Wow ! I'm hooked (and maybe in love).
Welcome to the site ... what a nice ride !
Welcome. Love the paint..
Beautiful graphics. I love the deep dish wheels too.
This is a pretty deep tear down of a van.
Did you set a budget for the project or just let it progress as you see fit?
I'm always interested in the numbers side of things.
Yes, Parts are like a treasure hunt. Some great people here who helped me find signal lenses for an early grill. (thanks Bob!)
My '78 van body is in pretty good shape. It was a craigslist purchase for $500. I spent $2400 on a new motor and $1200 on the install/belts/hoses/radiator/heater core and altenator.
I spent about $1000 on used wheels/tires and captains chairs, ceiling & door panels, visor, and other various parts from a donor van to get me on the road and driving. I popped for an early grill and bumper for $400
At $5500, I have a really nice dependable driver with a 3 year warranty on the drive train (except the trans).
I'm up for paint, pipes, cragars/BFG's next. Then a hook up of the A/C. and maybe a sound system.
I'm hoping to be done for about 10K for a "new" van.
I wanted to make sure I could get a return if I needed to or consider a second van project.
I see values all over the place on ebay and craigslist. Some just throw caution to the wind.
Lastly, I've posed some youtube videos for a gauge install on my van.
Grab your camera and hit record. Photos are great. Vids are better!
Keep on Vannin'
Wow! That paint looks amazing! Welcome to the site!
Welcome to the site! yes I do see a more girls picking up Vans.
If you would like some pics of my headers I will be glad to take some. They are truck style headers. If you need anything just let me know. I am in the process of converting an 89 g30 into a 4x4. I will be using the parts from my current pathfinder 4x4. I'm attaching some pictures.
Yes, I would like to see the header pics. I am a big fan of 4x4 vans! Good luck with your build.
This is a pretty deep tear down of a van.
Did you set a budget for the project or just let it progress as you see fit?
I am not taking budget into consideration. I just have to keep myself under control; it's so easy to go overboard once you get on a roll. You did great with your budget!
As soon as it warms up here I'll get you a pic
So this past weekend, I got the new front brakes, lines and shocks put on. Nothing very exciting or picture worthy, but it is progress. I also had the rear drums cut and got the rear shocks off. Just waiting for the rear shocks to come in. Not far away from putting the engine and trans in. Happy New Year to all!
Such a cool van !!! Did you come up with the graphic designs? Love it.
From what I've gathered from the fine people here, if you are thinking about side pipes, shorty headers might be a better idea. Seems you might have to run an s-pipe if you have long-tube headers(that's me). Coated headers are the way to go, easier than re-painting every couple years.
Keep up the awesome work, looking forward to more pictures!
The engine looks awesome. Super clean.
Here is some pictures of the headers. I may be able to take the shift cable off of this van. If you want it, your welcome to it. That will solve your shifter linkage problems. I started tearing everything down yesterday. I'm going with the same headers but stainless steel this time.
Here is some pictures of the headers. I may be able to take the shift cable off of this van. If you want it, your welcome to it. That will solve your shifter linkage problems. I started tearing everything down yesterday. I'm going with the same headers but stainless steel this time.
If the shift cable will work with the Turbo 350 auto trans, then I'm interested. Thanks for the header pics; they look like they fit well. Did you have any clearance issues? Do you know the brand/style of them? Thanks much!
I've looked at the cable and it is specific to the steering column. You would have to get a steering column out of a 92 van to make it work. The headers are made by pace setter. Not really any clearance issues. They are in good shape but a little rusty. I will sell them to you for 50 bucks if your interested. I'm going with Stainless steel for my next ones.
I have bought a set of these and they look great.
Manzo USA Chevrolet Chevy GMC SUV/Truck 4-1 Stainless Steel Exhaust Headers
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N26DU0G/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_CDjHAbKN3H99WThey are pretty much the same thing as in the pictures bur are stainless steel. Good price. The flange is mild steel but still better than all steel headers.
I have bought a set of these and they look great.
Manzo USA Chevrolet Chevy GMC SUV/Truck 4-1 Stainless Steel Exhaust Headers
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N26DU0G/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_CDjHAbKN3H99WThey are pretty much the same thing as in the pictures bur are stainless steel. Good price. The flange is mild steel but still better than all steel headers.
That is a great price; thanks for the info!
