Weekender 4WD Crew Build for family

slamit

www.cacampervan.com
Front speaker upgrade using 3D impacts trim rings. 2nd Prototype. Need to use a shallow mount speaker or not one deeper than this kicker DS.

IMG_0753.jpg

IMG_0755.jpg

IMG_0759.jpg

IMG_0762.jpg

IMG_0752.jpg
 

Fanto

Member
Thanks for the clarification.

Do you install the RAAM over the factory noise-canceling mats? Also, do you combine the RAAM mats with Ensolite?

25% is effective, however more to a point is better and there is a point that there is a difference just not as much.At minimum 50% and focus on the large flat surfaces. The cost difference your talking about is $200-300 more in material...its a 100k van when done...not going to go cheap on a van this expensive nor would I do the same on my custom cars. It also makes the audio much better. You would notice a pretty big difference in this van compared to someone else who skipped on materials or used the wrong stuff. I once purchased a van that was done professionally with denim insulation and had been "insulated and had sound deadening" done. I honestly thought it had none till I pulled it apart and found it stuffed with denim stuff)...when I was done by changing everything it was a HUGE difference.
 

slamit

www.cacampervan.com
Alpine Designs swivels help with the higher height of the 2019 seats and they are super smooth with no play. Not cheap however and they do require some major cutting of the brake handle, but other than that very easy to install. Just make sure you disconnect ALL power so you don't trigger the SRS light. I learned you actually have to disconnect the ground at the battery not at the quick release ground otherwise its a trip to the dealer to clear the SRS code. I also installed a hitch...super easy bolt on and the van already had the wiring harness so I did not need to mess with that at all.

hitch.jpg

swivel.jpg

low profile swivel.jpg

ebrake cut out.jpg
 

slamit

www.cacampervan.com
Thanks for the clarification.

Do you install the RAAM over the factory noise-canceling mats? Also, do you combine the RAAM mats with Ensolite?
I go right over the factory deadening and there is no downside to using Ensolite as they are giving that away free with an order if you have it. I have used that in the past...its nice, but certainly not as good as 3M thinsulate...but that is obvious because the thickness. I have also seen sound deadener and ensolite and sound deadener sandwich if you wanted to go nuts in deadening like on your floor, but that is A LOT of material and really for spl or hot rod applications with super loud exhaust systems.
 

slamit

www.cacampervan.com
Got some windows added, I like the bigger ones in back vs the smaller pill ones you often see. I like a view and better visibility the medium windows add. On this build I did only one swap for the front drivers side to keep costs down and the larger rear windows provide a lot of ventilation and this keeps costs a bit down.

I also been working on adding rear speakers to the factory radio, this as it turns out will not be very easy nor cheap it looks like and is complicated with the new electronics. More on that as I figure it out. So far its been a fair amount of money and time...with no solution yet. Going to a very high end audio shop that will figure out a solution I am sure with out messing up the factory electronic system. I really don't want to mess with the factory ECU for the radio and steering wheel controls. Its nothing like a regular radio.

side window.jpg

crl vented.jpg

rear deck plug ins.jpg

rear deck plug2.jpg
 
Last edited:

slamit

www.cacampervan.com
Finally some eye candy 275/70/17 BFG Arsenal wheels. These do not fit on this van easily, modification to the front wheel well and spare tire carrier are needed to get these to fit unlike the older vans where these just bolted on. I did not want the tire off the back door...wanted to keep that free for a ladder, box, or bike carrier addition and did not want the tire in the way as well even though it would look cool. Function over looks in this case.
nerf step side.jpg

new tires1.jpg

new tires3.jpg

new tires2.jpg

spare tire.jpg
 

slamit

www.cacampervan.com
Also finally got the Adventure Wagon bed...super back ordered, sent wrong parts as well, but wanted the "older" style of wall rails. The V2 they have will be nice if you use their kit and in theory much easier to DIY install, not so great if you don't want a huge orange bracket going up the side of your van with a stock crew interior or if you have a passenger van. They are really pushing customers and their installers to buy/push their entire interior, they are not to keen on using their parts ala carte and working with a stock interior. I would rather take the $8k+ savings and use the stock interior and put that towards power, solar, heater, swivel parts...again function over looks. 8k buys a lot of parts and I don't need an interweave interior otherwise I would make my own for a lot less. The key to building a smart priced campervan is to keep costs in check, even this build will be expensive in the end with all the do dads and eye candy stuff, but it will function similar to much more costly builds that would easily be 10-15k more and this van will be fully modular for a family. Here is the rear quarter panel being fabricated; the only panel needed to be added in this van. You will be surprised how easy it is to dent this area up, so paneling it soon is strongly advised. Very tricky to finish around these larger medium sized slider windows, but in the end it will be a clean look, L track throughout van to come as well. The major core build of this van is getting closer.

