CaveVan Forum

Pictures and tall tales!! => Show off your projects here! => Topic started by: Cole on July 17, 2016, 10:01:31 am

Title: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Cole on July 17, 2016, 10:01:31 am
The latest van has come along far enough to post some pictures.


Here is what we started with. A well loved 2003 Eurovan Westfalia.

Lots of little dings, torn and patched top, poorly installed roof rack but otherwise a solid platform to reform.
(https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8660/27752088413_fa8d69a414_c.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8695/27751242024_68c5e5efe1_c.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8608/28334315936_b189021d4c_c.jpg)

(https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8726/28264183362_3c7bc39800_c.jpg)

(https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8294/27752082933_3dcda708f5_c.jpg)

(https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8765/28264185412_7c0ac87507_c.jpg)
Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Cole on July 17, 2016, 10:27:45 am
We came up with a very fun plan for this van! The first thing to do was to strip it down!

....all the way

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8483/28085467200_3c638ffd8e_c.jpg)

These are the two factory colors I repainted the van in.

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8525/28289383531_83c2a6c9b3_c.jpg)

Here are the winter wheels freshly painted in the same white as the van.
(https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8815/28085467010_2a44cb64c9_c.jpg)

New summer wheels, also in the same color as the white on the van.

(https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7310/27255618564_c4749657dd_c.jpg)

New 225/70/16 summer rubber to go with the new lift, Bilstein HD shocks,  etc.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7123/27891208241_dffed711d3_c.jpg)

(https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7584/27874476850_d3093da0de_c.jpg)


Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Mike on July 17, 2016, 10:38:41 am
Nice work Cole, can't wait to see more photos.

Michael
Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Cole on July 17, 2016, 10:41:44 am
To make this van durable for future travel and camping use all the "high wear" and easy to scratch areas were bed lined in color matched bedliner.

The rockers, the door sills, lower bumpers, rear bumper step, mirrors, poptop, door grab handles, seat bases, etc.
(https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7290/27610629844_6e81cc5b69_c.jpg)

Beetle Kill Pine upper bunk and table.
(https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7492/28142254831_23dec79a60_c.jpg)

Euro dash cubby, new stereo with bluetooth (notice the flush mount mic in the buttons?)

(https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8894/27751833814_67f6815fa5_c.jpg)


This Goal Zero Yeti 400 will replace the house battery and be mounted under the rear seat. It will run off the van and solar and power an Engel 45 fridge. The front two seat bases are being lowered an inch and swivels mounted to them. (so the house battery will no longer fit there).

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8392/28289616721_9d0f7ace1f_c.jpg)

Solar panel just sitting on the roof.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8729/27752411513_276d31c752_c.jpg)



The new flooring installed. HD UV resistant anti microbial flooring.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8753/28264758472_1965a571c2_c.jpg)

Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Cole on July 17, 2016, 10:50:44 am
(https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8743/28335196466_dbc5f3fcf5_c.jpg)

(https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8866/28335199466_465e7fce44_c.jpg)

These are the color swatches for the interior upholstery that is being done right now.

(https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8757/28335196206_9d5200d8a1_c.jpg)


Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Cole on July 17, 2016, 10:54:07 am
Along with the new brakes, shocks, lift I also flushed the transmission and added a cooler.

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8325/27753284563_0d792a74e7_c.jpg)

Top back on the van. Solar panel not mounted yet.

(https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8376/28265174942_640f5ec28e_c.jpg)

Tent (not fully installed in this picture so the top is sitting slack)
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8598/27753279193_6537b022ca_c.jpg)
Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Mike on July 17, 2016, 11:11:56 am
Nice!  The interior is going to be fantastic.
Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Cole on July 19, 2016, 04:26:26 pm
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8583/27803840553_34feae37d2_z_d.jpg)
Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Mike on July 19, 2016, 06:31:56 pm
Well done, Cole.  Is the logo embroidered on the headrest or?
Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Cole on July 19, 2016, 06:51:23 pm
Logo will be on the upper portion of the front two seats only
Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Cole on July 20, 2016, 06:32:24 am
Thanks!,


Here is the new Fiamma awning, Goal Zero solar panel and Fiamma bike rack!

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8815/28388315656_7a6171a4ff_z_d.jpg)
Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: wildenbeast on July 20, 2016, 09:25:53 am
Nice work Cole!  I am surprised you didn't paint the fiamma bike rack though (kidding).  Will you be offering the interior seat covers at some point?  Will this van also be getting the new exhaust you've worked out?  The two tone looks so much better than the solid burgundy color... 
Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Cole on July 20, 2016, 08:15:50 pm
Nice work Cole!  I am surprised you didn't paint the fiamma bike rack though (kidding).  Will you be offering the interior seat covers at some point?  Will this van also be getting the new exhaust you've worked out?  The two tone looks so much better than the solid burgundy color...

