Truck – Wabi-sabi Overland

Truck Update 12/1/19

Posted on December 1, 2019November 23, 2019 by Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

Well, you might not be hearing from us for a little while as we regroup a bit. We sold the truck to a great experienced overland couple and they came and picked it up. You can follow along on their adventures @searchandrec on Instagram.

We had a lot of mixed emotions as they drove away. It’s strange seeing all of our hard work leave us, but we hope they enjoy the truck as much as we have and they certainly have some cool adventures planned.

We are regrouping a bit for the moment and doing a lot of things on the home front. We have some crazy future ideas, so stay tuned. It will likely be quiet here for the next few months.

Truck Update 4/28/19

Posted on April 28, 2019May 4, 2019 by Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

Our list of truck work from this past week seemed small to us when we typed it up. There has been a lot going on getting ready for our upcoming trip(s). It is impressive how all the small details take time (getting new keys made, mail forwarding considerations, doctor’s appointments, weeding the yard, insurance updates, etc.). We are planning to do several local test trips to make sure everything is working well, and we were able to do the first test trip this week. It went really well and we identified some changes that we wanted to make for small item storage and provisioning.

First Night Out

Also this week, Yvonne tested out her sewing machine on the inverter. Long story short, her sewing machine didn’t like inverter power and we ended up trying 4 different inverters and 4 different sewing machines. It turns out that some sewing machines are just incredibly picky about power quality, even from a high quality, high capacity pure sine wave inverter. The good news is that we now have a nice Victron pure sine wave inverter and Yvonne has a new “travel” sewing machine that is perfectly happy running off of the Victron inverter. All good news as we near the home stretch of preparations.

New Victron Pure Sine Wave Inverter

Testing New Sewing Machine

Took truck on short road trip
Inspected truck after trip
- No leaks, everything looked good
Packed under subframe storage boxes
Started designing bathroom door
Purchased spare fluids for truck
Installed new Victron inverter
Installed cargo tiedown straps in underbed storage area
Started testing sewing machine ergonomics and function
Started fabricating bathroom door
Finished layout of bathroom door
Added pressure relief valve to electric air compressor manifold
Lots of trip preparation and logistics planning/organizing
Final bonded bathroom door
First test trip
Laid out all mounting holes on door
Applied first coat of paint on door
Purchased and installed additional containers for provisioning and organization
Moved in clothing
Received National Parks pass
Cut and urethane sealed oak bathroom door trim
Final bonded and assembled bathroom door
Installed bathroom door with mirror, waste basket, door handle, closing spring and towel bars

Took truck on short road trip (grocery store pit stop)

Took truck on short road trip

Packed under subframe storage boxes

Added pressure relief valve to electric air compressor manifold

Cooking dinner during first test trip

Started fabricating bathroom door

Finished layout of bathroom door

Laid out all mounting holes on door

Final bonded and assembled bathroom door

Installed bathroom door with mirror, waste basket, door handle, closing spring and towel bars

Truck Update 4/21/19

Posted on April 21, 2019May 4, 2019 by Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

