Tonkaman
Well-Known Member
- Location
- West Jordan
I seem to remember Steve saying he probably should have just bought the drawers. It seems like by the time he was done it was just as expensive and lots of time invested.
Ford Build Thread: FrED the Ford. '98 E350 7.3 4x4 The More We Explore's Adventure Van
- Thread starter sixstringsteve
- Start date
I seem to remember Steve saying he probably should have just bought the drawers. It seems like by the time he was done it was just as expensive and lots of time invested.
- Location
- The Village of Kay
If I remember right, it was like $30~$35 a sheet at Home Depot. I don't remember how many sheets went into the build. Hopefully Steve will chime in, but I think the most expensive part was the roller skate bearings.
There were MANY hours in those drawers. It would go a lot faster the 2nd time, and starting with a table saw rather than just a circ saw.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
3/4" birch ply for the outers and 1/2" birch ply for the inner drawers.
I spent about $800 for materials for my drawers and way too much if Dave's time. I liked that they were the perfect size for my needs, but if I were to do it again I would have either used auper heavy duty drawer sliders, or just purchased a truck bed drawer kit.
It was a fun project and I learned a ton, but it was not money or time saved. Some things in life just aren't worth the time and hassle they take. Dave and I put at least 20 hours into those drawers.
I spent about $800 for materials for my drawers and way too much if Dave's time. I liked that they were the perfect size for my needs, but if I were to do it again I would have either used auper heavy duty drawer sliders, or just purchased a truck bed drawer kit.
It was a fun project and I learned a ton, but it was not money or time saved. Some things in life just aren't worth the time and hassle they take. Dave and I put at least 20 hours into those drawers.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
The RME family has been great to me, offered a ton of advice, and I've met some of my best friends on here. While we're not sharing on social media yet, I feel good posting an update here. It's a miracle, but my wife and I are expecting our first child in November (100% unexpected). We have a long way to go before then, but it definitely shakes things up. We're going to continue our nomadic life on the road for the next few years, but we'll be making a few changes as we adjust to this major life event.
We've been putting a lot of thought into whether or not we want to load a kid into Fred every day (this is our only vehicle, after all). My wife and I have decided that we're going to sell Fred. We'll be sacrifice carrying capacity, versatility, 100% on-demand camping, fridge, etc. for something that's a little more comfortable to put a kid in every day. So, we've decided to sell Fred to fund our next vehicle. Since you'll all be curious, I'm planning on a 5.7 Tundra double cab. So I'd be open to a partial trade for a 2007+ doublecab 4x4 tundra.
Here's a link to the ad on expo. I'm asking $55k. I realize it's a lot of money for those who don't follow 4x4 vans, but when you factor in what a clean stock 7.3L E350 costs (or even a clean 7.3L F350), plus the $20-30k it costs to modify them for 4wd, plus the $7-10k for the top, and all the extras, it adds up. It's a niche vehicle that most people won't understand why it's not $5k, but I've seen these go for $70-80k with 200k miles.
Anyway, that's the long way of saying "fred is for sale." Let me know if you have any friends who are in the market for a great tow rig, van, 4x4 mobile camper, or eye-catcher.
We've been putting a lot of thought into whether or not we want to load a kid into Fred every day (this is our only vehicle, after all). My wife and I have decided that we're going to sell Fred. We'll be sacrifice carrying capacity, versatility, 100% on-demand camping, fridge, etc. for something that's a little more comfortable to put a kid in every day. So, we've decided to sell Fred to fund our next vehicle. Since you'll all be curious, I'm planning on a 5.7 Tundra double cab. So I'd be open to a partial trade for a 2007+ doublecab 4x4 tundra.
Here's a link to the ad on expo. I'm asking $55k. I realize it's a lot of money for those who don't follow 4x4 vans, but when you factor in what a clean stock 7.3L E350 costs (or even a clean 7.3L F350), plus the $20-30k it costs to modify them for 4wd, plus the $7-10k for the top, and all the extras, it adds up. It's a niche vehicle that most people won't understand why it's not $5k, but I've seen these go for $70-80k with 200k miles.
Anyway, that's the long way of saying "fred is for sale." Let me know if you have any friends who are in the market for a great tow rig, van, 4x4 mobile camper, or eye-catcher.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Man, it's been forever since I've updated this. I've made some more changes to the van. It now has airbags from ujoint offroad. This was my first experience with air bags and I'm a big fan, especially when towing.
- Location
- Bountiful, land of rocks
Congrats on the bambino!!! That’s fantastic! My heart goes out to those that deal with infertility. It took us 5 years to have kids. KILLED my wife as she knew I wasn’t the issue. I can’t really relate to infertility as we ultimately were able to have kids. It SUCKED to go through the time when we couldn’t have kids. I’m really thrilled for you and your wife!
- Location
- The Village of Kay
Congrats on the new addition! That is so exciting, and I am super happy for you guys!
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Thanks you guys, you're good friends. Infertility was tough, but after 7 or so years (and lots of counseling), we were able to move on with our lives and not be sad anymore. We chose to be happy anyway and looked for new ways to fulfill our lives. In fact, we had moved on so much that it was difficult to get excited about the pregnancy at first.
