Interstate Mods - I'll go First

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by tlundell

Then...because the TV speakers are quite tinny, especially for dialogue in the British mysteries we love, I found a soundbar that fits perfectly on the cabinet wall, plugs into the outlet and connects to the TV.

More info on the soundbar, please?

[tlundell]

ZVOX AccuVoice AV200 TV Speaker, available on Amazon, $249

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by tlundell

ZVOX AccuVoice AV200 TV Speaker, available on Amazon, $249

Just added it to my Amazon wish list so I can buy it after I get my next retirement check. Thanks!

[GETRIDAONE]

I made shelves from 1/4" plexiglass for the overhead compartments. You can stack more stuff and have it stay put. Before the dividers everything seems to lean toward the front and fall out when opening the door.
The next project was a trash can extension. (This might be a first ) l gained 6" of wasted space under the sink. I cut up a storage box that was close to size.

[2Dreamin]

When taking photos with IPhone and IPad
Turn to IPhone and/or IPad to horizontal position with the home bottom on the right side.
This should correct it when uploading.

[GETRIDAONE]

I did try to fix it but it still went sideways. I will try your suggestion.

Thanks

[Lily&Me]

If you use the edit function in Photos to make your pictures a bit smaller, that should fix the problem...it works for me.

Maggie

[Tronadora]

Originally Posted by GETRIDAONE

I made shelves from 1/4" plexiglass for the overhead compartments. You can stack more stuff and have it stay put. Before the dividers everything seems to lean toward the front and fall out when opening the door.
The next project was a trash can extension. (This might be a first ) l gained 6" of wasted space under the sink. I cut up a storage box that was close to size.

Outstanding! Been noodling on these same mods for a while and you nailed it. Since imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, do you mind getting specific for us about the shelf support clips, and the treatment you did on the shelf face? Looks like a tape of some sort. Very pro looking. I'll also look for some battery operated motion sensing LED strips to illuminate the cabinet.

Mark

[Protagonist]

Such a simple solution, I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner…

Childproof latches on cabinet doors that have come open in transit in the past.

[rmkrum]

Yup. I use a black version of the bottom strap to keep the desk drawers in the rear desk in my AS from launching during heavy braking while passing through Phoenix, AZ. **

For my fridge, oven and closet door I have a set of "footman loops" and a flat nylon strap and quick-release buckle to keep them shut. Much neater than bungee cords, IMHO.

** I'm quite convinced that traffic in Phoenix is worse (crazier drivers) than Southern California. Only place I have smoked ALL tires on TV and AS trying to avoid collisions.

[GETRIDAONE]

Originally Posted by Tronadora

Outstanding! Been noodling on these same mods for a while and you nailed it. Since imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, do you mind getting specific for us about the shelf support clips, and the treatment you did on the shelf face? Looks like a tape of some sort. Very pro looking. I'll also look for some battery operated motion sensing LED strips to illuminate the cabinet.

Mark

I used aluminum U channel from Ace Hdw or available at the big box store I'm sure. The channel was mill finish and had a lot of scratches on it so I media blasted it and clearcoat. You could paint it with a silver and hide the blemishes. I used hot glue to secure them but if I did it again I would use clear silicone adhesive. The glue wanted to set before you could get it in place. The clips came from amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Glass-Shelf-S.../dp/B001DSY0KO
I had the 1/4" plexiglass cut at a local glass shop. I made a template so the drilled holes would be in the same spot. The shelves fit very snug but are removable if you wanted the larger space.

2Dreamin, The camera position worked as you said.

[txntravlr]

Thank you for the info & pics - this will be my next project!

[Pahaska]

Even at 85, I have no problem getting in the AI since I can grab the steering wheel. My wife, however, is a lot shorter than I am and she has no convenient place to grab. Getting in is a real struggle for her and she practically falls out.

While looking at a 2017 AI, I found that there is an added grab handle on the passenger side door. I didn't look at the driver's side; there may be one there as well. My dealer said he could probably order the handle for me, but I found a source on line while prowling through the Sprinter forum.

