"smobgirl" (smobgirl)
04/23/2020 at 12:40 • Filed to: None
28
39|
"smobgirl" (smobgirl)
04/23/2020 at 12:40 • Filed to: None | 28
| 39 |
Before anyone asks, I haven’t heard a word about the Fiat in a couple weeks. I’ve left messages but no one at the dealership appears to be working.
That said, behold the glory that is my new 2003 Toyota Sienna campervan! It has 150k miles, has been m-e-t-i-c-u-l-o-u-s-l-y maintained (mechanically, not so much cosmetically) , and handles slightly like a fishbowl in the corners.
Already took it on a 2,000 mile work trip and it was brilliant. Only had one encounter with a small-town police officer in Texas since I can’t exactly register it yet.
The bed extends over across the chair and there’s a little countertop extension you can use to make the kitchen larger. Has an updated radio with a USB connection and the cruise control works which is pretty much all I need for road trips.
Shelly likes to tuck herself in between the door and the bed for some reason. I rescued her at least 3 times before I realized this was intentional.
Misha also loved exploring but we haven’t done any driving yet. Ellie was so terrified she peed everywhere so she won’t be going on any trips.
Just need a bike rack in the roof and maybe a solar panel and I’m set!
Derpwagon
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 13:00 |
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Nice! Plans for it?
Cé hé sin
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 13:01 |
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Not sure I’ve ever heard of a Toyota Sienna but it seems useful if you’re stuck for somewhere to lay your head.
Also, it literally has everything including the kit
chen sink.
LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 13:04 |
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That looks terrific! Is this how you are still working in other states but avoiding air travel? Or is it intended ultimately more for personal use?
PowderHound
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 13:05 |
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Looks like a nice simple build out, congrats!
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smobgirl
> Derpwagon
04/23/2020 at 13:06 |
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Since the virus hit the US I’ve driven to Kansas and Dallas twice each for work. This was way better than the rental Versa, Rogue, and Wrangler I had on the first 3 of those trips! So it’s halfway to make work travel easier but also a much better camping vehicle for fun than the Fiat was.
Snuze: Needs another Swede
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 13:07 |
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This is awesome! The interior camper conversion looks nice and well done.
My neighbor has one of these things, though not a camper, and it’s a tank! It’s got body panels falling off, rust, but the thing just won’t freaking die. I think he gave up doing any serious maintenance on it. And it just keeps going.
Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
> Cé hé sin
04/23/2020 at 13:08 |
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The Sienna was beige even by minivan standards and the camper setup is homemade. Just a reliable box that can haul 7 people or this camper setup if you build it yourself.
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smobgirl
> LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com
04/23/2020 at 13:09 |
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Both, eventually! I’d like to do some long distance road trips for fun (Alaska, if I’m lucky...) but it definitely helps make work travel easier too.
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Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 13:09 |
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That is a nice setup. Whoever made that knew what they were doing. It looks like perhaps storage space could be increased though.
For Sweden
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 13:11 |
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daaaaaaang
avalonian
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 13:12 |
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My uncle has one of these, is taking it to 400k. Really easy to maintain and not bad build quality, plus it has rear air for the pets!
TheRealBicycleBuck
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 13:13 |
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It was already outfitted as a camper?!?
ZHP Sparky, the 5th
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 13:13 |
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Very nice! That sink is adorable! This sounds like an awesome way to get most of the camper experience and utility (presumably) without being subjected to the INSANE prices actual camper vans go for.
Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 13:14 |
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This thing is sweet. My aunt had the exact same Sienna, and as much as I’d like to hate on mini vans that thing would just devour highway. The toyota v6 in the van has plenty of power and the van has a pillow top comfortable ride.
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Derpwagon
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 13:14 |
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Makes sense, and looks like a good driver . I guess what I was asking: Plans to change anything? tires, wheels, interior changes, etc? I’m a mod nerd at heart.
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smobgirl
> Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
04/23/2020 at 13:14 |
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It is SO beige. It’s basically my mom’s Camry.
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Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 13:17 |
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Except more rotund and sloppier.
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smobgirl
> TheRealBicycleBuck
04/23/2020 at 13:19 |
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Yep. There’s a company here called Oasis Campervans that does these builds. This was one of the first ones and was owned by a member of their family.
