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Hodaka"Pops" Revel Build - Traveling in Comfort!

Revel 4wd sprinter van

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#1 Hodakaguy

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Posted 19 February 2023 - 04:26 PM

After years of following us in his Tacoma/Wedge camper on our family adventures my father (Dan) decided it's time to upgrade to something a bit more comfortable and warmer.   After looking a while we recently snagged a 2021 Revel for a more comfortable traveling experience, No more having to  mess with setting up the camper each night and when weather is nasty you just shut the van off and your all ready to camp...no setup required.

Here's my fathers old setup, the camper is pretty darn slick but you still have to get out of the truck and set the camper up each night, not a fun job in nasty weather.  My father (Like myself) hates being cold and even with the Propex heater we installed the unit never stays as warm as he would like.   I also love that at 80 years old he will no longer have to climb up onto the tailgate to get into and out of the camper each night :-)

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Enter my fathers "new" Revel.  We looked around a while and found a low mile 2021 close to home.  We really wanted the 2021 and up units that comes with the lithium batteries, larger fridge etc.   Here we are just picking it up and getting ready to head home.

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Happy Pops :wings

Mods to come......

Hodakaguy

 


  • 2

My 4wd Sprinter Build: CLICK HERE

My Unimog U1300L Build:  CLICK HERE

My VW Syncro Westy Build:  CLICK HERE

My Tacoma/FWC  Builds: CLICK HERE

Ride Report - In Memory Of The Crewmen: CLICK HERE


#2 Hodakaguy

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Posted 19 February 2023 - 04:27 PM

We had a couple water leaks on some PEX tubing that I took care of by re-clamping a few of the PEX clamps.  While I had the system open I had read that it's a good idea to support the Heater mixing valve that Winnebago leaves loose and flopping around, if left unsupported it can cause leaks down the road.   Time to fix this before it becomes an issue down the road!

Here you can see the unsupported mixing valve being held up by the PEX tubing itself.  The valve assembly weights quite a bit and on rough roads it will shake around a lot, potentially creating leaks in the process.   After looking at how to make a bracket I figured the best way would be to build a bracket that supports off the Timberline surge tank just to the right of the mixing valve.   With a plan in place it's time to start fabricating.

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I started with a few scrap pieces of stainless steel plate that I had on hand.

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Forming one of the plates to the same radius as the surge tank for a nice snug fit.

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I cut the piece on an angle so when mounted it will match up with the angle that the valve is currently sitting at, this way it won't put any additional pressure on the PEX lines.

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Starting the assembly process

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Adding a stop to keep the hose clamp from sliding off the mount once it's on the surge tank.

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These are the snap ties that will hold the valve to the bracket.

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Adding a piece of felt to the mounting bracket that will sit between the bracket and the valve.

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Mount installed on the surge tank.

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And done.  One less thing to worry about when we are out on the trail.   More to come.

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More to come...

Hodakaguy

 


  • 0

My 4wd Sprinter Build: CLICK HERE

My Unimog U1300L Build:  CLICK HERE

My VW Syncro Westy Build:  CLICK HERE

My Tacoma/FWC  Builds: CLICK HERE

Ride Report - In Memory Of The Crewmen: CLICK HERE


#3 Hodakaguy

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Posted 19 February 2023 - 04:27 PM

A few more preventive maintenance tasks.

First up to protect the exposed wiring on the side door where you remove the cassette toilet.  These wires have the potential to rub on the cassette over time and possibly wear through, a few minutes of prevention here can save issues down the road.  Added some wire loom to protect the wiring.  easy and quick upgrade.

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I also did a couple quick mods inside the rear battery compartment.  Winnebago installed a temp switch to cut off charging to the Lithium batteries when the temps are below freezing.  Unfortunately they attached the switch to an aluminum panel that stays cold even when the interior of the van is warm, this can prevent the batteries from charging when in reality the batteries are warm enough to charge.  I removed the temperature switch from the aluminum panel and used a couple snap ties to secure it to a wiring bundle near by, now it's measuring actual air temp next to the batts and charging will function as normal.

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While I was in the battery compartment I found an unsupported relay sitting behind a switch panel and two wires that are up tight against a sharp wood edge.  A few more snap ties and some wire loom took care of these quickly.

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More to come..

Hodakaguy

 


  • 0

My 4wd Sprinter Build: CLICK HERE

My Unimog U1300L Build:  CLICK HERE

My VW Syncro Westy Build:  CLICK HERE

My Tacoma/FWC  Builds: CLICK HERE

Ride Report - In Memory Of The Crewmen: CLICK HERE


#4 Hodakaguy

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Posted 19 February 2023 - 04:28 PM

With summer camping season fast approaching it's time to start completing some of the larger modifications.  On my van I installed a 47 Gallon S&B fuel tank and absolutely love the range it provides when traveling the remote areas that we love to travel.  We both agreed this mod needs to be on the Revel as well so I contacted Cory at Peak 10 Customs and within days we had the new tank in hand.  The S&B Revel tank is 40 Gallons instead of 47 Like the unit on my van, the size difference is to accommodate the wiring/hoes etc that Winnebago installs under the Revel.

The Tank as it arrived in the Box.

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Not a lot to it really.  Kit comes with new support brackets, a new O-ring for the fuel sender that you'll transfer over from the original tank and vent lines already installed in protective loom....nice!

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Getting ready for the install.

