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Rehabbing the Rescue Van

ThumperX

ThumperX

Slayer of Deer
Joined
Aug 26, 2007
Location
Off Elk Mtn
Moto(s)
Different strokes
Big Bore and little bore Thumpers and a Twingle
BARF perks
AMA #: 2817058
This is going to be an ongoing entertaining combination of "Post a Pic of your Latest Purchase" and "What have you Made Lately" threads.

Back in March I saw this sad little van listed on my favorite auction site.The discription said it would get stuck in 2nd or 3rd gear and would not shift. The description didn't really detail that the van obviously was a beach rat and that the windshield was pretty much held in by garvity. I didn't care, I've been looking for a T1N 118 Sprinter since 2004 and figured I wouldn't get this little guy anyway. I bid a ridiculously low stupid number and figured that would be the end. I was pretty shocked when I was notified that I won the van.

May I introduce you to my little #vanlife Pepper. (It's so goshdarn cute it had to be named)

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The first thing I purchased for it was a can of PB Blast and a can of Brake Clean. As I suspected, the little sensors on the valve body were gummed up, just a little squirt squirt and presto! magic cure! transmission is FLAWLESS!

The next things I purchased were rollers for the sliding door.
The previous owner had rigged up a series of rubber lockdowns like you see on highend coolers and this is how he kept the sliding door closed and latched :wtf
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I din't really mind the jacked up creative door locking mechinism but no compbanation of tie down straps would keep that sliding door open on an incline.

Thanks and a shout ut to "Florida Van Man" who is a T1N Sprinter God/ Doctor.

 
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The check engine light was on when I got the van so I went down to Harbor Freight and purchased a scanner.
Codes said bad glow plug relay or bad glow plug. No picture but thanks to 24 years working with Mercedes Benz in every capacity there is I know these cars/ trucks all have the same issue regardless of age. NO picture but sure enough that $5.00 glow plug fuseable link was jankey.

In hindsight, I sort of wish I had purchased the more expensive scanner that gives repair tips and covers ABS as well as SRS systems.

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With the transmission happy and the check engine lamp delt with I only have the SRS light to contend with. That's another $69 part and my neighbor at the body shop will pull the airbag and install :banana

Now it's time for a little fun stuff. With Stonybarf approaching I really wanted a little comfort. I went to home depot and bought a sheet of 5/8 birtch plywood and a couple of 2X2s.

I am so happy to have had my other half help me with this because along with being terrofied of table saws, I cannot seem to accurately measure anything :facepalm

We made my bed!!!! I mean we literally made my bed.
No pictures but the mattress is 4" firm foam that will get a memory foam mattress topper. Ineed to add that if I really stand up straight and stretch my neck I might be 5'2" in thick socks. Sleeping crossways in the little van works for me :party

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The Bossdog has claimed his spot :laughing
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Of course with a horizontal bed installed my bikes no longer fit inside :cry

I had to buy and install a trailer hitch which wasn't so readily available for the 118 body. I spent an extra $100 just so I would not have to relocate the spare tire and exhaust. Well, I had to relocate the spare and exhaust, it was supposed to be a .5 hour installwith 4 bolts but it turned into quite the process. :mad I'm trying to get the $100 back.

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I guess I should tag Barfie winner Gary856's thread "Photos of your bike on location" thread here as well since I expect to be on location much more in the future :)

With the hitch installed I can cary my trusty little 230 or my less trusty black hearted devil beast Beta 430 pretty much anywhere :)

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Stay tuned! I got a water heater and am designing a little gally.
 
A little accounting:

New tires, shocks, various parts, bed supplies, and water heater have exceeded my buy price for the van. :laughing

At least it didn't wind up in the junkyard it runs like a scared goat and gets about 31 mpg.
 
ThumperX said:
I am so happy to have had my other half help me with this because along with being terrofied of table saws, I cannot seem to accurately measure anything :facepalm
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Click to expand...

I just laughed when you said the bit about measuring, and then showed the board sitting diagonally in the back.

"Perfect fit"

Looks great!
 
Hah! Good score there.

I like how Bossdog looks so at home already. They know.
 
Hey Tux, I saw this sticker :laughing
I'm trying to find another one for you.


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berth said:
I just laughed when you said the bit about measuring, and then showed the board sitting diagonally in the back.

"Perfect fit"

Looks great!
Click to expand...

I was thinking inversion bed!
 
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