Geoff and Jeanette's 17.55.8 OB

[WHHEMI]

New to the forum and looks like a great place, we ordered our new Journey in May 2015 and picked it up in September. We love the layout of the 17.55.8 with the ensuite and decided on the OB over the touring model for the independent suspension, larger chassis, standard solar and looks. We also added a few extras that I will list separately
Shelves to both wardrobes.
ESC.
Extended draw bar.
150 w solar.
Second battery. (both battery's where supposed to be fitted under the couch but weren't)
Drifter control panel.
Bike rack.
Deleted microwave for more storage.
Outside table.
12v outlet in the ensuite.
Full annex.
We tend to free camp most of the time so that dictated what we needed, I have since moved the battery's as we wanted to free up the space under the bed. Here's a pick from handover.

 

[WHHEMI]

We couldn't wait to use it and packed as soon as we got home on Thursday, left Friday to go to Taggarty CP for the weekend.

 

[WHHEMI]

Second time away was to the Pines on Eildon weir, made us really appreciate the ensuite, we used to use a Jimmy's thunderbox and self erecting tent and a 12v primus shower with a similar tent, so much easier now being able to switch on hot water and have a shower. I also added a third rail to the bike rack and mounted a shovel under the van.

 

[WHHEMI]

I decided we needed to be able to carry a couple off jerry cans and had a few gal holders that had been removed from a Jayco so fitted these to the rear bar (they will be filled up at the last town before going in to bush camp) I also moved the 2 battery's from under the bed to under the L shape lounge.

 

[dagree]

Welcome to the forum @WHHEMI ... Looks like you have the mods well under control but beware you will find more to do after reading more on here

 

[chartrock]

Welcome to the forum @WHHEMI, nice choice of van. Shame about the Jeep. Nice lot of mods to start with. I,too, shifted my single battery to under the seat and then mounted an inverter over the drawer to put the weight over the axle.

Look forward to following your mod progress. Keep the pics coming.

 

[WHHEMI]

Thanks guy's, love the van, and love the Jeep, nothing quite like a big V8, to do the towing with.

 

[WHHEMI]

I wanted to free up some space in the boot and found the jack to be in a stupid spot, so took it out, now to find somewhere to put it.

 

[WHHEMI]

We where going to remove the table as it's the first thing we did on our last van, but Jeanette often works while we are away and needed somewhere for the laptop, I remembered seeing an offset table mount years ago and decided to try one out, perfect the table can be swung over the couch when not needed giving us more room. We also didn't like where the safe was mounted and had no use for it so it came out.

 

[Dove]

Nice looking van. Just something to consider is the weight on the rear bumper with 2 full jerry cans. We have an Outback Starcraft, same bumper. The safe load that Jayco allowed was mostly taken up by the spare wheel. I have a 5lt fuel tank on the rear bumper for the diesel heater. As I recall there isn't much more safe load capacity.

 

[WHHEMI]

I know about the load limit, that's why I fill it up at the last opportunity and only drive a short distance into camp with them full, it's really just a good way to carry some empty jerry cans, as we quite often run out of water and use the jerry cans to get water from town.

 

[17triton]

Great looking setup @WHHEMI and well thought out mods! Look forward to seeing more.

 

[WHHEMI]

Thanks mate, we are loving the van, still a few more mods to show.

 

[chartrock]

I wanted to free up some space in the boot and found the jack to be in a stupid spot, so took it out, now to find somewhere to put it.

I did not like the jack position in the boot either so I moved mine here, still in the boot. Works well and is easy to get at if needed.

 

[megcam]

Love the shovel mount. Any details on what brackets you used and a close up of your attachment to the chassis please. Great mods!

 

[WHHEMI]

Mount's are called quick fist, you can normally get them at ARB or flea bay, I'll get some picks of the mounts but they just attach with a self drilling screw to the chassis outriggers, although I'm thinking of using some stainless bolts and nylocks.

 

[G Daddy]

Love the shovel mount. Any details on what brackets you used and a close up of your attachment to the chassis please. Great mods!

Nice van and mods. Details of shovel mount would be great. Any chance of some photos of the strut setup on the front boot, my 2008 Discovery is a pain to get into the boot with a bad back, would like to mod mine to your setup.
Welcome to the forum, this mob will get the moths out of your wallet?

 

[WHHEMI]

Here's some detailed pics of the boot struts

 

[G Daddy]

Thanks for the photos, I check my boot opening limit to see if I can mod mine

 

[bigcol]

nice looking Van @WHHEMI (I like the idea of a Hemi - but lost it on the Jheep - sorry)

I like the shovel idea, had been thinking of something similar, but never got around tuit yet

well thought out mods, great......