The bug has bit, '08' Quigly, Let the games begin!!!!!!

[Latetobrake]

After months of looking, I finally found a top. I looked into ordering one, but shipping costs killed my dreams. I will say that Fiberine was the best on shipping, but I couldnt handle 4k for the super camper delivered. It only got worse from there, Sampson fiberglass has some nice tops dirt cheap, but $1800 for shipping wasnt going to work either. So, cruising around one day I saw this gem (beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I've worn my share of beer goggles) but she looked good to me.

20120323_105813.jpg

20120315_125955.jpg

I didnt even mind the work I would have to do, I figure i will attatch plywood to the inside, and diamond plate on the outer and go from there.

20120327_123037.jpg

20120315_125939.jpg

So I went to talk to the mechanic and it turned out the van had been abandoned after some work had been done to it, so he was looking to regain some lost dinero and a deal was struck. I took a few hours a day before work to work on her.


Working my way around.......
20120327_123121.jpg

20120327_123058.jpg

After a few hours, 643 screws and rivets, 20lbs of sealant, I have lift off.
20120329_111408.jpg

after some clean up, the liner is a breeze.
20120329_111343.jpg

20120329_135100.jpg

And finally loaded up and headed home
20120330_105448.jpg

Will see how it goes this week, but I am hoping the hard part is over and attatching it will go smoothly.

[McZippie]

Have been enjoying your build! What's the plan for the high door cut-outs on the fiberglass top?

[Latetobrake]

Plan right now is to cut plywood and attatch it from the back side and attatch diamond plate to fit from the from the outside. I am going to add a shovel and hi-lift to the section over the passenger door to break it up a little. hoping the grizzly grip will cover up any imperfections. Thats the plan of attack for now.

images.jpg
"I would be willing, yes glad, to see a battle every day during my life."

[Latetobrake]

Got some diamond plate and plywood this week and got to the task at hand. Repair was pretty straight forward and sturdy.

20120404_145150.jpg

20120404_191659.jpg

I ordered an ax/shovel mount that is going here.
20120405_133003.jpg

I still have to cut the hole for the ac, and mount the rotopax gas can, and lights i got for it......
20120405_154958.jpg

Been so busy that I havent had a chance to run stuff up to my friends shop for powder coating, so I just rattle canned the wheels black to motivate me.
20120405_162212.jpg

Hope everyone had a good Easter.

[Detslider]

Good stuff.
Nice write-up.
That undercarriage looks amazing, I don't think many people would hand scrub the undercarriage of their new vehicle though.

I'm surprised you carpeted the walls and ceiling too. Won't that be hard to clean? Won't that make it feel real dark inside? I might have chosen a laminate of some sort. Something that can be wiped down and reflects ambient light to make it feel larger than what it really is.

Still, looks good and I'm a bit jealous.

[Latetobrake]

Thx for the compliments......I went with carpet because a majority of the use is going to be for beach fishing and camping. Sand is the biggest pain and I wanted something that i could sweep out but still be soft when climbing around ( I have gotton so used to carpet, I did my garage floors, work bench top and a whole slew of other things in it. I just like the way it holds up, and parts dont go bouncing when i drop them). The roof was for uniformity, but the liner is going to be hit in a light grey and a sun roof added. As far as the bottom goes, I wasnt that diligent, justa quick hit with the green pad and spray(again, corrosion proofing it as best I can)......

Here is an old pic of my buddy and his jeep on PINS, the sign says it all, 53 miles of open beach and 4x4 only
mexico 234.jpg:

Its an awesome place to camp, fish, shoot guns and relax. Its a National Park on Padre island and the longest un-developed barrier island in the U.S. and a great getaway that not many people know about. So when all of you northern guys get tired of camping in snow, look it up.

[Latetobrake]

With my buddy/helper in Moab on a vaca, I was left to simple 1 man jobs. A search on craigslist revealed a van at a yard and it looked to have pop out windows, which I have been wanting. An hour and $90 later, I was back with the murano loaded down.

full of doors.jpg

They were dirty but functioning and in fair shape.

mail.jpg

Some clean up and prep, and new coat of paint.

door skin.jpg

And few hours later, I had one hung. Only 3 to go................

finished.jpg

[Latetobrake]

Havent had alot of time to post but going to get up to speed. Have been working on van and hitting some bumps along the way, that were more of a pain than anything. Anyways, got this exhaust from a SMB forum guy for $75

20120329_145214.jpg

$25 more to install and I got some rumble.....

20120503_131451.jpg

Next off was some new hoops, went with Falken Wild Peak A/T's 33/12.5/17

20120508_191325.jpg

Spent a couple of days as a stand for the Hobie Pro Angler

20120509_210740.jpg

Gottem on and rides smoother

20120510_095633.jpg

Loaded up for a few days on the coast and a much needed break

20120520_182121.jpg

The beach was kinda rough and subsequently, the rubber grommets in the side and back door cables started breaking one by one, that was highly irritatating but I mananged and when I got back I ordered the aluminum ones from the web. They look like a quality product but at roughly $50 a door, its going to be some coin to replace them all, but theres nothing worse than going to open your door and nothing happening. If anyone has a DIY option, would love to hear it. So now came the biggest challenge to date, the roof install...........

Started by cutting a pilot hole, jigsaw went thru it like butter.

20120618_172020.jpg

So we pulled the trailer up and came up with a plan. My buddy has a bum arm, so we figured I would lift from underneath, and all he would have to do would be keep it steady in the back. Used saw horses and a 2x4 at the back and after seeing that our angle of approach was a beast, used motorcycle ramps to inch it forward.

top.jpg

Now the real fun begins as the topper has some play in it and is eating the van instead of going on top of it. It is at this moment that you really start re-thinking not inviting more friends over for the party. We r drenched in sweat and this baby is getting heavy. Finally rolled a section of 2" pvc under the front and set the rest of it in 10 mins.

2.jpg

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

20120618_190452.jpg

[Latetobrake]

Strapped it down and called it a day.....

20120618_200453.jpg

[89s rule]

Greta progress. Are you going to leave the diamond plate uncoated? In my search for a van I have seen several with tops like that and have avoided them becasue of how they are cut up into the top. It is great to get ideas from people on here and making notes for your own van. I'm curious to know how your mileage is looking and how the top will effect it.