(Pp) Status Update, summarizing the progress over the last two weeks, focusing on critical mechanical fixes and weight-reduction measures, as well as the ongoing exterior build.
1. Mechanical Recovery and Performance After facing severe issues with misfiring and almost no fuel pressure, the problem with Pp (1999 Dodge Ram Van 2500, 5.2L) was ultimately resolved. Diagnostics led to checking the fuel pump, ECM, and finally, replacing two faulty spark plug wires.
* Status:
Pp is now running exceptionally well, better than ever before.
2. Weight Reduction and Structural Work A major weight loss initiative was undertaken after discovering Pp was significantly overweight for legal road operation.
* Front-End Reduction: The extended front bumper, winch, and two auxiliary batteries were removed, saving approximately 300 lbs. A total of 1000 lbs was initially removed to get the van under the legal limit.
* exterior Weight-Saving:
Further weight reduction was achieved by replacing heavy exterior boards (originally 49 lbs) with much lighter alternatives (now 5 lbs).
This week October 20 -25
will be focused on finishing the sealing and painting of the lighter boards. I’ll also be finishing the back door to hold the spare tire and building a bay window. The bay window will be in the bathroom in the very back of PP. Finally, the wiring hooking up the back driving lights needs to be secured, and the turn signal relay needs to be replaced since it only works half the time.
I was driving Pp the van when she started missing more and more, to the point she almost couldn’t pull herself. I made it home, figuring the problem was from water that had gotten into her gas tank.
The next day, she wouldn’t even crank would turn over. I started diagnosing the issue, not knowing where that road would lead me. First, I put a tester on the fuel rail and found no fuel pressure at all. Okay, I thought the fuel filter was clogged. Nope—my 1999 Dodge Ram Van 2500 with the 5.2L engine (Miss Pp) is too good to have an external fuel filter.
Next, I figured the fuel pump must have gone bad. I tested it and found no power going to the fuel pump. I was like, “What the fuck Pp, why are you acting out?” I checked all the fuses and relays; they were good. I just stood there and looked at her, “You damn bad girl.”
So, I asked God—oh, I mean, Google—what was up with my bad, bitchy girl. Google said it was her brain: the ECM (Engine Control Module). There’s a safety feature that cuts the ground to the fuel pump if the van rolls over or the engine stops turning. That sparked some major PTSD and bad anxiety. I had previously spent months and went through six rebuilt ECMs just to get a good one for her.
After cursing her out and feeling like setting her on fire, I did more Googling and found I didn’t have to buy a new ECM; I could get a bypass switch. I ordered the bypass switch and a new fuel pump. I removed her fuel tank, got it cleaned out, and reinstalled it with the new pump and bypass kit.
Pp cranked right up, but she still had a bad miss. “Still a bad van, what now?” I thought maybe the bad gas had ruined her fuel injectors and plugs, so I changed them. More money spent. Still, the bad girl was missing.
Back to testing everything. I was listening to her and she was popping like electric cracking. Well, it turned out she had two bad spark plug wires. Replaced the wires, and she cranked and is now running like new!
I took her to fuel up, and she had to show out one more time. She wouldn’t take the gas to the tank. “W.T.F. now, Pp?” It turns out I had to apologize to her: I had left a baggie in the fuel pipe that I used to keep trash and water out of the tank until it was put back in. Well, now she is truly running like a brand new girl!
The Weight Loss Plan
I took her back to feed her, and all seemed good, but she felt a little heavy. I ran her across the scales and, sure enough, she was 70 lb over her limit. That shouldn’t be!
I came home and cried. She can’t legally run down the road overweight. I spent the rest of the day sick and ready to give up on her and the dream.
The next day, after racking my brain, I came up with a plan: a massive weight-loss program.
I started by cutting off her “nose job,” which meant removing the extended front bumper, the winch, and the two batteries used to run it. That alone took off 300 lb. Then, I took all the tools, supplies, and some other stuff out of her. I got her 1000 lb lighter in total.
So now, I have to come up with a plan on how to finish building her and put all our necessary stuff back in. The original plan was to travel light, only carrying a week’s worth of supplies and just the basic things we need to live. By returning to the original plan, I’m ready to start Monday, getting back to finishing her build.
For Sale: original $35 before i put in my store Tad.jgartis.com $45 afterwards plus shipping, Print mounted on wood panel! print will have photo of painting and story side by side. $25 plus shipping. Interested Email: painting@jgartis.com
A quick 1 hour painting of the park bench in Holly Pond, Al. Pp took me and the posse out for an early lunch. very nice and quite park with a spring feed pond from the 1800’s.
In the image above of the front side of Pp i painted a Qr code that when you point your phone camera at it, it brings up the link “url” to Pptl.jgartis.com
I also have updated the Ppt website and blog page.
let me know below in the comments what you like, dislike and suggestions.
In the pictures below you can see a before and after then the photo by its self is a Photoshop drawing of what it will look like once it is finished. this past week i took the headlights from our tiny home shuttle bus La Vincent and added them to pp below the original headlights. why? so i can see when driving at night the second set of headlights almost doubles the amount i can see. so it was well worth it. then i made a custom grill for pp the only thing not done is adding the words in the girl Purple passion and finishing painting it and spraying a clear coat on it. over a day was spent modifying and installing the frame for the second set of lights and a long day on the running the wiring for the new lights and i still have a day installing the switches when the come in the mail from amazon. every day pp gets a little closer to being built but there’s a long way to go. Ty for taking a look. Jg and the ppt posse
P.S. please if you have time scroll to the bottom of the post and comment that lets me know you seen it and helps encourage me to do more post on the progress of Pp Ty Jg
home to Ppt and ppt posse, where the building of pp the van is happening. Also home of T.A.D. tiny art decor made and painted by the artist Jg ARTis. This video is behind the scenes of where it all happens.
Ppt first roadside service call Our landlord had a friend pull is van into the yard and stuck it up. I took Pp down hooked the winch to the van and slid it right out no problems. I am so glad i have installed a 9500 badland winch it was nice to be able to help. and also if and when PP get her self stuck she can pull her self out with assistance from Jg and the ppt posse.
