[christover1]

This is a rough idea of plan to extend draw bar.
Well weld a 5mm plate/strap across, before cutting end off, then thread in a single bar between the originals.

[Mike57]

Ok I see thanks Chris. Should have known you had it covered.

[christover1]

Lots more little jobs done today.
Nothing to photograph, though, still looks the same.
Fitted the second side window.
Ran wires etc for lights and reverse camera.
And made covers to hide the wiring in the door (original busted upon removal ),
and a bit of painting on the extra framing that supports the rock guard metal..
Feels like I'm working on a camper, now

[zukenutter]

The ladies will be all over your little bungalow.

[christover1]

zukenutter wrote:

The ladies will be all over your little bungalow.

I'd rather they were all in it

[royce]

Do you have some dust sealing in your back door? as we know from the body shape of Suzukis they pull dust in so I think it will too, unless you are able to pressurise it all with the vents when you are moving.

[christover1]

royce wrote:

Do you have some dust sealing in your back door? as we know from the body shape of Suzukis they pull dust in so I think it will too, unless you are able to pressurise it all with the vents when you are moving.

I scrounged all the door seals from the GV Matt pulled apart in my shed.
If I can't re use them, I will get some stick on seals for the door.
Bunnings, Clark rubber and Powels have a large range.
I have left enough room for seals, and channels to drain water, hopefully.
Rear door will also be getting cover straps on the outside, and a little patio thing over the top edge.
Not sure if roof vent will suck or pressurise when moving, hoping it will pressurise.
If not, can get a pressurising fan set up.
I imagine the side vents will need closing off during travel.
I don't expect to get dust and water seal perfect straight away, I am expecting some tweaking as we go.
Maiden voyages will start to modify plans I reckon.

[missmyljdaze]

christover1 wrote:

I am expecting some tweaking as we go...........Maiden voyages will start to modify plans I reckon.

is the tweaking to be of the van or the maidens?

pics of voyages with maidens



stephen

[christover1]

good plan, photos to come

[zukenutter]

[christover1]

Liking the idea of decals to break up the stark white on mine.
Where can I get tyre tread stickers from?
I hate the idea of any more painting
May have to spend some money with ZN

[zukenutter]

PM sent

[christover1]

Finished wiring up the reverse camera and rear lights, and refitted new kick panels.
Just the main length to front left to do, which is after the draw bar extension, and another cash injection day.
Chained the rear door, stop it smacking the lights.
Fitted id plate and rego label.
Fly screens are all in place.
Feels closer now
PS. I need new runners
And luckily no one will see the messy rubber paint job on the underfloor.
(Colour change makes it look unfinished, but everything has 3 coats, of one or both colors)

[zukenutter]

very cosy

[banga]

christover1 wrote:

royce wrote:

Do you have some dust sealing in your back door? as we know from the body shape of Suzukis they pull dust in so I think it will too, unless you are able to pressurise it all with the vents when you are moving.

I have left enough room for seals, and channels to drain water, hopefully.
Rear door will also be getting cover straps on the outside, and a little patio thing over the top edge.
Not sure if roof vent will suck or pressurise when moving, hoping it will pressurise.
If not, can get a pressurising fan set up.
I imagine the side vents will need closing off during travel.
I don't expect to get dust and water seal perfect straight away, I am expecting some tweaking as we go.
Maiden voyages will start to modify plans I reckon.

we did a pressurizing setup in one of our caravans had a filter setup on it as well it ended up sucking dust in. on your roof vent you would probably want to put a deflector I'm front of it to help deflect the dust.

[missmyljdaze]

banga wrote:

we did a pressurizing setup in one of our caravans had a filter setup on it as well it ended up sucking dust in. on your roof vent you would probably want to put a deflector I'm front of it to help deflect the dust.

Would an industrial truck or 4wd type cyclopac air cleaner and a fan from a heater assembly do the trick?

stephen

[christover1]

Dust is always a problem, I know I will have to deal with it.
Have to see what happens as I use it, and tweak it as I go.
Dust sealing rear door etc is most important, in my experience.

Or get a 12v vacuum cleaner

I will be making or buying something to be able to shut all the vents when travelling.
Just haven't really decided what, yet.
100mm butterfly vents on the side vents, and a bigger one on the roof is a maybe.
Or just slide on covers.
But I reckon dust will still get in.

[missmyljdaze]

Plywood covers on the inside of the camper's vents, with sticky back foam around the edges of the covers
[foam from Bunnings- as used for sealing around drafty household doors]

Use 1/4" or 5/16" bolts and wingnuts to secure the covers.

You could even stick light coil springs between the covers and the wall / ceiling to hold them open when you unwind the wingnuts.

Thread the bolts into cabinet making style ferrules that are screwed into the timber.

stephen

[christover1]

I have a bag full of donated little brass hinges.
I'm sure I can make something with them.
Still have some left over thin ply, so that is one option.
Or just pivoting around one screw to open.
Whatever I do, it has to be unable to accidently be shut off,
I like breathing

[christover1]

While I had the glue out, corking windows, filling gaps and such,
I thought it was a good time to add the most important off road modifications needed.

[zukenutter]

^ excellent

[jonfromhamilton]

Chris if you are looking for door rubbers etc you should have a look on this website
http://www.ozautomoulds.com.au/
I have used them before and they were pretty good, give them a call I found they weren't too expensive

[christover1]

jonfromhamilton wrote:

Chris if you are looking for door rubbers etc you should have a look on this website
http://www.ozautomoulds.com.au/
I have used them before and they were pretty good, give them a call I found they weren't too expensive

Saved that site, thanks.
Looks to be a good thing.

[kenn]

Scott's Old Auto Rubber in Oakleigh are pretty good too and you can go and physically look at samples.

[christover1]

kenn wrote:

Scott's Old Auto Rubber in Oakleigh are pretty good too and you can go and physically look at samples.

Cheers for that.
Even though I'm partly a new age internet shopper type, the old school in me needs to look at stuff the old fashioned way, too.

[31zook]

Have been following this build the whole time, very very cool chris

[christover1]

Thanks. Happy with how things are going.
Except for the paint finish on the sides.
But probably get over that, once its decorated with stickers, mud, grime, dog claw scratches, and track trophies.

Did some recycling of GV door rubber and old camper rubber for the door seals today.
Still not a great seal, though good, but haven't put the external straps on yet.
Should be able to use some gal straps steve125 gave me for that job, and a rubber strip down the hinge side.
Was going to start on draw bar extension, but I thought the neighbours needed a quiet Sunday.
Get on with that tomorrow, if weather don't suck.
If it does, will get on with the strappings.

Can't wait to get it towable.
Rest of jobs are small, and can be done as I go.

[Mike57]

Is it going to be ready for next weekend Chris? Looks to be pretty close now?

[christover1]

Mike57 wrote:

Is it going to be ready for next weekend Chris? Looks to be pretty close now?

No unfortunately.
But getting there.

[christover1]

Getting started on the drawbar extension.
Ground off all the welds holding the hitch on.
Some of my welds were better than expected, but I will still use bolts or glue as a back up.
Got bottom plate glued in place, to stop it springing apart when I cut the ends off.
Will weld it in once I'm sure its in the right spot, them trim ends off afterwards.
Trying to design it around from the top welds only,
because that is the only way I can weld anything.
Still arguing with myself on box section size to use for the single bar extension,
but most likely use the same size as original drawbar which is 50mm x 50mm x 5mm.
Pretty sure my light weight set up won't need anything larger.
But open to input if anyone thinks it ain't enough.
There will be 600mm extra length, with 30mm going back into the original drawbar area.