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Converting my 2012 Riot to a livable vehicle

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#21 ·
Terasec, you look like a hobo :D

Onelapse - the 45watt solar kit with all wiring/inverter and the battery - full solar conversion for under $300 (not expensive at all). Check the other post, IMHO for the time you spend in your riot a less than $300 investment for full renewable power is well worth it.
 
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#23 ·
onelapse said:
That headliner storage idea sounds awesome, it would be perfect if I could secure my tripods up there without worrying they would slide forward and in to the back of my head if I stopped abruptly haha.
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I can see what you're saying about the headliner storage being a potential threat, especially if you don't have everything well-secured.

Depending on the size of your tripods, maybe you could get a length of 6" PVC pipe, two screw-on end fittings, and secure the pipe to one of the roof rails (or to a future roof rack). I've seen contractors do this for carrying smaller-diameter pipes or other long, narrow items. Just food for thought.

I still think the headliner storage would be great for flat or soft items (clothes, blankets, etc), and if you were concerned about stuff coming out in a panic stop, you could keep the headliner storage over the cargo area only.

Though i will admit, I've considered methods of securing a large maglite or an aluminum baseball bat to the headliner within reach of the driver's seat, for reasons.
 
Discussion starter · #24 ·
nth256 said:
I can see what you're saying about the headliner storage being a potential threat, especially if you don't have everything well-secured.

Depending on the size of your tripods, maybe you could get a length of 6" PVC pipe, two screw-on end fittings, and secure the pipe to one of the roof rails (or to a future roof rack). I've seen contractors do this for carrying smaller-diameter pipes or other long, narrow items. Just food for thought.

I still think the headliner storage would be great for flat or soft items (clothes, blankets, etc), and if you were concerned about stuff coming out in a panic stop, you could keep the headliner storage over the cargo area only.

Though i will admit, I've considered methods of securing a large maglite or an aluminum baseball bat to the headliner within reach of the driver's seat, for reasons.
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haha yea, i actually have my flashlights attached to my wire shelving in the back. (another reason I like the wire shelves)

I have been looking heavily into pvc roof rack storage, just so everyone knows, you can buy "conduit" kits which have U-bolts and brackets to attach the pvc to a roof rack, they run anywhere from 40-70 dollars, but have a locking end cap and everything. Maybe i'll just get like 4 pvc pipes instead of an actual roof rack storage. and i'll paint them to look like missiles!
 
#25 ·
onelapse said:
haha yea, i actually have my flashlights attached to my wire shelving in the back. (another reason I like the wire shelves)

I have been looking heavily into pvc roof rack storage, just so everyone knows, you can buy "conduit" kits which have U-bolts and brackets to attach the pvc to a roof rack, they run anywhere from 40-70 dollars, but have a locking end cap and everything. Maybe i'll just get like 4 pvc pipes instead of an actual roof rack storage. and i'll paint them to look like missiles!
Click to expand...
you can get 4" pvc pipe and caps relatively cheap,
once you get to 6"-8" size price for pvc and endcaps increase dramatically
like +$20 per cap or fitting
 
#26 ·
Nice job, looks great! You could look into something like this for solar. $30 I picked one up for camping/emergency power. Supplies ~1.2 Amps at 5v in direct sun, I can get it to charge my phone under a couple standard 60W bulbs too. You could use a dc-dc boost converter(<$10 on ebay) and use it to charge an old 12V battery too.
 
#27 ·
I kind of like the idea of a heavy duty Optima/Odyssey AGM Deep Cycle battery and a quality 300-1500 watt inverter. A 5-45watt solar panel could somewhat charge the battery but probably not very much. Solar just isn't quite that efficient yet. Kind of expensive but that would be an awesome way to go.
 
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Discussion starter · #28 ·
Kind of low on money, but I figure I'd post an update on this past weekend of addons. Mostly Stuff I already have and a ton of bungee cords haha.

Image


If you look towards the top shelf, you can see 2 peg hook mounts that surprisingly fit right on, which works perfect to store my tripod and secures nicely with my smaller tripod and a bungee.

I also have my air mattress layed out to show that it does fit and it offers plenty of room, when I go to bed, I will just put my backpack in the front seat or on my pelican behind the front seat. Anyways, I am hoping to get my trailer mount and basket soon.

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#29 ·
This has given me some ideas for when I work a few of the multi-day public service events that I work as an Amateur Radio Operator. Last year when I worked one of our two day events, I pulled the seats out of my Grand Caravan and put a twin sized mattress back there. I'm not sure that will work now, but I can start getting the stuff together for something like this for next year.
 
#30 ·
very interesting thread onelapse. I am also a photographer, have camped in my Jeeps quite a few times. Used to own Wranglers which had a little more room with the seats down. Camped in my Patriot Sport last year but it didn't have the front flat seat so I was a little sideways on a twin air mattress. Now I have a new LTD FDII with the front flat seat. what sleeping pad are you using?

do you have a link to your photography? mine is in my sig.

best wishes,
-GD
 
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Discussion starter · #33 ·
jgould said:
One question, onelapse, how did you overcome the problem of the gap between the folded down back seat and the flat front seat?


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
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That is so far down that it doesn't really effect sleeping at all, I do have a new much thicker air mattress that makes it completely unrecognizable thought.
 
Discussion starter · #34 ·
Sorry I haven't updated in forever. I got busy at work so traveling was few and far between.
Here are some update since I was last on here...

On the way
RRO tow hooks
RRO Lift Kit

Wish List
  • Renology 100w
  • RRO Bumper with winch mount

Here are some photos of my Riot from some of my travels.
My new sleeping setup. It's Incredibly comfortable and warm. But not warm enough for me to handle below zero temps haha
Image

Random location in Northern Nebraska
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Trailhead for Zapata Falls near Great Sand Dunes National Park
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Many Parks Curve in Rocky Mountain National Park
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-16 degrees in Rocky Mountain National Park
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#37 ·
onelapse said:
Thanks!

Any suggestions for my build are welcome! I think I have it close to what I want it I just need to build a way to mount that metal storage in there securely without using a ton of bungee cords
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Rachet straps? LOL that's the least "invasive" way I could think of that would be sturdier...
 
Discussion starter · #38 ·
rcguymike said:
Rachet straps? LOL that's the least "invasive" way I could think of that would be sturdier...
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Yea I tried that, but it didn't work out since the straps blocked the drawers from being accessible.... I wish the trunk lid wasn't just hard plastic so I could build a mount and bolt it straight to the floor... but then I have the problem of accessing my spare tire storage being even harder then it already is haha
 
#39 ·
Looks like you have everything pretty much set. Maybe a small storage trailer could help, if set up right? And with the right bumper guard, you could probably get a little bit of extra storage on the front bumper if you wanted. Not for much, just a few necessities or something. Could be a viable alternative to a winch if you don't need one.
 
Discussion starter · #40 ·
RossoRacer said:
Looks like you have everything pretty much set. Maybe a small storage trailer could help, if set up right? And with the right bumper guard, you could probably get a little bit of extra storage on the front bumper if you wanted. Not for much, just a few necessities or something. Could be a viable alternative to a winch if you don't need one.
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Any suggestions other then RRO for bumper mounts? I am also looking to get a skid plate. I don't do any rock climbing but I have put my jeep in some sketchy scenerios before and am considering myself lucky and not skilled haha
 
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