We have been on the road now for 2 years with our Xplorer! ❤️ Completely self-contained boondocking machine.. definitely have some things to handle here and there as we go but it has been awesome! One thing I can suggest though if you have an overdrive button, keep it on.. the transmissions work way too hard with overdrive on and when you push the button and it is lit up overdrive is off and it's much easier on the transmission :-) (learned from experience!)
That is awesome and thanks for the tip! The less time we spend in the shop the more time we can have making memories on the road. It is fun hearing about other people with Xplorer RVs. They seem to be rare since we have never seen another one like Frank on the road. Hope you have a fun and long future in your van.
@@SOSASATSUNRISE ours is a 1990 Dodge explorer B250 with a 318 5.2 L engine. Fully contained so we have a bathroom, a fresh water tank, a black water tank, stove and 3 way refrigerator. We have 42o watts of solar on the roof and a 2500 inverter charger connected with two battleborn batteries. Lithium is one of the best choices we ever made, battleborn is amazing company to work with. Then we put a DC to DC charger in so we can use the alternator safely to charge the lithium batteries for a backup. Got to have backups and not always room for generator in a van.. people around me think the space is too small but I think it's absolutely perfect for my husband and I! Any bigger you don't fit easily in regular parking spots and your limited on where you can go, we have very few limits! We've even done glacier several times you can go all the way to the top as long as you're shorter than 22 ft :-)
We fully agree about the Xplorer being the perfect size for an RV. Sounds like your rig is a lot more original than ours was but we enjoyed the renovation and attaching solar. Sadly, Frank just wasn't the right fit for us and we had to let him go to find something even smaller. But, we do think about how he is doing on the road and if the new owners enjoy the van as much as we did.
Frank has some nice features and space! You might consider the following: A pair of metal or plastic automotive ramps will make working under the engine much easier. Switching to full synthetic engine oil will allow you to go longer between oil changes, and always use a high quality oil filter, like a NAPA gold or better. (Avoid the use of inexpensive filters, especially Fr am filters which have a reputation for internal failure and engine damage). A little 1000w inverter generator, whether a nice little Honda, or a replica(at least for a while with the replica) would be an inexpensive and easily stored feature that you'd probably use often. Lynx Levelors will help you quickly level when you park at a site. Take a look at the date code on those tires, and if you decide to replace them, spend up on a version rated for the load. Otherwise, you'll have an RV that's difficult and unsafe to drive out on the highway in the wind. Fingers crossed that he gets better than 12-15mpg.
Thank you for the advice! We are going to be much more prepared this time around with more permanent solutions. Although there is adequate space, space is still limited. So far, Frank is a smooth ride at all speeds. We plan on avoiding highways and travel slower to see more of the country and attempt to get slightly better gas mileage. Franks fuel efficiency might better be measured in gallons per mile. We also probably wont be as daring in this van and not put ourselves in situations we cant get out of if something goes wrong. A nice view is not always the best reason to drive 10 miles down a questionable road. We are still learning every day.
@@SOSASATSUNRISE You guys are doing great. If you can still say, "We are still learning every day," for the rest of your lives, you'll always be living to the fullest. Anything I'm saying is probably long since been considered, due to the 3 month lag in your vids. Looking forward to see how the mods turn out, and seeing your continuing adventures!
We really appreciate all the advice. Youre giving this advice to prevent us from making the same mistakes you have made or you have seen others make. Some of the precautions we have made came from your past advice. I have learned to always listen to someone that knows more than you.
@@SOSASATSUNRISE I went the "tow a pop-up tent trailer" route back in '07. Found an '86 Starcraft "Nova" for $250, so you can imagine the work it needed. Had a '90 GMC Suburban 4x4 to tow with, that was formerly a dealer demo, and had 225k with one previous owner. Restored both so that they looked like they did originally my wife, daughter (then 7) and I have had many adventures with them. Bit of a learning curve because I'd never even seen a pop-up in person, but I spin wrenches for a living, and have always done automotive restoration work...so they were fun projects. I learned by doing, and continue to learn. I see now, after looking at The Frank, that he used to have a tall upright Dometic LP/12v/120V refrigerator located where the 2 burner stove now is, and just next to the fridge, hidden below the original cabinetry, was the Dometic (or similar brand) LP water heater. It's too bad the previous owner removed both of those, because there would have been really nice units, at least originally. There may have been a forced air LP heater somewhere too (look for a stainless exhaust port on the side of the van somewhere). It'll be fun to see where you guys take this rig and it looks like a good starting point! There's usually a lot of this kind of stuff on eBay, and you can probably find the big hub caps for it too, which would really dress up the outside nicely...and turn the white letter tires around and clean the lettering with a scrub brush and white letter cleaner. That would look very good.