Started trip route planning
Replaced cabinet hinge pins with small stainless steel bolts and lock nuts
Added foam shock cushion to air heater fuel pump mount
Added footman’s loops and Velcro straps to secure kitchen cabinet doors
Modified/improved engine pre-heater switch mounting in truck cab
Turned off axle fording air supply (turned off air regulator)
Researched:
- Other locking fuel tank cap options
- Air heater ducting insulation
- Speedometer upgrade options
- Entry ladder modifications and storing options
- Electric air compressor wiring modification
- Engine pre-heater use procedure
Bonded and cut foam for Fantastic Vent plug
Fabricated pour spout for gallon alcohol cans (for stove fuel)
Organized spare parts, extra material, and provisioning
Researched electronic maps for route planning
Received 2019 Milepost Alaska trip planning book
Corresponded with electronic speedometer company
Ordered programmable electronic speedometer and sending unit
Filled, pressurized, and tested fresh water system
Filled and test drained gray water tank system
Rewired inside of ARB air compressor
Ordered and received material for new speedometer bezel
Ordered, received, and installed food grade rubber hose for faucet to sink
Received and installed new locking fuel cap
Purchase pneumatic components for air compressor installation
Purchased hose to drain gray water tank
Received heater duct insulation
Installed heater duct insulation
Fabricated rubber compressor mount pad
Installed electric air compressor
Plumbed air compressor into truck pneumatic system
Started routing air compressor wiring
Started laying out new folding ladder design
Ordered and received components for auxiliary air take-off system
Purchased wheels for new folding ladder base
Removed and cleaned section of forward gladhand stainless steel line from truck pneumatic system
Added regulated air take-off from high pressure side of truck pneumatic system
Removed old speedometer and speedometer calibration gearbox from transmission
Cleaned up speedometer calibration gearbox
Cut up (newly purchased) folding ladder to make parts for new folding habitat ladder
Machined new Delrin bezel for fitting new speedometer in old dash panel hole
Started bolting new habitat ladder together
Fabricated compression plugs for inside tubes of new ladder assembly
Finished wiring electric air compressor
Tested electric air compressor and filled truck tanks with engine turned off
Started fabricating ladder wheel mounts
Received new programmable electronic speedometer
Wired lights for new speedometer
Fabricated wiring harness for new speedometer
Fabricated steel upper mounting tabs for new ladder
Modified existing habitat ladder mount to accommodate old and new ladders
Re-installed ladder mount on habitat sub-frame
TIG welded new ladder mounting bar assembly
Match drilled pit-pin holes in new ladder mounting bar assembly
Sand blasted and painted new ladder mounting bar assembly
Wired and installed speedometer
Finished fabricating ladder wheel mounts
Sewed cloth cover for Fantastic vent fan plug
Received hall effect sending unit for speedometer
Sewed drawstring bag for portable propane stove regulator
Sewed drawstring bag for portable propane stove
Started designing transmission mount for speedometer sending unit
Started planning local test trips
Started populating truck with provisioning goods
Finished fabricating new folding entry ladder (new folding ladder also doubles as a step ladder)
Added footman’s loops under bed for securing cargo
Tested stowing and setting up sewing machine and OLFA cutting mat
Tested invertors and decided to purchase pure sine wave invertor
Tested hall effect sensor proximity range
Fabricated hall effect sensor mount for speedometer sending unit
Bench assembled and tested hall effect sensor assembly for speedometer
Installed hall effect sensor sending unit assembly for speedometer
Opened up padlock hole for securing spare tire
Designed bathroom door
Made bond test sample for bathroom door assembly
Working toward making final orders to prepare for departure
Calibrated speedometer using GPS and radar speed indicator
Purchased bathroom door material

Replaced cabinet hinge pins with small stainless steel bolts and lock nuts

Modified and improved engine pre-heater switch mounting in truck cab

Turned off axle fording air supply (turned off air regulator)

Bonded and cut foam for Fantastic Vent plug

Sewed cloth cover for Fantastic vent fan plug

Filled, pressurized, and tested fresh water system

Ordered, received, and installed food grade rubber hose for faucet to sink

Filled and test drained gray water tank system

Purchased hose to drain gray water tank

Rewired inside of ARB air compressor

Fabricated rubber compressor mount pad

Installed electric air compressor

Removed and cleaned section of forward gladhand stainless steel line from truck pneumatic system

Ordered and received components for auxiliary air take-off system

Added regulated air take-off from high pressure side of truck pneumatic system

Tested electric air compressor and filled truck tanks with engine turned off

Received and installed new locking fuel cap

Removed and cleanded old speedometer and speedometer calibration gearbox from transmission

Removed and cleaned old speedometer and speedometer calibration gearbox from transmission

Removed and cleanded old speedometer and speedometer calibration gearbox from transmission

Received new programmable electronic speedometer

Ordered and received material for new speedometer bezel

Machined new Delrin bezel for fitting new speedometer in old dash panel hole

Wired lights for new speedometer

Wired and installed speedometer

Received hall effect sending unit for speedometer

Tested hall effect sensor proximity range

Fabricated hall effect sensor mount for speedometer sending unit

Started laying out new folding ladder design

Cut up (newly purchased) folding ladder to make parts for new folding habitat ladder

Started bolting new habitat ladder together

Fabricated compression plugs for inside tubes of new ladder assembly

Fabricated steel upper mounting tabs for new ladder

TIG welded new ladder mounting bar assembly

Sand blasted and painted new ladder mounting bar assembly

Purchased wheels for new folding ladder base

Started fabricating ladder wheel mounts

Finished fabricating ladder wheel mounts

Finished fabricating new folding entry ladder

Modified existing habitat ladder mount to accommodate old and new ladders

Re-installed ladder mount on habitat sub-frame

Finished fabricating new folding entry ladder

New folding ladder also doubles as a step ladder

Received heater duct insulation

Installed heater duct insulation

Opened up padlock hole for securing spare tire

Made bond test sample for bathroom door assembly

Sewed drawstring bag for portable propane stove regulator

Sewed drawstring bag for portable propane stove

Tested stowing and setting up sewing machine and OLFA cutting mat

Truck Update 4/14/19

Posted on April 14, 2019May 4, 2019 by Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

