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Veggie Van Gogh
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Credits
© 1994-2005,
Bytesmiths
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Fuel System | Chassis & Driveline | Electronics | Living Quarters | FAQ | Biofuel Links
Paint Job | Transmission | Suspension
Body, Chassis & Driveline
Overview
Beyond environmentally sustainable operation, I needed to do some things to improve driveability -- plus, I wanted to make use of all that great space as a canvas!
Paint Job
Although the irony of cruising around in a fried snack truck while powered by fried snack oil did not escape me, I really wanted to use the space better.
I wanted to be memorable, and to reinforce my brand. It seems to work -- people will often come up at a festival, and say, "Oh, you're the people with Veggie Van Gogh!"
Suspension
On our first long trip, we took Veggie Van Gogh over the scales, and discovered she was right at the rated gross weight. Given that you aren't ever supposed to exceed that, I installed a four-bag air suspension, just in case. With independent control of each air bag, this also gives us some leveling capability when camping.
Driveline
The Muncie SM-465 that came with the van just had no "umph". On even a moderate uphill, you'd wind out one gear, and shifting would put you below the power point of the engine in the next gear. So I added a second transmission.
This & That
Other things we've done to the body include:
- an air horn, to get people out of our way,
- a powered vent cowl, so we can get fresh air even when it's raining,
- a curved mirror, so we can see the rear bumper while backing up, and
- extra brake lights high up on the body, to make our intentions clear to tailgaters.