Let's see your Chevy Express!

[accrete]

pretty much all my posts/reads have been in the DIY section... here is ours....
A 2010 Chevy 1500 AWD conversion



Thom

[racrx7]

I'm new to the forum and to the SMB scene. I just picked up my project van and looking forward to making it a fun mobile. It's an 07' Express 2500 EB Duramax diesel. It had only 12000, (not a misprint lol), miles on it. First thing I want to do is get the pop top put on it, then convert to 4x4 using HD Siverado components. After doing some research, I see there is more than one company that does the pop tops. Any suggestions, advice or comments about a top? Anyways, here she is, and it's not white lol.

[dcbatt]

2007 GMC duramax, Quigley 4x4, SMB top.

[86Scotty]

Nice catch!

[pfacdb]

A few folks have seen pics of our van, but some interested in Express vans may be interested in this conversion. This is a 2011 Roadtrek built on an extended Express 3500 van. The good folks at Boulder Offroad did the 4wd conversion, and a bunch of the great fabrication (front bumpers, solar platform, etc). They just installed rear leaf springs made by Deaver, and am looking forward to the new ride. This van drives really well both on the highway and offroad.

DCBAT, I believe I saw your van when coming out of the San Raphael Swell last October.

[mccoob]

Bought this '04 Explorer Van in June. Since, I put a Traxda 2" lift(I swapped the 1" block for a 2". Made a huge difference.) New shocks, put Monroe 58606 Sensa-Trac Load Adjusting Shock Absorber on the rear. And Toyo AT Open Country 32" tires. In all it lifted the van 4". Next step is to black out the grill, bumpers, and ladder. Then add roof rack.

[PayDirt]

Hi there,

Photographic inspiration for Chevy builds is sorely lacking. Attached are a few recent pics of my rig. I've recently built out a 2015 6.0L Gas 3500 Quigley. I went with the RB-50 layout. I'm a soil scientist and use the rig to allow for remote, self-contained, field work. I have a custom chemistry bench in the back to allow for soil analysis and sample prep. I've also had LineX applied on the hood and sides to protect from high brush that I often encounter in the southwest.

The Chevy platform has been great thus far (9,000 miles). Before the Sportsmobile conversion, I was averaging 18.2 mpg highway. Post conversion (and with BFG TKO2) I now get 16.6 mpg highway. Between El Paso, TX and Oakland, CA, I averaged a combined 16.4mpg - not bad accounting for horrible stop and go LA traffic, and the need to pass 18-wheelers on the various steep grades on I-5. I'd love if the gas tank were larger as my range is about 500 miles ... anyone out there know of options for larger/extra fuel tank that's CARB compliant (I haven't been able to track down anything).

To date, the biggest concern I've had with the rig is clearance. The underbelly of the Chevy is not quite as uniform as the E350 or Sprinter platform. There are various points where bottoming out could become an issue. Considering a small lift (2-3in) and or moving to a more rigid suspension system from Agile Offroad. Matched with some skid plates from Boulder Offroad or other, and I think I should be good to go.

-Morgan

[WhitH]

Sweet looking van, thanks for sharing! Care to share what the LineEx cost you? I'm considering doing something similar.

[86Scotty]

Awesome van!

[Annie O]

Well I have lurked here, there, Facebook, Sportsmobile website, classifieds. Researched Ford power stroke engines to get the hang of the issues. I am not a DIY though I Won't exactly break a nail either

Am considering a conversion if I can find a decent van .... Closest I have found are Chevy Express. However does anyone know a place doing 4x conversions on pre-2010 models? What specs and factors should I be aware of?

I might decide to just shop for an SMB already built but found these to look at these this week:
2014 Chevrolet 1 Ton 8 passenger Van. 6.0 V8 [6.0-liter FlexFuel V8 good for 324 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque... Per specs]

2001 Chevy model 2500 (ad said 1-ton but 2500 is 3/4 ton. Owner said call to talk Monday)

.... Thanks for any input- just getting my feet wet, so much awesome info on this forum, I bow to the expertise shared- just trying to keep my head about the waters of details!