Remodeling is complete!

So it seems like maintaining a blog is not my strongest skill...I have not had the chance to do any update for a while.

I finally had the time to complete the interior remodeling. Unfortunately, I have to put this great van back on Ebay. I just have not enough time to use it. Also, as previously mentionned, I really wanted to convert it to 4x4, but I just sold my shop so I have no time to work on it.

It will go to the highest bidder!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=008&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=180134948675&rd=1&rd=1

Here's a bunch of new pictures:

1996 Sportsmobile Build Up

I did not have the chance to work on the van for the last 2 weeks as we were away to Panama.

But today I finally managed to free myself for the afternoon. Senjay got the van smogged when we were gone - passed with flying colors!!! I am really excited about that, it was a bit of a stress as the van comes from Georgia and I wasn't totally positive about the emission components being the same as California.

The only other mechanical thing the van needed was new steering parts (tie rod end, etc). So today we replaced the whole linkage assembly (4 components) and got a new alignment for the van. It drives nice now. It does feel more like a big American van (which is what it is...) than a tight and sporty German car...like my Westfalia Syncro.

While Senjay was replacing the parts, I crawled under and proceeded to remove the grey water tank. A couple reasons for that...I don't like the way it looks with two brackets hanging too low, but mostly there is a smell in the van which I believe is caused by the vapor coming back from the tank.

As you will see in the pictures, the tank does need a good cleanup. There's a seal that should prevent the odors, but I am not sure how good it fits around the pipe (drain from the sink).

Also, please make sure to notice how Sportsmobile engineers filled up the gap between the tank and the body...by putting a few 2x4 held with a couple wood screws. Sweet. I am going to have to redo this job.

I am still trying to find the grey molding that goes around the cabinets. I may try to work some more on those tomorrow. I also need to decide on what I want to use to replace the carpet. Industrial grey carpet from Home Depot is an option - cheap and easy to work with. But I like the marine vinyl carpet that I have seen on some vans/boats. We'll see.

I also worked a bit more on the cabinets removal, but it was hot as hell in Richmond today so not much progress there.

1996 Sportsmobile Build Up

Last night I could not resist and I had to start working on the remodeling of my Sportsmobile.

Like I mentionned before, I think the inside color combination would not win any beauty contest... so the whole interior is going to have be removed. I intend to install a new carpet (much needed) and repaint the cabinets.

Plus the van being 10 years old, a huge cleanup is more than required.

I will leave my comments about the quality of construction and finition for a more detailed discussion later (positive and negative).

But so far, it seems to me like that the design and components are just about typical and similar to any other American rv/camper I have seen (and even owned...).


Let's start with the gaucho sofa bed behind the driver seat.











There are 2 batteries under the seat and seat belts for 2.











This is the vent for the batterie boxes. As you can see it will need replacing...











This is the lock that holds the back portion of the sofa bed in place. There is a lock like this on both sides.There's three legs that unfold to support the back portion of the seat when you convert it unto a bed

This is how the water tank is hold in place.










This is the typical middle of the floor hole to hold the tube for the table (the cap is removed). I don't think I am going to replace this, as I always detested this setup. I still don't understand why they haven't found a better way to put up a table.

This is the side door - there's a table that can extend on the left door

Then we're up to the kitchen module cabinet - it holds the stove and the sink

1996 Sportsmobile Build Up

So today I could not resist taking the Sportsmobile out for a first short adventure...a couple of friends and I had a bike ride planned, so this was the ideal proposition...

We managed to fit all 4 bikes inside (I don't have the rack yet). Everyone really liked the van.

This week I should start working on the interior, try to get the smog done and fixed the alignment as soon as I get my parts.

The ride was pretty intense, as this picture of Daniel shows...

1996 Sportsmobile Build Up

The Sportsmobile is here!!!!

So Senjay arrived today after 4 days on the road...I met him in Antioch and took delivery of the van. This thing is big!

Senjay gave me the grand tour...there's a lot of neat features on this van. Furnace, tons of storage, including a rear secret underfloor compartment. Lots of interior lights. Pop-top is very spacious, but also very heavy! there are 2 large solar panels too.

The van looks great, but as I expected, there's going to be some work needed...

The exterior of the van is really nice. The body is straight, the paint shinny and there's no rust.

The engine, transmission, suspension and brakes are great.
Beside the alignment problem, the van behaves almost as good as new.

But the inside of the van is green and "woody".
It may have looked nice when the van was new, but now it looks....bizarre....let's just say it needs a makeover.

So this week one of the first task will be to remove the interior cabinets. I intend to replace the carpet and repaint the cabinets in white or grey. Eventually I am also going to replace the green headliners on the ceiling...

And this van is also going to get new wheels and tires!

more tomorrow. I'll try to take some pictures.

Christian

latest update....Senjay is now in Conroy, Texas. He is still on the road...despite of a few adventures...

:)

First he tried to get an alignment, but it seems like we need to replace some components (tie rod end, etc) - which was expected. We'll do it once he gets here.

But he also had a bad experience...He got pulled over by the cops and since he did not have his driver license with him (waiting for the new one to arrive), they decided to search the entire van. Apparently they were on a mission to find drugs, so they pray off some portions of the roof inside the van...we'll see when he gets here.

Other than that, everything is great. The oil pressure is fine, battery, temperature, etc.
The gas mileage has improved to 14.5. Getting closer to my goal....

So if everything goes well, he should be here this weekend.

1996 Sportsmobile Build Up.

Tonight I got a quick update from Senjay the Driver. Great news...everything is good so far! He's done over 500 miles, so about 20% of the journey.

He was in Arkansas, just passed Little Rock on Highway 40. Only bad news is the gas mileage...average 13 mpg so far, fighthing strong winds. He also found out that the fuel tanks hold 26 gallons. Tomorrow he is going to try to get an alignment and check the tire pressure. New sparkplugs and air filter should help too. My goal is to get 15 mpg.