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About Us
Join me on my journeys and projects!
The Genesis of Wildersport Outdoors began over 45 years ago, during the youth of our founder, CEO, on screen talent, and chief bottle washer, David Hostetler in the 1970s and 1980s. Exploring the local woods, fishing at every opportunity, riding bikes with my friends, and in general being outdoors until the street lights started coming on. And as he went on to his teenage years, that exploring became deeper into the woods with a tent and some basic gear. Always with a fascination of the peace that came from getting away from the rushed pace of civilization.
At various points in his life, friends have assigned him the nicknames of "Outdoor Dave", or during his college years when he owned a red 1984 Jeep CJ-7, "Red Jeep Dave". (And at one time when young, still muscular and having long blonde hair, “Thor”, that one is long gone!).
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, and then Tech School in the Arizona Desert, and later College in the Texas Gulf Coast will tend to give you a burning love for exploring, travelling, all things (almost) outdoors.
Wildersport Outdoors as a web site, YouTube channel, and business is a long time effort to get launched, that has taken many twists and turns.
A labor of love as it were, starting from when my late wife Debi and I were dating, travelling, camping and enjoying being out and about, our happiest days were spent exploring, roaming the beaches, forests, and historical sites of interest, in, and around Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Tennessee. We kept trying to figure out how we could share our enthusiasm for all things outdoors, and help others to get out and enjoy the world around us.
Like most people, life, budget, earning a living, and family commitments got in the way, along with aging, and injury making it more difficult, but we persevered as best we could, most of the ideas you see coming to fruition now in the mid 2020s were planted decades ago.
Progress was all going so well. We were gaining traction with YouTube channel, working it as Daves Workshop, concentrating at the time on DIY / crafting content, producing at least one, but typically 2 videos a week, monetization was going well, things were looking up... at that time the pivot for Wildersport had begun we had a separate channel for Wildersport, but the camping related content on Daves Workshop was reigning supreme with viewers so we began to migrate over...
And then the unthinkable happened, and kept happening.
Starting in 2018m between Jan 1, and December 31 that year, Dave and Debi had lost 20 close friends and family members, both of their Fathers, one of my Debis brothers, a niece, the second friend Dave introduced Debi to while we were dating, uncles, colleagues we had both worked with for decades. Debi being hospitalized for 2 months that year, and her layoff pushing so much on us and moving our priorities away from developing Wildersport, or keeping up with it.
Then the COVID pandemic hit, between lockdowns, working as many hours on a day job as possible, and closures of locations we wanted to feature, content just wasn't happening. We had to wait until things eased up.
We were finally getting back to a semblance of normalcy, Debi was doing well, and had a good job with a really good company, the insanity of the COVID pandemic was easing up, and then the biggest bomb was dropped on us.
In mid July 2022, Debi suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. Taking with her a large part of the creative force that had gotten us moving in the first place. David had been hit with some major stress related medical issues due to her passing that have really put a crimp in the ability to do work on content creation.
As was the case during Debis life, Dave and crew found that adventuring the world around us and experiencing what is out there to be seen, to be a physically, and psychologically therapeutic. Time outdoors with our thoughts, and the ability to medidate our what is really important greatly improved recovery from grief, physical health, and our general outlook on life and the future.
As time progresses, and we see what people are showing interest in, we are focusing on camping more and more every day, and we plan on ramping up the camping equipment / van content more to meet your needs!
So come along with Outdoor Dave and crew as we explore, repair, restore, and enjoy.
Hear our occasional philosophical wanderings as we process life, and the world around us.
And hopefully you will want to support our business. Buy some Wildersport merchandise, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and shop our Amazon affiliate links.
Every bit helps us to keep making content for you!
Meet Canela
Meet Canela, a 1993 Ford E250 Sportsmobile camper van.
Dave named this van after a stuffed unicorn that he bought Debi at the Loves Truck Stop on interstate 10 just outside of Katy TX. on their last trip to San Antonio Texas during Christmas season 2019.
Canela will for the foreseeable future be the target of most of our projects, and of course the chariot that carries us in our journeys.
Canelas specifications are. 1993 Ford Econoline 250 RV Prep Package. It was shipped with an incompleted vehicle title to the conversion company, outfitted with a 4.9L / 300 cid EFI Inline six cylinder engine, Ford E4OD 4 speed automatic transmission, Dana model 60 rear axle with unknown ratio, definately MPG oriented though... The cab is fitted with AC, power locks, windows, a factory stereo that is needing to be replaced, a Sportsmobile RB11 interior / Penthouse roof conversion takes this basic cargo van with some nice cab bits and converts it to a real camper!
