I love squares. I've had countless, and when I got remarried I owned a 83 diesel burb that got amazing fuel economy (900 miles per tank). My wife and I both do Search and Rescue, I also like disbursed camping (aka overland camping).
I also really really enjoyed a magazine article by Rick Siemans called "The Wanderers." This build is an homage to that - only diesel. There are other differences... but we'll get into that, later. What will happen is the build, but interspersed within the build I'll post stories that Mr. Siemans gave me permission to repost with the caveat that I direct you to his website if you'd like to buy a CD with all his stories on it.
http://articles.superhunky.com/bio/Rick%20Sieman
it's really well worth it.
Well the introduction is done, next post... the build commences.