Counting Down

 Not much new on my end recently... still tinkering away on truck additions and modifications, but they are all non-critical... Just doing things as I can to "make it better".

I guess the significant change is really simply that I am counting down to when I head off on my big drive southward.  I told my management earlier this year that I was intending to leave them within a year... and they understand, but I suspect are a bit skeptical since I have been saying that it was "near" for the last few years... But its a lot nearer than they really think, and Im not backing down this time.

I still have significant worries about "will I have enough money to live comfortably for how ever long Im around", and I dont really have a well laid out plan of what retirement will actually look like for me (other than the initial truck trip)... But Im going anyway!

I have reiterated to my management that Ill be leaving them at end Q1 2027 (so end of March 2027) and Im on track to get it done this time :)

Ive renewed passports and drivers licenses and mortgages etc.  Ive done basic budget calculations and overall rout generalities... I think its gonna be about 100,000Km of driving and will take about 15-18 months (400days?), and will likely cost two people about $100K (so $50K each).

And my partner Ifan has also basically been preparing to leave her work soon after I leave mine and has been giving her management the necessary "hints" and trying to work with them on various things... Its a harder sell for her to step away into "retirement" since she is significantly younger than I am and the worries about money lasting long enough are a bigger concern for her, but she is as committed as I am to the plan, so Im really proud of her taking the plunge to take the time to spend with me on this trip... She is being very brave for someone who has not done something of this duration and scope before.

But anyway, Im into the last six months of work and am really mentally ramping down now.

Not sure what shape the world will be in or what diesel will cost or where the global "hot spots" will be... But Im gonna go!

The Truck is Ready

 Its taken a lot longer than I thought it would (which is kinda normal for "big" projects everywhere :) ), but the truck is now "good enough to go"... 

All critical systems are installed and working and ready to go.  The last two big installs were the Air-Conditioning system for the habitation unit (as distinct from the truck cab), and building and installing a good rear bumper and winch system... But there have been lots of other things done over the last year too... see the big list below.

Rear bumper and 5 tonne winch

Kitchen cabinets completed

Kitchen with coffee machine pull-out and AC vents above

External AirCon mounted ahead of hab' over the cab (so the truck isnt made any taller than necessary)

I guess the biggest learning from the project so far is that I now know why these "overland truck rigs" cost so damn much if you want to buy one from a outfitter or commercial producer (usually $250K or more)... It simply because there is so much time involved in putting all the systems together... Yes, the equipment and components do end up costing a lot too, but its the TIME spent putting it all together that really costs.

Anyway, Ive been having a great time working out all the issues and putting it all together for the past couple of years and now, its more or less "Ready".

The last time I took it out for a shake-down run was last summer in September, and since then Ive been working solidly on it any chance I get, with allowances for generally living a life in the mean time as well... and Vancouver winters are not very conducive to working outside too.

But, all that other stuff aside, I think I did pretty well to get stuff done, and none too soon, as Im tking it out for another week long shakedown trip into south-central BC.

The big list of tasks that has been completed since last update is:

Done:

fix steering damper mounts

build hw tank support frame

truck ac fix/fill 

rear view mirror mount fix

rear view camera reverse wire add

fix faulty light switch 

install shower window x

new whiskers make n fit 

fix table locking position 

install maxxfan x

roof-rack handles fit x

entry ladder build n fit

cab lift lock mechanism adjust 

get garage sled plywood x

build garage sled  

install garage sled 

extendable pole xx

engine kill switch install x

wash brush x

install laptop mount x

arrange n adjust drawers

fridge n pass-though ledge padding x

water line support channels

kapton tape on awning lights x

grey tank valve n wire n switch install

mud screens mounts build n paint

mud screens fit x

test hydronic heater x

solar water tank piping install

cut n paint drawer faces

cut n fit under seat box panels

fit switch panel cutouts

build hydronic heater mount n box

fit cabinet shelf panels n bases

mount hydronic coolant tank

seat back clothes hangers

remove diesel air heater

fit drawer locks n pulls

install hydronic heater

build n mount heater rad/fan

build pantry v-drawers x

plumb in hydronic system

shower caddy x

buy AC x

connect power to hydronic

prime n test hydronic system

wall hooks x

finish hydronic install

weld exhaust leak

build AC mount frame

build AC duct

build pantry n install v-shelves

build doorway caddy panel

install doorway caddy panel

weld stair feet locks

build n instal kitchen side wall

cut fit pantry face panels

build kitchen oh cab.  13+8h=34*21"* 12"d

build n install coffee nook

instal koh cabinet

instal hab' door hand rail

koh cabinet tiled side panel

install backsplash tile

heater/plumbing cabinet access panel

under shower access panel

add broader ladder steps

extend bed shelves n add fences

install coffee machine

trim hab door screen tabs

install cab cup holders x

build final drawer height extension

paint pantry face panels x7

install cab door hand grips

edges and tiles for koh panel

build cab window vents

install hab' door hand grips

water tank front panel

kick boards under stove

coffee hutch drawer build n install

build n fit koh cabinet doors

get spare bearings set

build electrical/fuse board

clean up n secure wire routing

run 3x cables to AC area (12,12,50)

fix hab heater fans wiring

mount 12-48 charger

label hab wiring n fuses

clean shower wall corners

paint n install shower mirror

mount vacuum

mount fire extinguisher

install shower light

install garage light

cut n install shower shelf tile x

build garage sled railing 25.75, 24, 18

secure toilet

clothes cabinet dividers 11*12

repair rear hatch door

repair rear sled mounts

install AirCon mount n duct

install AirCon on duct

build over window cabinet 12.25*37*7.5

buy rear 12k winch X

install  wiring n test AirCon

install over window cabinet

install starlink

test starlink

wire in starlink switch

fix cab shovel and tank mounts

install cab roof grab

build AC interior vent box

remove rear bumper 

install rear winch cradle

build n install new rear bumper

reposition rear lights n plate

wire n test rear winch

install sled on new slides X

fan n 12v socket wiring in seats

extend solar panel wires

install sled safety lock system

new bed ventilation underlay

seal front fender joints

wire exterior 12v takeoff lugs

wire n test 12-48v charger n breaker

repair awning wiring

fit oh cabinet hinges n door

seat back bolsters

wire rear plate light

build n fit covers for rear winch

auxiliary counter build

And the now significantly smaller list of things that remains to be done is:

To Do:

passthrough curtain n hanger rail

build cutting board rack in kitchen

build garage shelf

hang garage tools

change spotlight wiring to HBeam activated

install cab window security film  x

get cab window blinds

caulk shower walls - silicon

clothes racks n mounts in shower x

install cab door remote locks x

shower privacy curtain

install bed oh reading lights n usb ports

install dinette floor heating wire 

install auxiliary underbody diesel tank (20gal) x

dust proof boxes

build fluids cradle

build compressor case stand

install compressor tank

build torque multiplier box

build spare brake shoes box

build spare bearings n tie rods box

hang towbar plates on rear bumper

weld n paint towbar to side plates 

wire towbar electrics

water tank fill gauge?

exterior usb n 12v n 120v points

exterior water outlet

box locks - electric?

get garmin screen for driver

diff vents install

diff protector weld

build rear lift deck

install rear lift deck

Add underbody reserve water tank (SS keg)

More Sri Lanka pics... Elephants and Buddhas and Tea picking etc.

And some more pictures