New Owner '98 Side Entry!

[Willywalderbeast]

Hey Guys!
Just flew across the country to pick up my '98 side entry chinook! I have been looking on and off for the right side entry chinook for over two years. Finally I found this one in Oregon and snagged it up, couldn't be happier! Anyway just wanted to introduce myself before I start asking a ton of questions while I upgrade my rig.

I have 12 days till I have to be back in CT, my wife and I plan to hit some National Parks and our favorite city's on our way back. We will most likely be boondocking the majority of the nights as we did last night in downtown Portland! Even had free wifi!!!

https://www.flickr.com/gp/55111649@N00/2nDtVe

First stop when we picked her up, Hood River with Mt Hood in the background.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/55111649@N00/72Wj53

And the reason I held out for a side door...... The rear bed!!!!
https://flic.kr/p/KeJP8o

-John


*** Not sure why I couldn't post pictures? I've belonged to forums before and tried posting as I did in the past and it didn't work. I added the links to the photos in my Flickr, Sorry!

[kdarling]

Darn, can't see the pics, but a big Hurrah! for you finding what you wanted!

Not to mention that a '98 SE is pretty rare, I think. Of course all SEs are pretty rare!

[Blue~Go]

Welcome, John (and Hello to your wife too)

I can't see the photos either, but I wish I could. I mean, photos of you new rig on a cross-country trip, then mods, upgrades, and discussions about them... what's not to like!

I prefer boondocking as well - bet you'll find some nice spots on the way east.

Nice to have you here on the forum,

BG

[HoosierB]

Welcome to the Forum, John!

A '98 SE.... sweet! Can't wait to see it (pics were a no-show). Keep the updates coming!

HoosierB

[Willywalderbeast]

Thanks for the welcome everyone!

Can't wait to get here home to clean her up and start some upgrades and mods. The biggest mod will be a 4x4 Ujoint conversion over the winter.

Some other items on "the list" include new GPS head unit (http://www.sonicelectronix.com/lp/pla-i ... AskE8P8HAQ) Installed this in my last Tacoma and it worked flawlessly, and can be had for $150 usually on sale at the site above! Add a cheap back up camera and you have a awesome setup for a lot less then most other gps/backup setups and nothing is hanging on your windshield!

-My wife will be reupholstering the dinnet cushions.
-Want to install a new tv (already scraped the original one) and figure out a good wifi booster setup.
-New solar panels and inspect my current batteries and possible install 3 new house batteries and remove the slide tray.
-Reclear all my stripes on the exterior as they are peeling now.
-Fix a couple small items that are broke or worn out inside the rig.
-New mirrors as the current ones are in bad shape.
-Figure out new headlights, mine are HORRIBLE!

That's just some immediate things I'm going to be tackling, I'm sure there's tons of things I'm forgetting haha.

Last nights sunset on Mora Beach in Washington.
https://flic.kr/p/Kp9Y4b

[Blue~Go]

-Want to install a new tv (already scraped the original one) and figure out a good wifi booster setup.

Ha, my original TV didn't make it all the way home either Ditto for the Mr. Coffee, the CB, and the VCR. I'm so cruel

I just helped a buddy install HID headlights on his Econoline chassis. I haven't driven it at night yet, but considering the headlights we replaced were horrible eBay ones (one candlepower), I'm sure they will be an improvement. I wanted them for my Chinook (original headlights: two candlepower) but they weren't in the budget at the time, so I suggested them to a friend and helped put them in instead (heh). I still want them.

My impression of U-joint is that he's a great guy and it's a stellar place to do business.

Can't wait to see pics and hear more.

[SMan]

Welcome Willy. Sounds like a nice rig. Looking forward to the pictures. My wife and I have spent many a Christmas day at Kalaloch (south a bit from Mora Beach). Travel safe!

[Willywalderbeast]

-Want to install a new tv (already scraped the original one) and figure out a good wifi booster setup.

Ha, my original TV didn't make it all the way home either Ditto for the Mr. Coffee, the CB, and the VCR. I'm so cruel

I just helped a buddy install HID headlights on his Econoline chassis. I haven't driven it at night yet, but considering the headlights we replaced were horrible eBay ones (one candlepower), I'm sure they will be an improvement. I wanted them for my Chinook (original headlights: two candlepower) but they weren't in the budget at the time, so I suggested them to a friend and helped put them in instead (heh). I still want them.

My impression of U-joint is that he's a great guy and it's a stellar place to do business.

Can't wait to see pics and hear more.

Got a link to the ones you guys used?

[Willywalderbeast]

Welcome Willy. Sounds like a nice rig. Looking forward to the pictures. My wife and I have spent many a Christmas day at Kalaloch (south a bit from Mora Beach). Travel safe!

Thanks! Yea it's a beautiful area for sure.

Wish I could figure out what I'm doing wrong trying to post these pictures, anyone got some pointers???

[Blue~Go]

Well, there are two ways to have photos appear here.

1) A photo that is hosted and elsewhere and on the web already. Copy the image address (not the image itself) to here, add the Img tags, then preview, and if it looks good, post (note that the image address may be called "Properties ---> something, something" in Windows - I forget but it should be fairly obvious.

2) Upload a photo to the forum from your hard drive, using the box just beneath this text box (choose file, add the file, place it within the text). Then preview, and if it looks good, post.

If you preview and the image doesn't show up correctly, the it won't post correctly either.

The HID headlights are from Vantage Optics (they have a Facebook page - it's a small one-guy operation). He somewhat specializes in 1992-2006 Ford vans, although he does others as well. There are multiple bases and multiple options. Buddy got the Option Two lights, which come with a strip of LED's and then added basic halos (both set up as DRL's because the LED strips alone aren't that bright) and also the clear turn signal housings and LED turn signal bulbs. We wired it so the DRL's are switched but that switched circuit only comes on with the ignition. Reasoning behind that is so they can be left switched "on" 99% of the time and just come on automatically as DRL's, yet not be left on accidentally. Yet the switch also allows them to be controlled manually to NOT be on in campgrounds and/or other times as desired. The main headlights operate as normal with the Ford headlight switch.

Option one and two housings are basically clear/silver like stock. Option three and four housings are somewhat blacked out. Making a one a two (clear/silver housings) adds the little strip of LED lights, as does making a three a four (blacked out housings). If this sounds confusing, well, I wasn't sure what I (and buddy) wanted at first either, as I didn't really know much about them. But the owner (Scott) is very good about explaining the options, and responds nearly instantly to e-mail (and will take a call if necessary).

When I get my set I'll take photos as I go along and write it up.