Background: We grew up camping. Became weekend RVers as a young family. Went on the road fulltime as a family when our kids were 12 & 13. Spent eight wonderful years exploring the US. Wrote a book about it. Kids aged out, we sold the RV, and got off the road. Wanted to camp again, so built a camper based on a 2008 Toyota Sienna (video tour). It's been a fun build, but the van is getting up there in miles, we want to do more rustic camping, and wanted the ability to tow a small travel trailer to have a basecamp with heat, AC, potty, and shower.
New Project: A 2000 Chevy Suburban 2500. 4WD, 6.0, 4:11's, G80 rear locker, 175K miles and well cared for by it's previous owner.
Goals:
Progress So Far:
Next steps:
New Project: A 2000 Chevy Suburban 2500. 4WD, 6.0, 4:11's, G80 rear locker, 175K miles and well cared for by it's previous owner.
Goals:
- I'm not expecting to do any hard core four wheeling, I just wanted a some ground clearance and 4WD as a safety measure so we can explore forest service roads, blm land, etc
- No major suspension or drivetrain updates.
- Current tires are almost-new Michelins a size up from stock (32" tall).
- I'll move over the solar panel and awning from our van but otherwise nothing significant on the exterior.
- Interior will see a platform bed and side cabinet mounted behind the driver's seat.
- That cabinet will house our fridge, house battery, and water storage.
- I'll add a high-amp alternator to feed a DC-DC charger to the house battery.
- I'll replace the current stereo headunit with something Apple Carplay enabled and re-evaluate our current but aging Garmin for nav.
Progress So Far:
- Replaced headlight and turn signal lenses
- Replaced missing radio antenna
- Replaced underhood light
- Replaced peeling door trim
- Removed all badges
- Replaced blown subwoofer
- Repaired LR door speaker
- Replaced all wiper blades
- Removed aging security system from out of business vendor
- Removed 2nd and 3rd row seats
- Installed window deflectors
- Installed hitch step
- Added Husky floormats
- Touched up paint on tow hooks, receiver hitch, and roof rack
Next steps:
- Install on-order interior LED light kit and hood deflector
- Need to drop the spare tire for inspection
- Decide on a sound deadening solution and get materials ordered
- Do the 2000 - 2002 Chevy headlight hack that keeps your low beams on when you use high beams
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