Quigley 4x4 Chevy Express build
- Thread starter 710m
- Start date
ColoradoChris
Member
Can't help with the dinette/sleeping layouts. Now if you want to talk about platforms for dog crates, let me know, I have some measurements for you. :safari-rig:
86cj
Explorer
Some 265-75-16's are so close to the 235-85-16's in diameter it is within the carcass tolerance for each size, as told to me by a factory tire engineer.
So if a 265-75-16 will fit a van on stock wheels you are good, I don't care for the street handling of a 235-85-16. I had to run them really hard so they don't roll under on corners and ride suffers, wore out many sets of 235-85's back when that was the only tire size that held any weight. Michelin made a good steel carcass 235-85 but alot of the newer ones have a very soft sidewall and spongy steering, speed limit is not 55 anymore.
Pulled out the trim I the rear today including the headliner. Has anyone had any luck selling this stuff?
I decided to keep the side airbags in place because we're planning to keep a bench up front for the kids. The actuators won't get in the way too much of the poptop that CCV is putting in.
Looks like I can't add pictures from my phone. Look for them in the next post.
I decided to keep the side airbags in place because we're planning to keep a bench up front for the kids. The actuators won't get in the way too much of the poptop that CCV is putting in.
Looks like I can't add pictures from my phone. Look for them in the next post.
DudeAbides
Observer
Was yours one of the vans posted for sale the last few months with a roll cage in it?
Yeah, there were 4 of them in Florida and then a week later 2 of them showed up in Colorado. I jumped on it because there just aren't that many options for these vehicles.
DudeAbides
Observer
Was there anything indicating what they were used for? I'm curious why they needed to have roll cages installed, there is such little ground clearance that they couldn't have been used for anything too rough.
demolition complete
apparently my progress isn't as fast as some of the folk on here, but I managed to get van completely gutted. Removing the seat rails was a real chore. There were some bolts above the heat shield on the exhaust and I finally figured out how to get to those. First I was loosening the heat shield at the edges by the rivets, but at the end I just drilled 1.25" holes right where I knew the bolts would be. That really was the best way to go.
Here are some pictures of the empty van.
I have Ford transit bench seats arriving tomorrow which will be installed for the kids right behind the driver and passenger seats. I like that they have the seat belts integrated and that they are taller than the chevy seats.
We're planning to install carpet in the front and vinyl plank flooring in the back. Unfortunately I can't find any aftermarket carpet for this van and the OEM is only available in black for $350. So I'm going to see if I can get some flat car carpet and make it fit myself...
I also just received 4 100Ah batteries that I'm going to install on the underside somewhere. My neighbors are probably starting to wonder why I spend so much time on a creeper underneath the van.
Along with the battery I also just ordered a Xantrex HFS 2055 2kw inverter and a Blue Sea 7622 battery separator.
Slowly I'm piecemealing this thing together. The next few items will be a water supply (I'll probably use Scepter MWC water cans with either a foot pump or a drop in whale pump) and building the intertior once I can figure stuff out with the Transit seats in place, and then there's solar, and then....
apparently my progress isn't as fast as some of the folk on here, but I managed to get van completely gutted. Removing the seat rails was a real chore. There were some bolts above the heat shield on the exhaust and I finally figured out how to get to those. First I was loosening the heat shield at the edges by the rivets, but at the end I just drilled 1.25" holes right where I knew the bolts would be. That really was the best way to go.
Here are some pictures of the empty van.
I have Ford transit bench seats arriving tomorrow which will be installed for the kids right behind the driver and passenger seats. I like that they have the seat belts integrated and that they are taller than the chevy seats.
We're planning to install carpet in the front and vinyl plank flooring in the back. Unfortunately I can't find any aftermarket carpet for this van and the OEM is only available in black for $350. So I'm going to see if I can get some flat car carpet and make it fit myself...
I also just received 4 100Ah batteries that I'm going to install on the underside somewhere. My neighbors are probably starting to wonder why I spend so much time on a creeper underneath the van.
Along with the battery I also just ordered a Xantrex HFS 2055 2kw inverter and a Blue Sea 7622 battery separator.
Slowly I'm piecemealing this thing together. The next few items will be a water supply (I'll probably use Scepter MWC water cans with either a foot pump or a drop in whale pump) and building the intertior once I can figure stuff out with the Transit seats in place, and then there's solar, and then....
luthj
Engineer In Residence
I got some weird looks from my neighbors when I parked my ultra tall white cargo "Cleaner" van (which is surprising given how strange they are
eepwall. The looks got even weirder when I started spending hours underneath it staring and cursing with a tape measure. Must have thought I was working on a contraband transport vehicle. :costumed-smiley-007Of course once the project started too come together they stopped giving me the evil eye. In fact a few were jealous.
Don't worry about your pace. Do what you can when you can. Looking good thus far. I appreciate those who take the time strip a project down.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
I've given up on the neighbors. They've given me tons of wierd looks fixing up an older (97), highish mileage (200k miles), retired ambulance. Some realize how good a truck it is and are envious of good it is in comparison to their newer vans.