What Did You Do for Your Van Today?

[Jessey Dearing]

Been wanting to turn my rear ladder into a ski carrier. Bought some used Yakima ski/snowboard clamps, and a pack of these stage lighting pipe clamps (these would probably be pretty handy for all kinds of things). No more wet skis in the van. Bungee helps keep the one ski on while placing the other. I had to be strategic about where to place the ski clamps so that the bindings didn't hit the steps of the ladder.



The clamp:

 

[natematos]

Been wanting to turn my rear ladder into a ski carrier.

Funny enough, this is just about exactly what Terzo (maker of your ladder) did on their promo van:

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

I'm sure out there somewhere are Terzo branded little clamps for just this thing.[/QUOTE]

 

[Jessey Dearing]

I was trying to find those and it looks like the company croooober (ridiculous name) gets them occasionally but was hard to get info on if they fit my ladder. Looks like they sell them for $30 plus $175 shipping. Decided to make my own for about $100. Wish Team Terzo was still around.

 

[natematos]

Crooober's shipping skews much higher than it should. But, these are a big box. Specs I can find show the racks themselves are 2' x 8" or so. Add some extra padding for the box and you've got some big shipping to deal with.

 

[erroniousgosh]

That's funny, I've been eyeing my laddder thinking about how to attach a whitewater kayak to it... Interesting.

 

[Jessey Dearing]

@natematos I don't think the price is that bad and would have order one from them if they had it in stock, but didn't want to wait forever for one to show up in stock. I did come across this image that seems to indicate the JA32 model is for the high roof terzo ladder. But the bottom may also indicate the JX34, JX35 would work, but I have no idea what any of it says.



@erroniousgosh those clamps hold 220 pounds each, I bet you could figure something out for the whitewater kayak

 

[natematos]

Yeah I'm trying to track down a few sets currently and see if I can't bring them over. I imagine the high/low roof models would be the same, though the text reads:

Mitsubishi
Delica Low Roof
JX34
Delica High Roof
JX35 (can't read this parenthetical)

Wonder what the difference is.

 

[Nenw]

Got me a pack of these!

 

[Morgonzo]

Finally fitted the new turbo! Exhaust manifold and down-pipe are officially in the van also did an oil and filter change, won’t be long now before I can bring it back to life.

 

[Noogie]

I added a CB radio the other day. Easy install and a nice little addition—especially for long hours on the / off the road.

 

[erroniousgosh]

After JX35, the parenthetical says Photograph, meaning that is the version that is in the photograph...

Yeah I'm trying to track down a few sets currently and see if I can't bring them over. I imagine the high/low roof models would be the same, though the text reads:

Mitsubishi
Delica Low Roof
JX34
Delica High Roof
JX35 (can't read this parenthetical)

Wonder what the difference is.

 

[fermiench]

 

[natematos]

I was trying to find those and it looks like the company croooober (ridiculous name) gets them occasionally but was hard to get info on if they fit my ladder. Looks like they sell them for $30 plus $175 shipping. Decided to make my own for about $100. Wish Team Terzo was still around.

Was able to pick up an in-box set for $15. Shipping is $110. So quite a bit cheaper than Crooober. But it's depending on auction prices.

 

[Jessey Dearing]

Was able to pick up an in-box set for $15. Shipping is $110. So quite a bit cheaper than Crooober. But it's depending on auction prices.

Can't wait to see them! Also curious if your door stays up with them on (not the skis just the clamps) once you get it installed? The hatch just barely stays up and I have new struts and it actually fell down when I was up at the pass over the weekend in the 20 degree temp.

 

[erroniousgosh]

I was tired of getting bopped in the head so I put new struts on when I got the van this past summer. It's much better.
I have a ladder on the back of mine, and if it's really cold (today was 15!) it stays open if the rear hatch is fully extended.

 

[natematos]

The hatch just barely stays up and I have new struts and it actually fell down when I was up at the pass over the weekend in the 20 degree temp.

Need to replace my struts. They were weak without the ladder, don't work at all with it.

 

[jeffery]

Dropped in the Sony XAV-AX100. It's a real nice unit and I appreciate those who recommended it. While the cassette held a certain nostalgia for an '80s child like me, the convenience of Apple Car Play is amazing! My dream was to figure a way to put a pop out cup holder underneath. However, I could not find enough specs and details to buy one with confidence, since they are usually OEM and pretty pricey.

Bought a satin aluminum door kick plate at Home Depot for $15 and made a bezel using my cut off wheel and lots of filing.

 

[Nenw]

With a touch screen, how is the viewing angle when driving?

 

[Nenw]

Finally, the weather has been nice enough to get into this.

Had the leaky mater cylinder that I rebuilt and after a few months I am happy to report it 100% is not leaking. For a while there was quite a bit residual brake fluid caught up in the brake booster. Also replaced my windshield sprayers and gaskets and no more leaks to report there. With dry floors confirmed through over 3 months of snow and PNW rain I finally got to putting the floor back together.

First I cleaned all the rust that accumulated at the drivers feet. Sprayed it down with rust reformer then proceeded to line the floor with Noico 80mil sound deadener, followed by Noico 10mil closed cell foam (sound and heat insulation) and then the carpeting.

It sounds a little quitter but I think that's just my brain trying to not make me feel bad for spending the first true amazing spring sunday inside the cabin of the van. I measured some highway decibel levels prior to the work and will measure again this week.

I only did the floor and up the front of the engine compartment. I will likely do under the seats and behind the front seats to just try to enclose the engine as much as possible. I also removed the factory noise stuff on the front of the engine as it was chipping and not really adhering to the body anymore.

 

[jpmustblaze]

Nice work sir!