2003 savana 1500 awd with explorer conversion package

[Joeykayak]

I've been looking for a awd cargo for a while but all I see are these trashed fleet vehicles so i am considering getting this one, price is 9500 and had 128k miles, it really seems like it was well maintained. My feeling is that a lot of the outfitting is done with it being a high top and finished inside. I would still do a 2" lift and maybe swap those ugly bumpers and body trip. What do you guys think?

 

[dleeallen]

I considered conversions when I was shopping. They can be a great start. Make sure you consider your eventual floor plan so you don't end up ripping out all the conversion parts you paid a premium for.


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[Joeykayak]

My only concern is dealing with that sofa seat thingy in the back, not sure if I could utilize it for making a bed setup or just ripping it out. Any incite?

 

[Joeykayak]

I have been searching this site and have not seen any threads on lifting or outfitting the Chevy or gmc conversion style van. Why would the cargo style be so much more better suited?

 

[Corneilius]

Conversion Vans rule! Leather seats, power everything, cruise control, high top already trimmed out. Mine had an auxiliary fuse box already installed. I gutted the factory sofa bed and floor and regret NOTHING. They are a much better start than a bare cargo. Mine was already insulated with fiberglass insulation ( i saw no sign of moisture buildup so I left it). Rear side windows that open, did I mention the comfy leather front seats, likely cared for its whole life as opposed to a work van. Can you tell I LOVE mine? Theres a slight learning curve in figuring out the subfloor, wiring and other custom touches but its totally worth it.

Edit: I immidiatly pulled off the fiberglass sidesteps and chrome bumpers. Replaced them with factory Ford side steps and gray cargo bumpers. Also, in my area they are CHEAPER than comparable cargo or passenger units, because lets be honest, no one wants a conversion van hahah

 

[boardrider247]

I have been searching this site and have not seen any threads on lifting or outfitting the Chevy or gmc conversion style van.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...ana-AWD-De-Conversion-(Dodge-Ram-replacement)
Here is one^^^^^

I think more then anything when considering a conversion van is gauging the quality of the conversion. I looked at one before purchasing my cargo and it was trashed mostly due to the subpar components used in the conversion. Personally if you can find a high quality conversion van I think it would be a great start.

 

[wjeeper]

I considered conversions when I was shopping. They can be a great start. Make sure you consider your eventual floor plan so you don't end up ripping out all the conversion parts you paid a premium for.

I couldn't agree more with this statement. Conversion vans are nice but I shied away from them because in the end I did not want so many windows.

I have been searching this site and have not seen any threads on lifting or outfitting the Chevy or gmc conversion style van. Why would the cargo style be so much more better suited?

The suspensions are the same between the cargo and the passenger vans. I think the reason you see more cargo vans being built up is they are blank slate for building the interior exactly how you want it. I ended up with a conversion top on a cargo van............so kinda the best of both worlds.

My only concern is dealing with that sofa seat thingy in the back, not sure if I could utilize it for making a bed setup or just ripping it out. Any incite?

I ended up with the sofa bed out of a conversion van. Its a little bit on the short side (my feet hang just over the edge) and I ended up putting different foam and upholstery on it, but we really like!

 

[Joeykayak]

Great info guys! Here is a pic if the 2003 awd, the conversion was done be Explorer so would like to know what you think about that how that rates as far as conversions go. The van has 128k on it and he said he put a new tranny and cooler in.

 

[evilfij]

Explorer is a very good conversion company. My folks had one and the insides held up really well. The bed in the back was an automatically recline job with a press of a button and was actually quite comfortable. However, it limits the space in the back. Unless you are going for a middle kitchen or something, it would suck up a lot of space.

 

[Joeykayak]

Yea not sure if that rear seat could really make a functional bed, it seems like it is contoured and not a great sleeping platform. Anybody ever deal with it?

 

[Corneilius]

Mine was super lumpy and uncomfortable. I sold it on craigslist in 1 day for $150. Mark III conversion. This picture shows the tension shades are all there, a huge plus for starting with a conversion van too.

 

[Joeykayak]

Mine was super lumpy and uncomfortable. I sold it on craigslist in 1 day for $150. Mark III conversion. This picture shows the tension shades are all there, a huge plus for starting with a conversion van too.

I was thinking I could just put a 4" foam mattress topper over it and be able to make a bed out of it? I was going to pull the middle captain chairs out and use that rear monster as a couch and bed. Waste of room? Was it a mother to get rear rear seat out?

 

[Corneilius]

Nope, just unbolted and 2 wires to unplug, it was heavy, bad use of space too. Could store anything under it AND move it up and down. Glad its gone, love my current layout.

 

[86cj]

Great info guys! Here is a pic if the 2003 awd, the conversion was done be Explorer so would like to know what you think about that how that rates as far as conversions go. The van has 128k on it and he said he put a new tranny and cooler in.
View attachment 369523

What if you just go by the fact it has a Raised Roof and AWD ?......Making it a great choice for a back country camping van, rear A/C Heat? Doors on both sides? Probably.....

Look at all the effort or cost it takes to put that roof on a van, look at all the effort it takes to build some kind of interior, both of which you possibly don't even get charged for on the used car market. If you tear a bunch of parts off like OCCASIONALDIRT did so what, the alternative is a Wholebunch of material purchases, time and labor. Verses SOME materials, time and labor while camping immediately....


Explorer is better than most....they also use the factory windows alot and those windows don't open like the ones on that van..

 

[Choff]

Conversion vans do work out for sleeping, we just made removable extensions front and back of couch that folds flat, and put a bed cover over the leather and put camping mats and good sleeping bags. Sleep great the long way, I am 6'1"
We love the features of the conversion van, and when get home it goes back to a 7 people hauler.
We just spent 2 weeks on the road and did not stay in a hotel !!!
GMC AWD, WITH 166,000 AND RUNNING GREAT
Choff