I have bought a set of these and they look great.
Manzo USA Chevrolet Chevy GMC SUV/Truck 4-1 Stainless Steel Exhaust Headers
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N26DU0G/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_CDjHAbKN3H99WThey are pretty much the same thing as in the pictures bur are stainless steel. Good price. The flange is mild steel but still better than all steel headers.
That is a great price; thanks for the info!
I bought a set of these and asked a shop to install them when they replaced my exhaust. They said they couldn't put them on because there wasn't enough room between the engine and the body on either side. I have a '76 with a SBC, so why would it be any different than yours?
Was the floor pan any different on vans that came with a 6 cylinder? I have a V8 but maybe someone swapped it in years ago.
I doubt it. But it does sound like a size problem to me. Ball size, composition. I don't think the Headers are too big, it just very well could be that
...
That looks amazing! Very cool.
Here are some more pics. Side pipes are on and exhaust is tack-welded. Dash is also in. I haven't ordered tires yet, but the rims are ready for a set!
freaking awesome!
Lots of progress this weekend. Bumpers are on, grille is on, windshield is in, brakes are bled, headlights, parking lights and side markers are in and working in front. Still have to work on fixing the tail light sockets/wiring. It should be able to drive under it's own power with the next week or two. Have to decide on some captains chairs very soon. Here are some more pics.
Tires are on. Slowly starting on the interior now. I cut some flooring mats to fill in the ribs on the floor; still need to glue them down but I got them all cut. A couple of progress pics are attached.
Coming along nicely. Keep up the hard work.
Tires are on. Slowly starting on the interior now. I cut some flooring mats to fill in the ribs on the floor; still need to glue them down but I got them all cut. A couple of progress pics are attached.
Looks great!
Do you have a link to the mats you used to fill in the ribs? I'm having a tough time finding something that is the right thickness.
Tires are on. Slowly starting on the interior now. I cut some flooring mats to fill in the ribs on the floor; still need to glue them down but I got them all cut. A couple of progress pics are attached.
Looks great!
Do you have a link to the mats you used to fill in the ribs? I'm having a tough time finding something that is the right thickness.
Sure; They were from Home Depot. I think this is them:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ottoman...e-Tile-Mat-6-Pack-EFM-24-Black/302692940They are a tiny bit higher in some spots, but they will compress with the plywood on top of them.
Look great. keep the pics commimg.
When I had my headliner done they glued the fabric to the luan before they mounted it in the over head.
When I had my headliner done they glued the fabric to the luan before they mounted it in the over head.
I waffled between doing panels or a continuous seamless headliner. If I had done panels, I definitely would have done it that way. Doing it this way, I won't have any visible screws or seams. I may end up regretting my decision in the next week or so! I always have to figure out the best way to get things done by myself with very little assistance.
My EXT has a 15 ft headliner done all in one pc.... it took 3 of them to put it up till they got the cross slats put in.
Good looking job! Looks perfect to me.
Looks awesome. Its really coming along.
I finally got my flooring in. It's glue-down vinyl plank (very messy job). I also got my stereo head unit put in the dash and am working on running the wires for the amps, subwoofer and speakers. I am also working on making the base for the platform bed. Lots of projects started but I have to get the wires ran before anything else. Was not able to do any work on it this week with the -30 to -50 wind chills. Hopefully more progress will be made this weekend.
be ready for nats. van show in july ????
Got most of the shag on the walls; few pieces left to cut/secure. I have to decide what kind of material/panel to put on the bottom of the driver and passenger doors. Guess that will be next on the list. Here's some shag pics.
Love the shag and looking good!
What a good looking van. Clean and fresh. Good job!!
Any updates sir?
Man this thing is sooooo clean. Loving it.
That looks fantastic. You do great work! Not sure who did your paint/artwork but they are a true artist!
Coming along nice on the inside and looking damn good on the outside
Those murals are outstanding! Very nice!!
Looking nice!
That isn't a black light is it?
Do your lights at all change color?
I'm not a Chevy guy, but this van looks great!
Looking nice!
That isn't a black light is it?
Do your lights at all change color?
Kind of looks like a black light in the picture with the black headliner, but no. Just blue LED. I didn't want color-changing. I have a couple more to install in the front under the dash.
Very nice. Great work your doing on it.
Excellent Job!!! You should be proud!!