Welcome to the next installment of the

Topic of the Week

This week, we're going to talk about all the cool stuff that you made for after you're done on the trails.

You're probably thinking to yourself: Self, what's that all about?

Well, after a long day on the trails, or maybe a short one because you didn't bring the right parts :flipoff2:, you want to treat yourself right. Maybe you want a hot shower. Maybe you want a frosty beverage. Maybe you don't want to sleep on the ground.

Tell us about, and how, you built things like that adapter to convert your spare starter into a blender. Tell us about your heat exchanger project to build an on board shower.

So, what have you built to make your downtime more enjoyable?

;)
http://www.colorado4x4.org/uploads/buds.jpg

well right now, I'm still working on getting my jeep to make it to the end of the trail, but a couple of things I'd like to get someday.. first I'd like to get a 5-10 gallon container that I could fill with water, and hook up my OBA to get presurized water for showers, or washing off the rig or whatever. Secondly, I would build a little insulated cabinet into the floor of my jeep right above the catalytic convertor, to use that heat to keep food warm, if that won't work, might try something with the cooling system... I'm sure I'll think of more, my best ideas like this always come up when I'm sitting around a camp fire, after having a few cans of inspiration... if i would just remember to write them down...

chad

I can tell you one that dosent work is welding the base of a blender to your spedo cable...... and driving around your camp site.... It was one of those margerita nights when the power inverter went out..........

Originally posted by jeepin801
I can tell you one that dosent work is welding the base of a blender to your spedo cable...... and driving around your camp site.... It was one of those margerita nights when the power inverter went out..........

what I'm wondering is how you ever thought that would work correctly. :rasta:

Well I had taken my cable off my spedo when I droped my transfer case and never got around to putting it back on....
One night in the slick rock campground we were making margeritas and um lets say the tequila was flowing nicly when we blew up the power inverter. It was one of those old blenders that actually had mettle parts and it sure sounded like it would work when we were tequila happy :eek: the problem is that you have to drive like 45 or 50 to get it to spin fast enough to chop ice and then of course the damn cable breaks. so thats how it makes sence

, or washing off the rig or whatever

He said washing off the rig. You've got to be joking, washing off the rig, what a jackass.

Actually...pressurized water of some sort would come in handy to clean out a mud clogged radiator,or mud/debris crammed bead that needs re-seating...ya know...mud...that stuff that forms with water and dirt...aww nevermind. :rolleyes: :flipoff2:

MJ

Originally posted by Bigburlynakedguy


He said washing off the rig. You've got to be joking, washing off the rig, what a jackass.

I don't think he meant washing off the sheetmetal. :rolleyes: Jackass.

I've heard (here on POR) of guys rigging a blender up to run off air.
Heard of manifold burritos too.

as far as manifold burritos go, I saw a kit somewhere that amounted to a steel box that you would strap to your manifold and cook stuff in it, cost about 100 clams.

A hundred bones:eek: Just toss them burritos on your mannifod and drive around abit;)

I've seen aluminum foil and bailing wire for a lot less than 100 clams...

one of these would be nice.

http://www.bumperdumper.com/art/road8.jpg

i'm sure i could make that. (just added another project to the list)

an incredibly cheap idea and unfortunately one that doesn't require welding or a chop saw, but a hammock makes a wonderful cargo netting.

I once used the radio antenna to cook food over our camp fire.

Ya know the antenna never got put back on, well its not like it was my usefull CB antenna. :D

Originally posted by Bigburlynakedguy


He said washing off the rig. You've got to be joking, washing off the rig, what a jackass.

Thanks for your opinion, actually as stated above, i'd mainly like to be able to hose off the engine, and the under carriage, just to make sure all the right broken pieces are still there, and that the proper amount of fluids are leaking from their respectiive seals, and to hose myself off :) I really try to avoid cleaning off the sheet metal, lest everyone discover that it is several different colors, except of course where it's rusted off.

but I still fail to understand why washing my rig or even waxing it makes me a jacka$$, maybe a wimp, or a mall crawler, but not really a jacka$$, come on if your going to insult someone for no reason at least use the correct terminology...

chad

Originally posted by Bigburlynakedguy


He said washing off the rig. You've got to be joking, washing off the rig, what a jackass.

So you never wash your junk (If you even have any)? Wow, that's pretty hardcore of you. :rolleyes:. Thanks for dumbing down a thread, idiot.

i'm still working on something to sleep on, i wheel an XJ, so there is a carpeted area big enough to sleep on, but i'm a pansy, so i'm working on better ideas. one was to get an air matress that fits closely in the back, but it would enevibly (sp?) pop, and filling one always ends up being a PITA. another idea is a foam pad, but it is kinda bulky and expensive, and i dont know how comfy it would be.
also i'm working on a mount for the laptop, so i could watch DVDs in camp, and hooking it up to the jeep stereo so i can actual hear it.
Jeff

While this doesn't exactly fit:

I bought my tow rig for $400. Its a Ford E350 Van, the long 12 passenger one. I'm in the process of fixing it up how I want it. I've gone through the mechanical stuff -- new carb, new hoses, belts, radiator (replacing the 3 core with a 4 core), etc...

I also painted it, cause it needed it; surface rust all over, etc.. I ripped the carpet out, hurculined it, hurculined the bottom foot of the outside too. I've ripped the last 2 rows of seats out and have enough room to put a Queen sized bed in there. This leaves me with seating for 6.