Added additional heater duct in kitchen wall
Tested heater configuration
Increased max regulated engine speed from 2600 to 2750 rpm
Advanced engine injection timing by 2 degrees
Increased injection fuel delivery to ~170 hp setting
Tested driving performance after upgrades: noticeable improvement in hill climb / acceleration
Purchased tools and materials
Applied Wabi-Sabi Overland vinyl decals to habitat and truck
Drilled holes in water Jerry cans
Installed machined barb bulkhead fittings in water Jerry cans
Leak checked water Jerry cans
Stowed water Jerry cans in habitat
Received:
- Front portal tank upgrades
- Drive train boots
- Portal axle fluid
Drove truck to heat up fluids
Drained transmission for 2nd fluid change
Drained front portal hubs
Removed front portal vents
Test fit new front portal reservoirs
Purchased:
- Copper crush washers
- Permatex for drive shaft boot install
Started making hardware kit for portal tank upgrade
Drilled holes in portal tank caps
Machined portal tank dipstick pins
Machined portal tank vent return tubes
Welded dipsticks
Welded vent return tubes
Turned down cap screws for inner most portal tank cover holes
Installed new front portal tanks
Plumbed front portal vents
Filled front portal vents
Drained residual fluid out of transmission
Sealed and installed transmission drain plugs
Removed old drive shaft boots
Prepped and installed new drive shaft boots
Refilled transmission with new fluid

Increased max regulated engine speed, advanced engine injection timing, and increased injection fuel delivery

Applied Wabi-Sabi Overland vinyl decals to truck and habitat

Drilled holes in water Jerry cans

Installed machined barb bulkhead fittings in water Jerry cans

Fabricated and installed water pick up tubes

Leak checked water Jerry cans

Stowed water Jerry cans in habitat

Received front portal tank upgrades

Machined and welded portal tank dipstick pins

Installed new front portal tanks

Plumbed front portal vents

Filled front portals with fluid

Drove truck to heat up fluids

Received drive train boots

Removed forward drive shaft boot

Removed rear drive shaft boot

New and old drive shaft boots

Installed new forward drive shaft boot

Installed new rear drive shaft boot

Refilled transmission with new fluid

Truck Update 4/7/19

Posted on April 7, 2019May 4, 2019 by Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

Received shower plumbing fittings
Received entry door grab handle mount hardware
Received gray water tank hold down hardware
Cleaned and sealed driver side under subframe storage boxes
Riveted rubber Jerry can support bumpers
Started looking at injection pump adjustment access
Installed
- Driver side under subframe mount
- Under subframe storage boxes
- Driver side Jerry cans
- Gray water tank
Plumbed kitchen sink to gray water tank
Installed gray water tank vent tube
Installed gray water tank vent valve
Measured toilet vent fan splash guard area
Started laying out shower drain plumbing
Purchased additional plumbing parts for shower drain
Final installed air heater exhaust muffler
Secured air heater intake silencer
Ordered steel for rear bumper assembly
Recieved entry door grab handle
Fabricated toilet vent fan splash guard
Cut stainless steel screen for toilet vent fan splash guard
Final installed toilet vent fan splash guard
Started looking at habitat door hold open catch
Installed shower drain plumbing assembly
Connected shower drain to gray water tank
Fabricated external entry door grab handle mount assembly
Installed external entry door grab handle
Started looking at ladder storage
Started looking at passthrough door hold open catch
Located passthorugh door bump stop
Started designing forward internal entry door grab handle
Bench assembled electric air compressor to truck manifold
Received rear bumper material
Received tire air gauges
Finished fabricating forward internal grab handle components
Fabricated passthrough door bump stop
Fabricated bracket assembly for entry door hold open catch
Installed forward internal grab handle
Installed electric air compressor manifold onto truck
Installed footman’s loop in passthrough for door open catch
Bonded passthrough door bump stop
Installed entry door hold open catch bracket and footman’s loop
Cut steel for rear bumper tube
Tack welded full length of bumper tube
Final welded bumper tube joints
Cut clamp up tubes for mud flap bolts
Welded clamp up tubes into bumper
Fit checked bumper tube on truck
Primed and painted bumper tube
Stenciled fuel tank and Jerry cans
Reamed out mud flap bolt holes on bumper tube
Prepped weld location for bumper mount
Mounted bumper to truck
Touched up paint on bumper assembly
Cut rubber for mud flaps
Cut aluminium for mud flaps
Made bolt kit for mounting mud flaps
Put reflective tape on bumper
Installed mud guards and flaps

