I'm usually a lurker to these types of forums, but I've decided to dive in with a build thread....
So, I am the new owner (with my GF) of this lovely 2003 Chevy Express 2500.
Since I also cruise these posts looking for photos, here you go:
Background:
I'm a previous Vanagon owner, which I loved, but when it caught on fire in my friend's driveway 3 years ago, I said "never again."
However, I've been missing the van life: having a weekend basecamp for all of our adventures. My GF and I have lived in Colorado for 5 years, are both super outdoorsy, and we both also work for the military in recreational services.
The Need:
Getting a van was part of our planning process from day 1. Day 1 being, the day we got a puppy. In classic Colorado fashion, we wanted a large reliable vehicle that we can sleep in, haul boats and bikes to Moab, not to mention maybe 4 people and 2 dogs. Insulated for the winter, vented for leaving a dog while we bike in the spring, shuttle van for FibArk in the summer.
The Van:
2003 Chevy Express 2500
107000 on the clock
6.0L V8 (whoops, didn't mean to buy that much power)
The PO did 1/2 our work for us, installing Conversion Van leather Quad seating, fold down rear bed, insulation, paneling (faux wood that I HATE)
The Projects:
This won't be a super complicated van. I'd like:
Propane system and furnace
Fantastic Fan
Awning
Roof Rack
Electrical: better inside lights, inverter, a couple more speakers, porch light, fuse block, battery separator, etc.
Couple of Cabinets to store the above items
Dress up the interior with shades of gray (carpet, panelling, and headliner....not the book).
So, that'll be it in a nutshell. Thanks for reading and not just looking at the photos. I mostly just look at the photos.
So, I am the new owner (with my GF) of this lovely 2003 Chevy Express 2500.
Since I also cruise these posts looking for photos, here you go:
Background:
I'm a previous Vanagon owner, which I loved, but when it caught on fire in my friend's driveway 3 years ago, I said "never again."
However, I've been missing the van life: having a weekend basecamp for all of our adventures. My GF and I have lived in Colorado for 5 years, are both super outdoorsy, and we both also work for the military in recreational services.
The Need:
Getting a van was part of our planning process from day 1. Day 1 being, the day we got a puppy. In classic Colorado fashion, we wanted a large reliable vehicle that we can sleep in, haul boats and bikes to Moab, not to mention maybe 4 people and 2 dogs. Insulated for the winter, vented for leaving a dog while we bike in the spring, shuttle van for FibArk in the summer.
The Van:
2003 Chevy Express 2500
107000 on the clock
6.0L V8 (whoops, didn't mean to buy that much power)
The PO did 1/2 our work for us, installing Conversion Van leather Quad seating, fold down rear bed, insulation, paneling (faux wood that I HATE)
The Projects:
This won't be a super complicated van. I'd like:
Propane system and furnace
Fantastic Fan
Awning
Roof Rack
Electrical: better inside lights, inverter, a couple more speakers, porch light, fuse block, battery separator, etc.
Couple of Cabinets to store the above items
Dress up the interior with shades of gray (carpet, panelling, and headliner....not the book).
So, that'll be it in a nutshell. Thanks for reading and not just looking at the photos. I mostly just look at the photos.
Like the "kitchen" window. You'll always be glad you have too much power rather than not enough, especially if are driving west out of the Colorado front range often, every little item added to these vans adds to the weight. 