The next part of this project involves making a frame for the bed, so that it sits about 18"-24" off the floor of the van. Adding a large drawer under the bed that can store camping gear, spare parts, bad kids (oops was that out loud? j/k), etc... Under the drawer I plan on putting a roll out counter top. I took the stops off of the rear doors which limited them to only opening about 100*, so now they can open up all the way. In the hollow areas in these doors I'm going to put a fold out camp stove in one and a sink in the other.

I figure this will make a great camper, and if I'm a ways away from home and the trail takes alot longer than expected, I can always just crash in the tow rig. :D

A 4x4" stainless box mounted inside of a 6x6" stainless box with a sealing door. Outer box is plumbed into the 02 sensor port of an exhause manifold. Valve plumbed inbetween.
Want to bake something? I can get to 350-450 degrees of controlled heat...

I make an awesome drunken steak on a 4 hour trail run. Rare with plenty of juice.

Originally posted by Grendel
A 4x4" stainless box mounted inside of a 6x6" stainless box with a sealing door. Outer box is plumbed into the 02 sensor port of an exhause manifold. Valve plumbed inbetween.
Want to bake something? I can get to 350-450 degrees of controlled heat...

I make an awesome drunken steak on a 4 hour trail run. Rare with plenty of juice.

that's a pretty good idea, I was thinking about cutting out the floor of the jeep, and mounting an ammo can right off the top of the cat with the top poking through the floor, and then put an insulated cover over it. I don't imagine I would get as much heat as your getting though, maybe I'll look into your idea.

chad

:blender:

The base of old blenders made by "Oster" accept a 1/4 inch drive socket extension perfectly.

Tried an air ratchet... too slow. Nasvik suggested a die grinder. Bingo. I bought an extra 1/4in extension and ground it to fit the 1/4 chuck of the die grinder.

Oh Yeah, Margi's baby :blender:

I need to get a plastic pitcher, the one I have is glass :eek:

A friend has a metal one like the ones they use in bars but you get frost bite holding it without gloves.

Powered by York, filled with Quervo. :blender:

somebody mentioned a hammock a while back...
I always keep at least one in the Jeep. The HD (not the pansy singles) from Wally World are nice, they fold up well and make snoozing at the end of the day much more pleasant prospect than on the ground. Add a $5 tarp/rope and you have shaded/waterproof camping.

Just park two cages near eachother, or back up to a tree and you've got the perfect alarm system if somebody starts messing with your rig.

Other good uses: cargo netting (as previously mentioned), as supplimental heavy rope, stretcher, food storage (up in tree), toy to occupy the kids... etc.

Originally posted by bluesman2a
somebody mentioned a hammock a while back...

Other good uses: ...toy to occupy the kids... etc.

HEY! Never would have thought of that. Let's see 3 kids = 6 hammocks....

Originally posted by Grendel
A 4x4" stainless box mounted inside of a 6x6" stainless box with a sealing door. Outer box is plumbed into the 02 sensor port of an exhause manifold. Valve plumbed inbetween.
Want to bake something? I can get to 350-450 degrees of controlled heat...

I make an awesome drunken steak on a 4 hour trail run. Rare with plenty of juice.

Pics please!!!!!

Originally posted by Dan-H
:blender:

The base of old blenders made by "Oster" accept a 1/4 inch drive socket extension perfectly.

Tried an air ratchet... too slow. Nasvik suggested a die grinder. Bingo. I bought an extra 1/4in extension and ground it to fit the 1/4 chuck of the die grinder.

Oh Yeah, Margi's baby :blender:

I need to get a plastic pitcher, the one I have is glass :eek:

A friend has a metal one like the ones they use in bars but you get frost bite holding it without gloves.

Powered by York, filled with Quervo. :blender:

I heard that grabbing a starter motor from a kawasaki motorcycle (or similiar) will work. Gut the oster, fit the motor in their and run HD alligator clips and 8 gauge wire to the battery.

SeanP

Good idea Sean! And Dan-H...You Da Man!:smokin:

Originally posted by SeanP


Pics please!!!!!

Sorry. My digital camera broke a while back. I'm hoping to get one for father's day.

It's really not that hard to imagine. It's a 6x6x6" with a 4x4x4" in the dead center of it. Weld the 4" box in the 6" box, centered on a piece of 1" stock. I welded my innner door to the outer door with a 1" spacer. I used stainless so I could cook right on it.
Used flexi tube for the heat tubing from my manifold to provide for the motor tourqing. It's bolted to my fender under a tuffy lockbox.
Next time I am going to drill the top for a temp gauge.

http://attach3.groups.yahoo.com/v1/oDoGPfEyvAGnOaXZeWYJhAuYZAi5bzZfSkvYrpbonzFq7K1WJM vzk5JYJZPeeLRofPkGBVfWCC_TbDlTAFEJf2XejtakPQoMHHJI gCkhJ6UZg8KW/Mvc-001s.jpg

hopefully the pic will show up, but if not its a excersise bike seat welded to a piece of 2" square scrap. works great for sliding in the reciver hitch, and the rear hatch on the xj keeps you out of the rain when your siting on it.

hunter

The best invention I have ever made to contribute to my comfort after a long day of wheelin is my 25' toybox with a generator, heater, A/c, 100 gallons of HOT water, and a margarita machine that does not require a speedo cable.:) :flipoff2: