flatspin

I really like the clean lines of this interior. A lot. Lots of open space inside. My Fall 2011 plans are starting to fall into place! andrew

Hey, I've used my furnace before. I was ready to tear it out when I first started, but boy that came in handy on the CA coast during a storm. It stays . I was thinking of keeping a shower pan under the toilet, and just using some ingenuity to hang a wrap around curtain to form a standup shower in the same spot. Something that could get hidden other times. An outside shower is AOK for me. I'd have to convince some other family members The idea of a cooler-style fridge is really compelling. Even though it would require me developing some significant cabinetry skills, I could probably work-in a bigger fridge and get back more seating space and hip room. And i totally agree on the stove. My stove sits over the biggest open space on that side of the rig. Beneath it is an impossible-to-access hatch that is a passthrough to the utility box where I keep all my basics for fresh water, tools, etc. As i pull things together, that utility box will get a slide-out and I think I could put in a really nice bank of drawers above it. It is a huge space. It is time for the sketchpad. I may have to go with a new cooling unit on the dometic for now, since we have summer vacation plans in the rig... but I have a 30 year old Delta table saw in the workshop that is looking for a project. Thanks Baja. -andrew

So i'm looking at this Vizio TV and the power consumption peaks at 35W and the input into the back is 12V (it uses an external power adapter). Is there any reason to avoid making up my own direct to 12V connection and avoiding the energy loss from an inverter? And if I did create a direct 12V line, should I fuse it separately? -andrew

Not to mention 60 miles closer (x2 for a round trip) closer to my house. On the other hand, an excuse to go visit the good Dr. is compelling too decisions, decisions. And many thanks for the recommendations. Extremely helpful. andrew

seems a shame to me. there are so many beautiful destinations that don't have hookups, and propane can let you go a very very very long time off the grid.

Another alternative for those who prefer to modify their own rigs. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000796XXM/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_i3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0M1K5Z73SVN6V04NVV83&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Love this. Any chance for some snapshots of the work you did underneath?

That is a compelling option. I will check it out. I love the good Dr. in Sacramento,but Vallejo is a lot shorter hike! Thank you kindly -andrew

Artistic talent is definitely subjective. I really love the construction and restoration process, and waking up someplace spectacular in my own bed ain't half bad either! Flair, maybe. But I'm not quite ready to start gluing star wars action figures to the front fenders. at least not yet! i'm on 757s almost every week so far this year courtesy of Delta... job in Florida, house in Ca... and after all the primping and painting i'm done, now i'm thinking hard about redoing most of the interior cabinetry. do i really want a full standup shower? or could i reclaim that upper space and hide the toilet under a bench seat... the mind wanders. before that, an April drive up to Yosemite is in the cards. After I get the refer fixed. Maybe I'll have some freshly baked scones on that trip myself. Thanks for leading the way! -andrew

I like the northstar pods. the one thing I'd want to figure out is how to leverage the space in the undercarriage. while that diminishes ground clearance, it also keeps CG low which is very good (and optimal utilization of space). as for offroad capability, most of the off highway camping i've done has been on roads that might requires some 4x4 for traction or a little extra clearance. there are some great sites out in the Sierra Nevada that fit that bill that I couldn't and wouldn't take our 2X 21' Sunrader into, but I'd consider in a shorter 4x4. the Chinook project going on looks pretty interesting for that kind of rig, but i'd want to start with a fairly recent Taco... that would require looking for a compatible 1T rear-end, etc. and a pretty draconian approach to weight management, but what a fun project. And, in the end, a rig that could last for the next 20 years too.

wondering what sizes you're running for tires all around, and what kinds. chunky off-roaders are going to slow you down, and pushing that camper up further off the ground has to put a cramp on mileage too. a tuneup and running regular gas are good ideas too. i get 13+ in a 90 v6 sunrader that is 21 feet. i'm thinking 10mpg is low for you! -andrew

This is a really slick solution for these old tail lights. if my lenses hadn't been so cracked and faded, I definitely would have gone this route. Looks great and easy to do. -andrew

Thanks Doc. Little by little goes the endless project. Gotta get it shipshape for the 2011 Tour of California! andrew

I have a receiver on the back of our 90 Sunrader, which I fitted with a cheap ($50) rack and two $15 bins held in place with way over capacity tie-down straps (webbing). It is plenty strong enough for the bulky/lightweight gear we take camping (mats, a small stack of firewood, etc.) but I wouldn't put more than 150 lbs on it and feel comfortable. The rig handles fine with camping gear back there. andrew

