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New - Transit Camper Van/Road trip van

10K views 26 replies 8 participants last post by  pjz 
#1 ·
Hello,
I have been trolling her for at least a year or so - thank you to all those who gave unknowing advice along the way.

Like many of you I was looking at Sprinters but in the end got the transit. Our goal is to build a vehicle that is mostly for road trips and will provide a summer trip and spring break vehicle when out little one is out of school.

In March we bought a left over 2016 3500 - 15 passenger low roof, long, with eco boost. Got a great deal given it was last years model. Many seats came out the first weekend! So far we have done a trip to Phoenix, Zion then Las Vegas (we are in LA). A local camping trip and another vegas trip for the mother in laws 83rd b-day. Santa Barbara camping trip in a couple weeks as well.

The eco boost is awesome. If you like to drive a huge van quickly on the freeway the eco boost is the motor for you! One goal is to tow my jeep JKU behind and the motor should handle it.

Most important thing i have learned so far - Colorado Camper Vans will install their pop top with the side curtain air bags in place. GTRV will do their top if you remove the air bags prior to arrival. Sports mobile wouldn't put their top on with the air bags. We have an appointment with CCV in November to get the top done. Its a drive from LA, but it was my original choice for tops. Hoping there are no quality issues. Seems that they are hit and miss on reviews. So far very responsive via direct phone call (Matt) - all good. Will update when the top is done.

Projects complete:
Deep cell (sears)
LED spots and 20" light bar
Modified Jeep JK switch panel to work in the Transit
TV/DVD
K&N
Tint

Projects upcoming:
Insulation
Passenger swivel
Dual battery set up
Shore power
Rear shelving
Possibly a gray water tank

Thats my intro summary. Lots to come. Hopefully many pics to post as the work gets done.
Feel free to PM anytime.

Thanks
Patrick
 
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#2 ·
Before we decided on a medium roof we were looking into pop tops as well. When I talked to sportsmobile, they said that they would work on a wagon as long as the airbag had been removed by a shop who would install a plaque (?) Stating that they were removed.

One thing to keep I mind with CCV is that they only cut out the roof between the B and C pillars so you only gain headroom right next to the slider.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
#5 ·
Here are some pics of a Jeep JK overhead switch panel install in the transit. Placed it in the space under the center console. Biggest negative is you can't see it when driving, but I just reach down to switch on the lights. Pretty easy since there are 3 on each side of the meter.

This is a knockoff of the more expensive Spod version - on amazon. The panel comes with a power box, fuses and relays all prewired. You hook it up to power and it all comes on when the ignition key turns on. Once in it is 2 wires for each light. Very clean and no impact on my existing wiring or canbus to worry about.

The brown metal box in the pic is the fuse/relays. On the right fender well under the air intake.
Next pic is heavy duty fuse from the power pulled in the under hood jump start terminal.
Switch panel wedged in with a piece of 1/2 wood trim underneath with double stick tape. Will probably drill a hole in the back and run the wiring through at some point.

Just one cable comes in to the cab to run all switches.

I might have been able to mount this up on the ceiling, but didn't really want it hanging up there. The contour of the box was pretty close to the ceiling on my low roof van.
 

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#7 ·
Catching up since I hit my 15 posts today.

Installed Ram mounts on the dash and console. Easily hold iPhone 6+'s.

Also did the rear seat reverse. Was pretty easy thanks to the tips on the forum. Just some trimming and patience.
 

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#10 ·
One thing I haven't seen mentioned in this thread is the K&N installed with the EcoBlaster. FWIW Opinions are split but many Ford techs have warned individuals regarding these filters. Some say they let in too much dust, while some say the oil can gunk up MAFs, etc.
 
#11 ·
Hello,
I have been trolling her for at least a year or so - thank you to all those who gave unknowing advice along the way.
Patrick
Don't know the chick you've been trolling but if she's a hottie I have some advice I haven't seen anyone else give yet.

I'm guessing you've been LURKING for at least a year or so...



;)
 
#12 ·
Thanks on the tint. It hasn't gotten hot here yet, but should be tested at length soon! It is a huge piece of glass for sure.

I have heard that the K&Ns can sometimes cause issues with the MAF. So far so good on the van. Have them in our other cars and have never had an issue. Possibly if you re-oil and go overboard it would be an issue.
 
#16 ·
Swivels R Us passenger swivel added today. Took about an hour start to finish including cutting the LATCH loop off and painting. Very easy install. Height seems livable. Quality is great. Weight of the swivel is 24 lbs.
 

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#17 ·
Ram mounts for the cell phones. Have these in my jeep as well. Keeps the phone right where you can see/access it easy. Never comes loose. Passenger one is bolted to the USB panel - not super solid, but hasn't been an issue. The drivers side is bolted into that small V with the nook in it on the dash. Very solid.
 

