Vannin' Home Forums General Discussion Readers Rides 1977 Chevy G20 - Hottie Hauler Build

Everyone is pitching in even the poochies.

My paint is coming off the doghouse too, will do it again when done, need the promoter spray to add to the surface first to make it stick, like they do with plastic car bumpers, trim too, but at the last, so you aren't gonna hit it while working inside.

Ohh that's a good call with some promoter spray. I plan on covering the house with some vinyl material to match the headliner and door panels I'm going to make, but still want the exposed areas to last. Pulled a cover from a yard van to use a template, will be sending that to an upholsterer when the time is right, but that's down the line.

Thats what makes it custom ! NICE JOB !!!

Sometimes gremlins like to pop their head up.

The power steering had a good leak and the trans I swapped in kept leaking from the shift shaft seal. I had an install tool and after trying a few seals, thinking I nicked the seal on instal, I opted for chaining out the shift shaft itself. So far no leaks. Hooked up the detent cable while I was at it so I can full throttle downshift on the hi-way.

Dropped pan to take out the shift shaft.


Grabbed a PS Pump rebuild kit and freshened up the pump and threw on some new hoses for good measure

Cleaning parts up is easier than buying some reman trash


Went with some GM Blue to match the motor.


Flooring

So I went with some about 3/4” plywood for the subfloor. Used a roll of builders paper to make a generic template and cut out two pieces to fit.

My step-pop had some leftover LVP flooring that had just enough to cover the main cargo area and stop just behind the front of the back bench. Stained the plywood towards the back dark walnut to match Gold trim molding to touch it up.







Sneak peek with some of the wall progress of late.


I cut my brown shag rug to fit the main cargo area and with the left overs, going to glue over the wheel wells once the walls are in.


Cutting the rug will let me pull it out for camping or beach hangs, lord knows what muck these dogs will bring in.


Had a bent axle shaft in the driver rear and took some time sourcing the 12 bolt van shaft I needed. Made a booboo and snapped the pinion shaft lock pin bolt. Apparently this is common in old gm diffs. Luckily the guys at SkywayTools, ordered form Amazon, make a inexpensive kit that worked like a charm.


Basically because of the position of the shaft lock pin bolt in the carrier you can’t get a good angle to extract it.

This kit comes with 2 plastic guide bolt and along drill bit. After some slow drilling you pop in the extractor and I was able to get it out by hand. If you have this issue, get the kit. You could make your own but it shipped fast and took a few minutes to relieve the headache.

Popped in new bearings and seals before filling her up for hopefully the last time. I hate the smell of diff fluid.




Cleaned up the housing and installed some leaf helpers from Advance Auto and a 2” lift block set. I need new leafs but this’ll do for now to get the stance up and keep from rubbing on turns when loaded with a full tank or passengers.



The gas tank that came with the van was all crunched inward so I swapped that out with a fresh one, now I can hold a full 22gal.

For some fun, got some old Plastic color flame mats to match the flaps.

Amazing ingenuity . You are resourceful my friend. Appreciate the pics

Picked up on some clues in the pics what you may like; do you happen to have a 66' Dodge Dart "and" a Harley ?

Flooring is a nice touch. You've been busy on multiple projects on the van

@lee7673 Yeah, lots to do, but really slowed down the last few weeks, even writing these updates to catch up to where I'm at. Just been too hot to get anything done and I've been taking a condensed summer class so that with a full time gig has slowed things down.

Most all the mechanic work is behind me, until I swap in some new leafs. Interior build now, then I can start tackling the body work. There's a good sized dent on the driver side wall panel that ill need to address. Front fenders need to be cut and replaced and some of the rear quarter bottoms.

Money might be tight coming up as I'm planning to propose soon and will have all the added wedding expenses etc. I'd like to pick up a whip antenna and ball mount but that's another $140 I don't have laying around.

@SDMickey found the Easter eggs! and thanks for the encouraging words! Yeah I have 69 XLCH Ironhead, 66' Dart GT, and two Honda bikes. A 71' CB175 and an 80' CX500. Just sold a Shadow to help pay for the engagement ring lol.

I have a little Hobart Handler 140 Welder that I used to fill in the holes on the wall panels and sliding door, which I may replace later. Sprayed some self etch primer for now and will fill in with some light bondo soon. Kinda digging the stripe, with the mad max vibes.



I've got some struts and hinges laying in wait for a good weekend to gull wing the door, hopefully sooner than later!

Some pics of the other toys.

Lucky man. I'm sure you worked hard to get your passion toys.That dart is Killer.

And I owe you for turning me on to Eddie Noack. I'm a 60's & 70's Rock n' Roller but always appreciate good music. I dig his sound.