G’day All
I'm relatively new to the forum so I thought I would post a few pics of my Expanda in here and list my mods to date. Whilst the van is quite modified everything has a purpose and so far has served me and the family gallantly through most of WA. We are currently planning a trip to the Kimberly for 2013 (was supposed to be this year but my wife and I are expecting). Unfortunately I’m at the other end of retirement so I cant just get up and do the OZ loop but I’ll be trying my hardest to see every corner of this great country at every skerrick of annual leave and public holiday long weekend there is.
So far...
Full custom drawbar upgraded to 150RHS all the way back to wheels and extended 1200. Lift up platform on gas struts (with storage underneath) to carry quad bike, twin gas bottles and jerry holder, HD jockey wheel, Hyland coupling hitch with Weight Distribution.
Upgraded suspension (springs and shocks), wheels (F250 rims-1500kg each with spare) and tyres to carry 3 tonne and re-registered the van to be rated to 2900kg. 50mm billet solid step axle for increased clearance and strength.
Due to the increase in height I added a fold out step to help with the gap.
Custom swing out wheel carrier and toolbox at the rear. Wheel carrier modified to carry fully adjustable satellite mount. In the toolbox I carry 2kva Honda genie, leads, lights, tools, rope and an Ozpig. Notice I have installed additional LED brake/indicator lights up the sides as the toolbox can restrict the view of the lights.
The carrier also houses my table in a canvas bag and the WeberQ. Originally we had the Jayco BBQ in the toolbox next to the door but decided that the WeberQ was alot handier as we had a 6mm plate cut and now use it as a BBQ as well. Now I have monster storage in the cupboard.
In the spare wheel bag I carry all my sullage and coaxial cable for the satellite plus a collapsible bin.
The ladder I carry needs a new home as I have to remove it to get into the toolbox all the time but I'm still working on that one.
Pressed toolbox with locking doors on each end hangs under the rear of the van - this is where I keep all the poles for the bed ends (uprights and spreaders + spares for more shade if required)
Recently I installed the LED style side marking lights - these are a lot better obviously and the original gaskets were white and perished in the sun.
I have 5x 90L water tanks with hiflow electric pump and level gauges mounted on the pantry side and tank taps near the door under the van. I have mounted a tap on the drawbar and a filtered tap to the sink. I am thinking about mounting another tap at the back of the van on the dead side as the one on the front generally lets water fall into your camp area. I also installed an external shower point for those times when you just had a swim at the beach.
4 Solar panels live fixed to the roof charging 2 batteries with 1600W inverter and Ctek battery charger and power usage monitor all mounted with the air con compressor unit underneath the couch.
On the solar panel frame I have mounted some roof racks to carry kayaks when needed but nothing of any weight ever goes up there.
I also have mounted a 3G/Wifi antenna here for bush internet and 3g phone long distance coverage.
Next to the tank taps I mounted the wheel chocks for quick access and all the other gear I need for quick setup sits in the front compartment ready to go.
All the compartments had crap key lock openers so I changed them all to swivel type hand locks that also use the keys if you want to. And I also mounted a couple of marine 12V plugs on the camp side for the fridges...
I’m pretty sure I have covered everything on the outside.
I'm relatively new to the forum so I thought I would post a few pics of my Expanda in here and list my mods to date. Whilst the van is quite modified everything has a purpose and so far has served me and the family gallantly through most of WA. We are currently planning a trip to the Kimberly for 2013 (was supposed to be this year but my wife and I are expecting). Unfortunately I’m at the other end of retirement so I cant just get up and do the OZ loop but I’ll be trying my hardest to see every corner of this great country at every skerrick of annual leave and public holiday long weekend there is.
So far...
Full custom drawbar upgraded to 150RHS all the way back to wheels and extended 1200. Lift up platform on gas struts (with storage underneath) to carry quad bike, twin gas bottles and jerry holder, HD jockey wheel, Hyland coupling hitch with Weight Distribution.
Upgraded suspension (springs and shocks), wheels (F250 rims-1500kg each with spare) and tyres to carry 3 tonne and re-registered the van to be rated to 2900kg. 50mm billet solid step axle for increased clearance and strength.
Due to the increase in height I added a fold out step to help with the gap.
Custom swing out wheel carrier and toolbox at the rear. Wheel carrier modified to carry fully adjustable satellite mount. In the toolbox I carry 2kva Honda genie, leads, lights, tools, rope and an Ozpig. Notice I have installed additional LED brake/indicator lights up the sides as the toolbox can restrict the view of the lights.
The carrier also houses my table in a canvas bag and the WeberQ. Originally we had the Jayco BBQ in the toolbox next to the door but decided that the WeberQ was alot handier as we had a 6mm plate cut and now use it as a BBQ as well. Now I have monster storage in the cupboard.
In the spare wheel bag I carry all my sullage and coaxial cable for the satellite plus a collapsible bin.
The ladder I carry needs a new home as I have to remove it to get into the toolbox all the time but I'm still working on that one.
Pressed toolbox with locking doors on each end hangs under the rear of the van - this is where I keep all the poles for the bed ends (uprights and spreaders + spares for more shade if required)
Recently I installed the LED style side marking lights - these are a lot better obviously and the original gaskets were white and perished in the sun.
I have 5x 90L water tanks with hiflow electric pump and level gauges mounted on the pantry side and tank taps near the door under the van. I have mounted a tap on the drawbar and a filtered tap to the sink. I am thinking about mounting another tap at the back of the van on the dead side as the one on the front generally lets water fall into your camp area. I also installed an external shower point for those times when you just had a swim at the beach.
4 Solar panels live fixed to the roof charging 2 batteries with 1600W inverter and Ctek battery charger and power usage monitor all mounted with the air con compressor unit underneath the couch.
On the solar panel frame I have mounted some roof racks to carry kayaks when needed but nothing of any weight ever goes up there.
I also have mounted a 3G/Wifi antenna here for bush internet and 3g phone long distance coverage.
Next to the tank taps I mounted the wheel chocks for quick access and all the other gear I need for quick setup sits in the front compartment ready to go.
All the compartments had crap key lock openers so I changed them all to swivel type hand locks that also use the keys if you want to. And I also mounted a couple of marine 12V plugs on the camp side for the fridges...
I’m pretty sure I have covered everything on the outside.
