Wood River 179 Mods
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134
Printed Date: 03 May 2025 at 2:27am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Wood River 179 Mods
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Subject: Wood River 179 Mods
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2016 at 11:36am
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Wood River 179 Hood River Pod-mods to date. Have 15 inches of
snow outside. Got in with the cover on, so can’t take the slide
out. More pictures to come in the spring. Exterior New lock on storage compartment to match Global main door key. One key does it all. Replaced lock on outdoor shower with simple Camco turn knob. Did need to trim with dremel and sand both sides of the latch to fit in the groove on the plastic cover. No need to lock this. We have a steep incline driveway. Replaced the bolts on
the rear scissor jacks and replaced with clevis pins. Now we can
remove the rear jacks when coming or going without incident. May
also come in handy when boondocking on rough roads. Interior Added wooden rack and metal shelf on passenger side kitchen. Wooden
rack from Target and metal shelf from Amazon. Read lots about
attaching things to walls. Didn’t want to do velcro or command
strips. Understand concerns with screws, but wanted these mounted more
permanently. Used some ¾ inch coarse machine screws. Drilled
pilot holes and then hand screwed. Careful not to over tighten. Then used caulk squeeze in each hole and
re-screwed. They are sturdy and well anchored to the wall. Won’t
load up with heavy items when traveling. Will be great at camp to
free up counter space and be organized. Added metal paper towel holder with shelf and small metal spice rack on driver side kitchen. Both purchased on Amazon. Same installation as above. Added additional shelf in upper pantry and stained and installed some wood barriers to keep items in pantry from pushing open door or falling out.
Installed three USB/Cig Sockets for 12v charging and electronic
use.
Put the same metal shelves over valences over bed windows and under TV.
Non-Pictured Mods
To do list
Thank you for all of the great ideas posted here. It's been fun. Thanks Smitty ------------- Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods |
Replies:
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2016 at 4:38pm
| Sent you a message |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2016 at 4:53pm
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Nice work!!
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Blue Highways
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2016 at 12:08am
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I was really impressed with the clevis pin idea on the stabilizer jacks. That's a first! A specific mod that answers your driveway concerns as well. We drug in the rocky dirt (but luckily did not break off) a stabilizer jack trying to get the perfect boondock campsite position last Sept.....so that mod makes complete sense to me. Your other mods are a long list ....that you've moved forward very quickly on.... nice going and thanks so much for sharing them with our Pod community. You've done a few things I've never even considered yet.
Brad & Layli Western NC WanderPod (17 179 HRE) |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2016 at 10:08am
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Brad, Had to order the clevis pins from amazon. As you know our hardware opportunities are limited here in the WRV. 3-inch long by 3/8 diameter. The original bolt is metric and the 3/8's is the slightly smaller SAE equivalent. You can find at Home Depot. Saw Willie Cook and Jerry Seifert the other day and thought of you. Thanks for the compliments. The screws in the walls were scary but easy, and the items hold well. Everything I've learned I've learned on this forum. Thanks and Happy Holidays. Jeff ------------- Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods |
Posted By: Blue Highways
Date Posted: 20 Dec 2016 at 3:02pm
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Glad to know Jerry (former mayor) is out about town getting ad contracts signed and Willy's still taking his awesome WRV photos!
---brad |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2017 at 5:22pm
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Idaho has had above average snow this year. Great for the aquifer...bad for trailer management. So, I know Spring Break is more than six weeks away, but if I didn't work on getting out the pod now, I was worried I wouldn't be able to come March. I only wish I would have taken some before pics. Last weekend I had to dig out the pod. After two months of clearing snow off the roof, there was about 5-6 feet of snow on the drivers/slide side. I couldn't get in that side with the snow blower, so I had to move most by hand and then blow. I was sore! Then this weekend I had to increase the width of the side driveway by about 4 feet. Need enough room to get the double gates open and have the drive be wide enough for the pod and the TV to be able to maneuver. See the last pic look at the pod from the backyard. You can see how deep the snow is. Well, now if we have more snow, I should be able to keep up on the removal and ensure an easy pull out of the side yard. Zions NP for Spring Break! Can't wait. For those of you in warmer climates, enjoy the pics. Thanks Smitty ------------- Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2017 at 5:52pm
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Sorry, issue with pics. New update is creating issues. Can't upload from Goggle Photos. I'll work on it. Thanks  ------------- Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2017 at 8:05pm
 ------------- Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2017 at 8:08pm
 ------------- Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods |
Posted By: Blue Highways
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2017 at 8:59am
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Wow, Smitty ! That's almost "roof-shoveling" levels of snow! I remember it well in the Wood River Valley. One winter particularly stands out in the Valley.... 1992-93, (as well as at least through about 1998). That first year, I was constantly up on the roof in my ski overalls trying to keep the layered snow loads down, so as not to stress out the roof trusses. To tired to go up to River Run to ski. THEN all the snow that I pushed and tried to throw off the roof blocked patios, blocked doors, so it had to be re-shoveled again, in a slightly more compacted condition, as it had dropped from the roof level. In 93, I had to make a slot in front of my younger son's bedroom window so he could see out. (I have archive photos on my laptop of those days.) Back then, we had to keep the snow off of the flat roof of our vintage 1964 Apache tent trailer (with the Chevy Impala style rear tail lights). We bought that early camper in Boise for less than $1000 and finished restoring it in time for the first of our Oregon coast family vacations. (We towed it with a 94 Toyota SR5 Extra Cab back in the day.) The snow really helps out the Valley economically, and the Wood River will be running strong this spring, I bet....hopefully not TOO strong all at once. One spring flood year, 5B'rs used to joke about "picking out furniture at the Bellevue bridge!" Thankfully, it won't get that bad, but in the mid-valley back then, a lot of people lost portions of their yards to the 'river wild.' NICE JOB keeping the Pod out of "snow jail" so that you can get it out for the Canyonlands of Utah (or?) in spring. Bet you've gotten in shape, and soaked a few boots on that project! Thanks for sending, loved your post, sure others did too. Brad Western NC 179 HRE