Cleaned and sealed driver side under subframe storage boxes

Riveted rubber Jerry can support bumpers

Installed driver side under subframe mount, storage boxes, Jerry cans, and gray water tank

Installed anti-rattle strap

Plumbed kitchen sink to gray water tank

Installed gray water tank vent tube

Installed gray water tank vent valve

Final installed air heater exhaust muffler

Fabricated toilet vent fan splash guard

Cut stainless steel screen for toilet vent fan splash guard

Final installed toilet vent fan splash guard

Purchased additional plumbing parts for shower drain

Installed shower drain plumbing assembly

Fabricated external entry door grab handle mount assembly

Installed external entry door grab handle

Bench assembled electric air compressor to truck manifold

Installed electric air compressor manifold onto truck

Finished fabricating forward internal grab handle components

Installed forward internal grab handle

Fabricated bracket assembly for entry door hold open catch

Installed entry door hold open catch bracket and footman’s loop

Installed footman’s loop in passthrough for door open catch

Fabricated passthrough door bump stop

Bonded passthrough door bump stop

Stenciled fuel tank and Jerry cans

Received rear bumper material

Cut and prepped steel for rear bumper

Welded plates on end of bumper tube

Cut clamp up tubes for mud flap bolts

Drilled clamp up tube holes

Welded clamp up tubes into bumper

Prepped and painted bumper

Cut rubber for mud flaps

Made bolt kit for mounting mud flaps

Final installed rear bumper and mud flaps

Truck Update 3/31/19

Posted on March 31, 2019May 4, 2019 by Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

Removed forward gladhand line
Fit checked gray water tank and located sink drain fitting
Plumbed fuel line for pre-heater
Wired pre-heater and pre-heater pump
Test ran pre-heater
Ran speaker wire and tested speakers in cab
Installed Noico sound deadening mat over driver
Wired and tested GPS odometer
Started modifying gray water tank
Fit checked hose barbs on gray water tank
Mounted speakers in cab
Tested alternate pre-heater control switch
Decided to change pre-heater control to single switch instead of “smart controller”
Final wired pre-heater and tested pre-heater
Wired 12V compressor relay circuit (for future 24V compressor)
Reprogrammed GPS odometer to default to miles
Looked at hab entry door grab handle positions
Purchased gray water tank internal tubing
Sealed firewall passthrough hole
Added additional power ground location inside cab
Modified gray water barb fittings to better accommodate hose
Final assembled gray water tank
Labeled gray water tank with stencil
Clearanced gray water tank hold down and touched up paint
Organized tools
Cleaned storage boxes for under subframe on driver side
Started looking at under subframe storage locking options
Trimmed 12mm stainless air line for electric air compressor to truck interface
Cut metal for storage box lock mount
Welded lock assembly for under subframe storage boxes
Welded two footman’s loops for storage box anti-rattle strap
Clearanced back of under subframe storage box mount
Enlarged rivet holes for jerry can bumpers on under subframe storage box mount
Purchased shower drain tubing
Purchased paint for under subframe storage box mount
Sewed anti-rattle strap
Prepped, seam sealed, primed, and painted under subframe storage box mount

Removed forward gladhand line

Trimmed 12mm stainless air line for electric air compressor to truck interface

Plumbed fuel line for pre-heater

Wired pre-heater and pre-heater pump

Decided to change pre-heater control to single switch instead of smart controller

Ran speaker wire and tested speakers in cab

Mounted speakers in cab

Installed Noico sound deadening mat over driver

Wired and tested GPS odometer

Started modifying gray water tank

Final assembled gray water tank

Labeled gray water tank with stencil

Clearanced gray water tank hold down and touched up paint

Started looking at under subframe storage locking options

Cut metal for storage box lock mount

Welded lock assembly for under subframe storage boxes

Welded two footman’s loops for storage box anti-rattle strap

Sewed anti-rattle strap

Enlarged rivet holes for jerry can bumpers on under subframe storage box mount

Prepped, seam sealed, primed, and painted under subframe storage box mount

Truck Update 3/24/19

Posted on March 24, 2019May 4, 2019 by Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