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#19 ·
yep, i have my aftermarket serius satellite radio mounted in the same spot you chose for your passenger side, perfect spot for for the radio even if it is a little hard to see. (radio channels are on presets on the remote)
 
#18 ·
ARB fridge monitor. This one is attached with velcro using one of those magnetic cell phone holders. The monitor is very light weight. Had an issue getting the goo off the face of the monitor and it scratched. Still very usable but annoying.
 

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#20 ·
Bought these captains chairs on CL from a super nice guy. He had a full conversion and was selling seats to make room for a bed. Much more comfortable than stock seats. Bolted right up to the floor brackets - had the adapters on the base of the seat specific to the transit. I can still fit the other rows of sets in if needed. Have a two seater in the first position and these two in the 3rd. Leaves lots of room in the middle and behind. Plan is to build a shelf unit with fridge slide in the 4th position.
 

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#22 · (Edited)
Been busy the last couple of weeks with the transit. Early November it goes to Colorado Camper Van for the pop top install. Pretty excited. The family is flying back with me to pick it up and we are going to head down to New Mexico, Phoenix and home Thanksgiving week.

Installed the Swivels R Us passenger swivel. Super easy. Took under an hour including cutting off the LATCH hoop and touching up the paint. The seat is noticeable higher. Thinking about if I can live with it on the drivers side. I'm 6'1" so that pushes me up pretty high. Fine for the wife. No issues at all when driving. Feels tight as well. Does move a bit, but hardly noticeable and the wife didn't mention anything during the first few hours on the road.

Built a set of brackets to mount a Rhino Rack Dome 1300 awning over the rear doors. No criticizing the welding! Trying to get back up to speed after not welding much for many years. Came with a set of brackets but they were too short. The body of the awning was resting on the roof of the van. Raised it up about 2 inches over the Rhino Rack bracket. Bought 4 base plates total so it can be sandwiched to the roof when bolted down. Will have it installed when they do the top. Would put it up now but assume it will be in the way when the top is being installed.

Bought a set of window shades from Garrett at Strawfoot. Handed them to my 9 year old and she put them all up in a few minutes. Got all windows except the windshield. Picks below are before I got in and adjusted them. They fit well, block all light, and are great quality. You can tuck the edges in around the plastic trim. Also fold up pretty compactly. Everyone says they are expensive and I agree, BUT, trying not to go cheap on this van. Want it to have good quality accessories. Fully expect these to last many years. After sleeping in a window van you need some light blockers - even a full moon will blast you through all those windows!

Planning to post a lot of pics of the CCV top when done. Probably end of November when we get home from the road trip.
 

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#25 · (Edited)
The seat is noticeable higher. Thinking about if I can live with it on the drivers side. I'm 6'1" so that pushes me up pretty high.

No criticizing the welding!
I like a high driving position. Only minor issue is that the rear view mirror then blocks a part of my line of sight.

re: Welding. I see no issues here:D. Better than my welding anyway!

Installed a heavy duty dedicated line for the ARB fridge.
Those clear plastic things are large gauge wire connectors? Could you tell me name/brand for future reference?
 
#24 ·
Installed a heavy duty dedicated line for the ARB fridge. ARBs aren't too finicky, but will cut out if the wires aren't up to snuff. Have a small Webasto and it is super finicky. Will only run for a short time then cut in and out on the factory 12volt plug. All fridges should have a dedicate line anyway, was just being lazy about not getting it installed.

Put an ARB specific plug, standard 12 volt, and usb in the sidewall drivers side behind the first row. Will have a dedicated house battery in the back shortly, but this one will run off the starter battery. Put in a sears AGM deep cell. Planning to add a second battery with isolator under the drivers seat at some point.

No issues at all after running the dedicated line. Both fridges run without shutting down. If you don't have a ridge yet I highly recommend the ARB! Have had it for a few years and use it in my jeep often. Nothing better then a long trip in the desert with cold beers every night along with good food.
 

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#26 ·
Thanks Elko!

Those are Wago connectors. Work great and not too expensive. Much more secure than crimping. You can find numerous variations on Amazon. There is a newer style and older. Believe the ones I used are the newer style.
 
#27 ·
Planning to continue this post as my build thread because I am too lazy to manage multiple threads!

Got the CCV top done. Its awesome!
Has 200 w solar and Yakima rack.
Fantastic fan.
Fiamma awning and Rhino Rack Dome awning on the back.

Will post up some measurements as that is the one thing that would have been helpful when researching.
We drove from Denver to Santa Fe, Carlsbad, Phoenix and back to LA over thanksgiving. There was a stop in Roswell in the middle.
Haven't camped in it yet, but we have a bunch of trips planned over the next few months and will break it in properly.

Mounted up van toil wheels and 245 70 16 Cooper AT3's. Great tire size and no fitment issues at all. Spare is a bit big for the hole, but will let some air out and see if it can fit all the way up.

Also put in dual batteries.

Next project is a Scopema drivers swivel. Purchased from Nomad over Black Friday weekend.
 

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