2018 Sprinter 144" 4x4....take 2

SOLBRTs

Member
well, emergency requires action.
Panama city needs us, so we shall rise to the call of action!
Packing up to go help the cajun navy and crowdsource rescue organization and start to the east of town and work in doing welfare checks, and clearing debris for people trapped. they have a killer ticket and organizational structure, so pretty confident we can move quickly.

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

all the gear laid out and checked in case i have ot move stuff

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Bedslide putting in work


I’m sure a lot of folks will be happy to see you. Good luck!
 

grantwilson

FreedomVanGo
Well, place is super duper trashed. Like as bad as africa trashed.
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Helped clear out pathway blocking debris for a few people, driveways, trees blocking streets. Pretty sure both of our winch lines are toast, Mine has some pretty slick spots in it now. But worth it i think.
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
IMG_9554 by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Saw a revel, insurance adjuster guy
IMG_9552 by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Saw this stupid thing
IMG_9550 by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

And got to hang out with my good friend Rob who was a good sport and came with me (yes thats my old outback). Never work alone!
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
 

grantwilson

FreedomVanGo
Halrighty.

Everything is all back together. I wanted to do one last coat of white on the drawers since they werent perfect, but you know what...I'm ok with this for now.
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Over the weekend, I went back up west to Panama City since it was the last open weekend i had. Cleared a bunch of trees and a ton of supply deliveries, handed out 200 plates of food, and delivered a load of insulin. All and all, productive
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Cut this big ass tree down with a lil Stihl MS180C. did a fantastic job. Really need to step up to the next size motor tho
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
This tree was on an elderly couples' well pump/pressure tank. We shored it up, trimmed it down, then used the winch to pull it over away from the tank, then cut the trunk to let it stay in place. Effective use of recovery gear!
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
relief-7 by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
relief-8 by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
relief by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

And to finish out the weekend....beach time! (ok just gratuitous glamour shots)
beach by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
beach-12 by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
beach-10 by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
beach-5 by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
 

grantwilson

FreedomVanGo
Lotsa fun!
With overland expo east coming up. I have been doing a TON of last minute things.
Yesterday and today:
Installed the final version rack, panels, rear lightbar, and wired it all up (still waiting on frontlightbar mount to be powdered. should be done monday)
Made bracket for hitch plug
Trimmed the rear and sides of the van interior covering gaps
Installed b pillar trims
Cleaned all the ceiling and cabinets
Installed rear add a leaf kit and from sumo springs
Fabricated a stainless grab handle
Fabricated a mount for the rear door for the Kinsman shower
Installed said shower


tomorrow I have to install the Espar D2 heater, so Im not cold at expo. Lord knows its not overlanding if you are cold.

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
 

downunder

Active member
Hi there Grant,
Can you tell me a bit about your awning please? Looks different to the version on your last van build as well?
Is the new one manual or electric, brand and model number?
Does it have or require support legs (none shown on your beach glamour shot), and is it an overall improvement in any way or form compared to your last one?
Regards
 

grantwilson

FreedomVanGo
Hi there Grant,
Can you tell me a bit about your awning please? Looks different to the version on your last van build as well?
Is the new one manual or electric, brand and model number?
Does it have or require support legs (none shown on your beach glamour shot), and is it an overall improvement in any way or form compared to your last one?
Regards
Dometic 9500 electric!

Its leagues better. good to about 20mph, and no legs. no winding so good to go
 
Okay, I have to ask now - are those welds you've shown TIG or with the SpoolGun??? If TIG, impressive - if SpoolGun, gah dang wizard.
 

grantwilson

FreedomVanGo
OK!
(i say that alot i know)
BIGger things in the world are in the works.
catching up from a week or two ago to now:
Installed the Espar D2 from Heatso.com (use code sprincentvango for something off there)
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

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loaded and stickered up
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met up with some bros for pre camping festivities
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literally **** the cold
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Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Got back and busted out half a dozen Kinsmen Shower mounts for sprinters. If they sell, sweet, if not, it was good practice. win WIn!
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Then decided i wanted to make a flag pole mount
So i did
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Concept and execution is perfect. However, the appearance isn't....elegant. so I will readdress it and see. Using this week to set up the garage fab shop, which leads me to!
Screen Shot 2018-11-17 at 9.16.41 PM by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Bit the bullet and decided to invest a large chunk of money into my home shop. This plus a large order of other gear (bandsaw, sander, grinders, other tools etc) should be here wednesday
And that brings me back to current!
This weekend we are at the Florida Tiny House festival hanging out with a bunch of other van peoples!
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
 

radair603

Member
Nice pics. Who makes the moto rack you’re using? And I apologize for my laziness but what front bumper receiver hitch do you have? Thanks
 

grantwilson

FreedomVanGo
How do u like ur a AIMS inverter?...what size is it?....people seem to hate on them.

Bob
I dont use Aims. That was on a customer build. I wouldn't use them personally


Progress on the home shop is making way! I have most of the garage cleaned out from junk, got the welder and cart put together
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Changed out my plug i had put in when i bought the house, to the correct one for the welder!
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

(installed one is right)
Then the tool cart came in, this will house my drill press and sanding station. Everything has to be on wheels in such a small space so i can actually use the space.
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

And I also got about 3/4 of the way done with my welding table!
2x2x2/16 base

3/8 plate top

4x6 size
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Casters will be installed today, and the top dropped on as well. Then its home to the shop.
Today and tomorrow I hope to have most everything done, and start actually setting the garage up and maybe make something.
I got argon for the tig, an extension cord that will be here friday that will allow me to use the welder in the driveway if i had to as well. Slowly but surely I am working my way to independence from the main shop at work when they have larger projects that take up the work space
 
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