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Welcome back to Rigs We Dig, our monthly series highlighting the people behind thoughtfully built adventure vehicles. This month, we're featuring Max Jolliffe's rig, "Big Blue": a 1988 Ford Club Wagon XL van built for a simple life on the road, from training days in Costa Mesa to trips up into the Eastern Sierra. Outfitted with HEST's mattress, comforter, and pillow, along with just the essentials for storage and sleep, this van proves you don't need much to go far. It's a rig built on the basics, proof that a comfy bed and a little TLC can take you anywhere.
Photo Credit: Max Jolliffe
Your Name: Max Jolliffe
Location: Costa Mesa, CA
Rig Nickname:Big Blue
Make & Model: Ford Club Wagon XL
Year:1988
HEST products:The Dually, Comforter, & Camp Pillow
What made you choose the Ford Club Wagon XL as your base?
An old coworker of mine was getting rid of it and I thought it was just a really cool old van! It came with a lift and off-road tires on it but other than that it was in pretty rough shape. After quite a bit of TLC I got it to a place where I was able to live out of it for almost a year.
Can you give us a top highlight overview of your buildout and its key features?
What were your main goals or priorities when designing and building your rig?
Storage and sleep were pretty much the only things that I was concerned about. All I really needed was the bare essentials. The ability to carry all of my gear from running shoes to surfboards and a comfy sleep setup.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during the build process?
There isn’t much that has been difficult about the build because it really is so simple. I think the toughest part has been all of the mechanical things that go wrong with having an old vehicle. Replacing the starter, alternator, battery, radiator, etc. The van has broken down so many times and it’s always kind of a nightmare when it happens.
How many dollar signs on a scale of 1 to 5 is your build (5 being the highest)?
$
What products, brands, or upgrades are you most excited about in your rig?
I’d love to eventually add a nice little fridge and a bit more storage at some point.
Knowing your lifestyle and how you plan to use the rig, what’s one feature in your rig that you know you cannot live without?
For me having a comfy bed to sleep in is the most important thing. After a big day of training, rest and recovery is the most important thing and having a good sleep setup is non-negotiable.
Where is the coolest place you plan to take your rig?
I love getting up into the mountains in the eastern Sierra. That is by far the coolest place that I will ever take my van.
Do you have any advice for someone looking for a van?
At the end of the day you really don’t need much to get away and go out for amazing adventures. Start with the bare essentials to make yourself comfortable and everything else you put into your setup is just a bonus.