Part of the decision to travel full-time was to move on with our lives and infertility, and start taking control the things we could control. I realized I didn't want to stay at my deadbeat job for 40 more years just waiting around for retirement. So we got out and started this crazy adventure. When we found out we were pregnant, we couldn't believe it at first. To be honest, all the excitement from years ago didn't return immediately. We'd worked hard to move on and close that chapter of our lives. Now we're reopening it, and it has taken some time to gain the excitement back. We're not quite as excited as we were 4 years ago, but it's growing every day. We know it'll totally change when we see our little one for the first time.
In hindsight, I wouldn't have it any other way. The infertility struggle caused us to totally reexamine and rethink our lives. Now I have a mobile job I can do from anywhere, and I'll get to work from home and be around to help raise my kid. It's turning out to be an amazing thing.
Part of the decision to travel full-time was to move on with our lives and infertility, and start taking control the things we could control. I realized I didn't want to stay at my deadbeat job for 40 more years just waiting around for retirement. So we got out and started this crazy adventure. When we found out we were pregnant, we couldn't believe it at first. To be honest, all the excitement from years ago didn't return immediately. We'd worked hard to move on and close that chapter of our lives. Now we're reopening it, and it has taken some time to gain the excitement back. We're not quite as excited as we were 4 years ago, but it's growing every day. We know it'll totally change when we see our little one for the first time.
In hindsight, I wouldn't have it any other way. The infertility struggle caused us to totally reexamine and rethink our lives. Now I have a mobile job I can do from anywhere, and I'll get to work from home and be around to help raise my kid. It's turning out to be an amazing thing.
Last edited:
BlueWolfFab
Running Behind
- Location
- Eagle Mountain
Steve!! I'm so happy for you and Tess!! I can't think of a more deserving couple for this right now. I hope everything goes as well as it can; keep us updated! Excited to see what the near future has in store for you.
kmboren
Recovering XJ owner anonymous
- Location
- Southern Utah
Congrats. I am happy for you guys.
rholbrook
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Kaysville, Ut
This makes me happy. I watch how you treat and actually teach Harrison with such patience. I have told my wife on several occasions that you would make a great father and Tess a great mother. After our last trip Jenn even said the same thing. This is seriously so cool
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Thanks so much Chance. So far the baby has been healthy. We just have to keep tess from crashing on her bike for the next few months. She's still been riding a ton. We are bracing for the huge changes ahead...
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Thanks so much russ! We are going to be awful parents, but we are going to try our best. I've got a lot of great examples out there to learn from. I just hope I don't parent like my dad parented. It's going to be hard to undo what's been ingrained in me.
Tess was pregnant on our ride in moab, but we weren't quite ready to tell people (plus we had some friends there who struggled with infertility as well, and we didnt want them to feel bad). I'm proud of her for riding all 100 of those miles while feeling less than awesome. She is a tough girl.
Theres no way we are ready for what's about to come, but we'll handle it one day at a time, like most people do.
We really appreciate the kind words of encouragement. We will be back in Utah late September and all of October to have the baby on American Fork in nov. It will be good to be back in town amongst friends.
Last edited:
- Location
- Grantsville, Utah
Congrats x elventybillion! That's awesome news!
A little advice- don't change who/what you are for a baby. Kids are extremely versatile and adaptable, just look at history. Nomadic lifestyle suits them just fine.
A little advice- don't change who/what you are for a baby. Kids are extremely versatile and adaptable, just look at history. Nomadic lifestyle suits them just fine.
Corban_White
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Payson, AZ
The first of many (awesome) life changes that will come from having kids! When we were getting ready to have Maxton everyone told me that life was going to be way different. I didn't understand how it could change much and while it didn't at first as time has gone on and the kids have grown everything has changed and I wouldn't go back for anything. So happy for you guys!
The Tundra is a good choice. It will be different than the van for sure but it is a good platform. What are you planning to do with the bikes? You can probably take out part of the rear seat (I think it's split 60/40) and put the fridge there. I was surprised to see Tundra and not 3.5 ecoboost transit van. I'm sure factory 4x4 had something to do with it and I know you've been missing your Toyotas. Good luck with the next chapter and let me know if you need a hand!
The Tundra is a good choice. It will be different than the van for sure but it is a good platform. What are you planning to do with the bikes? You can probably take out part of the rear seat (I think it's split 60/40) and put the fridge there. I was surprised to see Tundra and not 3.5 ecoboost transit van. I'm sure factory 4x4 had something to do with it and I know you've been missing your Toyotas. Good luck with the next chapter and let me know if you need a hand!
Excellent news Steve and congrats to you all. Life has a funny way of evolving and it wouldn't be surprising if your adventure on the road somehow added to this new life changing miracle. Good luck with the change and best wishes. It's always good to hear from you.
ID Bronco
Registered User
- Location
- Idaho Falls, ID
Congratulations! I am very happy for you!
- Location
- Stinkwater
This is kickass news. I'm so happy for you guys.
Skylinerider
Wandering the desert
- Location
- Ephraim
That's amazing news! I'm so happy for you and Tess! Congrats my friend!