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Oh my.  
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Jul 9, 2021 12:24
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| # ¿ May 22, 2024 11:02 |
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Oh, I reg'd a new account - my old one has a lovely rap sheet from ill-advised youthful concern trolling and also a username I really don't find very appropriate anymore.
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Jul 11, 2021 16:30
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Just finished reworking the gas installation. You may recall I had a huge gas locker in the back, which I had to remove during the moisture trap spillage incident. While it was out I opted to move to a smaller gas locker in the front area for the sake of convenience. Spent 2 evenings working in a tiny cupboard to fit the locker right at the back. To give you an idea of the space the locker is 30cm*30cm,and at times I need both arms and my head in there. I have bruises.  And buttoned back up it actually looks pretty well executed.  Gas capacity is reduced from 13kg to 3.9kg (or 4.5kg if I use butane), so still plenty and I can carry a spare cylinder if needs be.
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Jul 13, 2021 21:49
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Excuse the double post, but I'm thinking the van would look better with black wheel centre caps rather than grey. Anyone have an opnion?
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Jul 14, 2021 10:50
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As much as fluorescent centre caps is tempting I think I'll go with black.
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Jul 16, 2021 10:04
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Not a very interesting post but I finished redoing the water system. Swappable 25 litre jugs instead of a fixed tank. 0.5 micron filter installed but leaking a little, I think the super cheap brass fittings I bought are the issue so gonna swap those out this week. 
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Jul 19, 2021 19:11
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Yeah that's a bulkhead fitting with a barb either side, then a length of hose in the tank. It's set up so I can loosen the nut on the fitting and then undo the jug lid without twisting up the hoses.  e; worth noting that I think this hose may be leaching plastic taste into the water. I'm going to replace it with a section that's the same inside and our rather than a lined piece like this. CaptainTofu fucked around with this message at 19:10 on Jul 20, 2021 |
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Jul 20, 2021 18:48
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Today I fitted clear indicator lenses on the front and also reversed it into a hedge and scuffed the top of one of the back doors. In summary it has been a day of contrasts.  I think that unless there are any exciting developments with the van I'll probably leave the thread there for now. I mostly wanted to share the final paint and aesthetic with folks. We're using the van pretty much every weekend at the moment and have a 2 week trip planned for September, and next year is looking good for going full dirtbag for a while. I really appreciate all the advice, encouragement and criticism in the thread that has helped guide and push me along with this project. You folks are great.
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Jul 22, 2021 19:43
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Hello again friends. A lot has happened since I last updated this thread. I came back to reread it this week while looking for a photo of how something was put together and realised that I think the thread warrants one final van/travel/life update. There have been some really significant, positive changes in my life since I was last active in the thread. My former long term partner and I went our separate ways, I came out as queer and I got diagnosed with a whole ton of ADHD. When I was building the van I was, in hindsight, pretty far down a rut that was making me quite unhappy, and building the van was a form of optimistic escapism from that situation. I have now actually escaped it, and life is chaotic, undirected and, above all, good. Since then me and the van have had some seriously good and bad moments, so here's a big old photo dump of the high and lowlights. September last year I drove around the north coast of Scotland for 10 days or so. I saw the northern lights  Parked in some cool places     Went to a punk festival and had park hangs with friends  My dad moved back to France from the US so we went on a train (yes that is my finger in shot)  Got lost in the fog on top of a mountain in the Pyrenees  Went offroading  Intermission for buying a cool new car  Went climbing  Went climbing again this time in Font and immediately broke down (shout out to the dodgy as gently caress back alley garage in small town France who fixed it in 24 hours)  Added my favourite piece of art (for the benefit of any folk punk fans this is a print from the actual original wood block that inspired the song)  Hung out with friends some more  Got used as a communal kitchen  Proved you really don't need a 50 grand 4x4 sprinter  Broke again on another trip to France  Drove through the worst rain I've ever seen https://i.imgur.com/Y0ZyGTv.mp4 Took my new partner on their first hashtag vanlife trip. They think my van is cool, also they are cute as heck   Broke again. In France, again. This was yesterday during a 10 hour drive between Capbreton and Calais on my way home from a trip. Of course it was raining (Sound required - wiper motors aren't meant to make this noise) https://i.imgur.com/l4KuNfL.mp4 There were times during this build that I was struggling more than I was able to admit to myself or anyone else. There were days that I would go out to the van and just kind of sit there not doing anything but wishing for a different life. The encouragement, advice and criticisms given in this thread all helped me to get out and work on the van, have a positive outlet during a not very positive time of my life, and in turn to be where I am now. I appreciate and value all of you, and if anyone reading this is having a hard time please remember that you are important, your thoughts and emotions are valid, and that one day you will be in a better place. Cheers folks. 
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Oct 3, 2022 21:23
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| # ¿ May 22, 2024 11:02 |
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I solved the problem by, to date, not making GBS threads in my van ever. Also thanks for the kind words everyone. Imagine any other car forum being as supportive and nice as AI.
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Oct 5, 2022 14:34
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