2006 Chevy Express 1500 AWD Red NARV build thread

[dwysywd]

Recently purchased this 2006 Chevy Express 1500 AWD with 84000 miles and ZERO rust. It runs top. I had the transmission rebuilt and the transfer case replaced. This was expensive but it was a known quantity when I purchased it at the auction. Also, I had a carfax that outlined all the service records. It was well maintained as far as oil changes and maintenance on the engine, showing the service record intervals on carfax. Got the vehicle home, put a new battery in it, filled up with fresh fuel, 2 cans of seafoam and hit the switch... runs like a champ. Now that I have it running good, I have started on some other projects that needed tacklin. Here is my punch list:

1. On a whim purchased a back up camera for $60 from a local guy. It wires directly into the upper rear tail light.
2. MB Motorsports Razor wheels 16x8 purchased used $225 and i am having them media blasted today, then I plan to powder coat them bronze.
3. Cooper Discovery STT Pro 235x85R16, purchased new from the guy in town, mounted and balanced $800
4. Interior upgrade: 4 leather captains and a leather power folding bench. I purchased on car-part.com for $490 for all 5 seats. They are in great shape and came out of a 2004 Chevy Express conversion van
5. Insulation behind the plastic panels: I have reflective bubble insulation. Everything I read said it will help "some" as long as there is an air bubble. I have plenty of space from the exterior panel to the plastic panel to create the air bubble. Mainly using this because it was already something I owned a lot of from a previous project. So up-cycling it really.
6. Remove carpet... man is it gross. I plan to keep the insulation pad and then order a new vinyl floor for the van or something like a VanRug Van Cargo Liner. Cost about the same $200
7. Chip guard the lower 2" of the van all the way around, including rocker undersides to provide excellent rust protection.
8. Add some LED lights for back up and on the front. I have 3" square rigid white lights for the rear, and 3" square rigid amber lights for the front. I also have a small light bar to mount behind the grill, I think it is 12".
9. Finally add a Bluetooth radio with screen big enough to accommodate the back up camera already installed. Already upgraded the rear 4" oval speakers from the factory paper 15W to a nice poly 35W speaker set. I have plans to install new door speakers, Crutchfield says 5.25" and 6.5" will both fit. For $46, I Ordered - THIS ONE
10. Maybe 2" leveling kit up front, not sure yet.
11. Probably due for a tune up soon, already did an oil change when I got it and a trans flush when the trans was rebuilt and new fly wheel installed.

Here are some photos. I will try to update as I make progress. I just rolled the wheels in front of the van.

 

[Wiley]

Nice man, I am always tempted to trade up to an Express from the Astro, looking forward to the progress.

 

[dwysywd]

Front seats installed. Driver side wired and working. Plan to post a picture soon. Ran into an unexpected problem with the darn door panels and my conversion van seats. LOL. Here is a taste. The seat switches hit the door panel. I had to remove the switches. I am building a mount for them under the seat. I will post full mounted pics tomorrow. Loving these seats. I am able adjust the seat about 2” lower and makes the perfect ride height for my 6’1” height. No more ducking to see out the windshield or side windows.

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[dwysywd]

Also, I know this isn’t a “fun” upgrade but I had the spare tire dismounted under the van and the tire swapped to a matching 235/85R16 spare tire. Plus I am keeping the 2 best tires on the steel rims as spares. This will give us 3 spares for our 5000 mile trip. Maybe that’s an overkill but whatever. Also I had the hitch installed. I purchased a draw-tite class 4 with complete 4 pin wire harness. Next upgrade for the hitch will be adding a 7-pin and my brake controller. That way I can tow my Jeep XJ. But for now this will be fine for the 5x8 v-nose cargo trailer.

FWIW: just took my first little road trip with the van and cargo trailer to move my daughter home from college. Drove 200 miles traveling 75-80 whole way got 11.8 mpg. On the way home drove 200 miles and took it a little easier going 67 the entire way home; I got 14.3 mpg. That was pulling the cargo trailer both ways. The van and the trailer empty going and both Loaded coming back.


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[dwysywd]

Ok. Check this out.

