New Project - 2000 Xplorer 230 XLW

[wincrasher]

Well I said I was going in a different direction and here it is! I bought a 2000 Xplorer 230 XLW. It is the most cherry one I've ever seen and has 60k miles on the clock. Interior and exterior are in excellent shape.

Why not a new van? Well, I have 68,000 reasons!

What drew me to this one was condition and some of it's features. Excellent exterior storage including a slide-out tray. No generator, so a second large exterior compartment.

Factory installed inverter. Water heater on AC or engine heat - so no exterior access panel. 12v/110v fridge, so no exterior fridge vents. Small solar panel with trickle charger. The layout has the rear folding sofa, so that is a queen. That leaves room for two large hanging wardrobe and a pull-out pantry cupboard.
From what I see under the hood, it looks like there is an isolator to charge the house batteries.

So what to do with this one? Some ideas I have: install 4 drop-in lithiums (I have these already in my shop, so no extra $), plus a new charger/converter to go with them. Remove carpets and install hard flooring.

Should I upgrade the alternator? See if there is a 2nd alternator kit for these old Ram vans? Should I remove the stripes/graphics? Paint it? Rhino liner it? Leave it as is?

Not sure solar is really worth the trouble. I'm a weekender, so not really sitting in one place very long. Engine idling may be enough power generation. I do have a portable generator (Yamaha) I can carry if I get in a jamb.

Suggestions welcome.

 

[wincrasher]

more pics for your viewing pleasure.

 

[avanti]

Good call! :thumbup:

 

[markopolo-ClassB]

Hardest thing to do is nothing.

Maybe use it for a bit and see how it works out for you. Then sell it when you're finished using it. One or two AGM's would be fine for weekend use - that's what it was made to do.

Looks great & the bathroom in very nice. :thumbup:

 

[Phoebe3]

Nice layout! I especially like that bathroom! Well done!

 

[wincrasher]

Hardest thing to do is nothing.

Maybe use it for a bit and see how it works out for you. Then sell it when you're finished using it. One or two AGM's would be fine for weekend use - that's what it was made to do.

Looks great & the bathroom in very nice. :thumbup:

I hear you. I struggle with deciding to have fun with it or try to protect it's value. It's probably not going to depreciate further - so is the value in originality, or useability?

 

[markopolo-ClassB]

That's a tough one. I've seen posts were people were actively looking specifically for an Xplorer but I think even they would appreciate usability upgrades.

The following specs aren't from the same year as yours but I'm sure it would be very similar.

 

[wincrasher]

I also have the original window sticker - I'll post the file tomorrow, as it's at the office.

Not sure which water tank it has the 26 or 22. They all have only a 16 gallon gray and 8 gallon black.

From the looks of it, go almost all the options - helwig steer system, air suspension, LCD tv (5" ha, ha), day/nite window shades, some kind of barometer, and temp gauges, seat vibrators, the list goes on.

 

[BBQ-ClassB]

I also have the original window sticker - I'll post the file tomorrow, as it's at the office.

Not sure which water tank it has the 26 or 22. They all have only a 16 gallon gray and 8 gallon black.

From the looks of it, go almost all the options - helwig steer system, air suspension, LCD tv (5" ha, ha), day/nite window shades, some kind of barometer, and temp gauges, seat vibrators, the list goes on.

That's 60% more black tank capacity than the Hymer.


:clap:

 

[wincrasher]

Here is the build/option sheet they sent me.

 

[angelmroman]

$1500 for a 5" TV? WTH?! ...In 1999 $$$$

Keep us updated with pictures as you add more and more BLING

 

[wincrasher]

Well, I'm all scheduled to pick her up on Friday, the 11th. Very excited!

I've asked them for a price to replace the Fantastic Fan and replace with a MaxxAir Deluxe (has the remote and integrated cover). I know this is an easy DIY, but if they can do it cheap, then why not?

My plans are to drive it home to South Carolina, pick up some gear from my shop (including my portable generator, lithium batteries, household items, etc) and then head west to California. Not going sightseeing, so I'll be pushing 500-600 miles a day or more. Should be a good shake-down.

Dealer has confirmed she has 2 year old tires, and they are going to do a complete service prior to pickup. This week I'm going to renew my Coachnet just in case.