Under the stove was definitely a fridge removed long ago and there is a hot water heater that takes up the bottom of the kitchen cabinets. There is a large empty space where the furnace used to be as well. I would guess one of the many owners decided to restore it to fit their own personal needs and we spent a lot of time and money more or less putting things back to the way it used to function. We planned a video that was more of a glance at the renovation since we did not fully film everything. However, with some of the questions we are getting, I think a much more thorough video of what we fixed or added and why is much more needed. More to come!
Yes, we bought as is. There was a lot of work to be done. It is an automatic and we paid $7k. This was during the great inflation of camper vans during the pandemic.
We may explain it further in a future video but what the heck. We looked for vans for a month before heading home and in that month we came to terms with how much we were willing to spend and how much we actually knew about building a van. Frank is a perfect combination of price and gave us enough of a head start on a build that we could realistically finish. This van was already so much more than we were already traveling with and had a lot of potential. On the RUclips side of things, we thought Frank was unique enough to stand out among all the other travelers living in some kind of vehicle.
@@SOSASATSUNRISE makes total sense. No point in financially putting yourself in a position that doesn’t work and good point on getting something that needs minor repairs or upgrades when it’s significantly more than you had. Yea this van will be set apart for sure 🙌🏼Don’t think any other channel is rolling deep in a one of these bad boys 😆. I like it though...now we’ll wait for the origin video of Frank’s name!🤙
We have been on the road now for 2 years with our Xplorer! ❤️ Completely self-contained boondocking machine.. definitely have some things to handle here and there as we go but it has been awesome! One thing I can suggest though if you have an overdrive button, keep it on.. the transmissions work way too hard with overdrive on and when you push the button and it is lit up overdrive is off and it's much easier on the transmission :-) (learned from experience!)
That is awesome and thanks for the tip! The less time we spend in the shop the more time we can have making memories on the road. It is fun hearing about other people with Xplorer RVs. They seem to be rare since we have never seen another one like Frank on the road. Hope you have a fun and long future in your van.
@@SOSASATSUNRISE ours is a 1990 Dodge explorer B250 with a 318 5.2 L engine. Fully contained so we have a bathroom, a fresh water tank, a black water tank, stove and 3 way refrigerator. We have 42o watts of solar on the roof and a 2500 inverter charger connected with two battleborn batteries. Lithium is one of the best choices we ever made, battleborn is amazing company to work with. Then we put a DC to DC charger in so we can use the alternator safely to charge the lithium batteries for a backup. Got to have backups and not always room for generator in a van.. people around me think the space is too small but I think it's absolutely perfect for my husband and I! Any bigger you don't fit easily in regular parking spots and your limited on where you can go, we have very few limits! We've even done glacier several times you can go all the way to the top as long as you're shorter than 22 ft :-)
We fully agree about the Xplorer being the perfect size for an RV. Sounds like your rig is a lot more original than ours was but we enjoyed the renovation and attaching solar. Sadly, Frank just wasn't the right fit for us and we had to let him go to find something even smaller. But, we do think about how he is doing on the road and if the new owners enjoy the van as much as we did.
Been looking for an Xplorer for myself for a long time. I can’t seem to find one anywhere nowadays. Have any good places that you could recommend?
Thinking of buying one, just curious how much you guys pay on gas ? If the numbers look good I get it and start the remodeling
Frank looks soo cool! Can't wait to see it all suited up! New subs, have a nice day! Alessandra & Marco
What part of Michigan are you you from I have a Dodge explore and I live in northern Michigan
Thanks and welcome
We are from SW Michigan. These vans are so cool! Glad to see someone else is enjoying one as well.