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Posted By: SeattlePod176
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2017 at 8:52pm
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Love the mods! Miss the WRV! I like that you posted some pics with the cover on. I think we have the same one but did yours go on VERY tight at first? I posted on another thread but here's the pic of us trying to put it on tonight... https://postimg.org/image/7kb3dd0bx/">  ------------- R-Pod 176 Land Cruiser 
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Posted By: Podinaroundbc
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2017 at 9:29am
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Nice Mods. Where did you get the lock for the storage door? ------------- Art & Brenda Jake the dog 2015 179 HRE 2012 Nissan Titan |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2017 at 6:03pm
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Sorry for the late response! I went directly to the Global website. Give them your key # and measure how long the shank needs to be. I don't have that info with me, but it was very easy. You can measure the shank length of the existing lock. The link is below. Thanks http://www.rvlocksandmore.com/Global-Link-and-Fastec-FIC-Brand-RV-Locks-and-Keys/CH-751-CK-330#.WLiyN_krJQI - http://www.rvlocksandmore.com/Global-Link-and-Fastec-FIC-Brand-RV-Locks-and-Keys/CH-751-CK-330#.WLiyN_krJQI ------------- Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2017 at 6:11pm
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Getting ready for our trip to Zions. Have not reconfigured the drawers below the closet like I did in the galley. Hanging space is worthless. Container Store was having a sale on these Elfa slide out bins. Lots of drawer space now! Can still hang a few items off to the side if needed. Good place for rain coats. Thanks   ------------- Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods |
Posted By: MikeE
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2017 at 7:01pm
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You just saved me hours of measuring and designing a ramp to get up my steep driveway. All that was going to scrape was the stabilizers. I looked at taking them off, jeez 8 bolts each. the pins are brilliant. I cannot wait to do this mod. Love this forum! ------------- 2014 RP-179 Happy Campers |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2017 at 7:43pm
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i need to move!! hogone
------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: ParPod
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2017 at 8:07am
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I can't get over the snow!! and we whine about the amount of snow we get here.....bah nothing like that!
Really like the mod in the closet.....thinking it will look real good in ours. Cheers ------------- Bob&Margaret 2017 179 2016 Toyota 4Runner 2 sets of Golf Clubs |
Posted By: cjscinta
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2017 at 10:09pm
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Where did you find the Clevis pins and what size are they? Second trip and I crushed a jack already. They are mounted back too far and I was going to move them but if I can do this it will be much easier. Thanks. ------------- 2017 R-pod 179 |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2017 at 10:10pm
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Here is the link to the clevis pins (3/8 3 inch) I ordered on Amazon. You could also find them at HD or Lowes. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IPUEK5S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IPUEK5S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 My solution works, but it a little cumbersome. The removal is easy, the reinstall is a little more difficult. There is a bracket that fits inside the two arms of the jack. There are these cogs that you need to line up and then get the bracket to line up and then slide in the pin. After you've done it a few times, it get easier. I've since heard good reports on the saveajack quick release. More expensive than my solution, but looks pretty slick. http://www.amazon.com/Mounting-Brackets-Attachment-Release-Protector/dp/B005ZI03GS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493089343&sr=8-1&keywords=SaveaJack%20%20 - https://www.amazon.com/Mounting-Brackets-Attachment-Release-Protector/dp/B005ZI03GS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493089343&sr=8-1&keywords=SaveaJack Hope this helps. I may try the saveajack. I'll let you know how it works. Thanks Jeff http://www.amazon.com/Mounting-Brackets-Attachment-Release-Protector/dp/B005ZI03GS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493089343&sr=8-1&keywords=SaveaJack%20%20 - ------------- Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods |
Posted By: cjscinta
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2017 at 7:34am
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Hmm. That's disappointing. It seemed like a great idea. I really like the idea of save a jack but I'm wondering if just moving the jacks back by about 18 inches might be the quickest ( and cheapest) solution. Thanks for the info. ------------- 2017 R-pod 179 |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2017 at 8:41pm
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Please don't get me wrong, it is a better solution than dragging the jacks. I've been thinking if the internal bracket on the jack is needed. Than the install would be very easy. The issue with install is lining up the holes on the frame, jack arms, and then the inter brackets. Take one of your jacks off and play with it.
Thanks ------------- Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2017 at 9:32am
| The Sava jack installs in literally 5 minutes. Moving the jacks and drilling new holes upside down didn't seem like much fun to me. |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 26 May 2017 at 11:43am
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I just installed the Savajacks on the back of our pod. I used my dremel to cut through the spot weld and then to grind down the bead remaining on the frame. Sprayed with rustoleum rust reformer and only needed to drill one new hole on each side to mount the Savajack plate. Much easier than my previous plan with clevis pins to remove the stabilizer and it actually has lower clearance. The clevis mod works, but the reinstall is not as easy as the savajack. Enjoy the long weekend! Thanks ------------- Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods |