My Own Completed Renovated Roadtrek 190 Versatile!
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- Опубликовано: 5 окт 2024
- This is the van that started my long journey into custom van conversions, van rentals, and off grid power systems. My family and I traveled in this van for over 8 months and it took from PA to OR where I started my work at a custom van shop and then brought us back to the East Coast where I started my very own Fenix Off Grid Solutions!
The new owner is recently retired and taking this van on a trip of a lifetime - to Alaska!
Here is a list of the major upgrades I installed on my 190, many of which i highly recommend:
Reupholstered wall panels (blue tweed with ⅛ foam, ⅛ wood paneling)
New front carpet with sound deadening & ⅛ insulation
New SS hardware and vinyl cover for fiberglass top screw strip
Removed and resealed awning style windows
Tinted rear factory windows
Rear door OEM seal
LED headlight bulbs
New propane tank
New Fiamma awning
New A/C grills and third brake light
Rear seating area converted to full time bed w/ new 6” foam mattress
Microwave delete
Interior shower delete
Onan generator delete
Red Head steering gear
Roadmaster rear sway bar
Bilstein HD struts
Repainted fiberglass top
Renogy 100w flexible panel
Renogy solar charge controller
Renogy 100ah SLA battery
Magnatek converter/charger upgrade kit
Boondocker battery monitor
Bluesea ACR w/ 4awg charging cable
Hughes Engines V8 plenum repair kit
Engine maintenance (past 2 years):
Fuel pump
Water pump, thermostat, & cooling fan
Spark plugs & wires
Valve cover gaskets
O2 sensor
Accessory belt, pulley, tensioner
Cap, rotor, pick up coil
Black & gray tank sensors
Black & gray tank dump valves
Toilet seals
Great tour and review. I liked removing the microwave...makes sense. Great wiring solutions, too. Loved the reupholstering job, too! It really is a nice color combination.
Good luck with your company.
Thank you! Yes I really loved the blue marathon fabric.
You did an amazing job on that I'm totally impressed it all turned out just beautiful man😊
Thank you!
I will have to do a video on my mods. As a preview I bought a 1996 190 versatile with 33,000 original miles in 2014, she now has 61,000 miles.
Replaced AC, replaced hot water tank, replaced water pump, added 200 watt flexible solar, added 3000w sine wave inverter, added shore power multi battery charge controller to replace battery isolator. Replaced all shocks and steering components added a ride rite suspension system. Replaced ac unit, new one works with inverter for about an hour. Have 100aH LiPO4. Replaced fan with max fan. Redid all screens, even resewed in the latch zippers. Replaced all custom shades with blackout. Multiple plumbing replacements. Stereo replacement. Rear view mirror upgrade with navigation. Lots of storage and trinket upgrades. I use the shower….
Tons of life left!
Cool vídeo, how long ago did you seal the sky lights windows? I need to do the same with my 95D190V. If you don’t mind me asking why made you go with the sikaflex 221?
I sealed them after replacing the rubber seals on those upper windows. They shrank again after about a year and started leaking so I just pulled them out and put in a bead of the Sika. I've used the Sika 221 on my van builds for years and its never let me down. The windows are well sealed but you'll never be able to separate them from the frames! Another way to go would be to use the 3M marine silicone. Traditional silicone would work too but may not have the longevity.
@@FenixOffGridSolutions Thank you I really appreciate it!
This is the first one I have seen that covered the mechanical nightmares one can encounter while renovating these older class B units. Most only show the cosmetic upgrades. I did a 1988 Fiesta high top on a Dodge chassis. It has the carbureted 360 engine which is a little easier to do emergency repairs on the road than the late magnum engines with FI. One thing that could ruin a trip is that little bypass hose at the front of the intake manifold. I have had a 2000 dodge van, 3.9 V-6 magnum style, & my son has a 96 W/ 5.9 magnum. On both of those we installed a high quality silicon hose. Changing that on the road could be a challenge. Good idea installing the plenum plate, they work. On the fan shroud: sometimes it is easier to remove it from the bottom. That doesn't apply to all vans but it works on some that have a 2 piece shroud. An aluminum replacement radiator works better than the original brass unit, better heat transfer. If you should have to change a serpentine belt, tensioner, water pump, or alternator on the road with that magnum engine you would be in for a real trial. I replaced my rear springs with a set off of a heavy duty van that came out of a salvage yard, they had 3 more leafs than my factory ones. The van sits level now. A question if you don't mind me asking. Did the rear sway bar help much, especially in cross winds? My Fiesta is a beast in crosswinds, 100 miles & I'm worn out. We made a rt 66 trip from Oklahoma to California this last spring and going across western Ok, Texas panhandle, New Mexico & part of Arizona was a test of my driving skills. So bad that we drove way north & returned through Colorado & Kansas. Constant 40 to 50 mph cross winds, very bad. The 318 is a very reliable engine and you are probably running 3.91 or a 4.10 rear axle if you have the 4 speed 46RH or RE trans. Why change the steering gear? Those Chrysler steering units that they use in their trucks & vans are rock solid reliable, very tough. What was the advantage in that? Good video, I would like to locate a decent Roadtrek to redo but everyone wants a bunch of cash for them, even the rough ones. Thanks for the trouble putting this together. Nice interior work.
The rear sway bar helped alot but really it was the Red Head steering gear that helped the most.
@@FenixOffGridSolutions OK, that is the next generation van from mine. It may have a different steering than mine, I'll have to check. My son has a 96 so I can do that easy enough. If not, what are the differences in the Red Head from the factory unit? My steering box is very tight, very little play. I'm thinking that the high top is the issue in cross winds. Driving across Texas & New Mexico was a real effort with all the cross winds. I had to try & stay on the 2 lane & drive 55. Seriously thinking of selling & trying to locate a road trek or coachman. They are a little more aerodynamic. Thanks for the reply, always appreciate the input.
@@FenixOffGridSolutions OK, Red Head rebuilds the factory units. Just checked that out & the 96 has the same unit that is used in GM vans so it is probably a Saginaw unit. Their power steering pumps are great, don't have any experience with their steering boxes. If you had to replace the one in that Road Trek at that mileage than I'm guessing that they are not so great. My 88 has the old reliable Chrysler unit that has been use in trucks & vans for decades. Confusion solve, no reply necessary. Thanks.
I'm so jealous! If I had the skills to do everything you've been able to do, I would have been able to keep my old girl, (96190V). Unfortunately I had to sell her instead😢
Yes I am fortunate to have the skills and if you aren’t using these vans on the reg they just develop issues, so I often fix them up and then sell them. Good thing is there many more out there!
❤You did a Amazing 👏 ❤ job.
Thank you!
Was your van swaying and that’s why you installed the sway bar or bars ? And the steering box thing . Did you install it also .
Yes, it was noticeably unsteady on the highway, especially when haulers drove past. The sway bar + steering gear + Bilstein HD struts helped alot. The sway bar required custom welding due to the plumbing drains and yes I had a shop do the steering box install (I had a van rental coming up so I needed it done fast)