ROAD TEST FINALLY AFTER TWO MONTHS BUILDING EVERY WEEKEND. THAT SUCKED BUT I CAN SAFELY SAY 90% IS DONE. STILL NEED TO FIBERGLASS POP-UP HARDSIDE BACK PANEL. INSTALL BATTERY FOR KITCHEN AREA. FINISH KITCHEN AREA. IT FUNCTIONS HAVE SOLID MOUNTED TWO BURNER PROPANE STOVE ATTACHED TO 2 LB TANK THAT I FABED MOUNTING BRACKETS TO SPARE TIRE IN FRONT. HAVE ROLL OUT FOR COOLER. JUST NEED TO INSTALL STAINLESS STOVE SURROUND AND LAMINATE FORMICA TO COUNTERTOP( LEFTOVER FOR REMODEL JOB, ITS GOOD BEING GENERAL CONTRACTOR)

DROVE UP TO CENTRAL COAST FOR TWO WEEKS AND HAD NO PROBLEMS. SOLVED SOME STORAGE ISSUES. BUT DID GREAT. WENT OVER SOME TERRAIN, BUT WILL SEE HOW IT REALLY DOES OFFROAD ONCE THE DESERT STARTS THE COOL DOWN.

DECIDED TO PAINT AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE FOR NOW TO FJ. USED WHITE FOR THE POP-UP. GREY FOR THE BODY AND USED UNDERCOATER THE BOTTOM EDGES

NEXT WAS SEALING THE OUTSIDE WOOD. I KNEW LUAN EVEN PAINTED WOULDN'T HOLDUP TO LONG SO DECIDED TO FIBERGLASS OUTSIDE. FIRST SEALER/BONDING COAT. USED POLYESTER RESIN AND ACETONE MIXTURE TO SATURATE WOOD. ONCE TACKY. LAID 6 OZ FIBERGLASS. LAID ANOTHER COAT OF RESIN. APPLIED FINAL COAT RESIN. WASNT TO BAD. LIVED AND WORKED ON MY CRUISING SAILBOATS IN THE PAST. BEING A SURFER DOESN'T HURT EITHER. THAT IS WHY I FINALLY WENT WITH POLYESTER RESIN INSTEAD OF EPOXY.

AFTER BUILDING WALLS STARTED WIRING NEW RECESSED LIGHTS IN LIFT TAILGATE (KITCHEN AREA) AND DECIDED ON PAINT SCHEME. DECIDED TO USE ADJUSTABLE TENT POLES HAD LAYING AROUND INSTEAD OF TAILGATE GAS SHOCKS.

USED 4 18 X30" WINDOWS FROM ANOTHER PROJECT THAT NEVER HAPPENED

SKINNING THE INSIDE WAS EASY BECAUSE I DECIDED TO USE LOW CUT LOOP CARPET ON WALLS. THE INSIDE CURVES I JUST ANGLED INSTEAD OF FAIRING TO MATCH OUTSIDE. REASON FOR CARPET WAS TWO FOLD. FIRST IT ADDS R VALUE/ SOUNDPROOFING AND SECOND I DECIDED NOT TO RUN ELECTRICAL WIRING BECAUSE COULDN'T DECIDE LIGHT LOCATION. SO INSTEAD I USED LED TAP LIGHTS USING VELCRO. IT WORKED OUT PERFECT. WE CAN MOVE AROUND ANYWHERE BECAUSE INTERIOR IS ALL CARPET. ALSO WE CAN ATTACH VELCRO TO OTHER STUFF LIKE DVD PLAYER FOR THE KIDS.

SKINNING THE OUTSIDE WAS A DIFFERENT STORY BECAUSE OF ALL THE ANGLES. DID KERF CUT ON BACK SIDES OF SKIN IN THOSE AREAS. USED BONDO THE FAIR EVERYTHING OUT. TURNED OUT GOOD.

STARTED WALL BUILDOUT. USED 1X3 FOR FRAME KREG SCREWED AND GORILLA GLUED. DID FRAMES . ATTACHED TOGETHER MADE ADJUSTMENTS. WHEN IT LOOKED GOOD. TOOK APART AND SKINNED WITH 1/4 LUAN PLY AND SANDWICHED WITH 3/4 RIDGID INSULATION WITH FOIL BACKING FOR BETTER R VALUE