Old Blue's Blog - Projects

Projects

Individual project pages coming soon.

Electrical

Done:

  • Replace burned out tail light (Feb. '10)
  • Reroute fog/driving light wires (Feb. '10)
  • Replace head unit with Kenwood that has AUX input (Mar. '10); replaced with a Sony (Nov. '12)
  • Repair wire in engine bay (Mar. '10)
  • Install headlight relays (Apr. '10)
  • Replace distributor cap, rotor and plug wires (Apr. '10)
  • Replace ugly brown electric outlet with white one (Mar. '11)
  • Replace dead aux. starter battery with deep cycle battery (Apr. '11; replaced again Jan. '12)
  • Replace burned-up kill switch wires and kill switch (Oct. '11)
  • Replace main ground cables, clean all ground connections, clean alternator connections (Oct. '11)
  • Third brake light moved (Mar. '12)
  • Replace ignition switch (Dec. '12)
  • Repair A/C (compressor, leak) (May '13)
  • Replace radio with no-CD BOSS (Feb. '14); replaced multiple times since then - current radio: JVC
  • Replace park-neutral switch (Apr. '14)
  • Replace starter (hi-torque version) and coil (May '15)
  • Speaker replacement (2016)

Mechanical

Done:

  • Replace air filter (Mar. '10)
  • Reconnect vacuum line for evap emissions (Mar. '10)
  • Replace gas cap seal (Apr. '10)
  • Fix coolant leak at a flange (May '10)
  • Replace engine oil cooler (May '10)
  • Replace rear brakes (May '10)
  • Replace fuel filter (May '10)
  • Replace differential pan gasket (Sept. '10)
  • Add solar charger (Mar. '11)
  • Replace V-belts (Apr. '11)
  • A/C recharged (Apr. '11)
  • Fix odometer (Apr. '11)
  • Replace front brake rotors & pads, new brake fluid (May '11)
  • Clean ISV (Oct. '11)
  • Replace P/S fluid reservoir (Dec. '11)
  • Replace coolant expansion tank & related hoses (Dec. '11)
  • Replace coolant hose flange on head (Dec. '11)
  • Replace fuel pressure regulator (Dec. '11)
  • Speedometer cable replaced (Oct. '12)
  • Remove leaking rear heater (Jan. '13)
  • Replace steering/suspension bushings (Summer '13)
  • Replace coolant expansion tank and level sensor (Apr. '14)
  • Install GoWesty Bigger Brake Kit (Jun. '14)
  • Install auto trans air cooler (Oct. '14)
  • Replace water pump & coolant hoses (Oct. '14)
  • Replace fuel hoses, injector seals, fuel rails (with Van Cafe metal versions), right inner CV boot, repack all CV's, replace left rear wheel bearings (Jun. '15)
  • Replace wheel center caps, replace rear shocks with Bilstein Sports (Jul. '15)
  • Fuel tank and evap reseal (Jul. '15)
  • Replace cat converter, muffler, OXS and tail pipe (Oct. '19)
  • Replace coolant pipes, distribution tower (Oct. '19)
  • Install GoWesty rear disc brake kit (March 2021)

To Do:

  • Fix "ticking" speedo cable and busted odometer
  • Install engine with more horsepower

Interior

Done:

  • Make black-out window covers (Feb. '10)
  • Clean the interior, top to bottom (Feb. '10)
  • Fix driver's swivel (Feb. '10)
  • Make new skylight screen and cover; replace Velcro (Feb. '10)
  • Lube door locks, handles and tracks (Feb. '10)
  • Replace faucet (Apr. '10)
  • Replace water tank pump (Apr. '10)
  • Replace tank-to-faucet hose (Apr. '10)
  • Patch small holes in tent (Apr. '10)
  • Make sliding door screen (Apr. '10)
  • Replace hatch struts (May '10)
  • Replace incandescent bulbs with LEDs (May '10)
  • Make new curtains w/ thermal blackout backings (Aug. '10)
  • Make metal frame for new roof vent screen (Aug. '10; redone Mar. '11)
  • Fix vent window latches (Sep. '10)
  • Fix driver's door window regulator (Sept. '10)
  • Tighten passenger door handle (Sept. '10)
  • Install Van Cafe rubber mat set (Sept. '10)
  • Clean driver's door panel & install insulation inside door (Sept. '10)
  • Repair curtain track (Sept. '10; Fall '23)
  • Replace faucet, round 2 - this time a Shurflo (Apr. '11)
  • Remove the A/C plenum (summer '11)
  • Fix bent e-brake lever (Jan. '12)
  • Make upper bed extension (Apr. '12)
  • Install LEDs into kitchen (Nov. '12)
  • Replace skylight cover & knob (Nov. '12)
  • Headrest pillows installed (May ‘13)
  • Stove faceplate polished (Nov. ‘13)
  • Shifter console removed and cleaned; lower dash face plate removed and cleaned; center "hump" cleaned and insulated (Apr. '14)
  • New skylight cover made/installed (2016)
  • Recaro front seats installed (Fall 2017)
  • Install bypass valve to heater core (Oct. '19)

To Do List:

  • Refurb table supports

Exterior

Done:

  • Buy car cover (Feb. '10)
  • Seal skylight bolts (2 leaking) (Feb. '10)
  • Replace all 3 missing wiper caps (Feb. '10)
  • Clean and alter bra (made cutouts for driving/fog lights) (Feb. '10)
  • Replace the tires (Mar. '10)
  • Replace 1 upper grille pin (Apr. '10); all replaced in 2023
  • Remove haze from headlights (Apr. '10); headlights replaced with E-codes in 2021
  • Paint the spoiler (Apr. '10)
  • Install GoWesty trailer hitch (Apr. '10)
  • Clean the engine, trans, inside of wheels, entire undercarriage (Apr. '10)
  • De-oxidize and buff the pop-top (Apr. '10; redone Mar. '11)
  • Polish and wax the paint (Apr. '10)
  • Make rain fly (June '10)
  • Order & apply touch-up paint (summer '11)
  • Replace hook-up gaskets (Aug. '11)
  • Replace water tank fill hose (Aug. '11)
  • Refurb the badges (Dec. '11)
  • Polish the door handles (Dec. '11)
  • Replace skylight (May '12)
  • Replace original canvas tent w/ 3-window acrylic (May '12)
  • Penetrol the roof (May '13)
  • Replace propane tank & mud flap (June '13)
  • Replace tires (Feb. '14)
  • Refurb bumpers (Sep. '15); bracket mount repaired on rear bumper & both bumpers re-painted in January 2023
  • Replace door handle gaskets (2023)

To Do:

  • Repair small rust spots
  • Rehab the sliding door bearings/tracks

Updated: 1-Jan-2024