1994 chevy g20 conversion finally starting

[ArtW]

HDR has the right of it, get another swivel base

 

[joeyib]

the bases are not supposed to be welded.  they are supposed to be bolted.  I would leave the passenger side alone,  seeing as someone welded it.  just find yourself one for the driver side.  highdesertranger

That's what I thought but the bolts are clearly welded in so I'll take a closer look at my options. Everything else is coming a long nice, I should be getting a lot done now that I'm in a covered area and have more time

 

[masterplumber]

Just thinking, you said the bolts are welded in - do you mean they are welded to the base plate? It may be that someone just welded the bolts to the base so they wouldn't turn, and there are nuts tightened up from below. Just a thought, I could see doing that if someone was working alone. Hard to say without seeing it, but it may not be welded to the actual floor.

 

[joeyib]

the seat will come off the base its self but the base is bolted to the floor pan of the van itself an painted over in the same red of the van

 

[Almost There]

It usually takes two people to get those floor bolts from the seat base out. And sometimes even then they aren't accessible from below because they were put in place on the production line BEFORE the stuff underneath like the exhaust system was put in.

Also, the older the vehicle is the more likely that the bolts have become 'welded' in place, they weren't welded in at time of production but years of being there have literally welded them in place.

I had to take my Astro in to a body shop and have them remove the bolts for me. Some of them, they had to take a cutting torch to because even with their equipment and muscle the bolts weren't going to budge.

It didn't cost me a whole lot and it sure saved a lot of cussing and pain on my part.

 

[joeyib]

ah that seems like way to much of a job to just have a swivel base lol, i think im going to focus on trying to remove wheel chair base on the drivers side then

 

[joeyib]

got some more progress done ill also have anther post with more work once i edit the photos. got a tone of free reflectix so kinda went crazy. also got my fan installed but not wired until i get my solar.

 

[joeyib]

started piecing together the inside parts that I redid with marine vinyl. as well as bed lined the whole bottom half of the van after filling rust spots. also the roof is now painted with a reflective white paint to help reflect heat 

 

[joeyib]

got a lot of work done this week, floors are pretty much except for the rear, i also did a full tune up after spending 45 min trying to get the dog house off!!. solar panels are in the mail and should arrive tomorrow, still no luck with anyone helping to remove the rear air so I guess I will be building around it!

 

[sassypickins]

Beautiful job on that floor, Joey!

Maybe at some point you'll reconsider trying to loosen the passenger seat base bolts. I was put off, too, but I got a friend to help and we got them out. It is wonderful to have that seat turned around and leaned back, and with something to put my feet on, it's recliner potato time. That extra space is priceless.

Thanks for posting pics. I look forward to seeing your progress.

Sassy

 

[joeyib]

Beautiful job on that floor, Joey!  

Maybe at some point you'll reconsider trying to loosen the passenger seat base bolts.  I was put off, too, but I got a friend to help and we got them out. It is wonderful to have that seat turned around and leaned back, and with something to put my feet on, it's recliner potato time.  That extra space is priceless.

Thanks for posting pics.  I look forward to seeing your progress.

Sassy

Thanks! im still open to doing it just got other things on the burner at the moment

 

[joeyib]

a lot more work the last week. It is really starting to look like a home. installed most of the walls and repurposed my mid century moderns credenza as a kitchenette. i also got the renogy 200watt kits installed on the roof!

 

[joeyib]

seems like lot of this site has slowed the last few months, but if anyone is still looking i got most of my solar up and running and the bed and dog bed finished!

 

[masterplumber]

We're still here. I know personally I haven't been on as much as I've been working and some travel. A lot of times I just look through on my phone, but only take the time to post if I really have something to add. I'd love to see pics of the bed and dog bed.

 

[sassypickins]

Here!

Pics! Pics!

 

[joeyib]

got the batteries in and reused a ton of wire from the demo.
the area on the bottom right under the bead will be a dog area for our pooch and the curtained area to the right will house our trashcan, lugaloo, and fire extinguisher. also added an extra usb and 12v port next to the bed as well.

 

[Wabbit]

Love it! Great job and I hope mine turns out as nice. More please!

 

[galladanb]

Hi there! Curious? What type of building material are you using for the siding?
Can you say what the thickness and other dimensions are, Please?

 

[joeyib]

they are 1x4x8 common board from home depot, i originally used fence posts but they were very uneven and shrank a lot on the first hot day of summer

 

[joeyib]

its been a while since ive posted updates of the build. we are pretty much done besides moving in. we did have someone custom make us a wood burning stove but decided to wait until this fall to install it.