Frank has some nice features and space! You might consider the following: A pair of metal or plastic automotive ramps will make working under the engine much easier. Switching to full synthetic engine oil will allow you to go longer between oil changes, and always use a high quality oil filter, like a NAPA gold or better. (Avoid the use of inexpensive filters, especially Fr am filters which have a reputation for internal failure and engine damage). A little 1000w inverter generator, whether a nice little Honda, or a replica(at least for a while with the replica) would be an inexpensive and easily stored feature that you'd probably use often. Lynx Levelors will help you quickly level when you park at a site. Take a look at the date code on those tires, and if you decide to replace them, spend up on a version rated for the load. Otherwise, you'll have an RV that's difficult and unsafe to drive out on the highway in the wind. Fingers crossed that he gets better than 12-15mpg.
Thank you for the advice! We are going to be much more prepared this time around with more permanent solutions. Although there is adequate space, space is still limited. So far, Frank is a smooth ride at all speeds. We plan on avoiding highways and travel slower to see more of the country and attempt to get slightly better gas mileage. Franks fuel efficiency might better be measured in gallons per mile. We also probably wont be as daring in this van and not put ourselves in situations we cant get out of if something goes wrong. A nice view is not always the best reason to drive 10 miles down a questionable road. We are still learning every day.
@@SOSASATSUNRISE You guys are doing great. If you can still say, "We are still learning every day," for the rest of your lives, you'll always be living to the fullest.
Anything I'm saying is probably long since been considered, due to the 3 month lag in your vids. Looking forward to see how the mods turn out, and seeing your continuing adventures!
We really appreciate all the advice. Youre giving this advice to prevent us from making the same mistakes you have made or you have seen others make. Some of the precautions we have made came from your past advice. I have learned to always listen to someone that knows more than you.
@@SOSASATSUNRISE I went the "tow a pop-up tent trailer" route back in '07. Found an '86 Starcraft "Nova" for $250, so you can imagine the work it needed. Had a '90 GMC Suburban 4x4 to tow with, that was formerly a dealer demo, and had 225k with one previous owner. Restored both so that they looked like they did originally my wife, daughter (then 7) and I have had many adventures with them. Bit of a learning curve because I'd never even seen a pop-up in person, but I spin wrenches for a living, and have always done automotive restoration work...so they were fun projects. I learned by doing, and continue to learn.
I see now, after looking at The Frank, that he used to have a tall upright Dometic LP/12v/120V refrigerator located where the 2 burner stove now is, and just next to the fridge, hidden below the original cabinetry, was the Dometic (or similar brand) LP water heater. It's too bad the previous owner removed both of those, because there would have been really nice units, at least originally. There may have been a forced air LP heater somewhere too (look for a stainless exhaust port on the side of the van somewhere). It'll be fun to see where you guys take this rig and it looks like a good starting point! There's usually a lot of this kind of stuff on eBay, and you can probably find the big hub caps for it too, which would really dress up the outside nicely...and turn the white letter tires around and clean the lettering with a scrub brush and white letter cleaner. That would look very good.
Under the stove was definitely a fridge removed long ago and there is a hot water heater that takes up the bottom of the kitchen cabinets. There is a large empty space where the furnace used to be as well. I would guess one of the many owners decided to restore it to fit their own personal needs and we spent a lot of time and money more or less putting things back to the way it used to function. We planned a video that was more of a glance at the renovation since we did not fully film everything. However, with some of the questions we are getting, I think a much more thorough video of what we fixed or added and why is much more needed. More to come!
Looks like a nice van!
We love it!
Did that come as is? Also do you mind if I ask how much you paid? And is it a standard or automatic?
Yes, we bought as is. There was a lot of work to be done. It is an automatic and we paid $7k. This was during the great inflation of camper vans during the pandemic.
So...is it too soon to ask “why” THIS specific model?
We may explain it further in a future video but what the heck. We looked for vans for a month before heading home and in that month we came to terms with how much we were willing to spend and how much we actually knew about building a van. Frank is a perfect combination of price and gave us enough of a head start on a build that we could realistically finish. This van was already so much more than we were already traveling with and had a lot of potential. On the RUclips side of things, we thought Frank was unique enough to stand out among all the other travelers living in some kind of vehicle.
@@SOSASATSUNRISE makes total sense. No point in financially putting yourself in a position that doesn’t work and good point on getting something that needs minor repairs or upgrades when it’s significantly more than you had. Yea this van will be set apart for sure 🙌🏼Don’t think any other channel is rolling deep in a one of these bad boys 😆. I like it though...now we’ll wait for the origin video of Frank’s name!🤙