ACE mods / upgrades

[Gfamily]

Just installed the Vroom Rv central vac system in the ACE. This is a great add on to the rig beats sweeping for sure

[russue125]

I know I've read a bunch of stuff on this but I can't seem to find it. My son has agreed to do something about the lack of front speakers for the radio setup. Has anyone does this successfully? I'd love to hear some suggestions so I can pass them on to him. Thanks!

[rivraton]

Originally Posted by russue125

I know I've read a bunch of stuff on this but I can't seem to find it. My son has agreed to do something about the lack of front speakers for the radio setup. Has anyone does this successfully? I'd love to hear some suggestions so I can pass them on to him. Thanks!

Several people have installed front speakers, a couple of installs were in the top of the dash, I put mine in the shelves above the seats... I'll see if I can locate the posts... No luck.. but here is a pic of my speaker location

[Gfamily]

Another small upgrade for the battery’s . It was hard to see what the water level is on my 6v battery’s with out sticking my head in the battery compartment. Added ez battery watering caps now it’s much easier to add water and Check level of water .

[Mahakal]

Originally Posted by rivraton

Several people have installed front speakers, a couple of installs were in the top of the dash, I put mine in the shelves above the seats... I'll see if I can locate the posts... No luck.. but here is a pic of my speaker location

How did you run the wire. I am interested in doing this Mod.

[Knightab]

Originally Posted by Mahakal

How did you run the wire. I am interested in doing this Mod.

Its a challenge but you can run wires up the corner post behind the trim into the cabinet. As I recall there is some foam insulation you will have to poke through in the dash area.

[rivraton]

Originally Posted by Mahakal

How did you run the wire. I am interested in doing this Mod.

I ran the wires up the driver side A pillar, and across the front cap to right side... the speakers are fed via a couple of passive crossovers, the 6x9s are the bass and the mid and high go to the little 3 ways...

[rivraton]

Another small upgrade for the battery’s . It was hard to see what the water level is on my 6v battery’s with out sticking my head in the battery compartment. Added ez battery watering caps now it’s much easier to add water and Check level of water .

I just installed a Quick-fill system on my house batteries, I really like it...

[Knightab]

Originally Posted by rivraton

I just installed a Quick-fill system on my house batteries, I really like it...

I use to use this same system in my 5th wheel, I had 6 6volt batteries and as you said it is too hard to get your head in and look into the cells, let alone looking into a cell filled with acid! I never had a problem with it and it worked perfect for 7 years. When I bought my motorhome I gave it to a friend who has been using it for the last 2 years.

[Mahakal]

Originally Posted by Knightab

Its a challenge but you can run wires up the corner post behind the trim into the cabinet. As I recall there is some foam insulation you will have to poke through in the dash area.

Thank you

[Mahakal]

Originally Posted by rivraton

I ran the wires up the driver side A pillar, and across the front cap to right side... the speakers are fed via a couple of passive crossovers, the 6x9s are the bass and the mid and high go to the little 3 ways...

Thank you

[Mahakal]

Guys
Anyone change head light bulb to led.

[K6NCX]

2016 Thor ACE 30.1

Upgrades and improvements previously done:

1. Stock shocks replaced with Koni.
2. Sway bar installed.
3. tracking bar installed.
4. Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer installed.
5. Dually valve stems installed.
6. Tire inflated with nitrogen.
7. House batteries replaced with LiFePO4 for three times the usable capacity and TEN times the life with, 25% weight reduction.
8. MSH3012 3000 watt hybrid inverted installed.
9. 5 X 100w solar panels added on roof (plus inlets for portable panels in one basement bay on each side) wit MPT controller.
10. Map lights added in cockpit (battery operated, gooseneck, from Ikea, just stuck into overhead netting.)
11. Curtain added to pet window.
12. Fans added in cockpit to clear side windows. (Clip on, attached to bed track, plugged into cigarette lighter.)
13. Power panel added at bottom of dash, three cigarette lighter 12v outlets and 4 USB.
14. Power panel added on wall below driver armrest, 6 Anderson PowerPole 12v outlets and 2 USB.
15. Installed locking gas cap.
16. Replaced all bay door locks with better quality locks with round keys.
17.Replaced exterior light bulbs with LEDs.
18. Replaced interior light bulbs with LEDs.
19. Hung privacy curtain in bedroom doorway.
20. Compression rod across top of shower.
21. Octopus hanger to hang on compression rod for wets clothes, bathing suits, etc.
22. Installed Hustler mast on rear bumper for HF resonators with feedline to driver position.
23. Installed 2m/70cm antenna high on front, driver side exterior wall with feedline to driver position.
24. Installed IC-7100 transceiver on wall just aft of driver armrest.
25. Installed remote panels (above original control panel) for inverter and solar charger.


Current round:
1. Install tow bar on new toad (2018 Ford C-Max.)
2. Install Still In Play braking system on new toad.
3. Install lighting interface on new toad.
4. Install toad brake indicator in motorhome dash.
5. Install See Level indicators or all tanks.
6. Beefed up mounting for the inverter. (Bad roads - California freeways among the worst of them - proved too much for the original mounting.)
7. Increased ventilation of battery bay.
8. Increased ventilation of bay where inverter and solar charger are installed.

