Frito Festiva--Ben's '93 GL (LX Clone) Build Thread

[w4rkry]

Great to see Frito's story put into words! Well done achieving your original goals Ben!

[ThisVelologist]

The next step of Frito's build was preparing for my month-long, 9,000 mile Pre-Madness X road trip. I would be spending the majority of my nights sleeping in Frito so I needed space to sleep and space for essentials like tools, parts, and food. Frito has LX front seats which are great for folding down for sleeping solutions, and a rear seat delete for more cargo options. The challenge was coming up with a modular sleeping surface that made up for the difference in height from the folded down seat to the rear floor. I wanted it to be modular so I could cary a passenger if need be. I saw this cheap camping cot on Amazon (https://goo.gl/NSf1bg) and noticed it's four removable legs. I imagined that I could take off two of the legs and lay the front half of the cot over the folded front seat and that the remaining two legs would make up for the rear height difference---and I was right! I imagine this sleeping solution would also work with the stock front seats as long as there is no rear seat too:

Next was roof cargo storage. I found a vintage Sears XCargo on the side of the road for free and painted it to match Frito. Being nearly the size of Frito's roof it was definitely a cool and slightly funny look:



I added a cheap battery powered LED strip (https://goo.gl/QdIWWo) for connivence, too:

Next came privacy solutions. I wanted the ability for quick and easy window coverings so I could conceivably sleep anywhere. Front and rear windows would be covered by the traditional foldable-shade. For the side windows I chose to Plastidip the rear quarter windows (4+ coats, peeled off in one piece!) and use window socks (https://goo.gl/2RIK3G) for the door windows to allow airflow while still providing privacy.



In the upper cargo box I packed tools, spare parts, and other essentials (none of which I ended up needing other than for junkyard visits!)

In the car, I had a chest of drawers, my drone, a cooler, and other dry food storage:


Charlie once said, "The Festiva is the best tent you can buy" and I whole heartedly agree. I miss sleeping and living in it. Especially when I would have views like this out my back door:


Your can read more about my trip in the forthcoming "Frito's Grand Journey" thread.

[ThisVelologist]

After the trip I returned Frito to his natural form. And I nearly forgot about my sweet '79 RX-7 steering wheel and my Fourgreen OEM foglight switches. I'd say Frito's exterior mods are 98% finished but there's still much to do with the interior and suspension. It's been nearly a year and 20,000 miles with Frito. Not only is it my favorite Festiva I've owned but probably my favorite THING I've ever owned. To many many more happy miles!

[w4rkry]

there's still much to do with the interior and suspension.

I cannot wait for those!

[firebush357]

That is awesome, I plan on having something similar in the future with one of my cars. I have taken my white car on a camping trip and had plenty of room my bike, chair, tools, totes and coolers. I have seriously been thinking of making a small trailer to tow behind the Festy for sleeping purposes, maybe something with an A/C since Florida is unbearable in the summer time due to heat and mosquitoes.

[ThisVelologist]

That is awesome, I plan on having something similar in the future with one of my cars. I have taken my white car on a camping trip and had plenty of room my bike, chair, tools, totes and coolers. I have seriously been thinking of making a small trailer to tow behind the Festy for sleeping purposes, maybe something with an A/C since Florida is unbearable in the summer time due to heat and mosquitoes.

Yeah dude! That would be so sick!

[Victor Lang]

Congrats! Great Story.

[Advancedynamix]

Such a great car, and an amazing story! I can't wait to hear about the next chapter, and possibly be a part of it.

[RdstrBlk]

What a thorough cargo build. Amazing photos, def the best tent! Would like to see how 2 people could fit laying down though..

Cleaan cargo car!

[ThisVelologist]

What a thorough cargo build. Amazing photos, def the best tent! Would like to see how 2 people could fit laying down though..

Cleaan cargo car!

Thanks, buddy! You can fit a twin air mattress with the seats folded down that will snugly sleep two people!

[ThisVelologist]

Such a great car, and an amazing story! I can't wait to hear about the next chapter, and possibly be a part of it.

Thanks Charlie! I hope so too

[ThisVelologist]

Road Trip thread is up if y'all want to see more pics!

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?60058-Frito-s-Grand-Journey-9-000-Mile-Pre-Madness-X-Trip

[william]

Looks good man I need to get me one of those fairings for my sportrack. I've got a sheet of plexiglass I thought of making my own. One of these days I'll get around to it lol.

[ThisVelologist]

Found a great deal for a 5 Panel Wink Rally mirror this week and finally decided to take the plunge. It's the perfect size for our cars. Simple mounting to the visor mounts. Love the 180 degrees of vision!

[bravekozak]

Unfortunately, I can't use a five panel mirror because my Cooper lighted vanity visors would always be hitting it. I have no choice but to use a Smart mirror.