Straps over the tops and through the bottom panels for up and down; than screws into the feet of the ovens for back and forth control. 7,300 miles and working like a champ. If you look close you'll see about a 2" rise in the front panels of all the storage units as well as the same on the up and down sides, this has worked well for things like pots and pans, silverware holder is deep and mounted by screws into the wall unit, so far all works well. The bottoms are all pink board insulation and than covered with carpet to control noise.
Overland Van Build, GMC Savana
- Thread starter dar395
- Start date
Straps over the tops and through the bottom panels for up and down; than screws into the feet of the ovens for back and forth control. 7,300 miles and working like a champ. If you look close you'll see about a 2" rise in the front panels of all the storage units as well as the same on the up and down sides, this has worked well for things like pots and pans, silverware holder is deep and mounted by screws into the wall unit, so far all works well. The bottoms are all pink board insulation and than covered with carpet to control noise.
Cose to being completed
:Wow1:
Just back from another short trip and getting ready to put the van up for the winter season, working well in the current state and happy with it's performance as it is.
Being a 1998 van we are one of the older one's on the site, also I thing the cheaper one also but than maybe set up for longer road trips as well and that was the goal, that and to show others what you can do on a budget. That and we're not ones to sit at home so some great trips have been taken and more in the works. The back of our 1948 Mobile Home is shown in one of the photo's in the heart of the hills just outside of West Branch Michigan, it needs us now, fall is our time for claiming the woods after the week-enders go home and before the mighty hunters come, so the van is now sleeping, we'll be in the woods!
On the cost of the build and some of what we got for our $$'s, we've been buying toys by the way of gov'ment surplus for years, and this van is just that. A nice clean 1998 GMC with a 5.7 v/8, 2500 model just over 60,000 miles on the clock at the time of purchase, came with a heavy duty oil cooler and trans cooler from the factory as well as 17,000# braking system, electric windows, door locks and air. Being a GMC under the hood and floor insulation a little heavier than a Chevrolet, but the same truck. A few little items we now wish we had; Side Barn Doors over a slider and the longer body style. Our cost $2,150.
We started the build with a shopping trip to Rockauto.com, new shocks all around, brake pads and shoes, new belts, spark plugs, water pump, radiator, air filter KnN, wiper blades, gas cap, radiator cap, fuel filter and some smalls all for around $800.
It's hard to believe that there is just 5 sheets of plywood being used, 1/2" on the floor to hold it all in place and 1/2 " on the bed top and counter as well as shelves in the high cupboards, than three 1/4" for facing 0f the build-ins, one box of hard wood laminate flooring and some auto carpet to bring it all together. A great mattress from Ikea and clearance fabric from JoAnn's gave us color and we're able to close out the world, tile counter top, vent fan, lights, sink, side window, electric hook-up, stereo, tv, dvd, pots-n-pans, water tanks, toaster oven, port-a potty, camp stove, cooler, compass, batteries with frame trays, wood ceiling, and trim it all, the insides feel like home. Nice tires, winch, rock guard, fog lights and decals and the outside works for us. A few tools and other misc items we're on a roll.
Our total cost $3,922 plus the van, it was a great deal hope you enjoyed our "Cheap Budget Build"! We have items we'll be adding but the van is 100% useable as is.
:Wow1:
Just back from another short trip and getting ready to put the van up for the winter season, working well in the current state and happy with it's performance as it is.
Being a 1998 van we are one of the older one's on the site, also I thing the cheaper one also but than maybe set up for longer road trips as well and that was the goal, that and to show others what you can do on a budget. That and we're not ones to sit at home so some great trips have been taken and more in the works. The back of our 1948 Mobile Home is shown in one of the photo's in the heart of the hills just outside of West Branch Michigan, it needs us now, fall is our time for claiming the woods after the week-enders go home and before the mighty hunters come, so the van is now sleeping, we'll be in the woods!
On the cost of the build and some of what we got for our $$'s, we've been buying toys by the way of gov'ment surplus for years, and this van is just that. A nice clean 1998 GMC with a 5.7 v/8, 2500 model just over 60,000 miles on the clock at the time of purchase, came with a heavy duty oil cooler and trans cooler from the factory as well as 17,000# braking system, electric windows, door locks and air. Being a GMC under the hood and floor insulation a little heavier than a Chevrolet, but the same truck. A few little items we now wish we had; Side Barn Doors over a slider and the longer body style. Our cost $2,150.
