So, it is PROJECT TIME!
Well, considering I am a picker, everyday is project time...but, this particular project is going to be fun...and challenging.
Challenging mainly because it is a project that needs to be completed on a shoestring budget.....a very, very tight, shoestring budget.
Here is the vehicle I am working with:
It is the motorhome...not the lawnmower, by the way....
I am hoping to sell some of the guts I will be removing (things like the fridge, stove, furnace etc), and work with the cash to help do the repairs and modifications.
Here is what is inside, currently:
Yep, she's kinda rough inside the "living area"...but, all of what you see will be removed anyway....
to make tons of the all important CARGO ROOM!
The current plan is to scale down the "motorhome" portion by easily 4/5ths...this will mean there will be only roughly 4 feet behind the cab of "living area", as well as the sleeping bunk above the cab. I will be creating an insulated (and strong) wall between the area you see in the pics and the sleeping/driving areas. The problem will be keeping a "stove" and "fridge" in the "living" space....otherwise it will have to be registered/insured as a "cargo van". If I keep a stove and fridge in it, it can still be insured as a "motorhome"...and will be far cheaper. Am hoping that a microwave will count as a stove...but that is yet to be determined. The stove in it currently is: (a) too large and (b) in the wrong spot....and same goes for the fridge. But, the fridge should sell for $200 - $300, as it is a "3-way" fridge; that is, it runs off of propane, 110v and 12V.
All this is fine and dandy....but I am really jumping far ahead in this project...
The unit is currently sitting elsewhere, and needs to be towed or driven to my place. Thing is, it has not been started in easily 7 years. That said, when it was parked it was running fine. It has had some components removed from the living area, but the engine appears ok, oil is fine, fluids are fine, etc, just need to pop a battery in it, gas her up and give it a shot...and cross my fingers and toes...and ear lobes!
How much was it? The best price....
FREE!
Just need to get it off of their property...they are tired of looking at it for the past 15 years.
I love free stuff...which sometimes can be my downfall. In this case, though, if I can get this thing home, in the very least it will be good for storage.
Hopefully it will be more than that, though!
I have all sorts of things that can make this a lean, mean picking machine. I will reveal assorted plans, gadgets, vintage/cool decor for it in coming blog posts. Just a hit of what is to come include:
- 10 CD changer stereo unit I bought years ago, brand new in box, for $10 at a G-sale...never installed it in my van(s)...so it is destined for this unit.
- LED lighting - some retrofit into vintage fixtures - have some real cool pieces in mind!
- Tool and equipment storage
- drop down tables on/in the walls to allow it to be used as interior sale/show space...for flea markets, antiques shows, etc
- slide away loading ramp
-winch system
- "rat rod" type modifications to the body
-HYDROGEN powered/supplemented fuel capabilities
- 110V inverter system
- solar panel based generators
-passive solar heating system
-computer station
and as much cool shit as imagination will allow!
Any ideas?
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