An $8 Fix (Carrie's take)

Van Life

It’s an easy $8 fix he said. Then that phrase “oh shit”. I see dollar signs, he sees a challenge to be conquered.

Instead of a nice quick little transmission fix, we are now replacing the transmission. And so the van adventure truly begins…..what could go wrong next?

~Carrie 

The Tale of an $8.00 Part

 A simple and easy fix right? Well, it was supposed to be according to the internet. The wise and all knowing internet states, "Ford 4r70w transmission no 3/4 shift is almost always a piece of broken overdrive servo  retaining snap-ring, caught in and or binding the overdrive shift valve. An easy fix of dropping the transmission pan, pulling the valve body and removing the piece of snap ring that is stopping the valve from operating correctly. Then just replace the broken snap-ring with the replacement $8.00 new part and reinstall everything." This is all fine and well until you realize the problem snap ring, isn't the problem at all. Well, Shit..... $$$$ Looks like a transmission replacement is in our near future...

~Tim

Bus?! What happened to the Van?!

 Don't worry, the van is still happening! Just had to take a break and work on the "Rig". Unlike the van, this started with a not so simple line of questions... "Does the bookmobile run? How much would you sell it for? Can Christy buy it for a mobile chiropractic office? You interested in fixing up the bookmobile?". I replied that an old bread van would be a better build. Then came the request that set off my search; "keep your eyes out for an old bread van!!!" and with that I was off like a shot! Searching and scouring the internet; Craigslist, facebook marketplace, bring a trailer, step van and bus forums, auto tempest and even car gurus. A big ol' goose egg... Nothing worthy of the dream Christy had in mind. That night my after telling my brother in law about the zero luck I'd had in my search, he asked me if I had checked out the online auction that Heaverlo Auctions was currently having. I hadn't, so I logged in with my account, went to the current auction page, and there only a few pages in I found the first candidate! A 1988 Chevy step van! (which was definitely showing its age). Not too exciting...

 

 

Next page. BAM!! There it was! a 2012 Chevy 4500 express 14 passenger bus in extremely good condition. I sent the link to Christy and she was in love! Had to have it! So much so that she started bidding WAY too early! After some coaching, I thought we had her calmed down but nope. 3AM bidding (Come to find out this was a ghost bidder with the same initials and not Christy)... Another talking to from me about auctions and a scolding from Carrie later and she promised to let me coach her through the process...

Several tension filled moments were had during the final minutes of the auction but Christy managed to prevail and get her bus in the end. Now for the in depth inspection and get this thing to 100%!

Then back to the van.

Be sure to let us know if you would like updates on the "Rig" in future blogs.

~Tim

Test Fitting & Visual Aids

 Measuring, referencing floor plans, measuring and more measuring. Some times visual  aids are a necessity, even if its only a rough representation of the finished product in mind. Que the stand in conversion van parts! At the wrecking yard there happens to be a Dodge Tradesman conversion van. Long forgotten way out in the back of the yard. With cars and other things stacked on and around it, I set out uncovering this gem as to harvest its cabinetry for planning and measuring purposes. Of all things, I could have never imagined finding... A complete tiny sink and hand pump faucet setup, YANK! Floor mounted cupboard, YANK! Folding couch bed, YANK! Swivel passenger Flexsteel captains chair, YANK! Now to get some real measurements and actually install something!!!

~Tim

Size Does Matter

 No, not what you were thinking... Bed size matters! The all important question and really the deciding factor on our layout and floor plan. What size bed? Twin? Nope, way too narrow and short for two people and my height. Queen? Nope, right length, way too wide for any hope of storage on the side or sides. Wait! What is this strange creation I'm seeing?! A mythical creation  called a fullXL! I think we've found the "Goldilocks" of bed size for the van! A full 54"x80" of stick it in the van with space for storage, tall guy fittin', it even comes in a futon mattress, mattress!

~Tim