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Andre307's 2016 Starcraft 17.58.1 OutBack - Sold
- Thread starter Andre307
- Start date
Finally a first mod for the van..
A new mattress for the double bed.
Found the jayco innerspring was way too firm. Was going to get a topper but wasn't convinced it was going to solve the issue.
In the end got one from IKEA of all places, 20% off mattress sale with fits (just) and made a world of difference for $340
A new mattress for the double bed.
Found the jayco innerspring was way too firm. Was going to get a topper but wasn't convinced it was going to solve the issue.
In the end got one from IKEA of all places, 20% off mattress sale with fits (just) and made a world of difference for $340
Well did a couple of things to the van today.
Fitted a ShurFlo filter tap to the sink:
And a key rack by the door for the excessive number of keys it has:
Removed the flip down undersink door to build.. guess what?
And have the following offroad coupling (similar to a Hyland) in the shed to install:
Had a go at it a couple of days ago, but apparently superman works at Jayco installing coupling bolts. Need a bigger breaker bar or to heat it up...
Also have this to build a temporary mount for (thinking maybe even on the rear bar) to hang it when in use:
If you haven't guessed yet the missus has water quality issues and I'm sick or carting boxed water everywhere
Fitted a ShurFlo filter tap to the sink:
And a key rack by the door for the excessive number of keys it has:
Removed the flip down undersink door to build.. guess what?
And have the following offroad coupling (similar to a Hyland) in the shed to install:
Had a go at it a couple of days ago, but apparently superman works at Jayco installing coupling bolts. Need a bigger breaker bar or to heat it up...
Also have this to build a temporary mount for (thinking maybe even on the rear bar) to hang it when in use:
If you haven't guessed yet the missus has water quality issues and I'm sick or carting boxed water everywhere
Well with the recent break in the cold weather I started work on another van project to move the batteries. Jayco had them under the lower bunk next to the Setec which rendered the storage under there useless.
So I’m moving them under the dinette seats behind the built in drawers. Didn’t use the small storage space there and should locate the battery weight better over the axles instead of a bit behind.
Will run some 6b&s cable under the floor and between them to hook it up with 50amp auto breakers.
Idea is to fit a Projecta 25A dc to dc charger in the corner where the batteries are coming out and then fit drawers under the bunk to make the storage accessible.
Still debating bypassing the Jayco solar regular and using the Projecta one. Can see benefits either way ...
So I’m moving them under the dinette seats behind the built in drawers. Didn’t use the small storage space there and should locate the battery weight better over the axles instead of a bit behind.
Will run some 6b&s cable under the floor and between them to hook it up with 50amp auto breakers.
Idea is to fit a Projecta 25A dc to dc charger in the corner where the batteries are coming out and then fit drawers under the bunk to make the storage accessible.
Still debating bypassing the Jayco solar regular and using the Projecta one. Can see benefits either way ...
Back onto mods for the upcoming WA trip.
The usual drawer replacement for the drop flap:
Can’t take credit for the work, dad is a retired cabinet maker
Should free up a drawer.
The usual drawer replacement for the drop flap:
Can’t take credit for the work, dad is a retired cabinet maker
Should free up a drawer.
More work on the van:
Twin jerry can holders mounted to the rear bumper.
Was going to just move the bar inwards and bolt through the center holes on the holders but due to the clearance to the bike rack and rear of the van was concerned about flex causing contact. So instead left the bar and fitted galv angle across behind it to support the back. Will never move now.
Cot conversion on the bottom bunk.
Just used a folding extendable bed rail and bolted it down to the ply underneath with some big washers for reinforcing. Had to shave the plastic a bit at the drawer end to ensure they clear. Should keep the little one contained.
Porta pottie cupboard.
Fitted aluminium angle to hold it place and will fit a strap to restrain it while travelling. Still unsure about door on or off. On means having to bang around in the dark waking the kids but looks neater. Off is quicker to access but the missus thinks less chance of smells
Also cleared the drawerbar ready for a toolbox.
Will relocate the spare under the back of the van to counterbalance the empty box weight. Have ordered a 1775x500x500 gullwing aluminium box to fit. Which is about the maximum I can with the stoneguard and gas bottles relocated in front.
Twin jerry can holders mounted to the rear bumper.
Was going to just move the bar inwards and bolt through the center holes on the holders but due to the clearance to the bike rack and rear of the van was concerned about flex causing contact. So instead left the bar and fitted galv angle across behind it to support the back. Will never move now.
Cot conversion on the bottom bunk.
