KirkL
Member
I just purchased this 2011 Chevy Express 2500 Quigley converted cargo van with passenger windows, and it has been dubbed thee, “The Granite Tortoise.” I almost bought a white passenger van a few months ago, and I would have named that one, “MichelVANgelo, The Albino Turtle.” Michelvangelo didn’t feel like the right name for this grey cargo van, so I had to pivot.
The body and paint are in really nice shape for a 2011, but the wear from Pennsylvania winters is apparent in the undercarriage. So first, the plan is to send it to my guys at Merritt Motors for a deep chassis cleaning, rust removal, and new undercoating. A foundation evaluation and repair, if you will, before I decide to sink too much money in the build. For the next few months after that, I’ll use my camping equipment to play with the van and figure out exactly how I plan to use it for weekend mountain and beach trips. I flew up to the seller to drive home over the weekend, and sleeping in the humidity on a little inflatable backpacking mattress that fit into my carry-on is NOT part of the long-term plan, but chasing nice weather on a more comfortable insulated mattress should work fine for awhile.
I’ll be on the hunt on Facebook marketplace and in local junkyards for deals on interior cab upgrades, including basic creature comforts like nice seats, an upgraded stereo, and cruise control, as well as searching for bargains on other longer-term upgrades. Having the cargo van means I don’t have to worry about gutting the interior, removing the rear airbag, or removing the seat-rails, so I have that going for me, which is nice.
Long-term, I want to add a high-top and do a Vanagon inspired interior build with a rear bench seat that folds down into a full-size bed (probably a rear extension platform with storage underneath to reach full-size length), a small kitchenette with sink and fridge, interior storage cabinets, 12 volt A/C, solar panels, and auxiliary power system. No toilet, shower, or permanently installed cooktop for relative simplicity (maaaaybe this outside solar shower I saw on YouTube). Clarification for anybody from my God-forsaken HOA who happens to stumble upon this thread, this is an Overland Van, and NOT a motorhome, RV, or camper.
At the end of the interior build, my plan is to upgrade the suspension with progressive rear leaf springs to account for the extra weight from the build, fresh shocks, upgraded wheels, and all-terrain tires. I’m planning to size up only slightly on the tires to mostly maintain the existing height and minimize negative impacts to fuel economy.
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