Thanks Bill,

The plan is to, at some point, try to "kit" the seat upholstery so that people can fix/update their own.

This one was all custom though.

I thought about painting the rack......figured it was too much as too prone to getting scratched :P
Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Cole on July 20, 2016, 08:19:44 pm
(https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8670/28337957122_897187aea3_c.jpg)

(https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8681/28441807095_b1d6398ff0_c.jpg)

So this is my plan of the Yeti 400. I think I can make it slide with the seat and accessible through the seat access panel. Wired to charge from either the solar on the roof or off the car when driving. All the lights, fridge and charge ports will run off of this.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8809/28364458801_277c4097df_c.jpg)
Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Micah on July 26, 2016, 06:45:58 am
That looks AWESOME! I love the placement of the line for the color change and the white wheels. Very nice build!
Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Cole on August 03, 2016, 06:54:22 pm
Still lots to do but here are some recent teasers.

(https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8226/28137108263_2d5ac8d6a4_c.jpg)


(https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8683/28647317082_fa7029dc2a_c.jpg)

(https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8845/28468284790_17cfd71f0d_c.jpg)

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8026/28675100731_1475790d60_c.jpg)
Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Cole on August 04, 2016, 09:28:18 pm
Getting closer!  :D

My wife made up all the CaveVan decals for the van. I built it....I get to brand it :lol:


The one on the hood and awning are in burgundy with reflective yellow fire.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8862/28669071542_edc7cc7e22_z_d.jpg)

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8703/28156816234_819d71e907_z_d.jpg)


The big white with yellow fire ones on the top....reflective of course.


(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8773/28774168515_17212c91b2_z_d.jpg)

The owner dropped off the curtains today. I think these are an awesome touch myself. All the old classics VW campervans are usually fitted with home made curtains by the owner. So these add the funky little personal touch.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8606/28486974600_60c5a03397_z_d.jpg)


Then I whipped out the fab tools and made a steel tray for the Goal Zero Yeti to ride under the rear seat. The Yeti is replacing the house battery in this van since we lowered the driver's seat base and added a swivel to it.

The Yeti will power all the house lights, charge ports and the Engel fridge.

The yeti slides with the seat and is totally hidden with the cover plate on the seat.


(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8009/28156817474_8d715fdf21_z_d.jpg)
Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Cole on August 07, 2016, 07:47:32 am
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8691/28206524404_8099696b34_z_d.jpg)

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8575/28719083282_eeef665a65_z_d.jpg)

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8875/28539758140_757afded6b_z_d.jpg)


(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8797/28209443653_9ff29d5ef4_z_d.jpg)


(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8700/28206522614_04eaa4e87d_z_d.jpg)
Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: wildenbeast on August 08, 2016, 09:44:11 am
Nice build and photos.  You know the GoWesty calendar photo contest ends on 8/15.  Are you worried at all about the red top?  I've found with public playground equipment that the UV in CO fades the red colors faster than anything else.
Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Micah on August 16, 2016, 12:56:07 pm
Cole,

If I am not mistaken it looks like you have also painted the upper interior trim white to match the exterior. Did you use something other than spray paint for plastic? Looks very nice!  8)
Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Cole on August 16, 2016, 01:06:48 pm
The upper plastic trim is stock.

The 1993 vans had dark grey trim.

The 1999+ vans have a nearly white trim.

All of my late vans that have been converted to poptops using 1993 donors end up with dark grey trim. I personally like it better. But I know that the interior shots from those vans can lead people to think the interior trim is always grey.
Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Cole on August 16, 2016, 01:09:56 pm
Same deal with the curtains, dark on early vans and light on the late ones.


Here is an example. This is a top conversion 2003 built from 1993 parts.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7619/16591752484_75ddf67690_z_d.jpg)


Here is the inside of a 1999 Westfalia (factory poptop)

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8583/16788944295_d551d17d38_z_d.jpg)
Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Micah on September 30, 2016, 11:16:37 am
Cole,

Fantastic build! Are you going to be selling the peace symbol rear hatch emblems by chance? Also is that denim insulation in the interior pics of the build?

 :)
Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Cole on September 30, 2016, 11:19:02 am
The peace symbols are a one off for us at the moment. Essentially I need to find a way to make them more cost effective.

The insulation in this van is all stock. Its a 2003 and those tend to have a little more than the other years for some reason.
Title: Re: "Snapdragon" by CaveVan
Post by: Cole on October 02, 2016, 06:09:08 pm
Couple of finishing touches I've been waiting on. The owner wanted new Peace Sign stickers to replace the ones I took off. I told him I could come up with a better solution  :wink:

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8179/29769707602_c74c0ae13b_z_d.jpg)



(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5663/29878463895_c0b51076a1_z_d.jpg)