I just have the smaller ones in back to be made then I can finish mounting the L track for Mule bag storage. Getting closer to finishing the "core" part of this build.

rear quarter panel`.jpg

rear quarter panel2.jpg
 

slamit

www.cacampervan.com
Finished wall panels and L track mounted for the Mule bags. The upper beams on a sprinter are not designed to take weight...so you ideally want to keep this in mind when hanging things from them, in some cases they can even bend. In this case the Mule bags are very light weight and the load is spread out between 4-8 feet through several cross beams, a few hundred pounds at the maximum for two bags over 8 feet so they are ideal in this regards. Unlike a cabinet the bags are a fraction of the weight of a wood cabinet and hold a lot more. Campo bags as well are a great alternative. The L track mounted in this van from a capacity standpoint can easily handle 3 times that load no problem so I am really comfortable with this set up and is super functional.

rear view L Track.jpg
 
Last edited:
For your Moab bed, did you use their bracing for behind the wall panels or did you make your own? How do you like how the bed functions?
 

slamit

www.cacampervan.com
For your Moab bed, did you use their bracing for behind the wall panels or did you make your own? How do you like how the bed functions?
Yes I use their system on this particular bed. It would not be however difficult to make your own if you can weld, however they will be discontinuing this version soon from my understanding. By building the van the way I did using the EXISTING interior you save $9,000 and that is if you paid a professional to do do all the work. Its not the same thing as their interior exactly and certainly not the same look, but my customers whom already have interiors and limited budgets take this 9k and it pays for swivels, table, heater, aux battery, solar...thats a huge difference in functionality. Their interior is an ok solution for a DIYer or a Cargo Van if you want that look and you put it in yourself and lack experience or tools.

For an adjustable bed its one of the better ones, however if you don't need that there are a lot of other alternatives that are a lot less money for sure. I did a separate review on the bed itself a long time ago when I was an official installer. (no longer am, but that's another story) I used this bed because likely a family will buy this van and wanted to give an option to adjust bed for different levels of sleeping. I have done similar beds with a decked system below works really well for families with gear. In my personal vans I used a fixed bed with cubbies - way more practical and certainly less expensive. There is no perfect solution every set up has +/-'s and I have done them all.
 

slamit

www.cacampervan.com
More progress getting to the more exciting stuff. I always say its what you don't see is all the hard work, time, and money. Upper storage bags are put in and the MOAB bed. I did not use a kit for the upper and side L track in the existing factory headliner as mentioned to save money and the bags don't fit perfectly as they are not designed for a headliner. (being super picky here, they actually work really well, I was one of the very first to do this) I also got around to finally getting the awning brackets in as well. Rear speakers are functioning as well without interfering with factory ECU...$1600 later. (not easy or cheap, had to go to a specialist to figure it out correctly)

I still am waiting to get the production run of the Lagun adaptor mounts so I have a front seating/dining area like I have done on other vans. This is the feature my family uses the most in our vans. I will also likely go over how to add a sink, kitchette easily as well in this build. Still thinking about some other eye candy stuff as well. Not going to put a Decked system in this van as the future owner may want or not want it, and they are not cheap. I would do this for sure if I was sleeping 4. Most of of your gear can be stored overhead and under the lower sleeping area.

A few more posts and summary of this build will be wrapped up in the next few weeks. This van only has 600 miles on it...all from picking up parts, I haven't even took it out yet on anything fun other than picking up parts!

Keeping rough track so far I have well over 20k in parts alone and about 150 hours into this van so far. If you added a kitchenette/sink this build does what a lot of builds do that are well over this amount and this includes the eye candy items as well. Adding a kitchenette/Sink and a porta potty this van will do what way more expensive builds do but be modular as well. Everything is removable in this van.

rearbags6.jpg

rearbags5.jpg

rear view L Track.jpg

rear bags1.jpg

awning.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Thanks
Reactions: sms

window2time

New member
I love your build so far. It is simple, logical and efficient.

I want to install Mule Bags in the 144 4X4 Crew that I have on order but I am definitely not going with with the Adwag conversion kit. My van will be a simple Moto Van with no real build-out but those bags would be super helpful for storing lightweight riding gear (jerseys, pants, helmet, etc.)

