VivaLaVida!

A journey to meet the planet and its inhabitants...

VivaLaVida grew!

Two feet more in a week! not bad, isn’t it?   🙂 The high top is now installed and sealed, revealing the real silhouette of VivalaVida. Once the wheels arrived – in principle at the beginning of next week – and the second filler for auxiliary fuel tank installed, VivalaVida willRead More…

Soon on its wheels?

That’s it, the rear Sterling axle has found its place… Not quite yet as elements maintaining angular positioning are still missing. But no positioning before the arrival of the transfer case… As the wheels set came with a wrong pitch, it was returned. As nothing is ever simple, those corresponding to the VivalaVidaaxle are notRead More…

Headwear in preparation…

Since sme suppliers really bother with the delivery tim,e we have to find solutions to move forward. Thus, Robert moved to Chris’s shop to start laying the high top. 1st step: cutting the car roof.   2nd step : presenting the gross high top.    

Socks from VivaLaVida!

Not bad, isn’t it? …Except that tires fitted, Chris realized that the supplier has sent wheels with wrong holes..! So back to square one.  :-/

It is turn of the rear…

While I got my truck license today, work continues in North Carolina, preparing the rear of the frame, installimg the protection of the auxiliary tank and underfloor storage compartment. Installation of the tow hitch will follow.   And here rear skid in place!  

One axle of two!

Since some parts arrived, installing front axle continues! Front “Full Floating” axle has been built by Chris with locker and bigger brake rotors. It’s now in place.  

Installing front axle has begun

Front axle has finally arrived, with around eight weeks behind the announced deadline. And installation begins. The air tank is also in place.

Work in progress…

Preparing VivaLaVida begins!

This is Chris – www.ujointoffroad.com – I entrusted the mechanical preparation of VivaLaVida. His work will focus on three main areas: – Reliability of the engine – Installation of a 4×4 custom conversion – Addition of various specific equipment required for the project. The first stage began. This is toRead More…

Introducing VivaLaVida, my travel partner

Here it is! After several months of research, I found my travel partner: VivaLaVida is a 2010 diesel Ford van which is about to be transformed to become my traveling companion.I bought it in the United States for several reasons: it’s easy to turn this van in an expedition vehicleRead More…