Reviewed fuel filter change and fuel bleed procedure
Worked on auxiliary systems fuel tank mounting design
Refreshed memory on how to:
- Adjust max governed RPM
- Advance engine injection timing
- Increase injection pump fuel delivery
Reviewed engine pre-heater controller options
Removed engine components to gain access to fuel filters
Removed old fuel primer pump
Installed new fuel primer pump
Replaced both fuel filters
Bled fuel system
Reassembled removed engine components
Ran engine and checked for leaks
Tested out variety of way to access engine pump adjustment
Inspected air filter (nice and clean)
Trimmed interfering material away from gray water tank hold down
Prepped and primed gray water tank hold down
Seam sealed gray water tank hold down
Painted gray water tank hold down
Ordered gray water tank fittings
Reviewed heater and pre-heater fuel line hardware
Reviewed electric air compressor wiring
Reviewed pre-heater wiring
Reviewed speaker wiring diagram
Disconnected winch from truck batteries
Purchased small filter for diesel air heater
Drilled holes in fuel tank for heater and fuel heater fuel supply
Used magnets inside tubing to remove any metal particles from inside tank (it worked really well)
Trimmed fuel fitting standpipes to prevent heater from completely draining truck fuel tank
Mounted fuel fittings in fuel tank
Test ran electric air compressor
Installed air heater fuel pump
Finished air heater installation and purged air from fuel lines
Test ran air heater
Disposed of old engine coolant
Topped off engine coolant
Received gray water tank fittings
Test fit jam nut on power steering box (12M-1.5)
Extended wire length for speakers
Installed filter and fuel pump for engine pre-heater
Purchased switch for engine pre-heater
Ordered additional air heater ducting and swivel vent
Fabricated GPS odometer, compressor, and pre-heater switch bracket dash panel
Painted switch bracket dash panel
Bench assembled and installed switch bracket dash panel
Removed unneeded / redundant passenger seat lap belt
Tested out additional heater duct in kitchen (we will likely add more ducting)
Cut witness groove in end of power steering adjustment stud (to maintain original reference position)
Removed power steering adjustment jam nut and cleaned threads
Installed new seal and jam nut on power steering box
Adjusted steering slop out of power steering box
Test drove truck to check steering play
Washed truck

Removed old fuel primer pump

Installed new fuel primer pump

Replaced both fuel filters

Inspected air filter (nice and clean)

Trimmed interfering material away from gray water tank hold down

Prepped and primed gray water tank hold down

Painted gray water tank hold down

Pre-heater wiring

Reviewed electric air compressor wiring

Drilled holes in fuel tank for heater and fuel heater fuel supply

Used magnets inside tubing to remove any metal particles from inside tank

Trimmed fuel fitting standpipes to prevent heater from completely draining truck fuel tank

Mounted fuel fittings in fuel tank

Test ran electric air compressor

Installed air heater fuel pump

Received gray water tank fittings

Fabricated GPS odometer, compressor, and pre-heater switch bracket dash panel

Bench assembled and installed switch bracket dash panel

Removed power steering adjustment jam nut and cleaned threads

Installed new seal and jam nut on power steering box

Test drove truck to check steering play

Truck Update 3/17/19

Posted on March 17, 2019May 4, 2019 by Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

Received additional tool roll
Continued to organize tool rolls
Drained coolant
Removed old engine pre-heater (120V AC electric)
Relocated horn to accommodate new pre-heater
Shortened air compressor intake line (was rubbing on grill)
Lubricated and measured steering box adjustment stud size
Removed engine water pump outlet hose
Started looking for small power steering hose leak
Removed pre-heater outlet hose
Purchased and trimmed new radiator hoses
Purchased new steering adjustment jam nut
Purchased Zerex G05 50/50 coolant
Fabricated pre-heater mount brackets
Machined aluminum hose union
Removed brackets in engine bay that interfered with pre-heater
Installed new pre-heater brackets
Seam sealed and painted pre-heater mount assembly
Replaced lower radiator hose
Rerouted pre-heater inlet hose
Received fuel filters
Mounted pre-heater and finalized pre-heater plumbing
Refiled engine with Zerex G05 coolant
Secured pre-heater wiring
Started engine and burped coolant system
Test drove and evaluated fluids:
- Nice firm brakes
- Good engine temperature
- Significant improvement in shifting with new fluid

Drained coolant

Removed old engine pre-heater (120V AC electric)