Still in planning
1. Fridge Defender install. Bought one, but couldn't get to the guts of my refrigerator to install it.
2. 12vdc, AC, and USB outlets at bedside in bedroom.
3. Area lighting (like porch light, but better) on driver side.
4. I don't know what else, but I now there will be more.

[Knightab]

Originally Posted by K6NCX

2016 Thor ACE 30.1

Upgrades and improvements previously done:

1. Stock shocks replaced with Koni.
2. Sway bar installed.
3. tracking bar installed.
4. Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer installed.
5. Dually valve stems installed.
6. Tire inflated with nitrogen.
7. House batteries replaced with LiFePO4 for three times the usable capacity and TEN times the life with, 25% weight reduction.
8. MSH3012 3000 watt hybrid inverted installed.
9. 5 X 100w solar panels added on roof (plus inlets for portable panels in one basement bay on each side) wit MPT controller.
10. Map lights added in cockpit (battery operated, gooseneck, from Ikea, just stuck into overhead netting.)
11. Curtain added to pet window.
12. Fans added in cockpit to clear side windows. (Clip on, attached to bed track, plugged into cigarette lighter.)
13. Power panel added at bottom of dash, three cigarette lighter 12v outlets and 4 USB.
14. Power panel added on wall below driver armrest, 6 Anderson PowerPole 12v outlets and 2 USB.
15. Installed locking gas cap.
16. Replaced all bay door locks with better quality locks with round keys.
17.Replaced exterior light bulbs with LEDs.
18. Replaced interior light bulbs with LEDs.
19. Hung privacy curtain in bedroom doorway.
20. Compression rod across top of shower.
21. Octopus hanger to hang on compression rod for wets clothes, bathing suits, etc.
22. Installed Hustler mast on rear bumper for HF resonators with feedline to driver position.
23. Installed 2m/70cm antenna high on front, driver side exterior wall with feedline to driver position.
24. Installed IC-7100 transceiver on wall just aft of driver armrest.
25. Installed remote panels (above original control panel) for inverter and solar charger.


Current round:
1. Install tow bar on new toad (2018 Ford C-Max.)
2. Install Still In Play braking system on new toad.
3. Install lighting interface on new toad.
4. Install toad brake indicator in motorhome dash.
5. Install See Level indicators or all tanks.
6. Beefed up mounting for the inverter. (Bad roads - California freeways among the worst of them - proved too much for the original mounting.)
7. Increased ventilation of battery bay.
8. Increased ventilation of bay where inverter and solar charger are installed.

Still in planning
1. Fridge Defender install. Bought one, but couldn't get to the guts of my refrigerator to install it.
2. 12vdc, AC, and USB outlets at bedside in bedroom.
3. Area lighting (like porch light, but better) on driver side.
4. I don't know what else, but I now there will be more.

Nice list! I have done 21 of the 25 you have listed.Not even sure what a hustler mat is.

Here is my list but I think I have a few to add yet
Mods
Added rear AC, Additional 30amp outlet
Satellite dome
Tank flush with momentary button for spray
Inverter 2000 Watt
Solar Panels 6x 100watt 4 x 75watt= 900 watts
LifeBlue 200 amp Lithium Ion battery X 2
PDI lithium charger
Rear sway bar
Sumo Maxim springs
Wheel balancers
Grill covers
Shelf unit on end of couch
LED lights in cab
Switches for power
Shelf to front bay under drivers area
Hose storage pipe in wheel wells
LED bar lights in some bays
Added different Horn
Storage boxes in tv bay
Updated refrigerator
Washer/Dryer, make water and drain connections, Removed booths
Shower bypass valve
EMS protector
Wilson Antenna
Sirrus radio and antenna
Electric water heater mod
LED lights in bays
Tire minder
Fantastic fan
Vent covers
Cabinets added to replace table and used the top for a counter
Digital Thermostat
Spare wheel
12v air compressor
Tee for catalytic heater
Catalytic Heater and hose
Made new drawers for bedroom and outside kitchen
Macerator
Spare tire carrier
Leather dual wall hugger recliners
Water meter
Insulate around step well
Insulate front cap
Shadowbox tools in step drawer and make second layer
Medicine cabinet
Turn bunk into cabinets
Painted front of cabinet doors with magnetic paint
Installed cork on inside of cabinet doors
Turn kitchen bay into electronics bay
Mounted nest camera
Put Tank heating pad under batteries to warm
Installed the old house charger in electronics bay and connected to chassis battery so it will stay charged without the trickle charger pulls about 25 watts/120
Put 120 outlet in overhead cabinet for printer
Installed touch lights in over head cabinets
Mounted MTTP controllers in old outside kitchen, ran new wires to lithium controller
Created new array with 75 watt panels
Moved water pump to different bay
Replaced all battery wiring with 2/0 cables
Added power to sewer bay with thermostat control for heater
Added PVC to hold extra length of macerator hose
Added magnets on rear compartment door to hold wrench
Added vent and fan to electronics bay with thermostat to keep cool
Added electric heat to AC unit and new thermostat
Painted AC Shroud white
Circuit breakers on solar arrays
Circuit breakers from controllers to batteries
Circuit breaker to Inverter
Added sound barrier to floor and engine cowling

PS: My reference to electronics bay is what would be the outside Kitchen. I removed the sink and drawers and put my lithiums under the counter with the charger and both of my solar controllers.