Just used a folding extendable bed rail and bolted it down to the ply underneath with some big washers for reinforcing. Had to shave the plastic a bit at the drawer end to ensure they clear. Should keep the little one contained.
Porta pottie cupboard.
Fitted aluminium angle to hold it place and will fit a strap to restrain it while travelling. Still unsure about door on or off. On means having to bang around in the dark waking the kids but looks neater. Off is quicker to access but the missus thinks less chance of smells
Also cleared the drawerbar ready for a toolbox.
Will relocate the spare under the back of the van to counterbalance the empty box weight. Have ordered a 1775x500x500 gullwing aluminium box to fit. Which is about the maximum I can with the stoneguard and gas bottles relocated in front.
Drawerbar toolbox mounted:
Fits perfectly and the baby Q Weber just squeezes in through the hatch.
Very happy with the quality of the box for the price.
Now working on the gas bottle relocation...
Fits perfectly and the baby Q Weber just squeezes in through the hatch.
Very happy with the quality of the box for the price.
Now working on the gas bottle relocation...
Ohh, and did the HWS anode.
Was totally gone and I had to flush the tank of all the debris.
Note to self, don’t leave it 2.5 years
Was totally gone and I had to flush the tank of all the debris.
Note to self, don’t leave it 2.5 years
Ohh, and did the HWS anode.
Was totally gone and I had to flush the tank of all the debris.
Note to self, don’t leave it 2.5 years
And stand out of the way?
Lucky I read up about it first so knew to stand aside. Still amazing how much water sits in there
Fitted up the gas bottles and connected them all up last week. There was enough gas line already there to the regulator but the pig tails are a little long.
Happy with how it’s all turned out.
However discovered over the last week that the fridge is not installed properly
There are no internal baffles to direct the airflow through the vents which is why it struggles in hot weather and has to be set so high.
I will see if I can get a warranty claim on that one.
Happy with how it’s all turned out.
However discovered over the last week that the fridge is not installed properly
There are no internal baffles to direct the airflow through the vents which is why it struggles in hot weather and has to be set so high.
I will see if I can get a warranty claim on that one.
Still working on the van, only 2 weeks before we head off for 3 months.
Many things underway/done:
Installed the dc/dc charger under the rear bunk
Boxed it in so we can use the storage underneath still. Found the MPPT solar charger in it rubbish so removed and then added the jayco solar regulator back.
Also boxed the exposed external shower plumbing:
Again so stuff stowed under the bunk doesn’t break it.
Fixed the under dinette drawers (thanks to this forum) by moving the runners forward to where they are meant to be:
Jayco installed them too far back resulting in the drawer faces falling off
Also fixed the runners under the sink by shiming them with 4mm washers:
Jayco ‘fixed’ the issue at the factory by removing all the rear screws in the runner
I thought they fell out but when I replaced them found the drawer fell out of the runner. So they were removed on purpose, no wonder the drawers came loose when travelling. Now the drawers run smooth and square.
Installed a little bin under the sink, not much room under there due to the plumbing but got this in:
Not sure if I posted this already but Porto potty mount in the little cupboard under the wardrobe:
Took the door off as it’s just in the way and use a strap instead.
Put some labels on the lighting panel:
Always catches us out with external light is which. Why this isn’t done at the factory is just lazy...
Still got this to install:
So we can run a few things while free camping.
Oh, missed the drawer divider we put in the bottom drawer for the plates etc.
Also have to strengthen the stupid plastic C Chanel drawer runners in the rear and mount the plastic drawers in the wardrobe.
I’ll update the post with the external mods in the daylight.
Many things underway/done:
Installed the dc/dc charger under the rear bunk
Boxed it in so we can use the storage underneath still. Found the MPPT solar charger in it rubbish so removed and then added the jayco solar regulator back.
Also boxed the exposed external shower plumbing:
Again so stuff stowed under the bunk doesn’t break it.
Fixed the under dinette drawers (thanks to this forum) by moving the runners forward to where they are meant to be:
Jayco installed them too far back resulting in the drawer faces falling off
Also fixed the runners under the sink by shiming them with 4mm washers:
Jayco ‘fixed’ the issue at the factory by removing all the rear screws in the runner
I thought they fell out but when I replaced them found the drawer fell out of the runner. So they were removed on purpose, no wonder the drawers came loose when travelling. Now the drawers run smooth and square.
Installed a little bin under the sink, not much room under there due to the plumbing but got this in:
Not sure if I posted this already but Porto potty mount in the little cupboard under the wardrobe:
Took the door off as it’s just in the way and use a strap instead.