Not cheap at $149, but genuine Mercedes parts. The handle comes with the appropriate drill bit, rivnuts, and a rivnut setting tool. It should be here in two days and my wife will be thrilled.

The source is Terrawagen.com.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Pahaska

Even at 85, I have no problem getting in the AI since I can grab the steering wheel. My wife, however, is a lot shorter than I am and she has no convenient place to grab. Getting in is a real struggle for her and she practically falls out. ...



... Not cheap at $149, but genuine Mercedes parts. The handle comes with the appropriate drill bit, rivnuts, and a rivnut setting tool. It should be here in two days and my wife will be thrilled.



The source is Terrawagen.com.

Nice to know that Terrawagen has lowered their price. It was once $179. I bought mine form the Sprinter Parts Depot for $159.

https://www.sprinterpartsdepot.com/c...r-grab-handles

Here is Terrawagen link.
https://www.terrawagen.com/collectio...rab-handle-kit

These handles are very handy for both passenger and driver.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Pahaska

Not cheap at $149, but genuine Mercedes parts. The handle comes with the appropriate drill bit, rivnuts, and a rivnut setting tool. It should be here in two days and my wife will be thrilled.

Just ordered two, one for each side.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Just ordered two, one for each side.

You don't need two - the kit comes with two handles, one for driver and one for passenger.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

You don't need two - the kit comes with two handles, one for driver and one for passenger.

Nothing on the vendor's page said so. But if you already bought the kit I'll take your word for it.

If you're right then I'll be returning one unused kit for a refund. No biggie.

[Pahaska]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Nothing on the vendor's page said so. But if you already bought the kit I'll take your word for it.

If you're right then I'll be returning one unused kit for a refund. No biggie.

News to me also. The post in the Sprinter forum that I first found said that he had bought a pair, but since the vendor did not specify the price was for a pair, I just figured I would continue grabbing the steering wheel on my side.

Just like a gift out of the blue!

[Haasman]

We installed a pair. Like them, are used often especially when surface at the door is uneven.

Haasman

[InterBlog]

A minor and temporary cosmetic mod for the T1N Interstate here.

T1Ns were delivered by Airstream with cab and slider privacy curtains. I used Heat Shield Sprinter-specific window coverings in the cab, plus I converted the OEM over-windshield snaps to hold a gear loft (blog post here), given that I didn't need them for the front curtain.

That left the matching OEM left the slider curtain, which attaches with Velcro and was poorly made by Airstream. For one thing, it's too small and has to be stretched excessively to attach. For another thing, it was made out of a white fabric that had all the texture and aesthetic appeal of my grandma's underwear, rest her soul. It neither matched nor coordinated with any other stylistic aspect of the Interstate.

Being thoroughly sick of looking at it, I "skim-coated" it with the same metallic fabric I had used to create the exterior side-body heat reflector that attaches when needed with neodymium magnets (blog post here). I sewed an over-layer of that fabric onto the existing OEM cover, for the time being.

One day I plan to do this job right - imagine the possibilities for this piece. First of all, it represents a great opportunity to increase effective insulation. Second of all, think of the artistic opportunities. One could create a thematic cover and sew destination patches on it, national park patches and whatnot. One could use it to hold a fabric version of a state and/or province map of places visited. Or some other tapestry idea.

But yesterday was a big day for us - I got our Interstate through the state inspection process, re-registered it for the coming year, we re-filled our propane tank, tested the new propane lines, LB_3 started troubleshooting the equipment that's supposed to charge our lithium batteries from the new engine alternator, and he also tested the coach a/c while running from the generator (now that we had refilled the propane, and now that the generator routes through the inverter), plus I was on the phone regarding my boondocking land development in Canada.

It was a busy day, and I only had 30 minutes to devote to this slider curtain mod. But it sure looks better than grandma's underwear now - it's metallic to coordinate with the aluminum inner skin. It's a bit puffy in this pic because the flaps were open and I was running the Fantastic.