Vandetta

[Toolman]

They know what they're doing because I've seen their work. They just didn't listen to me when I said " I"ll pay extra if you tig weld it." bigger problem is I have to take it back to them and they aren't answering the phone. WHICH MAKES ME WANT TO THROW THE TANK THROUGH THERE WINDOW !!!!!!!! but I won't.

[scoutkid]

So this Monday after work I pulled the trans and got it to Nick the Trans-MAN @ the Ford Dealership. While he was in there he found some damaged goods so he upgraded a few things.
Operation begins....
Thanks for the motivation SCOUT KID. I was lagging big time.

NO PROBLEM! Friggen looks SWEET! I wish I coulda stayed at the tranny shop with mine all day! Also, NICE PAN! We are totally twins.

Trans and T Case are in. However the bozo at the welding shop couldn't follow instructions
1) use tig which he did not so the tanks is still leaking after his brother thought he fixed the leak NOPE
2) push the template on the the tank all the way on the tank to mark for cutting, which he did not. So the tank doesn't fit and it will be going back on their dime.

the ole adage if you want something done right do it yourself.. tig welder is on the shop tool list now for sure

anyways I finished the dynamat on the cab....

SWEET! I wish you had a diesel so you could tell me how much that keeps noise down...

There are two kinds of welders that will work on gas tanks--those that know exactly what they are doing and those that don't know any better....

Sorry you got that kind...

Thats why you should always have a FUEL tank, as in DIESEL FUEL!!

[Toolman]

Thats why you should always have a FUEL tank, as in DIESEL FUEL!! [/QUOTE]

I have a diesel.. 5.9 cummins with the Alison transmission on a Freightliner chasis. The ultimate combination in IMHO. It's in my work truck. It's loud, stinks and consumes almost the same amount of fuel, but hauls 20k lbs no problem. While on vacation driving through the woods, or the desert, I want to enjoy some peace and quiet. It was a forced decision when I found the black V10. I wanted either a 7.3 or the V10. I couldn't find a 7.3 that wasn't totally busted up so I found a super clean V10.

The Dynamat is friggin awesome. I don't know if you saw the entire build thread but I have just about covered every inch possible with that stuff and it feels more and sounds more solid when I close the doors, and is very quiet rolling down the road. I calculated the $$$ and Lizard skin would have been a little bit cheaper but I've never used it and I didn't want a mess all over the neighbor hood. I'm not that careful with spray guns.

When you're in L.A. look me up, I live a few minutes from LAX. Maybe you can convince me to follow you up PCH to Alaska.

[Sheep Shagger]

I put a roof vent in the van and what a difference it makes as far as interior air flow and removing stagnant air. I'm very glad I decided to do it. It brought my day time temp down about 10-15 degrees when all windows are closed with vent open, If I crack the windows and turn the exhaust fan on it's no different than outside air temp. It creates a nice vacuum, puling fresh air in and pushing hot air out. I was a little concerned about being in the desert with a black van but not anymore. I used the FANTASTIC 2way 14" vent, lifetime warranty.

How did you cope with the ridges in the roof when getting a watertight seal?

[Toolman]

At the RV store they have a roll of adhesive, like putty. I can't remember the name but you double it up until the ridges are level with each other, then add an entire layer of the tape around the hole. Press and screw down the fan and there's a tube of silicone called self leveling caulk/adhesive that I used once it was all in. Dried in a day and it's leak proof. It will probably require maintenance later on but well worth it. I love that fan.

[Railvan]

"At the RV store they have a roll of adhesive, like putty. I can't remember the name"

Butyl putty tape. Great stuff. Stays soft and seals up windows and vents really well.

[Sheep Shagger]

At the RV store they have a roll of adhesive, like putty. I can't remember the name but you double it up until the ridges are level with each other, then add an entire layer of the tape around the hole. Press and screw down the fan and there's a tube of silicone called self leveling caulk/adhesive that I used once it was all in. Dried in a day and it's leak proof. It will probably require maintenance later on but well worth it. I love that fan.

Butyl putty tape. Great stuff. Stays soft and seals up windows and vents really well.

Thanks very much for the info, I've been pondering a roof fan for a long time. Friend who has them on his RV says they really heat up the the inside if they are not venting, since the plexiglass lets in light and heat. I really only want to use it while parked in the desert and I'm off riding, not while van is parked in the driveway, so that's always put me off. Well that and having to modify my roofrack.
Is there any reason you got Fantastic over Maxxfan? Seems Maxxfan uses a PWM controller for the fan speed, so it'll save a lot of energy over Fantastic which seems to use a rheostat. Of course, only if running at less than max speed.

[Toolman]

Just with the vent open without the fan on during the day keeps the van at a comfortable temp. I didn't really put much thought or research into the fan. It was much quieter than the roof vent fans I had in my MH and the life time warranty was attractive. I had been wanting it and I had new saw blades in my air saw ready to go. I'll have to make a custom roof rack if I decide to go that route. I've been contemplating the SMB PH top. Bummer is if I install the roof vent I will void the warranty. Oh well. Maybe they won't get my money either.

OK I want to make a public thank you to NELY for saving my butt today. He was gracious enough to offer me the correct output flange for my T Case so that I could order my driveshafts and install them tomorrow. I owe you another one NELY Thanks Bro !!!!

Gas tank is in, leak free tig welded, T case, Trans, and now I wait for the sun to come up to order the drive shafts. Saturday morning appt. with MR. Vern Sweeney for some Y pipe manipulation and I'm on the road or OFF ROAD !!!!

[scoutkid]

NICE!!

A dual-van trip up the PCH?! Count me in!

[Toolman]

SWEET !!! It's been a long time coming but I put the final touches on the conversion to 4 wheel drive this evening. It's done.

pics will come later


I will be taking it off road this Saturday 11-4-2011 for a quick run down trip to Gorman / Hungry Valley OHV area if anyone local is up for a day trip.

Let me know