I haven’t had an update on my van customization for a while. That is mainly because I haven’t done much to it due to a lack of funds. From the picture you should be able to see that in addition to removing the back two captains chairs I have also removed the back bench seat. Since I wasn’t using that seat it was just taking up room and adding weight. Removing it has opened up a lot more room in the van. The Safari is a minivan so I need all the room I can get.
The other customization that I have finished is making panels for the windows. I made some of the panels out of Reflectix insulation, which is basically bubble wrap covered in aluminum foil. Since I didn’t want the shiny surface showing I taped black plastic over the insulation. Then I just tucked the panels into the windows. It fits in snugly and is tucked into the crevices around the window. From the outside it just looks like a darkly tinted window. In certain lighting conditions you can see the wrinkles in the plastic since I didn’t do a great job of taping the plastic over the insulation. I have a picture below which makes my taping job look even worse than it is. The insulation does fit the window tightly even though it looks loose.
I also used white foam board covered in black plastic for one of the windows. It works well for blocking the sun, but it probably doesn’t insulate as well as the Reflectix. After I had made all of the panels I found out that they make black foam board. If I were to do it all over again I would probably make the panels from the black foam board so I could skip having to cover them in black plastic and I wouldn’t have to worry about any wrinkles in the plastic. It would be a much easier process although it would be more expensive.
I’m using a black tablecloth from the dollar store as a divider between the cab of the van and the back. It works ok but it won’t hold up for too long. I will eventually get some black fabric or possibly a tarp to hang up behind the seats, but that will have to wait until I have more money. I also need to get something to hang over the window of the sliding door. Since the window in the door opens I can’t put a panel in it.
I’d like to build a bed for the van. It would be more comfortable than the cot and since it would be affixed to the van it wouldn’t slide around like the cot sometimes does. The materials required to build the bed wouldn’t cost that much. The bigger expense would be buying a mattress for the bed. I’m planing to tackle this project sometime next month if I have the funds.
The only other thing I might do is buy a cooler for the van. Since it would allow me to buy fresh foods it might save me some money compared to eating out all the time. I’d also have to buy ice though so I’m not sure how much money it would actually save me. Whether it saves me money or not I will eventually get a cooler just so I’ll have more food options.
Farther into the future I’d like to buy a Fan-Tastic Fan for the van. It is getting way too hot and I think a fan would make a lot of difference. I’d also like to add another battery to run 12v devices. Both of those things require more expertise and money than I currently have so they will have to wait a while.
It might have just been easier if we were able to get the van on the show “Pimp My Ride”….
That’s pretty awesome though. Sounds like a relatively big project requiring some time!
It won’t really require a lot of time to make the changes but it probably will be an ongoing project since I’ll come up with new ideas of what I want and change my mind about stuff I already have.
Hopefully the funds will come through soon and the van payments won’t eat up all your cash. Maybe you could get your ice from hotel ice machines? Especially with motels the ice machines are usually on an outside corridor.
How’s mystery shopping going? Maritz just posted a bunch of no-photo shops for July. $5 free gas for each shop plus a fee.
If my online income doesn’t bounce back in the next couple of months I’ll have to find a new source of income. My expenses are pretty low right now, but my income is also pretty low.
I could probably figure out some ways to stretch my ice.
I just looked at Maritz and they don’t have those shops in my area. All the gas shops I’ve done have required photos. I sent you an email for more info.
do you not have AC in your fan?? ..
yikes, i can’t imagine making it through a hot summer with no AC
I have AC in my van. I can’t keep my van running all night when I’m sleeping to have AC though. It would use up a lot of gas and be a theft risk. It would also defeat any attempt at stealth.
Andy, there are coolers out there that stay cold, just using juice from your cigarette lighter. I got Husband one for Christmas. (They have the opposite capability, too, of keeping things warm.)
A small cooler doesn’t cost that much…and you could use ice whenever you find it available, to keep from draining your battery too much.
It has been 100-plus here for days…I cannot even fathom trying to survive this heat in a van. It’s bad enough with no air conditioning.
I’ve seen those coolers but were skeptical of how well they worked and didn’t want to drain my battery. I’ll give them another look.
I thought about heading to Colorado for some cooler weather. After looking up the temps online I found out it isn’t any cooler there. I’ve been staying at my mom’s this week to stay out of the heat. Will be heading on my next road trip Friday.
That looks like such a fun project! I remember the days of tinkering with my car and fixing it up. So much fun!
It should be fun. I plan on tinkering with it for quite a while.
I agree with Robert, looks like an exciting project. It definitely seems to keep life interesting. Good luck finishing it up – can’t wait to hear more.
Thanks. I’ll keep everyone updated as the project progresses.
My parents have one of those coolers that plug into the car charger. They say it works really well when they are traveling. I think they put a little ice in it at night when the car isn’t running.
Glad you are able to hang out with your Mom during the heat wave! Mom’s always enjoy visits!
I’m probably just going to get a regular cooler and see how that works.
I’m glad that I was able to hang out at my mom’s too.
Isn’t that how it always happens…you find something that would work better after you finish? Good luck. This looks like a big project.
Yep, but at least now I know what I’ll do next time.