We started the build with a shopping trip to Rockauto.com, new shocks all around, brake pads and shoes, new belts, spark plugs, water pump, radiator, air filter KnN, wiper blades, gas cap, radiator cap, fuel filter and some smalls all for around $800.
It's hard to believe that there is just 5 sheets of plywood being used, 1/2" on the floor to hold it all in place and 1/2 " on the bed top and counter as well as shelves in the high cupboards, than three 1/4" for facing 0f the build-ins, one box of hard wood laminate flooring and some auto carpet to bring it all together. A great mattress from Ikea and clearance fabric from JoAnn's gave us color and we're able to close out the world, tile counter top, vent fan, lights, sink, side window, electric hook-up, stereo, tv, dvd, pots-n-pans, water tanks, toaster oven, port-a potty, camp stove, cooler, compass, batteries with frame trays, wood ceiling, and trim it all, the insides feel like home. Nice tires, winch, rock guard, fog lights and decals and the outside works for us. A few tools and other misc items we're on a roll.
Our total cost $3,922 plus the van, it was a great deal hope you enjoyed our "Cheap Budget Build"! We have items we'll be adding but the van is 100% useable as is.
Craigslist
Many miles of travel this summer around home state and the Land Between the Lakes in TN there has not been much time for upgrades. One item that we were missing on the van was some cargo bars or a rack. Craigslist listed a set of Ouik-N-Easy 60" roof bars for just 20 buck, called the guy still had them, like new now added to Van for Kayak's and travel bag mount.
Many miles of travel this summer around home state and the Land Between the Lakes in TN there has not been much time for upgrades. One item that we were missing on the van was some cargo bars or a rack. Craigslist listed a set of Ouik-N-Easy 60" roof bars for just 20 buck, called the guy still had them, like new now added to Van for Kayak's and travel bag mount.
Nice to upgrade, but use is better
:Wow1: After adding the used Quik-n-Easy bars we loaded the Kayak's and off to the Manistee National Forest, Lake Michigan Rec Area just north of Ludington Michigan. The 25 mile river/lake trip is one of the best in the country Hamlin Lake to the Manistee out into Lake Michigan south to the Pere Marquette River,
Grass covered banks of the Pere Marquette slow flow makes it and enjoyable river to see birds and small wildlife. The Van a great way to get there.
:Wow1: After adding the used Quik-n-Easy bars we loaded the Kayak's and off to the Manistee National Forest, Lake Michigan Rec Area just north of Ludington Michigan. The 25 mile river/lake trip is one of the best in the country Hamlin Lake to the Manistee out into Lake Michigan south to the Pere Marquette River,
Grass covered banks of the Pere Marquette slow flow makes it and enjoyable river to see birds and small wildlife. The Van a great way to get there.
We were able to meet up with another Van owner that has around 15 years in his build and shared ideas to make some changes, we will be adding a 110v frig on it's own convertor with another battery, Leonard's mount was clean, I keep the site posted as I move forward on this, The other add on is another water tank, just adding 15 gal tank with an outdoor shower added to this tank as a stand alone item balancing our weight by mounting on our right side of the van.
Without the travels and bumming into other's we may never find ways to make the van a more verse travel vehicle, this last trip gave us some rewarding looks at other's idea's.
I wanted to let you see the Manistee River as well, quick flowing, wider and great beauty, the new racks on the van it was a better way to travel.
Without the travels and bumming into other's we may never find ways to make the van a more verse travel vehicle, this last trip gave us some rewarding looks at other's idea's.
I wanted to let you see the Manistee River as well, quick flowing, wider and great beauty, the new racks on the van it was a better way to travel.
As we all understand the Van,s may work very well in hiding in a parking lot or on a city street, but in this trip we just parked her in the parking lot and walked away.
After paddling alone the beach front and stopping a few campers in the dunes we packed our supplies and spent the next two days on the beach (29 miles long, and not spoiled by any man made items)
There was a lot of color in both the campers and the sunset, at night a soft rain cooled the air, the van sat in the parking lot 1/2 mile away and looked as if it should be there, we want to keep it simple and moving.
Coming back on Sunday with many updating idea's we don't have time for right now as the 1.5 million visitors will be waiting for us at the Woodward Dream Cruise this week-end, you will find us with the grill up, chairs out music and again enjoy where the van takes us.
