3.16.2010

VW Rescue mission: Phase 1

We flew into Oakland, CA last week to rescue the V-Dub from storage... and since have been getting into all sorts of mayhem in in the past week here in beautiful California. We are doing our best to keep a photo-journal of our escapades. Without further ado...

The V-Dub shortly after rescue. Believe it or not this is a wall inside my storage facility. They call it the Oakland wall of fame and there is probably 100+ amazing pieces of graffiti art inside!

The Corn and I from atop a huge hill overlooking the Bay area.

A great example of the amazing vegetation California has to offer

Sun peeking between buildings in downtown San Francisco.

Corn looking super awkward amongst some shrubbery. 

Curly bark!!

Found this on the pier in the bay off Berkeley. 

Needless to say Corn had to wash his hair after this...

3.02.2010

Long Awaited Escape Pod Updates!


It has been a long time since I have posted and Escape Pod updates! The Nikon lens met tragedy and had to be replaced... $200 later and I am back up and running! 
I am still working slowly... waiting for warmer weather to really get back into the grind of working on her. New launch date is the end of July (destination Burning Man via Canada!!). By then we should be able to get everything trimmed out properly, wired up, and add overhead cabinets for more storage. 

Until then I need some instant adventure! Corn, Mr. Biz., and I shall head out to California soon to get the V-Dub that has been rotting in a storage unit in Oakland. A month or so on the road and then back to work! Summer should be quite busy between Escape Pod Construction and Summer Classes.

Keep checking back on the blog for Adventure Updates from the road.

Word. 

-B




The Sprinter logo in glistening brilliance




Storage boxes, rear bed panels in place. New (homemade) brushed aluminum bumper cover, and 5000lb trailer hitch installed.




The sprinter after a recent chicken attack.




Cooktop, cubbies, and countertops!



Sink module with safe bolted thru floor. Fridge and inverter / switches will be installed in here. 



Close-up of trim detail to come.




Weight-bearing piano hinges for rear storage box tops.





Cutting drop-in hole for the cooktop.




Hole cut thru sidewall for heater exhaust.





Cabinets under construction. Salvaged and old desk for the drawers and sliders.




Cubbies. Brushed aluminum face to come.





Finished pattern on aluminum panels.





We used various size sanding disks on the grinder to pattern the aluminum.





Rear boxes going in...




Solid steel framing for containers in rear for strength and safety. These will be bolted to the side walls and through the floor in multiple locations. I want to build this thing solid to last. No cheap construction that is usually found in most RV's. 




Initial design for rear storage case.  Has since been refined for the water fill on the outside of the vehicle to be above the water line.