BUILD THREAD: 2010 Express AWD Conversion van/Overland combo

[tqawd]

Hi Everyone,
I just purchased a 2010 Express AWD with a waldoch vans galaxy conversion package on it. I plan to do things a little backwards from most on here and start with a complete van but make some upgrades for overland, off road, etc, storage, etc.

I have a suspesnion on order consisting of:

GM white torsion keys
Gm 3/4ton rear srpings
Bilstein shocks all around.

i'll add some images of how I got it and after removing side steps and 285's for test fitting after I figure out how. Hope to learn some things during this process!

 

[tqawd]

Sidesteps removed, 2007 sierra wheels with worn 285's for test fitting:

 

[tqawd]

interior, buckets seats are removable. I plan to make a storage/additional sleeping solution for overnight trips. We'll see how reasonable that is once I get some progress made.

View attachment 262680

 

[ober27]

Looks like a nice van. How were the steps attached? What's left after removal? Any holes in body, or adhesive residue?

 

[tqawd]

Looks like a nice van. How were the steps attached? What's left after removal? Any holes in body, or adhesive residue?

Hey Ober, thanks/
The steps were attached underneath with some brackets and some beefy sheet metal screws. There was one complete length of adhesive along the length of the rocker, I just cut that with a utility knife. The residue peels off pretty easy. I haven't done any cleaning of the panels since I removed them, but most everything shown is dirt residue.

The door panels were screwed directly to the door with self tapping sheet metal screws unfortunately, so I'll be coming up with a solution to seal all the holes. The ones on the cosmetic surface I may cover with door trim or some body colored stickers, not entirely sure. For immediate needs I'll seal everything up with silicone before heading to snow or out in the rain.

 

[BigDan]

I plan to do the same on a 97 van ....

are the front bucket seats swivel ?
Dan

 

[occasionaldirt]

Nice!

 

[draaronr]

subscribed,

 

[rockbender]

Great base rig to start with! I really like the way the sierra wheels look on the Express vans. Looking forward to following the progress!

 

[DEFENDERBEAM]

nice.

the walk through driver side doors are a nice feature.

I have a 2014 AWD, still stock. I'm over in aptos. I'll look for you around town. haha.

 

[tqawd]

I plan to do the same on a 97 van ....

are the front bucket seats swivel ?
Dan

Hey Dan, no swivel on the seats. I was excited to at least have the middle buckets have easy quick disconnects. Swivel would be nice though.

 

[agelessGIANT]

Nice Van. Did you test fit the wheels with or without the suspension set-up you listed in your first post.. I am looking for new tires as well and wondering if you can fit 255/85r16 with the keys, shocks and 3/4 springs....

 

[COCampin]

Shocks question

This is a great looking set up. I just picked up a '03 Savana that had some fairings and ground skirting too.... amazing how much better it looks when those come off!!!
I was just reading your decision process on the lift and shocks in a couple other threads - What did you end up going with? Any issues with install? Which Bilstein part numbers front and rear? Im looking at the suburban springs, a torsion key up front and some Bilsteins front and rear. Thanks for the info!