What's going on with GTRV? Not in Canada anymore?

[BeastGTRV]

I've been browsing this forum for awhile now but this is my first post. I have a 2000 Ford GTRV Westy on an E350 with a v10. The shocks have been upgraded to Bilstein HDs and I have a new set of Moog springs I haven't had time to install yet. I also just ordered a set of Bushwackers from Amazon (which are on sale right now 15% off!). I don't have a 4wd conversion yet but I like the look.

The moulding on the interior cabinetry has shrunken so I wanted to order some from GTRV. When I called them they said the Canadian factory was shut down and they don't support the old E-vans anymore. Mine was made in Canada. Anybody know why they shut it down? The GTRV folks in California said they aren't the same people who ran the Canadian factory but just use the GTRV name...very weird. They are still making nice van conversions...you can see their latest in the Metris thread on this forum.

Anyway here is my rig. I'll post more pics when the flares and new springs are installed.

[BeastGTRV]

Had trouble uploading pic

[caideN]

I am pretty sure my GTRV with the t-top was done at the CA GTRV (At least the pop top was). But according to the guy that runs CA GTRV now, it was made in the Canada factory.

It seems like they just don't want to support the E Series van anymore. Instead of trying to explain why, it's a lot easier to say: 'Sorry, your van was made in Canada and they're closed. We know nothing about your van.'

Just my assumptions.

[arctictraveller]

Replacing your molding shouldn't be too hard. GTRV certainly didn't manufacture it, they sourced it from somewhere, and you should be able find a suitable replacement somewhere on line. The push on gasket material on my top needs to be replaced and McMaster has several different options that will do nicely. Like you, I've had little luck sourcing anything from GTRV, but I don't blame them for concentrating all their effort on the more profitable conversion work and not stocking parts for older vans, there a pretty small company. Never the less, I can't think of anything other than perhaps the cabinets or the top hinges that can't be sourced elsewhere.

[vwteleman]

My GTRV van was built by Roy in the Richmond, BC, facility in 2009. Sometime after that, his son, Brian, took over the Canada operations, then the area where the shop was located was rezoned for condos and they moved out to Chilliwack, BC in the Fraser Valley, and then they went out of business. (Those latter two points are second hand, so I don't know the exact details.)

Mike Reed has been involved with GTRV for at least the past 15 (?) years, and was their sales rep in the States (while everything was manufactured in Richmond). In the last 6 or 7 years, he opened a second GTRV facility in Sebastopol, CA. I suspect that this took work away from the Canadian facility and led to its demise.

Anyway, I was recently (Aug 2016) in touch with Mike Reed, and purchased a new bulb seal for my T-Top on my Ford E350. It arrived promptly, although I haven't installed it yet. No concerns about being an Econoline.

If you are looking for the T-molding for your interior, as arctictraveller mentioned, it should be available anywhere. Try your local buidling supply or home centre, or the interwebs.

Cheers,
Brent

[vwteleman]

PS - BeastGTRV, where are you located?

[86Scotty]

Post a pic of the suspect T-molding. I've sourced the SMB specific stuff from Nancy at SMB North and gotten a lot of different stuff from Ebay. This place recently sent me some samples and they have a lot of different types too. Best color palate I've seen as well and they will send you free samples.

https://www.t-molding.com/

[BeastGTRV]

Here it is. It measures 5/8". 86Scotty, thanks for the link. They have the exact molding I'm looking for