Goofball1205
New member
Im a new comer here. Searched and read a lot of the forums here about converting Chevy Vans. I recently Purchased a 2006 Extended Chevy Express 3500 van to convert into a Motovan.
Those who don't know what a motovan is. It has a wall right behind the side door that separates the back and front. The back is a makeshift garage to hold your bike and gear, the front is a makeshift sitting/sleeping area. it's not as cool as some of the adventure vans here but it serves its purpose perfectly.
When I bought the van it had carpeting throughout the rear of the van. floor, ceiling, and walls. I think for insulation. I started by removing the floor carpeting and was pleased to find the OEM rubber mat in almost new condition.
the picture doesn't do it justice as I had already spread dirt throughout it with test fitting my dirt bike and climbing in and out on a dirt lot.
It had a few problems when I picked it up.
1. Soon after the purchase it developed a random misfire code
2. The oil pan and valve cover were leaking
3. The driver seat had the normal butt rip
4. The windshield washer pump did't work
5. Power steering pump leaks
First things first I troubleshot the misfire to the best of my ability and available tooling. I had to suck it up and take it to a dealer where they found a bad crank position sensor. after changing that and doing the crank re-learn procedure all was well. No more check engine light.
The oil pan and valve cover were easy I went ahead and changed the valve cover and oil pan gaskets. took a little longer then expected but thats probably because I took my time and cleaned out the sludge in the bottom of the oil pan and all the mating surfaces before reassembling.
The driver seat was interesting. I searched the internet for several weeks looking for vans being parted out. I was hoping to find a conversion van but had very little luck. I eventually found a set of conversion van seats in Chicago for $150. I drove 4 hours each way to pick them up. Upon arrival I realized I had misread or understand the add and they were rear passenger seats. After inspecting the frame I figured for $150 I could try to make them fit my needs. However when I arrived home I found they had been soaked at one point and the inner foam wreaked of mold/mildew. I stripped them down to try to save them before I gave up. The frames were pretty rusted and I didn't want the van to wreak in the summer when it got hot. I found another seat of stock seats with the arm rests on craigslist. they were new take offs from a conversion van company and much closer this time. When I arrived to pick them up he had a huge pull barn filled with front seats. I was hoping to find a set of Vinyl seats and while we looked I found a set of leather rear bucket seats never used from explorer conversion van company. luckily from my first attempt I discovered the conversion van companies use the same frames for the front and rear seats. I was able to pick up this set for $100.
The original seats.
the new seats waiting to be installed. still dusty from sitting in the barn. I'll take an after picture here soon. I didn't realize I hadn't already take one.
I then tackled the Water pump thinking it was something like a dead pump. However I hooked a meter to it and found it wasn't getting power. When I checked the fuse I found it was corroded and one of the posts was broken off in the fuse box. I tried to removed it with tweezers with no luck. I ended up having to pull the fuse box out and completely disassemble it.
after reassembly the driver side worked but not the passenger side. after some quick troubleshooting I found the hose from the driver to passenger was chaffed through. I had to order a new one but after replacement everything works perfectly now.
The power steering pump will have to wait until another day for now.
The first over night outing with the van. It's still empty inside the wife and I slept on Camping cots for the night.
The next issue I want to tackle is wheels. The guy before me put different wheels on it. Near as I can tell they are from a mid 90's Ford F250. The fronts are 16x7 or 7.5 with 265 tires and the rears are 16x8 or 9 with 305 tires. They have cooper discovery tires with good tread but they don't fit my needs. This van is primarily driven on the highway for 2 or more hours to different races and in the winter from Michigan to Florida. These tires are LOUD on the highway and the rears stick out 2" or more from the fenders. I'd like to mount nice wheels and tires that are comfortable, a little more responsive, and can still take the occasional pothole on a dirt road. I'd like 17 or 18" rims. they look nice and fill out the fenders nicely. However I can't find any fitment information for either wheel size. I know the conversion van companies mount 20's so why wouldn't I be able to mount 17 or 18" rims. I found some fitment information for the 2500 8-lug vans. Are the suspension dimensions the same? Or is there a risk of the suspension components rubbing because of beefier components on the 3500? Any suggestions on wheel fitment would be greatly appreciated. In an ideal world I'd really like some KMC wheels either the XD grenade or XD775 Rockstar, mated to Michelin Defender LTX in 255/65R18 or 245/75R17
Still to come.
