity down the road

Ben_Modified
Ben_Modified HalfDork
11/3/22 11:33 a.m.

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :

Not at all.  It has a GVWR of over 11k.  Also a dually.

 

759NRNG
759NRNG PowerDork
11/3/22 3:05 p.m.

Who cares what it is you're doing as long as you share it here with the other kidz.......so good to see you and this!!!!

Hey do you still have the Auto Bianci (sp)?

Ben_Modified
Ben_Modified HalfDork
11/3/22 4:59 p.m.

In reply to 759NRNG :

Thanks!  Yes, I still have the Autobianchi and the Subi 360 van.  Both have rotten gas in them frown

Ben_Modified
Ben_Modified HalfDork
11/4/22 8:22 p.m.

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
11/16/22 6:41 a.m.

Thats looking really good!!

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