Removed brackets in engine bay that interfered with pre-heater

Fabricated pre-heater mount brackets

Installed new pre-heater brackets

Lubricated and measured steering box adjustment stud size

Received fuel filters

Machined aluminum hose union

Removed engine water pump outlet hose and removed pre-heater outlet hose

Purchased and trimmed new radiator hoses

Replaced lower radiator hose

Mounted pre-heater and finalized pre-heater plumbing

Purchased Zerex G05 50/50 coolant

Refiled engine with Zerex G05 coolant

Started engine and burped coolant system

Test drove and evaluated fluids

Truck Update 3/10/19

Posted on March 10, 2019May 4, 2019 by Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

Machined sink drain adapter
Installed sink drain and connected to drain hose
Tested sink drain and checked for leaks
Installed anti-rattle straps on under subframe storage boxes
Took measurements for driver side accessory palette
Started looking at design changes to our driver side accessory palette
Started sequencing and planning final phase of truck build
Moved truck back to shop
Drained engine oil, transmission fluid, and differential oil
Ordered fuel filters
Verified correct oil filters on hand
Verified correct replacement fluids and quantities
Reviewed brake bleeding procedure for power bleeder
Purchased engine oil
Ordered DOT4 brake fluid
Filled differentials with Redline 75W-90 (GL-5)
Drained transfer case
Drained engine oil filter
Replaced oil filter and filled engine with oil (Rotella 15W-40)
Torqued lug nuts
Removed and replaces clutch drain
Reduced tire pressure to 55psi
Fit checked auxiliary diesel tank
Identified small power steering hose leak
Disposed of unneeded oil
Test rain engine to check for leaks and oil level
Filled transmission with Redline MT-85 (GL-4)
Checked hubs, differentials, and clutch plug for oil leaks
Inspected steering linkages
Reviewed brake bleeding procedure in Mercedes manual
Inspected rubber drive shaft boots
Evaluated options for adjusting steering box
Disposed of additional oil
Picked up brake fluid
Bled brakes

Machined sink drain adapter

Installed sink drain and connected to drain hose

Tested sink drain and checked for leaks

Installed anti-rattle straps on under subframe storage boxes

Moved truck back to shop

Drained engine oil, transmission fluid, and differential oil

Filled transmission with Redline MT-85 (GL-4)

Drained engine oil, transmission fluid, and differential oil

Filled differentials with Redline 75W-90 (GL-5)

Bled brakes

Torqued lug nuts

Reduced tire pressure to 55psi

Replaced oil filter and filled engine with oil (Rotella 15W-40)

Test rain engine to check for leaks and oil level

Truck Update 11/7/18

Posted on November 7, 2018May 4, 2019 by Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

Covered foam rubber passthrough plug
Reduced length of driver side right arm rest to clear gear shift
Test fit passthrough plug
Started troubleshooting cab speaker issue
Fastened carpet along door edge (both sides)
Secured loose edge on driver side carpeted door panel
Researched fuel injection pump governor adjustment
Researched and ordered candidate cab speakers
Sent inquires about:
- Air dryer desiccant cartridge
- Forward and rear drive shaft boots
- Injection pump hand primer pump
- Locking gas cap
- Fuel injection pump adjustment
Designed basic layout of under kitchen counter support
Cut wood for under kitchen counter support
Assembled, glued, and screwed under kitchen counter support
Started making supports for under counter gray water tank and fuel alcohol storage
Bonded tank standoff strips to kitchen cabinet rear panel
Started making support base for kitchen pantry
Started making storage locations for large kitchen items
Made and installed cast iron frying pan mount plate
Purchased kitchen cabinet material
Worked on build sequence and scheduling
Bonded and cut plywood base for kitchen pantry
Applied thread locker to kitchen pantry assembly bolts
Added 2 additional slides to slide out / cutting board
Started bed frame and kitchen wall design
Ordered rubber drive shaft boots, fuel pump primer, and air dryer cartridge (Eurotruck Importers)
Inquired about charge controller and battery maintenance from Battle Born
Started picking preliminary dates for summer 2019 Canada / Alaska trip
Double checked internal dimensions and squareness of habitat
Selected plywood thickness for walls and bed structure
Fabricated corral for fuel alcohol storage
Received water pump

We are starting to transition from truck/cab work to internal habitat work. We have been doing a lot of schedule and task planning behind the scenes. We have a big list of tasks required to finish the truck. We have the list divided into several categories based on type of work and with a goal of starting test trips in the next 2 months. Some things can wait until spring, so we are concentrating on getting the truck ready for basic uses. A lot of the upcoming work is centered around designing small details of the habitat interior.