Wall installation
Stereo upgrade
Sound/heat insulation for front cab
bunk layout
accessory racks and cabinets for garage area
Those who don't know what a motovan is. It has a wall right behind the side door that separates the back and front. The back is a makeshift garage to hold your bike and gear, the front is a makeshift sitting/sleeping area. it's not as cool as some of the adventure vans here but it serves its purpose perfectly.
When I bought the van it had carpeting throughout the rear of the van. floor, ceiling, and walls. I think for insulation. I started by removing the floor carpeting and was pleased to find the OEM rubber mat in almost new condition.
the picture doesn't do it justice as I had already spread dirt throughout it with test fitting my dirt bike and climbing in and out on a dirt lot.
It had a few problems when I picked it up.
1. Soon after the purchase it developed a random misfire code
2. The oil pan and valve cover were leaking
3. The driver seat had the normal butt rip
4. The windshield washer pump did't work
5. Power steering pump leaks
First things first I troubleshot the misfire to the best of my ability and available tooling. I had to suck it up and take it to a dealer where they found a bad crank position sensor. after changing that and doing the crank re-learn procedure all was well. No more check engine light.
The oil pan and valve cover were easy I went ahead and changed the valve cover and oil pan gaskets. took a little longer then expected but thats probably because I took my time and cleaned out the sludge in the bottom of the oil pan and all the mating surfaces before reassembling.
The driver seat was interesting. I searched the internet for several weeks looking for vans being parted out. I was hoping to find a conversion van but had very little luck. I eventually found a set of conversion van seats in Chicago for $150. I drove 4 hours each way to pick them up. Upon arrival I realized I had misread or understand the add and they were rear passenger seats. After inspecting the frame I figured for $150 I could try to make them fit my needs. However when I arrived home I found they had been soaked at one point and the inner foam wreaked of mold/mildew. I stripped them down to try to save them before I gave up. The frames were pretty rusted and I didn't want the van to wreak in the summer when it got hot. I found another seat of stock seats with the arm rests on craigslist. they were new take offs from a conversion van company and much closer this time. When I arrived to pick them up he had a huge pull barn filled with front seats. I was hoping to find a set of Vinyl seats and while we looked I found a set of leather rear bucket seats never used from explorer conversion van company. luckily from my first attempt I discovered the conversion van companies use the same frames for the front and rear seats. I was able to pick up this set for $100.
The original seats.
the new seats waiting to be installed. still dusty from sitting in the barn. I'll take an after picture here soon. I didn't realize I hadn't already take one.
I then tackled the Water pump thinking it was something like a dead pump. However I hooked a meter to it and found it wasn't getting power. When I checked the fuse I found it was corroded and one of the posts was broken off in the fuse box. I tried to removed it with tweezers with no luck. I ended up having to pull the fuse box out and completely disassemble it.
after reassembly the driver side worked but not the passenger side. after some quick troubleshooting I found the hose from the driver to passenger was chaffed through. I had to order a new one but after replacement everything works perfectly now.
The power steering pump will have to wait until another day for now.
The first over night outing with the van. It's still empty inside the wife and I slept on Camping cots for the night.
The next issue I want to tackle is wheels. The guy before me put different wheels on it. Near as I can tell they are from a mid 90's Ford F250. The fronts are 16x7 or 7.5 with 265 tires and the rears are 16x8 or 9 with 305 tires. They have cooper discovery tires with good tread but they don't fit my needs. This van is primarily driven on the highway for 2 or more hours to different races and in the winter from Michigan to Florida. These tires are LOUD on the highway and the rears stick out 2" or more from the fenders. I'd like to mount nice wheels and tires that are comfortable, a little more responsive, and can still take the occasional pothole on a dirt road. I'd like 17 or 18" rims. they look nice and fill out the fenders nicely. However I can't find any fitment information for either wheel size. I know the conversion van companies mount 20's so why wouldn't I be able to mount 17 or 18" rims. I found some fitment information for the 2500 8-lug vans. Are the suspension dimensions the same? Or is there a risk of the suspension components rubbing because of beefier components on the 3500? Any suggestions on wheel fitment would be greatly appreciated. In an ideal world I'd really like some KMC wheels either the XD grenade or XD775 Rockstar, mated to Michelin Defender LTX in 255/65R18 or 245/75R17
Still to come.
Wall installation
Stereo upgrade
Sound/heat insulation for front cab
bunk layout
accessory racks and cabinets for garage area