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Stock tank

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Next up is to remove the 90 deg hose from the filler neck to the tank.  The tank has a check valve in it that prevents fuel from flowing backwards out of the tank but you'll still loose a bit when you pull the hose.  Place a tub under the hose to catch the fuel as you pull the hose free.

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Next up is disconnecting the Fuel Line, Fuel Return Line and Aux Fuel line for the heater.  I like to use Red Caps, basically like small condoms to seal the ends of the open lines to keep dirt out etc.  These are also super handy to seal caulking tubes to keep them from drying out.   I use ziplock bags to protect the larger tank ends of the lines while disconnected.

Note: The links below are my Amazon Affiliate links, I make a small portion each time someone purchases from Amazon using one of my links, at no extra cost to the buyer. I only provide links to items that I personally like and use myself. i use the money to put back into my builds and support making videos/posts. If you prefer not to use my links you can search for the same items directly off Amazon. Thank you for the support!

Red Caps - On Amazon here: CLICK HERE

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We removed the three support brackets holding the tank to the van then used two floor jacks to drop the tank down out of the frame and slide it out from under the van.   Tank removed!

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A bit of a size difference between the OEM and S&B Tank......Nice!

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Continued Below....


  • 0

My 4wd Sprinter Build: CLICK HERE

My Unimog U1300L Build:  CLICK HERE

My VW Syncro Westy Build:  CLICK HERE

My Tacoma/FWC  Builds: CLICK HERE

Ride Report - In Memory Of The Crewmen: CLICK HERE


#5 Hodakaguy

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Posted 19 February 2023 - 04:28 PM

Continued from above...

 

To drain the remaining fuel out of the original tank I inserted a screw driver into the filler port to wedge the check valve open and we lifted the rear of the tank to pour the fuel into a NATO can.

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Removing the lock collar on the fuel sender unit with a drift and hammer.

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New supplied O-ring installed on the S&B tank.

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Transferring the fuel sender over to the new tank.

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And locked in place.

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Next snap the fuel lines down into the retainers.

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High point breather line removed from the old tank and installed on the S&B

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Here I'm poking a hold in the plastic filler port cover so we can block the openings in the vent lines and slightly pressurize the tank with air through the hole in the cap to test for leaks.  Once we had air in the tank I used windex to spray around the connections and verify that no bubbles/leaks was present.

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The kit comes with a new check valve that is inserted into the OEM 90 deg filler hose.

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All ready to go back into the van.

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Well got a bit focused and didn't tank any pics of the re-insatall lol.  Pretty much the reverse of the removal procedure, used the two jacks to lift the tank into place, connected the fuel lines and installed the new provided clamps.   bam!.....Range Baby!

Adding 5 gallons of diesel to get us down to the service station for a complete top off.

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First full fuel up...and one happy new owner.

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And the new tank under the van...fits like a glove and super heavy duty.  Love it!

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Short Timelapse while doing the install.

 


Hodakaguy


Edited by Hodakaguy, 19 February 2023 - 04:30 PM.

  • 0

My 4wd Sprinter Build: CLICK HERE

My Unimog U1300L Build:  CLICK HERE

My VW Syncro Westy Build:  CLICK HERE

My Tacoma/FWC  Builds: CLICK HERE

Ride Report - In Memory Of The Crewmen: CLICK HERE


#6 goinoregon

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Posted 19 February 2023 - 08:07 PM

nice work tom !  thx for posting.  the underside of the chassis looks pretty clean, so hopefully no wear and tear problems.    now, if we see 2 sprinters, same color, we might know where you are at !


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#7 Lighthawk

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Posted 20 February 2023 - 04:19 AM


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Happy Pops :wings

Mods to come......

Hodakaguy

 

Props to Pops!


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2021 RAM 3500 Crew 4x4, 6.4 hemi/8 speed trans with 4.10 gears, Timber Grove bags, Falken Wildpeak 35" tires.

OEV Aluma 6.75 flatbed, Bundutec Odyssey camper on order for 2024

For this year we're still using our 2008 FWC Hawk with victron DC-DC charger, 130w solar, MPPT controler

with 2000w inverter and external 120v output and 12v solar input with 100w portable solar.   http://lighthawkphoto.com


#8 Missing Link

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Posted 20 February 2023 - 04:35 PM

It's good to see that you and your dad are back at it with another project vehicle.  We'll be following your progress.  


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#9 Mighty Dodge Ram

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Posted 20 February 2023 - 05:38 PM

The Mad Fabricator is at it again! I’m with your pops, tailgates are a pain to climb up onto. Good find. 


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Richard
1996 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4, lightly lifted, ARB bumper/Warn winch, BFG AT/KO2, Snugtop shell. SOLD! But not forgotten!
2002 Chevy 2500HD XC LB 6.0L 4X4, Leer Hi-Rise shell, completely stock...for now!

#10 Hodakaguy

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Posted 25 February 2023 - 01:33 AM

nice work tom !  thx for posting.  the underside of the chassis looks pretty clean, so hopefully no wear and tear problems.    now, if we see 2 sprinters, same color, we might know where you are at !

Thanks Mate, It's in great cond with low miles so should be good to go.  We will be out on the road together soon :-)

 

Hodakaguy


  • 0

My 4wd Sprinter Build: CLICK HERE

My Unimog U1300L Build:  CLICK HERE

My VW Syncro Westy Build:  CLICK HERE

My Tacoma/FWC  Builds: CLICK HERE

Ride Report - In Memory Of The Crewmen: CLICK HERE






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