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Post by awbeattie381 on May 23, 2017 13:54:15 GMT 10
Thanks Al, 'keep plugging away' has been my mentality since starting this project...I would NEVER want to do this again on someone elses driveway 80km from home...Very tiring!
I am hoping that once we take the van away in August we can move it back to Sydney and I can chip away on the smaller jobs while parked on the street outside my house.
Mustang, I couldnt believe the price either! Told me it would only take a couple of hours though...
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Post by Mustang on May 23, 2017 17:42:38 GMT 10
I am hoping that once we take the van away in August we can move it back to Sydney and I can chip away on the smaller jobs while parked on the street outside my house. Find yourself a solid Wheel & Hitch lock, this is a desirable van!!! |
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Post by awbeattie381 on May 24, 2017 13:22:41 GMT 10
I am hoping that once we take the van away in August we can move it back to Sydney and I can chip away on the smaller jobs while parked on the street outside my house. Find yourself a solid Wheel & Hitch lock, this is a desirable van!!! Have both. I am flattered you think that about the van! It will also be under a caravan cover (as it is now). |
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Post by awbeattie381 on Jun 15, 2017 13:27:03 GMT 10
Cupboards are now 90% complete, apologies for the average photo it was getting dark by the time I remembered to take a pic! This marks the completion of my overhead kitchen cupboard, almost 2 years to the week! First trip will now be Sydney - Noosa in August for a wedding. Hoping to have a quick shakedown trip before then though to iron out any issues.  |
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Post by awbeattie381 on Jun 18, 2017 19:46:01 GMT 10
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Post by awbeattie381 on Jul 18, 2017 14:09:02 GMT 10
Well since my last update I have laminated the table, made new lids for the under seat storage compartments, fitted my new chrome pump tap and chrome mixer tap that swings away (had to block off the hot hose), plumbed up the water tank and installed my water tank gauge (https://www.topargee.com.au/water-tank-gauges.html).
Last week I spent a whole hour in bunnings buying a water hose, electrical lead, various tap bits, more screws, gas bottle etc ($200 worth - it all adds up!).
This morning I dropped the van off at a caravan shop to wire up my battery to all 12v lighting, replace all light switches, connect the fridge and stove back up to gas and wire up an anderson plug to the drawbar (so I can connect to car and solar panels when camped).
I cant wait to get it back. Even though most of the work wont be visible, it will feel like more of a complete van to me!
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Post by awbeattie381 on Aug 3, 2017 13:33:12 GMT 10
Been a bit of a hectic few weeks. The van went to the shop for a couple of weeks for gas/electrics and brake/bearing service. Picked it up on Saturday morning and noticed the battery wasnt installed, the 12v lighting I installed wasnt connected and the anderson plug to the drawbar wasnt done...Brought the van home anyway as I needed a solid weekend working on it. Laid the floor, finished off my seat lids with chains, stained the benchtop and made/installed the splashback using the same laminate as the table.
Managed to pick up a decent set 14 inch HT holden wheels too (x3) so will be spraying them and fitting new tyres (old ones were only 3 years old but badly cracked even though they were protected from the sun).
On Tuesday I had a very early start to drive back to Wollongong from Sydney to pick up the van, then drove to Albion Park to the caravan shop. I told them they had the day to fix it, and if it couldnt be done they would have the van for another 2 weeks because I cant pick up before then (caravan parking is at a premium there). At 3pm I had a phone call that it was all done, to went and collected. Hooked it up and drove off. About 20 minutes later on the freeway back to Wollongong I notice my reverse camera was on and I could see the tow coupling and drawbar...Pulled over and notice my reverse lights were on wherever the van was plugged into the car...Back to the shop (again!). To their credit they kept one guy from going home to try and sort out the issue on the spot. 30 mins later he found the problem - now the battery is installed it was sending power back to the car. One wire was disconnected and happy days all fixed.
Getting anyone to do work on the van is bloody expensive. Cost us $2k all up, $900 of which was the gasfitter and 240v sparky. If I had the time I would have done all the 12v stuff myself, but just needed the van done.
I have engaged my mum to make the curtains and now its just a few odd jobs to complete before our first trip in a few weeks.
If I could post pics of my progress I would, but I havent setup a new photo hosting account yet!
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Post by Mustang on Aug 3, 2017 17:26:03 GMT 10
Sometimes it takes getting your head around 12v when dealing with other people??? I did all my own 12v,now I know every cable & what it does. Collyn Rivers publishes good books on 12v. If you look at the overall expense of your van you are well in front & you know the van inside out. See our new tutorials for image posting in the General section. (When you have time  ) |
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Post by 78466noM on Aug 8, 2017 20:46:24 GMT 10
I have been watching for a while your van looks excellent I don't envy your trips down the coast to work on it you loose almost four hours every time .  |
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Post by awbeattie381 on Aug 14, 2017 13:11:30 GMT 10
Another day in the Gong last Saturday. Up to small jobs now. My wife finished painting the fridge and laquering the benchtop, I installed the flyscreens, put a bit of silicone along the top of each window frame, replaced the stiff plastic hose covering the electrical cables to the plug to the car with a flexible conduit, cut and installed the aluminium border for the splashback and sprayed the newly acquired wheels metallic silver (which I think was the factory colour).
This Saturday we will be doing more odd jobs such as getting new tyres fitted and hanging the curtains my mum has made then bringing the van back to Sydney via IKEA for a mattress. We leave for Noosa on the 23/8.
I promise to get a new photo hosting account asap and update this thread with pics!