We have upgraded the coach electronics to be fully compatible with modern Lithium Iron Phosphate deep cycle batteries, and solar charging,
With 2 300w portable solar panels, a 40 amp DC to DC charger / MPPT solar charge controller combination unit, a 45 amp Lithium compatible 110v AC to 12v DC converter charger and a 400 amp hour smart bluetooth connected 12v battery.
I have added a Velit gasoline fueled heater, replaced the 110v mini fridge with a 45L 12v compressor fridge that I wish was larger but was as large as my space would allow.
Since taking delivery of the van, I have either done myself, or had done the following mechanical repairs.
* Replaced the front brakes including calipers and rotors.
* Replaced the exhaust manifolds, yes the inline six has two exhaust manifolds.
* Replaced the rusted muffler, and relocated the exhaust exit to in front of the rear tire. This clears up space where the exhaust pipe was previously run so that I can add a water tank.
* Full tune up, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, injection cleaning etc...
* New power steering pump and lines
* New AC Compressor
* New High Output alternator, this was tricky though, the alternator listed for an Econoline did not fit, we had to use one from an F series truck.
* New water pump
* New Belt tensioner
* New radiator and cap
* New Gabriel shock absorbers,
* Added a rear door spare tire carrier and tire cover.
* Replaced all 5 tires with 265/70R16 Venom Power Terra Hunter XT tires.
* 1996 and up styled aftermarket hubcaps as the originals were dented up and never seemed to match the van. https://amzn.to/4g9xvu1
* New headlight assemblies to replace the yellowed and cracked originals. https://amzn.to/3BQx9KI
* New Taillight assemblies to replace the cracked and leaking originals. https://amzn.to/4fQkKnL (This version only fits 1992 - 1994, the 1995 and newer do not have the amber turn signals and will not work with the 92 - 94 vans!
* New turn signal / parking light assemblies to replace the faded originals The amber had been sun bleached out of them. https://amzn.to/3DQ2pdi
* 3156 / 3157 Amber turn indicator LED bulbs for front since the lenses are clear / amber. https://amzn.to/3Pu0Xj8
* Autogene 1000 Lumens 9-30V 3157 3156 3057 3056 4157 LED Bulbs for tail / stop / rear turn indicators.https://amzn.to/40teyhe
* AUXITO 3056 3156 3057 4157 LED Bulbs with Projector
for reverse light assemblies. https://amzn.to/4ae9Kzt
All remaining lighting is in the process of being upgraded to LED where legally allowed.
Working in a friends shop, we have created cross beams for the dinette bed to give support in the middle where the factory design utterly lacked support, and added a 3" memory foam mattress topper for a VERY comfortable nights sleep!
The mattress topper is the Linenspa 3 Inch Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper with Removable Cover – Ventilated and Breathable – Washable Cover - Full. https://amzn.to/4gNv1Cl and while it is comfortable, occasionally we regret not going with a 4" topper like the Lucid 4" https://amzn.to/4aeoJJI but you will need to buy a separate cover for the mattress topper to keep it from sliding around. https://amzn.to/3WfIqeq
So follow allong, see the continuing updates, repairs, and improvements, as well as experience the many wonderful places and people I get to experience with this van!
Items used so far.
2 @ Dokio 300w portable solar panel kits https://amzn.to/3DMBzTt
2 sets of Dokio portable solar panel stand kits. WARNING, these work but are fragile and tend to break at the pivots. Poor quality welding! https://amzn.to/3Pvspxe We have not found a suitable alternative and are researching alternatives! We only post these as there are no better obvious options (yet).
AtemPower 40 amp DC to DC charger / MPPT charge controller upgraded version supporting LiFePO4 batteries. https://amzn.to/4fRNfBp (This is a common design from the Chinese MFGs, AtemPower also has a 60 amp model available!
Chins 400 amp hour 12v LiFePO4 battery with smart bluetooth BMS. https://amzn.to/3WdoNnl
Vevor 45 amp 110v AC to 12v DC converter charger. I tried other brands but the Vevor was actually the best / most reliable performer!. https://amzn.to/4h6viQI
Bussman 60 amp 12v waterproof breaker for the feed from the alternator back to the DC to DC charger as per AtemPowers specifications. https://amzn.to/3DOcJmd I tried a cheaper Chinese breaker but it would NOT even hold 30 amps...
Bodega Cooler 45L 12v compressor fridge. https://amzn.to/40rJrCt This fridge is honestly quite small even for one person. But it was the only fridge that fit my space. Future plans are to replace it with the 85L model after I redo the kitchen cabinet and move the fridge to the other side of the camper.
The projects begin!
Watch on our Youtube channel as we go along the journey of updating and enjoying this old campervan!