Hellloooooooooo, everybody!

I figured I should introduce myself before I just start asking a million and a half questions. Let's start with the boring stuff: me

I've been an engineer since graduating college in 2006. I hate it. It's boring. But it pays well. I've saved up enough money to build out a van and live out of it full-time. I have a over a year's worth of savings and do freelance work on the side. I'm a writer, blogger, digital marketer, and sponsored rock climber/athlete. This was not an overnight decision, but one I've been thinking about and planning for over a year.

The good stuff: my ride

Used 2001 GMC Savana Explorer conversion van. 5.7L Vortec V-8 with a high top.

Here's the day I brought it home:



I've since changed the plugs and wires, distributor, and cap as well as the serpentine belt and pulley with shot bearings. Also, new rims and tires:



I've now completely gutted the interior and just ordered the sound deadening material for the floor tonight.

No help on your propane question but the van looks great. Love the color. Congratulations and welcome to the forum.

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Larrie
Read detailed trip reports, see photos and videos on my travel blog, luinil.com.
Current van: 2002 Ford E350 extended body camper with Colorado Camper Van pop top and Agile Offroad 4WD conversion.

Yeah, I would have replaced those wheels too. Looks MUCH better now.

Welcome to the forum. Looking forward to seeing the transformation.

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Greg
Old van: 1997 E250 EB30 (Stolen)
New van: 2003 E250 EB10

Awesome video and sound track. made me want hit up a local rave after watching it lol. I have a 2010 Express that i just did a mild lift. go check out my build tread and you can see how much of a height difference it made.

koontek,

I did a lot of checking around on the forum for the various things I have listed before I decided to post, and yours was one of the first I looked at since our vans our similar in a lot of ways. Yours looks siiiiiiick!

But then comes the heartbreak and sadness.

You have torsion bar suspension and I have coil springs. Which I'm told makes lifting it a lot more difficult, and would explain the $1,625 price tag for a 3" lift kit from Boulder Offroad.

My buddy that's helping me is some kind of mechanical guru so we're still exploring custom options. The biggest concern is not being able to get it into alignment after lifting it.

Thanks for the warm welcomes!

FNG's are welcome---we were all one at some time or another here.

Yeah, me too---or binge watch a bunch of TV cop shows with teenage murder suspects.

Nice video, too bad these refits don't happen that quickly in real time.

Re: floor sound deadening etc----didn't pay attention to your full time location but if its in a 4 season climate less is more on the floor. Living in Columbus, Ohio any sort of stock mat or carpeting that uses a fabric or foam underpad attracts and holds moisture to the point those areas become soaked, the wet material almost never ever drying out. I know this from personal experience. (If you're in a very dry climate disregard most of this from me.)

Truthfully fitting the floor with nothing more than 3/4" plywood does about as much sound deadening as you can achieve even with multiple layers of anything else. Once the plywood is in place its typically covered with carpet or other continuous material which slightly enhances sound killing so save some money and don't add too much between the metal floor and whatever is its final cover.

As a test once the floor is completely uncovered drive the van a day or two, take a mental check of the sound level. Next, fit the plywood and repeat the driving test---you might be impressed as the improvement.

I'm not against sound deadening but there are equally effective but less expensive ways to do this.

Looking forward to your progress FNG!

Nobody is a "FNG" on this forum (well, unless you earn that term through ignorant or rude postings). Just a new guy with a new van

Well, this is conflicting. Nearly all the home builds I've seen on YouTube have some kind of floor treatment.

I was just going to use the self-adhering stuff similar to dynamat. Then my subfloor. Then vinyl or linoleum flooring probably...unless I learn about something else before I get to that point.

And yes, it's going to be 4-season, but I'll mostly be hanging out in mountain towns which are a little drier.

I know that people have used this one from Gowesty:
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details. ... _parent_id

At 3.3 gallon capacity, I'd like to find something a little bit bigger for mine if possible; but if all else fails I will probably go with this unit. I also want something that stays tucked up underneath as much as possible - a lift for me is unfortunately out of the question (I just barely fit in my garage with about an inch to spare).

Welcome to the fun!

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Josh
2009 Express AWD, CCV Top & 50-ish home build. Daily driver/camper/kid hauler

As it turns out, 2001 was a bad year for lift kits. Nobody makes them. haha

I thought I struck gold this morning with one from Rough Country, but it wasn't until after I made my order that the fine print says, "for 6-lug wheels ONLY." Great. Doesn't work. Bah!!

I've seen that tank at Gowesty before, but 3.3 gal is awfully small for 4-season use. I suppose I'll have to settle for that as a last resort.