Vannin' Home Forums Chevy General Discussion 1991 GMC Vandura Project - Lots of Questions

Hello everyone. My gf and I have a Vandura van build on our hands and we have several questions for anyone willing to help out. I have some basic experience in modding / tinkering with cars (no vans) and while she doesn't, she is highly motivated, capable, and DIY-minded. I'm just gonna go for a list here and anything that you're able to help with is greatly appreciated. I've been lurking this forum for a while now and love everything I see. Thank you!!

1) Seat leaning up/down handle - The plastic handle's spindle grooves have stripped and the chair is no longer able to recline unless we get a vice grip on the metal teeth to hold it down (haven't done this to preserve function). Is there an online source for this handle, and if so, what is the part? We are willing to go to a junk yard, but just have not gotten around to doing that yet.



2) Passenger side opening doors - These make a high pitch squeaking noise when we drive at moderate to high speeds. Any ideas on how we can get it to be quieter?



3) Tire mount location - We are all for a rear driver side door mount, and I have read the pros and cons of this (big thread on this forum about it), but is there a better option than this that isn't too expensive? Of course a new bumper with an integrated mount would be the best, but what about a mount that goes under the van? Is anyone able to recommend a mount for the rear door or under the van?

4) Identify front dash black circles - I just have no clue what these are for?



5) AUX module possibility - Has anyone added an auxiliary audio module to the OEM stereo? I would love to drill out a small hole in the dash and just be able to plug and play with a device.



6) Speaker upgrade for dash - Is there a frugal or simple way to improve the front speakers that is fairly easy and straightforward?

7) Floor condition & rust - Any feedback on how we should treat or refinish the metal floor? We are wanting to sound proof, insulate, and frame the floor with wood paneling. So far we've taken up all the carpet and are having to deal with adhesive, residue, holes, and small amounts of surface rust.




Again, any thoughts, feedback, or help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I think we found the handle! 😎

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Conversion...eci=bc41a1a9-51a0-4bb9-9f83-a2e644e8e5de

Is this forum dead? Any recommendations on where else to post this kind of build etc?

Forum is not dead. I gave you a link to my build thread that shows one way to deal with your floor.

2. Try some silicone spray potentially. It’s usually (atleast in my dodge with barn doors) the long vertical piece that latches the rear bar door. Sometimes it’s just metal on metal rubbing/vibrating while you drove.

3. Rear door tire mounts are cool but I don’t like looking at a wheel on the back of a van. You could modify the stock interior mount to go under the van, there’s plenty of room under there if your tires aren’t massive but that could be a pain in the rear, especially if you need to change it in the rain or other non ideal conditions (which is when a tire seems to always go). Sometimes function over vanity is better. Or just rely on AAA! Haha.

4. Black circles are unused gauge locations from the factory. Higher trim levels had things there, you could cut these out and add additional gauges if you want.

5. A simple way would be to get a tape adapter that can plug into your phone. The head unit would need to have an AUX input in the rear to make a separate aux plug work. Otherwise upgrade it with a modern head unit, which is not all that expensive for a basic one with aux/bluetooth

6. Just find replacement speakers, I don’t know what size they are (other Chevy guys can answer). Factory is just crappy paper cones and by now they are garbage.

7. See my build thread or search Jim Rockford, he also just redid his floors using another method

2. I have to cram foam pipe insulation into the door sills as I close the doors. It works on my G20.

3. Cant help you with bumper mount or underneath mount. Sorry. I removed my rear mount cuz you cant open the door 180 degrees.

4. Yes they are recesses for factory stuff. One of my vans are empty like yours and one of them as controls for rear air and heat.

5. If you figure out the stereo thing, see number 4.

6. What DorV said.

For your side door squeak: Look at the striker bolt, there should be a plastic/nylon sleeve around the metal bolt where the latch contacts it. My van was missing this sleeve when I got it and squeaked like crazy. Find a new striker with the plastic sleeve still intact and it should help

Or you can cut a piece of plastic pipe to make one.

Thanks a lot, everyone. We are making progress and will have updated pictures posted in the very near future

It has a clear plastic sleeve but apparently it is not working well enough. Where would I locate a new striker plate and this sleeve? A junk yard or van being parted out?

I'd like to just fab something. What do you mean though- a soft foam pipe?

I will try this