Just picked up this van a few weeks back, its an 87 dodge B250 originally from california that the PO had shipped to PA about 3 years ago. He mainly used it for his construction/carpet business. 318 V8 with 130000 miles and minimal rust; completely empty in the back aside from some old osb flooring that I promptly removed the night i drove it home.
Plans are to build a van for weekend camping with the wife and dog and daily driving in the summer. going to do a tuneup first thing then the real building will begin; Full size bed (short) across the back, laminate floor, portholes, insulation and paneling on wall and ceiling are just some of the things inside. Outside Im thinking side-pipes, CB Whip antenna, fan-tastic vent, and need to decide what wheels and tire to go with (the american racing wheels that came on it are nice but i want to put some meatier rears on, maybe 275-60's and possibly 225-60's up front)
Unfortunately I work full time and go to school, so night time is when most of the business happens on the van and I always forget to take good documenting pictures. I did the whole tear down and cleanup the night I got the van home, so unfortunately there are no 'before' pictures.
But I have already made some progress with very little photographic evidence, heres how the interior is starting to turn out. New plywood sub-floor with carpet tiles on top for now to protect the plywood from my work boots while Im doing all the building. The bed is sized high enough to fit my 235-75-15 spare and jack in the back portion and will have drawer storage in the front. the mattress will measure 54"x70" so a short full (Ill have to buy a memory foam and cut it)
In the meantime i also did a full tuneup (filters, plugs, wires, cap & rotor)
At the moment I'm waiting for my Dynamat to arrive so I can take some of the rattle out of the shell before I begin building the walls and ceiling panels.
Looking very good! My boss lady and I enjoy van camping very much. With a busy life, vanning is one of the best ways to spend real quality time together. Even better when you're retired... You may already be aware that the first trip will literally blossom with new ideas and a whole set of new plans. Swivel the passenger seat and it'll will feel like you doubled the space. I have a Dodge swivel pedestal for free if you were only closer. Measure some futon mattress' as that's pretty close to your size and one would make a great foundation under the foam. One thing some people miss: If you're planning on sleeping (or anything else) crosswise be sure and reinforce the foot board wall. We sleep that way in our GMC and you always end up pushing against that wall with your feet to roll over or move. The interior wall needs to be stronger so that you don't break/crack it there during the night. Love them pictures.
Jim & Lucy Newkirk 1965 Chevy Bad Influence 1981 Chevy-the Love Shack 2012 Chevy Van , 2020 chevy van 2020 Chevy van Sapphire Sweet. Club Vannerz. vanninvanner@comcast.net
Looking very good! My boss lady and I enjoy van camping very much. With a busy life, vanning is one of the best ways to spend real quality time together. Even better when you're retired... You may already be aware that the first trip will literally blossom with new ideas and a whole set of new plans. Swivel the passenger seat and it'll will feel like you doubled the space. I have a Dodge swivel pedestal for free if you were only closer. Measure some futon mattress' as that's pretty close to your size and one would make a great foundation under the foam. One thing some people miss: If you're planning on sleeping (or anything else) crosswise be sure and reinforce the foot board wall. We sleep that way in our GMC and you always end up pushing against that wall with your feet to roll over or move. The interior wall needs to be stronger so that you don't break/crack it there during the night. Love them pictures.
Thanks for the advice Catfish! Im currently on the trail for the swivel seat base, Theres a tradesman RV platform with the shell gone for sale locally, I've messaged the seller trying to coax him to part it out a bit.
Last night we had a good rain here so i put up furring strips and watched for leaks. I think i finally fixed my rain gutter leak, (the PO had put up a few hangers inside and one of his self tappers went a tad far into the exterior, oops) so hopefully tonight I can put in the dynamat, polyiso and start paneling, also scored a new cab carpet kit on evil-bay for 80$ that should be in next week; I think ill be plenty ready come spring.
Curtain around the inside front or are you gonna use an outside windshield cover for camping? We use an outside cover made for a class C and have had no problems. We don't boondock or stealth camp. Always stay in campgrounds for the electric and the clean showers. There's no way to get by without AC in our part of the country.