After paddling alone the beach front and stopping a few campers in the dunes we packed our supplies and spent the next two days on the beach (29 miles long, and not spoiled by any man made items)
There was a lot of color in both the campers and the sunset, at night a soft rain cooled the air, the van sat in the parking lot 1/2 mile away and looked as if it should be there, we want to keep it simple and moving.
Coming back on Sunday with many updating idea's we don't have time for right now as the 1.5 million visitors will be waiting for us at the Woodward Dream Cruise this week-end, you will find us with the grill up, chairs out music and again enjoy where the van takes us.
david.lemke
Adventurer
BEING FROM MICHIGAN FOR THE FIRST 40 YRS OF MY LIFE I MISS THE CRUISE, HAVNT BEEN THERE IN 5 YRS DUE TO RELOCATEING TO OHIO,
GREAT BUILD AND LOOK FORWARD TO MAY MORE UPDATES
GREAT BUILD AND LOOK FORWARD TO MAY MORE UPDATES
It wasn't always a Nazi symbol
The Van has been well used this year!
We've clocked just about 5,000 miles on our Van this year, some updating as we go along just to be able to increase our personal enjoyment and ability to stay out longer.
Our attachment to traveling by van is stronger and along the way we've ran into other van travelers and have gained idea's for our van and what we can due to improve our over-all travels.
Trying a little more late fall camping, Geneva on-the-lake, Northern Ohio great small beach town, with great bars and locals even in late fall.
We've clocked just about 5,000 miles on our Van this year, some updating as we go along just to be able to increase our personal enjoyment and ability to stay out longer.
Our attachment to traveling by van is stronger and along the way we've ran into other van travelers and have gained idea's for our van and what we can due to improve our over-all travels.
Trying a little more late fall camping, Geneva on-the-lake, Northern Ohio great small beach town, with great bars and locals even in late fall.
We had ran into Len and Jo from the Sports mobile site and his wife had to show my wife their new refrigerator! So while I was at it she thought we should have one too!
Len seems to be a little more deep into thought about his 15 years of vanning, and mine could not hold a chance in his class of workmanship, But try as I must More Remodeling!
Out came our clothes and porta-potty storage to make room for the new refrigerator!:wings:!
Len seems to be a little more deep into thought about his 15 years of vanning, and mine could not hold a chance in his class of workmanship, But try as I must More Remodeling!
Out came our clothes and porta-potty storage to make room for the new refrigerator!:wings:!
While I was at it I wanted to try a new build concept that I had seen in Moab in yet another van, but he was a boat builder. This seemed to be a great time to test his style and how well it would work. :Wow1:
As I start with this added unit you can see his concept at work, 3/4 X 3/4 base plates on the inside of the unit with supporting 3/4 x 3/4 strips up and down to add strength to just 1/2 plywood panels but giving it a total of 1 1/4" total of supporting strength this will be followed up by adding the same 3/4 x 3/4 supporting system around the outside bottom and where it makes contact to the wall panel. This can be done throughout the van framing saving much space and lowering weight.
The 3/4 stock can be ripped from just about any semi clear wood as I've done from an old bunk bed, then placing screws every 8" to make it a solid mount, just using 1 1/4 screws so not to hit the floor metal through the plywood floor base.
As I start with this added unit you can see his concept at work, 3/4 X 3/4 base plates on the inside of the unit with supporting 3/4 x 3/4 strips up and down to add strength to just 1/2 plywood panels but giving it a total of 1 1/4" total of supporting strength this will be followed up by adding the same 3/4 x 3/4 supporting system around the outside bottom and where it makes contact to the wall panel. This can be done throughout the van framing saving much space and lowering weight.
The 3/4 stock can be ripped from just about any semi clear wood as I've done from an old bunk bed, then placing screws every 8" to make it a solid mount, just using 1 1/4 screws so not to hit the floor metal through the plywood floor base.
Trying to follow Len's install as close as I could (As he had done his homework, no need for myself to reinvent the wheel!) I myself not understanding all of the workings of a compact refrigerator there was some trail an error.
I needed to find the heating elements in the refrigerator so I covered the sides and top and let it run for a few hours on the bench. Quickly after removing the form board With a temp gauge I was able to pinpoint where the heat coils were in the sides of the unit.
I needed to find the heating elements in the refrigerator so I covered the sides and top and let it run for a few hours on the bench. Quickly after removing the form board With a temp gauge I was able to pinpoint where the heat coils were in the sides of the unit.