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Post by Mustang on Aug 15, 2017 7:51:18 GMT 10
Another day in the Gong last Saturday. Up to small jobs now. My wife finished painting the fridge and laquering the benchtop, I installed the flyscreens, put a bit of silicone along the top of each window frame, replaced the stiff plastic hose covering the electrical cables to the plug to the car with a flexible conduit, cut and installed the aluminium border for the splashback and sprayed the newly acquired wheels metallic silver (which I think was the factory colour). This Saturday we will be doing more odd jobs such as getting new tyres fitted and hanging the curtains my mum has made then bringing the van back to Sydney via IKEA for a mattress. We leave for Noosa on the 23/8. I promise to get a new photo hosting account asap and update this thread with pics! The weather in SE Qld at the moment is amazing. Take some pics & post in "Who's on the Road" Cheers |
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Post by awbeattie381 on Aug 16, 2017 13:45:37 GMT 10
Supposed to be a lot colder by the time we get there Friday week...ill be sure to post in that thread as we go
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Post by awbeattie381 on Jan 5, 2018 12:53:08 GMT 10
Well a quick update. Unfortunately I have been too lazy to work out the photo hosting saga so no pics.
We spent our 2 weeks driving to Noosa from Sydney in August. The only issue we had was me driving off with the roof hatch open and I broke the winding mechanism as a result. I also failed to tighten one of the hose clamps under the sink so on our first night I turned the mains tap on and saw a waterfall coming out of the van. The cupboard under the sink was very wet!!
We also drove the byron bay for a long weekend in November.
In December we drove to Gerroa for the 4wd club xmas party. We put the awning up for the first time and its in remarkable condition for its age. A bit faded and rough around the edges but it served its purpose well and was very solid in the storm/sideways rain we got on the Saturday arvo. Its perfectly useable and may serve as a template when the need arises to replace it.
We have a 10 day trip coming up towards the end of the month. We are driving to Melbourne for the tennis and then driving back via the south coast. Cant wait.
My wife also got a new job and lost her work car (the Subaru XV we were driving). So we had to buy one (I didnt want to use the Paj for too much towing as its too expensive on fuel and its modded for offroad - not a great city car). We ended up with a MY18 Subaru Forester diesel. Very impressed with it. Cant wait to tow with it - had the tow bar and anderson plug fitted earlier in the week. The XV's fuel consumption went from 7.6L/100km to 17L/100km when towing, so looking forward not not having to fill up as often. 300km range is a bit limiting! Also looking forward to not worrying about the battery as much now it will be charged off the car.
Not much in the way of work has gone into the van of late, we are just enjoying it, but I still have a few jobs to do (gas struts on bed, build a couple more cupboards, rear bar/tyre carrier, respray and a long list of small fiddly jobs). I did manage to find decent hubcaps though (finally) - holden brougham caps. Dress rings i Bought from autobahn.
When I work out the image issue Ill post some pics!
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Post by Mustang on Jan 7, 2018 18:41:51 GMT 10
When I work out the image issue Ill post some pics! Try this link link |
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Post by awbeattie381 on Feb 15, 2018 12:38:19 GMT 10
I have finally worked out photos. I have a few photo updates to catch up on, so apologies for what may follow...  Sunshine Coast by Andrew Beattie, on Flickr |
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Post by awbeattie381 on Feb 17, 2018 20:10:53 GMT 10
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Post by awbeattie381 on Feb 17, 2018 20:13:33 GMT 10
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Post by awbeattie381 on Feb 17, 2018 20:17:54 GMT 10
Comparing the old work car to our new personal vehicle. Loving the Subarus. Loving the diesel Forester! The new combo looks a lot better (car doesn't sag as much), but handling seems to be no different though. Both very good.  Sunshine Coast by Andrew Beattie, on Flickr  IMG_1559[1] by Andrew Beattie, on Flickr |
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Post by awbeattie381 on Feb 17, 2018 20:21:44 GMT 10
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Post by awbeattie381 on Feb 17, 2018 20:23:03 GMT 10
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Post by awbeattie381 on Feb 17, 2018 20:25:36 GMT 10
Gerroa Dev 2017 - first time setting up the awning. In very good condition for 43 year old canvas. Its freying a little on the edges but it was rock solid and didnt leak during a big afternoon storm. Dogs loved the van.  IMG_1300[1] by Andrew Beattie, on Flickr  IMG_1283[1] by Andrew Beattie, on Flickr |
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Post by awbeattie381 on Feb 17, 2018 20:27:38 GMT 10
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Post by snoops on Feb 18, 2018 8:21:13 GMT 10
Thanks for posting all the pics. 😊
Looks great no matter where it is - the fur babies look like they enjoy it too. 👍
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Post by pisces51 on Feb 19, 2018 20:40:04 GMT 10
G'day Andrew, It was only a mere 3 years or so ago, that you came on the forum and said you'd found a van. And now we get to see you enjoying the fruits of all the hard work put into bringing the van back to life! Fantastic photos you have posted of your various trips - it sure looks like the van is living up to all your expectations!  Congratulations on completing such an eye-catching van. No doubt you will enjoy many more exciting travels in this van. cheers, Al. |
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Post by awbeattie381 on Apr 9, 2018 13:06:13 GMT 10
Thanks Al, yep I was determined to not be one of the many that attempt but never complete a reno. It took about 2.5 years longer than expected but we did much more work than I originally planned. Last big job is the external paint. My first post in this thread was about it not being our perfect van...well I cant see us parting with it for quite a while yet!! Funny how things change!
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