Aloha,
Thought I'd introduce myself briefly. I'm a full time landscape, wildlife and underwater photographer here on Maui, and my wife is a full time artist as well. We have a daughter graduating high school in a couple of years, and the plan is to build and live in a m1083 (or m1085 or m1096 if I can find one) full time once that happens. Travel around the US (including AK) and Canada and probably into Mexico, off-grid boondocking as much as possible.
I've got the habitat pretty well planned out (20' or 22' composite box) and am here to read, watch and learn as much as I can about the m1083/1085 as possible. Plan is to get one from an auction and do as much as possible ourselves. I'm confident I can do nearly everything, except perhaps (and hopefully avoided) internal engine work. I don't have any experience with diesels or air systems, so I've got my homework ahead of me there. I used to do high end custom car audio for a living, have done a frame on restore, along with a couple engine swaps. Not too worried about it, I'm handy and I've got the time to learn and we'll work out way through it learning as we go. Going to learn to weld as well for this project, seems like a good skill to have.
That said, if anyone wants to point me to good places to learn (Youtube, TM's, articles, threads, etc) I'd be appreciative! I've discovered a few good ones but I'm sure I've barely scratched the surface. Any tips for auction success (what to watch for, preferred locations for better condition units, stuff like that) would also be appreciated! I'm hoping to score the best condition one I can (versus one with more unknowns). I've learned that a good base to start with is always worth the extra cost. If anyone happens to have some sort of checklist similar to what one of these resellers would use when refurbishing that would be really helpful to look over too! I've probably spent 100 hours reading and watching so far just on these vehicles, with many hundreds more ahead of me I'm sure.
Thanks so much for this community, I'm a long time forum user for various interests and look forward to lurking and learning from you all. At some point I'm sure I'll have questions but I'll learn as much as I can beforehand.
Mahalo, have a good one!
Oh and feel free to ask any photography or Hawaii travel questions, I like to try and give back with my knowledge where it's applicable. Happy to help!
Lyle
Thought I'd introduce myself briefly. I'm a full time landscape, wildlife and underwater photographer here on Maui, and my wife is a full time artist as well. We have a daughter graduating high school in a couple of years, and the plan is to build and live in a m1083 (or m1085 or m1096 if I can find one) full time once that happens. Travel around the US (including AK) and Canada and probably into Mexico, off-grid boondocking as much as possible.
I've got the habitat pretty well planned out (20' or 22' composite box) and am here to read, watch and learn as much as I can about the m1083/1085 as possible. Plan is to get one from an auction and do as much as possible ourselves. I'm confident I can do nearly everything, except perhaps (and hopefully avoided) internal engine work. I don't have any experience with diesels or air systems, so I've got my homework ahead of me there. I used to do high end custom car audio for a living, have done a frame on restore, along with a couple engine swaps. Not too worried about it, I'm handy and I've got the time to learn and we'll work out way through it learning as we go. Going to learn to weld as well for this project, seems like a good skill to have.
That said, if anyone wants to point me to good places to learn (Youtube, TM's, articles, threads, etc) I'd be appreciative! I've discovered a few good ones but I'm sure I've barely scratched the surface. Any tips for auction success (what to watch for, preferred locations for better condition units, stuff like that) would also be appreciated! I'm hoping to score the best condition one I can (versus one with more unknowns). I've learned that a good base to start with is always worth the extra cost. If anyone happens to have some sort of checklist similar to what one of these resellers would use when refurbishing that would be really helpful to look over too! I've probably spent 100 hours reading and watching so far just on these vehicles, with many hundreds more ahead of me I'm sure.
Thanks so much for this community, I'm a long time forum user for various interests and look forward to lurking and learning from you all. At some point I'm sure I'll have questions but I'll learn as much as I can beforehand.
Mahalo, have a good one!
Oh and feel free to ask any photography or Hawaii travel questions, I like to try and give back with my knowledge where it's applicable. Happy to help!
Lyle
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