What is the best way to ensure I locate the L-track in exactly the right spot for the Mule Bags? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks


More progress getting to the more exciting stuff. I always say its what you don't see is all the hard work, time, and money. Upper storage bags are put in and the MOAB bed. I did not use a kit for the upper and side L track in the existing factory headliner as mentioned to save money and the bags don't fit perfectly as they are not designed for a headliner. (being super picky here, they actually work really well, I was one of the very first to do this) I also got around to finally getting the awning brackets in as well. Rear speakers are functioning as well without interfering with factory ECU...$1600 later. (not easy or cheap, had to go to a specialist to figure it out correctly)

I still am waiting to get the production run of the Lagun adaptor mounts so I have a front seating/dining area like I have done on other vans. This is the feature my family uses the most in our vans. I will also likely go over how to add a sink, kitchette easily as well in this build. Still thinking about some other eye candy stuff as well. Not going to put a Decked system in this van as the future owner may want or not want it, and they are not cheap. I would do this for sure if I was sleeping 4. Most of of your gear can be stored overhead and under the lower sleeping area.

A few more posts and summary of this build will be wrapped up in the next few weeks. This van only has 600 miles on it...all from picking up parts, I haven't even took it out yet on anything fun other than picking up parts!

Keeping rough track so far I have well over 20k in parts alone and about 150 hours into this van so far. If you added a kitchenette/sink this build does what a lot of builds do that are well over this amount and this includes the eye candy items as well. Adding a kitchenette/Sink and a porta potty this van will do what way more expensive builds do but be modular as well. Everything is removable in this van.

View attachment 123497

View attachment 123498

View attachment 123499

View attachment 123500

View attachment 123501
 

slamit

www.cacampervan.com
I love your build so far. It is simple, logical and efficient.

I want to install Mule Bags in the 144 4X4 Crew that I have on order but I am definitely not going with with the Adwag conversion kit. My van will be a simple Moto Van with no real build-out but those bags would be super helpful for storing lightweight riding gear (jerseys, pants, helmet, etc.)

What is the best way to ensure I locate the L-track in exactly the right spot for the Mule Bags? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Best way is to mock them up in your van, people pay me to do this so I don't go into specifics but easiest way...put L track on the bags...mark where it should go by holding the bag up, then do appropriate reinforcement that you feel good with. This is covered to some extent in another thread. This is how I did the very first ones; mocked it up, marked it, then mounted the L track. I have seen lots of ways to do this. None of the L track I mount is directly for the most part mounted into van sheet metal as you have gaps from headliner to van. Not hard to figure out if you are building your own van.
 

ptfarmer

New member
I am just starting a similar build on a 2016 passenger van. the only question i have is on the wiring do you protect it in a sleeve or just fasten with ties as needed. There are a lot of sharp edges the can attack wiring. Thanks for the good writeup as ours will be a weekend van that will serve dual or triple uses, and funds are limited so this helps us a lot.
 

slamit

www.cacampervan.com
I am just starting a similar build on a 2016 passenger van. the only question i have is on the wiring do you protect it in a sleeve or just fasten with ties as needed. There are a lot of sharp edges the can attack wiring. Thanks for the good writeup as ours will be a weekend van that will serve dual or triple uses, and funds are limited so this helps us a lot.
I always run loom for that reason or through anything sharp or when going through a firewall or metal wall I use a plastic gland or at minimum use a rubber grommet is best practice. You don't need to use loom to run along a wall in general with no sharp edges; but I do as it makes everything tight and tidy. You can also wrap the wires like OEM wire runs, this works similar to loom if not dealing with any sharp edges. Common sense as they say. When I drop a line down from above to lower cavity I use loom to protect the wire for this reason as it goes past a few sharp edges...wire without that could be compromised and short out. Which is also why you fuse everything properly which is certainly done on any of my builds.
 

slamit

www.cacampervan.com
Focus of my type of builds is to be really modular, but functional in particular for families. Most builds are very focused on full live in campers, but not really the weekender style that 90% of the time it's a family gear hauler most of the time with weekend camping. The van IS the second car. Here we have a set up with two seat captains type chairs that mount in stock OEM positions, crash DOT approved, can be moved around easily, and leave room for additional sleeping area, add a modular self contained sink or kitchenette that can be removed in minutes.



20195.jpg

20194.jpg

20193.jpg

20192.jpg

20191.jpg
 

slamit

www.cacampervan.com
More config pics-this stuff is all DIY...no special fabrication needed, just a 12v power source and seat mounts. I moved this configuration around in under 5 minutes.

save as seat7.jpg

seat6.jpg

seat8.jpg

seat9.jpg

seat11.jpg
 
Last edited:

Top Bottom