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Van conversation

Hickey

Hickey

Burn-barrel enthusiast
Supporting Member
Location
Grantsville, Utah
J-mobzz said:
Yeah the Chinese ones aren’t expensive. They put out a ton of heat too. When I go up snowboarding I’ll just leave it on low all day and walk into a warm van anytime I’m ready for a beer or lunch. They are much cheaper to run than a propane rv style furnace too.
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One thing I've learned from running those for 14 years in my work truck, don't run it for short periods of time (5 minutes or less). They need to get good and hot to burn off excess fuel on the ignitor/glow plug, otherwise you will replace the glow plug often.
 
J

J-mobzz

Well-Known Member
Hickey said:
One thing I've learned from running those for 14 years in my work truck, don't run it for short periods of time (5 minutes or less). They need to get good and hot to burn off excess fuel on the ignitor/glow plug, otherwise you will replace the glow plug often.
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That’s really good advice. I didn’t know that.
 
J

J-mobzz

Well-Known Member
unfortunately I am no longer in possession of the last awd van I picked up but I did find another. It’s a 2007 same 5.3 drivetrain just is pretty hammered. Same plans as the last one. I did the hightop install today. Start pulling all the glass this week to prep for paint.

anyone have a trick to getting the door hinge pins out? I need to replace a door. I bought the tool but they are not moving and I broke the tool in the process.



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J

J-mobzz

Well-Known Member
Been making some progress. Currently working on the stereo install. After I finish up the bumpers, sliders and rear swing outs I’m thinking I’ll let maaco paint it for me. single urethane paint job including color change with 3 year warranty will run me under $2k. I know it’s maaco but who cares I plan to have some Rocky Mountain pin strips all over it anyways.
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Kevin B.

Kevin B.

Big hippy
Moderator
Location
Vehicular limbo
Maybe I missed it, but where'd you source the top? What's involved in the install, just cut a hole and seal it and rivet it down? You're giving me terrible ideas.
 
J

J-mobzz

Well-Known Member
Kevin B. said:
Maybe I missed it, but where'd you source the top? What's involved in the install, just cut a hole and seal it and rivet it down? You're giving me terrible ideas.
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I found it at a self pull yard off 201 in magna. And yeah just used harbor freight electric shears sealed it and screwed it down just like it was on the Starcraft I pulled it off. It was actually really simple to install. Less than 2hours start to finish. Getting it off the old van sucked. That took a couple hours too but not fun.

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J

J-mobzz

Well-Known Member
Well I’ve been pushing hard to get it to a point it’s usable for the swell trip in a few weeks.
I installed a center console out of a 2018 Silverado. I drew up some brackets and had Carl cut them out.81966961-33B0-4ED9-B1EB-7E8BF6FC9A4A.jpeg
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threw together some simple steps/sliders
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Have made some good progress on the inside
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I have the aux power system 80% done. The aux heater is mounted I still need to get the fuel tank mounted to the tire swing out.
I replaced both front cv axles as well as did some new moog ball joints that help with the alignment after the lift. Alignment specialist was able to dial it in perfect!

but the thing I’m most excited about is https://www.fiberwerx.com/ has a new hd style hood, prerunner fenders and rear flares for these vans. They aren’t even on the website yet but I should be getting one of the first sets out of the molds. Really excited for that.
 
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