Hello from germany!

[Famulus]

Hello,

my name is Heiko, i‘m from eastern germany. Yesterday i bought a 2008 Chevy Express AWD with Explorer Conversion. Before this i owned a 2001 Volkswagen Transporter syncro with some offroad and camper options.
The Express is a cool rig, but i miss the offroad-look of my VW. My ideas:
-Remove the Explorer bodykit and rear bumper
-Lift kit (from Silverado 1500?)
-265/70 R17 Nokian Rotiiva AT tires
-diy roof rack for my roof tent and solar panel
-remove the 3rd seat row (electric) and install a bed with storage boxes underneeth

The bodykit looks a little bit.... ;-) I like the clean cargo look. Hope that i don’t find any rust under it.
Lift kit isn‘t really necessary for the 1. step. The front torsion bars are on max. height, the rear axle has additional firestone air suspension with height adjustment.
May be my 17x9 alloy wheels have too much offset for using the 265 tires? With the original 245 it looks like on the picture.

Would be happy to get ideas for realizing my plan and hope, that my english isn‘t too bad... ;-)

Regards
Heiko

 

[luthj]

Welcome to the forum! Lots of good express info on here and other english forums. I would say your english is great.

The express vans differ from the GM trucks a fair bit. Thankfully there are a few companies that provide parts. I am sure some of the resident experts will be along shortly for better answers. Removing the body kit/skirts will improve ground clearance, though there will be some holes that need filled if I remember correctly?


Nice VW by the way.

 

[Famulus]

Thanks for your answer!
You remember correctly, i have to fill the holes and paint it.

 

[Bikersmurf]

Welcome

Don’t worry about your English, it’s fine, and we will understand well enough even if it’s not perfect... ours often isn’t. You’ve got a good looking rig there.

Rather than filling and painting holes, I have painted plastic plugs to match body colour and inserted them into the holes.

Similar to these which hold these flares on.


Even as a temporary solution until you have time.

 

[Famulus]

An other option could be a self-ahesive molding.

First i have to legalize the installed lpg (liquid propan gas) system. To drive on gasolin is too expensive in germany...
The system runs fine, but is installed in czech republic. That‘s not easy in good old germany...

 

[Famulus]

Does someone know, if the lift kit for 99-06 Silverado trucks fit?


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[Bikersmurf]

Does someone know, if the lift kit for 99-06 Silverado trucks fit?


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@Weldtec Designs has done a lot with these vans... thoughts for a member in Germany?

I’m not familiar with Chevy... Econoline would be a different story.

 

[Scotty D]

try to find something like this Traxda 404045 Front and Rear Lift Kit
this is what we use to gain about 2 inches in the front and 1 in the rear