412GTI
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 13:19 |
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That’s awesome! Honestly more practical than most overland setups unless you needed the off-road capability. Enjoy it!
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smobgirl
> Derpwagon
04/23/2020 at 13:22 |
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Hah, for sure. I don’t quite know yet. I mean I want mud flaps and rally lights and a roof box and bike rack and maybe solar for camping power and battery powered LED lights in the back and some magnetic bug net curtains for the sliding doors buuuuuuut you know. I’m trying to take it easy and figure out what to prioritize.
I’ll probably just take the hub caps off to start.
RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 13:28 |
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Sucks you’ve not heard about your little Italian....I do hope you can get it repaired as Oppo’s resident FIAT-aholic... :(
As for the van, cool! I’ve never heard of a company that did camper conversions for these! I’ve heard later Siennas are not that great, but the earlier ones were the usual Toyota build quality, if not a bit bland.
Mind telling us what you paid for it and how many miles? I’m just curious! An updated Bluetooth headunit would be nice for playing music or stuff through the van’s stereo when lounging in the evenings.
shop-teacher
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 13:30 |
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That’s freaking awesome!
BeaterGT
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 13:32 |
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Congrats! Looks pretty cozy
facw
> Cé hé sin
04/23/2020 at 13:34 |
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It replaced the Previa/Estima for the the US market because apparently the Previa was too weird for US consumers.
EL_ULY
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 13:37 |
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raaaaaaaaaad
Amoore100
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 13:38 |
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That’s so absolutely perfect and adorable! I want it! On a side note, it’s a good thing it’s been maintained well since the 1MZ-FE is rather prone to sludging, though if you keep up with the oil changes it shouldn’t be any issue. Have fun with it, what an awesome little adventure-mobile!
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Derpwagon
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 13:39 |
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Ha, there you go.
CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 13:48 |
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I love this thing
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smobgirl
> Amoore100
04/23/2020 at 13:52 |
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Thanks - I did see that when I was doing my pre-purchase googling . The previous owner appears to have been pretty OCD about maintenance (all new belts, shocks and struts, battery, engine air filter, spark plugs, brakes, and regular tire rotations and oil changes) so hopefully I won’t have any rude surprises.
Xanadu603
> Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
04/23/2020 at 13:54 |
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Well they come pretty nice now, my friend bought a very nice black one for a possible tour company he wants to start with his wife. His wife is from China and (at least in the pa st now) the rich tourists like a smaller personal tour. He really knows SF history and she speaks Chinese.
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Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
> Xanadu603
04/23/2020 at 14:15 |
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Well this is a whole different beast, a beast which is also surprisingly old. Given the current minivan sales I don’t think there will be a new one for a while now.
Interesting about the personal tours for Chinese tourists.
Brickman
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 15:25 |
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From the outside you would never know its a camper, very well done
zipfuel
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 16:12 |
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That’s really nicely done, most of the minivan camper conversions I’ve seen have been backpacker specials with and Ikea mattress and some
2x4s
CB
> smobgirl
04/23/2020 at 17:07 |
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That is awesome. Congrats!
Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
> smobgirl
04/30/2020 at 10:29 |
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That is a cool van. Enjoy.
Would you like one of the TEAM OPPOSITELOCK folding stickers? Doesn’t matter if you did any folding or not. I’d love to send you one. Email me if you like, oliphant.chuckerbutty@gmail.com
Wacko
> smobgirl
05/04/2020 at 23:11 |
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Just needs a fridge and a pee bucket and you can make to Alaska.
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smobgirl
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
05/04/2020 at 23:26 |
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I paid probably too much, but the conversions are upwards of $6500 so I’m at peace with a price just over that for the whole thing. Plus mine actually has some aftermarket speakers in the build that aren’t a standard option, speaking of listening to music through the stereo!
If the shit hits the fan, I can always pull the build-out and put it in a different vehicle. Also my mom keeps asking if she can have it.
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RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> smobgirl
05/04/2020 at 23:53 |
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Well tell your mom it’s yours and to get her own Sienna camper! :P
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> smobgirl
05/05/2020 at 16:00 |
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Oh, that is sweet...