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[Choff]

Our van has the same seats, exact!!, I have 150,000 miles of sitting in them, not to bad of a seat,they hold up well

 

[dwysywd]

Our van has the same seats, exact!!, I have 150,000 miles of sitting in them, not to bad of a seat,they hold up well

They have a few cracks. Came out of a van with 80,000 miles. My van only has 84000. Post a picture of your RMD eats and if you don’t mind your door panel. Curious what was different and why the switches fit your van. Thanks @Choff


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[Choff]

They have a few cracks. Came out of a van with 80,000 miles. My van only has 84000. Post a picture of your RMD eats and if you don’t mind your door panel. Curious what was different and why the switches fit your van. Thanks @Choff


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Our Van is a full conversion van GMC AWD, I have 219,000 miles on the van , bought it with 43,000 it was like new.
Front seats have been out twice, new heated seat pads and foam redo, also had them out for power slid needed new bushings.
What did you need a pic of??

 

[dwysywd]

Our Van is a full conversion van GMC AWD, I have 219,000 miles on the van , bought it with 43,000 it was like new.
Front seats have been out twice, new heated seat pads and foam redo, also had them out for power slid needed new bushings.
What did you need a pic of??

Was curious about your door panels. Mine hit on the controllers. So I have to relocated them.


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[Choff]

I do not have those kind of door panels, maybe because its an 2005 and full conversion van?
Both seat controls are mounted on the inside side of both seats.

 

[dwysywd]

Well it’s raining tomorrow. So I think I will pull the ol’bang-bus into the shop and instally a few items!
On the punch list more for me to keep my thoughts straight than for you trouble makers.
1) install new radio. Ok I purchased this cheap $50 radios off amazon. No joke, they even came with a free back up camera. Now, you might ask why would I buy a $50 radio. Mainly 1 reason, it came with mirroring software. And frankly it works great. So for $50 I got a cheap double din radio that works as advertised

2) speaker upgrades in the doors and rear. I purchased the baffles mainly cause they seem to ALWAYS help. I have a set for the doors, which are getting a small pair of 5.25 pioneer with 30 watt and a dome tweeter that is outside panel mounted. And the rear upper speakers are a pAir of Pyle 4.5” ovals with baffles. Should sound decent.

3) hook up my rear back up camera that I installed a few weeks ago. It resides in the 3rd brake light housing above the rear door.

4) remove remainder of the interior plastic cladding. I plan to tape up some bubble foil style insulation and then start covering the walls with birch plywood.

5) remove the carpet and pressure wash the ******** out of the van. It’s filthy from the previous owners (fleet work vehicle) with lots of red clay dust

6) install rubber coin floor over the floor padding. I am removing the carpet but hopefully I can salvage the padding. The rubber coil is being procured either Home Depot or Amazon

7) build center counsel. I already have a base started.

8) install my 1000w inverter

9) install my trailer brake controller and run my wires for my 7-pin harness while I have the floor out.

I will try and post pics as I complete.


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Double Din Car Stereo with 12LED B...QPFLNN/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_i6lWEbC1CXZSN

 

[dwysywd]

well, I guess I should clarify, my van was a work van belonging to a company that did surveying. There was a huge frame mounted ring on the front of the van. I think the reason that the trans and the transfer case broke were someone getting the van stuck and then pulling it out by the front ring. These transfer cases cannot be shifted into neutral. They are not supposed to be towed or tugged unless they are under power. Its a flaw, but mainly you shouldn't be driving it somewhere that is an issue. They were using van's because of the cargo space, but they really needed 4wd vans. My guess some twat in purchasing thought this was a way to save money. Anyhow, the trans and transfer case were junk b/c of abuse not inferior parts or product. I purchased this knowing it was going to need work and paid accordingly.

 

[dwysywd]

well as luck would have it, my day got monopolized by kids, wife and friends! ugh. i am not complaining but it always seems when I want to work on something, other people snatch bits of time away. I know that "no" is an answer as well. But my kid needed help with Physics. Took us 2 hours but we got it done. By the time he got going and we started it was already 13:30 and it was 15:45 when we finished. Had to help my parents get a tree cut down... dinner... clean up the garage... some buddies headed over so we can all purchase our WY hunting licenses...and kaboom... day gone, LOL

 

[dwysywd]

Picked up the new wheels and tires today. Had the wheels powder coated. Turned out sharp. Tires Cooper STT pro 235/85R16. This is the same size tire that is in the first picture. But they are well worn and on steel wheels.

Wheel Color: spent brass

Before and after photos.

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[dwysywd]

Well waiting on the floor cleats for the set of rear seats I decided to look into installing the radio. Holy crap that is involved. Maybe I missed something but the video I watched the guy removes the shifter and tilt levers and drops the steering column down! Anyone else take the dash out of their 2003-2007? I might have to make that an all in one job.


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