Recent content by LYlqoY2Fo

It has been a while since I posted, and thought I'd update what has changed/update since the springs. Entire front end rebuilt - Upper/Lower Control Arms, Inner/Outer Tie rods, Bearings/Hubs, etc. Rear Bearings changed New brakes and calipers all the way around New speed sensors all around...

No plans to go higher. I have toyed with putting blocks back in to get a couple more inches....but it rides so nice right now.

Sorry for REALLY delayed response. Ride quality is better than factory, IMO. The springs made all the difference in the world. My son and nephew have the same vans, and mine is a cadillac compared to theirs.

The height is fine to me. I don't have a roof rack yet, so I can't really judge how precarious is may feel getting up/down. I just use it now to get snowboards on/off the racks. It cannot go any higher, its mount points are defined up/down. You can play a little front/back, but not much...

Rear Leaf Spring Replacement I'm sure all of your Chevy/GMC'rs have seen the posts about using springs from a Suburban 2500 for lift. Some are for and some against.....so what the hell...I'll do it. Actually the reality is, I NEEDED to do it. With the full build out and lugging a couple...

That looks really good. Nice and clean.

With my build as is...You are correct. If traveling with 4 adults, the bench would have to stay at home and the 3rd and 4th passenger would need to ride in the dinette. If I were traveling with #3 and #4 being young kids, say under 10, you could travel with the bench. Just unlatch it, push it...

For those interested, here is how the interior looks with the bench seat installed.

As for the side door step, I just built into it, off of the floor structure. I lost about 1" of step, but it finishes it off very cleanly....and again...no more holes needed.

The entire structure is not attached to the van, except for one single bolt/rivnut, which was required in the wall right behind the drivers seat. This was just to firm up that wall structure more in the front. The rear of it was attached to the bed platform. You can see in the picture, I was...

Cushions and Toilet compartment Now that the mechanical bits are in and working, moving on to the softgoods; cushions. All of the cushions were made using the guts from two (because of the odd size I created) 4" Lucid mattresses; one Full and one Twin. Each cushion is backed with 19/32"...

Electric Components (and a couple odds/ends) I got so involved in the electrical work, that I forgot to take many pictures during. But I'll summarize. Battery isolator was installed, running 4awg from the starter battery to the mechanical area. This allows charging from the alternator. A...

False Front Upholstery and Installation Now with all the false-fronts prepped...they were all covered with a batting and tweed fabric from Joann's Fabrics. This really softened up the overall interior, literally and figuratively. I didn't count, but I think I used about 8 million staples...

False Fronts Now that all of the "guts" are built, it is time to prepare for the false fronts, which will finish it off and tighten everything up. I used to do custom car audio, so this is something I have a lot of experience with. It is a skill that takes some practice with to not waste...

Storage Cubbies The vertical supports were added so that cubbies could be built and attached directly to them, and make the most use of the space as possible. Cubbies were built using basic 1/2" plywood. The finish didn't matter, as it is finished in automotive carpet, and the rough plywood...