Express AWD build

[Ian.rm]

Used this forum for a lot of good information to start my can build so I figured I’d give all the details and everything I used to set up my van thus far .

started with a stock 07 awd1500 Chevy express. Bought it from a used car shop that got it from the forestry department I believe with about 70k miles on it,they did a cheap white paintjob on it but it looks to be in pretty good shape

 

[Ian.rm]

Step one was to lift for some new tires and wheels.
Looked into the different kits and they all seemed about the same, Went with the one from journeys off road. The keys and the 2 inch lift blocks for the back. The plan was with this and then add another lead into the back.

in the end the rear was lifted a tad 2 high with the extra spring, if I did it again I would probably do a one inch block for the back.
But with the keys turned all the way in the front it’s lifted 3 inches and the back a tad more.

for shocks I went with all around bilstiens cause why not.Here are the numbers. Got them off amazon.
back: Bilstein #24-221948,
Front: Bilstein #24-186643

then wheels and tires, got them done at discount thanks to a fellow van dude who helped me out with the details, I think they are the biggest wheels/tires you can fit on the van and it’s tight and just needed a slight bit of trimming to get themto not rub.

 

[marret]

Photos of the van after the lift and tires/wheels? Where is it rubbing?

If at the rear of the front wheel wells, Weldtec sells a trim piece to replace the stock one that gives a little more clearance: Weldtec Mini Fenders

 

[Ian.rm]

i guess I forgot to add the pictures of after here they are. @marret its definitely rubbing right on that little corner nub, I saw the ones weldtec has and I might look into getting theirs. I have put in an order to get their sweet stealth bumpers so maybe I’ll have them instal both at the same time. The tires are 285/70/17s the KO2 ats. And I’ll get ahold of the wheel dimensions with offset and all from the receipt and post it for anyone who is looking to do the same lift/tire setup. The wheels are the black rhino warlord. I think they look pretty good with the gold bezel and a little cheaper then the method race wheels. Idk why the second pic is upside down haha

 

[marret]

Nice.

When Weldtec does the lift they also trim that front body mount right behind the front wheel well.

I am running the same size and type of tire currently with Method wheels. Will probably do a different tire next time as the KO2s have gotten really noisy.

September trip in CO:

 

[LYlqoY2Fo]

And I’ll get ahold of the wheel dimensions with offset and all from the receipt and post it for anyone who is looking to do the same lift/tire setup.

Were you able to find the details on the wheels? I had the same Warlords on my Sprinter I just sold...and would like to do them on my Express.

 

[Ian.rm]

Were you able to find the details on the wheels? I had the same Warlords on my Sprinter I just sold...and would like to do them on my Express.

17 X9 6-139.70 Offset : 12

I trimmed under the back of the fender and you can’t see that it was even trimmed but No longer have any rubbing

 

[Ian.rm]

I also finally got the bumper I ordered from weldtec designs, really happy with the way it turned out, now I just need to add some lights and pick out a winch

 

[Ian.rm]

Next up is the start on the inside, the idea is to leave it pretty open but ready for Baja surf trips so first thing was a rack for the boards, but I didn’t want to limit myself In the event that I was gonna do something other then surf.

I went with adding some storage on the left side with some L Tracks so I can mount whatever I want in the future. It turned out super sturdy.

I welded up some brackets that can be moved around on the L tracks and then the foam covered pvc for the surf boards slides right over them.

 

[dwysywd]

Next up is the start on the inside, the idea is to leave it pretty open but ready for Baja surf trips so first thing was a rack for the boards, but I didn’t want to limit myself In the event that I was gonna do something other then surf.

I went with adding some storage on the left side with some L Tracks so I can mount whatever I want in the future. It turned out super sturdy.

Do you have a photo of how you attached the tracking to the top?

Also, where did you get the vinyl floor?