A few questions about my new cube van - mechanical/electric problems before convertin

[NickTheoBennett]

Hello!  My wife and I just bought a 1993 Chevy Van 30 box van.  I will shortly be starting a build thread with pictures, but for right now I'm trying to get it legal to drive.  The only two issues are that the horn doesn't work (clearly the fuse, I already pulled it and am getting a new one) and my reverse lights don't come on.  All the other fuses look okay and I don't see anything labeled as backup lights or anything of the sort.  I'm attaching a picture of my fusebox, but I would appreciate any other suggestions of where to look. 

As a secondary question, there is a red wire crammed in where the fuse for the radio is.  The radio in this has been completely ripped out.  Any idea what this wire would be for?

Also, there are probable a dozen small spots of rust around the frame.  I'm attching pictures of that also.  Can you recommend the best way to treat that?

Pictures of both rust and fuse box : 

 

[user 37446]

Hard to say without being able to see the images. The red wire could be a jumper wire, try tracing it.  The lights could be a short, a disconnected wire, a bad ground. Maybe even both bulbs out. Do you have a 12v circuit tester? You can get one cheap at an auto parts store or Harbor Freight. Use it to trace your wiring for where the power stops.

Google search "converting a box van" or search this forum for "box van" or look under "Misc vehicles" for threads on box van conversions.

Note that most posters have trouble licensing and insuring box vans due to their previous commercial nature. If yours has dual rear wheels then it can be troublesome to license for personal use. Check the DMV for your state.

 

[Gary68]

the wire looks like typical aftermarket stereo installation,track it,and if it goes to where the stereo was,remove it,the brown wire in acc is probably going to the stereo too,obviously they didnt wire it right so start over when you get a new stereo

rust looks basic,sand till shinny,prime and paint

backup lights,check bulbs ,connections and ground

 

[rvpopeye]

A fuse doesn't usually blow for no reason .
You probably will have to find out why but sometimes you get lucky.

That red wire is something a PO has added for some home installed device , no telling what it might have been . Maybe you can follow it to the other end???

I didn't look at the pics and not a rust expert but I did stay at a Holiday Inn a few times................

Hope the new rig is everything you hope it will be.

 

[NickTheoBennett]

Thanks for the advice, folks. I will check where those wires lead and then probably just remove them if they go to where the stereo used to be. No luck on the horn, I replaced the fuse and it still doesn't work, it just clicks when I press down on it.

I've looked into registering in my home state as an RV, the DMV says all I need is a bed and cooking facilities to qualify as an RV. I'm hoping in the short term to just toss my mattress in the back and stick my propane stove on one of those plastic drawer units and call it good enough, but we'll see if they accept that.

It also came with a rather large crack in the windshield, which I don't want to fix until I can get it insured. I talked to my local insurance agent and she told me that while progressive won't cover a crack that happened before I bought it, they would cover it if it just happened to get badly cracked in the first few days of insuring it.

 

[rvpopeye]

For the horn , probably needs replacing.
Not too expensive especially at a recycler.

 

[user 37446]

what state?

 

[NickTheoBennett]

Portland, Oregon (Gladstone area) while we do the basic conversion over the next month or two. We're working on a limited budget in the short term while we look for jobs, so we're just focusing on getting it legal to drive and getting it registered before the 30 day window to transfer the title runs out. If we don't register it within 30 days we're stuck with a late fee, so that's the priority.

We paid 2700 for it and with the exception of the mostly shattered windshield and this nickel and dime crap it seems to run beautifully. We're pretty excited because most of the RVs around here in this price range are falling apart and/or have water damage. This was a contracter's van, which is why it is beaten up a little bit on the exterior.

 

[Gary68]

i'm pretty sure you dont have to register/tag it just get the title changed over in 30 days

 

[NickTheoBennett]

Probably not - my issue with the registration and such is more that the tags are expiring at the end of this month. I suppose I could just transfer the title and run it through DEQ, but then I think I'll end up paying twice when I have to re-title it as an RV and it looks like I can't insure it until I have it titled as an RV. I tried to add it via Progressive's online portal and got a message that they couldn't insure this under a personal plan as soon as I entered the VIN.

If I don't renew the tags on time my neighbor (who is an OSP trooper) will have it ticketed. It happened to me once before when I left a van on the street with expired tags for a few days.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I've looked into registering in my home state as an RV, the DMV says all I need is a bed and cooking facilities to qualify as an RV.  I'm hoping in the short term to just toss my mattress in the back and stick my propane stove on one of those plastic drawer units and call it good enough, but we'll see if they accept that. 

Nick, just because your state will register a home conversion as an RV, it doesn't mean you can find an insurance company willing to cover it.

I would urge you to make sure about your insurance before you spend any money on this project.

 

[highdesertranger]

the back up light fuse is on the turn signal fuse it says TURN B/U. do your turn signals work? I assume yes since you didn't mention that. always check the easy stuff first, check the bulbs, then the switch. better get on that rust it's starting to scale. highdesertranger

 

[NickTheoBennett]

Thanks for the advice re: insurance. I called my agent and they are doing some research for me and figuring out what my options are. At this point I figure we could flip it and probably even make a small profit if it ends up being more hassle/expense than it's worth.

HDR, thanks for the tip. That fuse is indeed fine and my turn signals do work. I'm going to borrow a multimeter tomorrow and see if there is power back there before I go out and buy replacement bulbs. I'll also look into replacing the horn unit at pick n pull. At this point I'm just doing the little stuff until I hear back about the insurance issue. Even if I resell it I'll do better if the lights and horn work.

 

[closeanuf]

I got some wire brushes that fit in my drill at Harbor Freight for a few bucks and worked on my rust on my 97 Dodge van and got some Rustoleum flat white in a can and brushed it on the bare metal and it did a good job.  You could always put some gray primer on the bare metal before the white paint if you want  The flat white will be pretty close to matching your paint especially from 10 feet away.  Gloss white will contrast too much with your old paint.

 

[rvpopeye]

....check the GROUNDS on those non working lights.