Put some labels on the lighting panel:
Always catches us out with external light is which. Why this isn’t done at the factory is just lazy...
Still got this to install:
So we can run a few things while free camping.
Oh, missed the drawer divider we put in the bottom drawer for the plates etc.
Also have to strengthen the stupid plastic C Chanel drawer runners in the rear and mount the plastic drawers in the wardrobe.
I’ll update the post with the external mods in the daylight.
Nice job mate. Where you heading?Still working on the van, only 2 weeks before we head off for 3 months.
Many things underway/done:
Installed the dc/dc charger under the rear bunk
View attachment 63255
Boxed it in so we can use the storage underneath still. Found the MPPT solar charger in it rubbish so removed and then added the jayco solar regulator back.
Also boxed the exposed external shower plumbing:
View attachment 63256
Again so stuff stowed under the bunk doesn’t break it.
Fixed the under dinette drawers (thanks to this forum) by moving the runners forward to where they are meant to be:
View attachment 63257
Jayco installed them too far back resulting in the drawer faces falling off
Also fixed the runners under the sink by shiming them with 4mm washers:
View attachment 63258
Jayco ‘fixed’ the issue at the factory by removing all the rear screws in the runner
I thought they fell out but when I replaced them found the drawer fell out of the runner. So they were removed on purpose, no wonder the drawers came loose when travelling. Now the drawers run smooth and square.
Installed a little bin under the sink, not much room under there due to the plumbing but got this in:
View attachment 63259
Not sure if I posted this already but Porto potty mount in the little cupboard under the wardrobe:
View attachment 63260
Took the door off as it’s just in the way and use a strap instead.
Put some labels on the lighting panel:
View attachment 63262
Always catches us out with external light is which. Why this isn’t done at the factory is just lazy...
Still got this to install:
View attachment 63261
So we can run a few things while free camping.
Oh, missed the drawer divider we put in the bottom drawer for the plates etc.
Also have to strengthen the stupid plastic C Chanel drawer runners in the rear and mount the plastic drawers in the wardrobe.
I’ll update the post with the external mods in the daylight.
Heading off for the big 3 month NT/WA trip. How are you guys going? Will have to catch up some point when we get back
Yeh all good here mate. Sounds like a good trip. Catch up would be good.Heading off for the big 3 month NT/WA trip. How are you guys going? Will have to catch up some point when we get back
Few more things achieved this weekend.
Fitted the inverter in the little drop down cupboard under the microwave with an isolation switch under the dinette near the batteries:
Ran out of cable lugs so it’s currently wired with a single set of 6b&s cables. Second set in place but not connected. It ran the 900w NutriBullet fine but beeped while running the jayco fitted sphere 1400w microwave. Still ran it though so I think it was due to the voltage drop triggering the low battery alarm. Hopefully connecting up the second cable resolves it. Very happy with it for the price paid.
Fitted plastic shelves in the external locker:
Angle brackets hold it in place. Should make accessing things easier.
Resealed the wheel arches with silicone. Noticed a fair bit of dust on the inside under there so thought it a good idea to redo it before hitting any dirt roads. No pictures of that but it’s a boring job anyway
After much debating ordered a eBay camping washing machine. Will be able to run it off the inverter so should make life easier with the little ones.
Fitted the inverter in the little drop down cupboard under the microwave with an isolation switch under the dinette near the batteries:
Ran out of cable lugs so it’s currently wired with a single set of 6b&s cables. Second set in place but not connected. It ran the 900w NutriBullet fine but beeped while running the jayco fitted sphere 1400w microwave. Still ran it though so I think it was due to the voltage drop triggering the low battery alarm. Hopefully connecting up the second cable resolves it. Very happy with it for the price paid.
Fitted plastic shelves in the external locker:
Angle brackets hold it in place. Should make accessing things easier.
Resealed the wheel arches with silicone. Noticed a fair bit of dust on the inside under there so thought it a good idea to redo it before hitting any dirt roads. No pictures of that but it’s a boring job anyway
After much debating ordered a eBay camping washing machine. Will be able to run it off the inverter so should make life easier with the little ones.
Strengthened the drawer runners which had the plastic c channel with some blocks. Seen it somewhere else on the forum:
Put some extra plastic drawers in the rear wardrobe:
Still have some stone protection to do under the van but apart from that I think I’m almost done for now.
Put some extra plastic drawers in the rear wardrobe:
Still have some stone protection to do under the van but apart from that I think I’m almost done for now.