Tap was something like 80 bucks for the custom cutting and the plexi. And yes, going with a thicker material (maybe as thick as 1/2") would give better clearance for the pigtails and eliminate any mucking around inside. I would definitely do that if I had it to do over again, because the custom cuts were the expensive part. The material is just a fraction of the price. Now I'm off to save pennies to redo the clearance lights with LED units. Such a big difference. -andrew

Hi Kim, I'm wondering if you got the solvent based or the water based contact cement? If it is the water based, I'd chuck it and start over. The solvent based glue will stay on the surface of the carpet and adheres really well. As I recall it is in the red can (vs. green for the waterbased stuff). I think the reseal of the front windows was about $400 and so far they are water tight (1 season). I think Dr. G is about 100/hr so 4 hours of work is pretty reasonable for a sticky, goey job. They did nice work too -- little if any overrun of the sealant. And I believe he stocks some of the windows too (shh!). Give a shout on email if you have any other questions. flatspin at yahoo dot com. just make sure to put sunrader in the subject line so i know it is a trusted source andrew

Ok, so I had some time to put together the first side today. The plexiglass (1/8th inch) works just fine. If I were to do it over again, I'd definitely go thicker -- maybe 1/4" just for the stiffness and to gain some extra clearance in back. I wound up using an auger drill to scrape out a little space for the plugs on the back of the LED units, as they were just enough deeper than the original to keep everything from snugging up tight. The assembly is really simple, as the grommets fit easily into the holes and fiddling the lights into their slots within the grommets is simple too. Wiring is all the easier with the new pigtails. Half way done. And WOW, what a difference. The amount of light coming off these is terrific in comparison to the old bulbs. This is a really easy fix to vastly improve visibility on the road. andrew

Ok, I'll post some pics in a bit. I'm using the superbright units and i have the plastic frames cut. The one challenge is that the LED housings are just slightly deeper than the original, so I'll either have to go back to TAP and have thicker frames made, or remove some material from the backside of the interior wall. I think the latter may actually be fairly easy -- just use an auger bit. The superbright units make an amazing difference. Greg --I know this is a total NOOB question, but where is the flasher located? I don't see it by the fuses. And at the auto parts store will they understand 'flasher for LEDs"?? Thanks! andrew

Ok, so I've committed to building a new set of tail lights. I'm using these LED Tail Lights and just went over to TAP Plastics to have them fabricate a face frame to match the outside dimensions of the old Reflect O Lite 1400s with cut outs for the new LEDs. They're using a 1/8" ivory acrylic, although we may opt for 3/16" if it is too flimsy. The remaining challenge is what to do about the resistance issue. Has anyone found/used a modern flasher in a 1990-era Toy? I can't seem to find a definitive answer in my searches today. I'd prefer to avoid the resistor option, if for no other reason than I don't really like the idea of mounting something inside the rig that is going to get hot like a light bulb. Suggestions greatly appreciated. I'll post pics later this week when I get the frames back from TAP and put them together with the lights. I think it will be slick and far superior. Not cheap, but should last for a good long time. -andrew

Baja, that front pop-top is an awesome upgrade. We have a traditional crank-vent up there, which is certainly nice for light and air, but adding space above the bunk is brilliant. If I can figure out how to spend less time on 757s I think it is time to start a more aggressive effort on our rig . Thanks for the continuing updates. I love what you're doing, as well as the photos and descriptions. Inspirational and educational. Keep em coming! andrew

this is inspiring. i think i need to go find an older Sunrader 18 with the non-wrapping windows and put it on a modern taco or tundra... now how much can i sneak out of the investment account without anyone noticing...

Yep. I ripped all the carpet out of my rig last spring. No looking back. Two boxes of wood laminate flooring from Home Depot and i have a floor i can sweep with a broom. And rugs with grippy bottoms work really well. We had a rainy trip down to Big Sur, came home and threw the rugs in the washer and swiffered the floor. But i still have nightmares about staples.

Glad to hear they took good care of you... I'll be making the annual pilgrimage out to the shop in a few weeks too because I'm too chicken to try and do a refrigerator core replacement. And their stock of 'stuff' is unbelievable for sure. Hope to see you out on the road (we're East Bay). -andrew

Thanks for posting! I thought bringing our dog along would be a chore, but I'd have to agree it is a pleasure. Indy likes to ride shotgun and falls asleep on my shoulder. Chocolate lab with a slight snoring problem.