Is this the Step Van “lounge”?

[Calypso]

I just adopted a stepvan and trying narrow down the best room or channel or whatever for posting. I get a bit lost with all of this.

We don’t fit in with the sprinter pro master .. soccer mom vans (idk that’s what I always called them when I was a soccer mom with my Jeep). But not really an RV or truck.

So I’m wondering if this is the right place for “misfits” and where I can direct my lists to others who have adopted similar beasts of beauty.

I adopted a 2001 Workhorse WP31842 .. so P42 5.7 gas with 135k miles,20k in the past 8 years.

I put pictures up in another room or thread. She is a dually, and has her summer sandals on at the moment, with her winter studs off rim. Used as a contractors rig.

Im not too sure what I’m doing. I probably have more skill than I do confidence. I’ve done a fair bit of home remodeling (not just design, like excavation additions, replumbing, ect), some mechanical (changed fuel pump in my subbie, rebuild rear differential on my dodge). But still couldn’t explain it to anyone using words or terminology… I just sort of do.

I have a hard time digesting written information, even though I’m a prolific writer myself.

Other than the fuel pump I usually had some “man” there, even if they didn’t do much, they often had better tools and knew more than me. Well one I was married to. But I think I knew and did more than I realize or gave myself credit for.

I don’t like coming off as some typical girl who needs a man, but being totally solo on this is a bit scary. What I really need to do is find friends who have the same interest and I’m hoping I’ll find some of that here. Or if anyone is in Alaska that would be great.

I probably have really stupid questions like how do I clean she out? Esp the cab. I wish I could take the hose and just blast the dash and floor and all that. I am working in an outdoor lot in Alaska, Anchorage, which is mild, but still we’re actually coming into our snowy season. Spring is a ways off.

I am not even sure what tools I’ll need. I have some older cordless 10.8 v lit ion drill and hammer and a newer dewalt miter saw I treated myself to last Mother’s Day. Skil saw and jig saw of my Dads with questionable wiring and probably need some tlc.
And then tons of hand tools, mechanic woodworking ect (dont have a torque wrench), tile snapper saw thing. See? I don’t even remember the names of tools I just use them.

I’ve been dying to get an oscillating tool, which I think is going to be essential for this but not sure what the best one to get, if I need new drill hammer or a new skil, jig.. or will the oscillating one work for a lot of things?

I’m not sure how to work with metal, I know aluminum is light and use rivets, steel I’ll need to weld. What type of metal working tools do I need?

Has anyone worked on their rigs in a cold winter and if so what are some hints. And do I need to compensate for contraction/expansion?

Maybe there’s a better thread for this, but I serious.y got overwhelmed with the platform and all the channels and how to read a thread. (I’m not totally tech idiot, I do have discord handle)

I try to make my novels easier to read using paragraphs, but I apologize for the length.

Okay … thanks if you actually made it here to the end.

Caly

 

[PlethoraOfGuns]

Yes, this is the right place to ask questions about step van stuff. You could also post in the Conversions and Modifications forum area if you're posting about what you're doing with your project. You're going to do great. Women are just as capable as any men at this stuff. You just got to open up your mind and learn the stuff.

Cleaning it out is easy. Gut all the stuff out of it and power wash everything. It's all aluminum and the water water will drain out and everything will be fine. Easy around the instrument cluster and such.

Be careful with aluminum. Yes, it won't rust, but it will corrode if you don't take the proper precautions. Aluminum can't come in direct contact with steel. You will get galvanic corrosion. Use stainless hardware on anything aluminum. Or use rivets or TIG welding. Absolutely don't use self taping screws through the floor, that is a terrible idea, no matter how tempting it is...

 

[Lordian]

I just adopted a stepvan and trying narrow down the best room or channel or whatever for posting. I get a bit lost with all of this.

We don’t fit in with the sprinter pro master .. soccer mom vans (idk that’s what I always called them when I was a soccer mom with my Jeep). But not really an RV or truck.

So I’m wondering if this is the right place for “misfits” and where I can direct my lists to others who have adopted similar beasts of beauty.

I adopted a 2001 Workhorse WP31842 .. so P42 5.7 gas with 135k miles,20k in the past 8 years.

I put pictures up in another room or thread. She is a dually, and has her summer sandals on at the moment, with her winter studs off rim. Used as a contractors rig.

Im not too sure what I’m doing. I probably have more skill than I do confidence. I’ve done a fair bit of home remodeling (not just design, like excavation additions, replumbing, ect), some mechanical (changed fuel pump in my subbie, rebuild rear differential on my dodge). But still couldn’t explain it to anyone using words or terminology… I just sort of do.

I have a hard time digesting written information, even though I’m a prolific writer myself.

Other than the fuel pump I usually had some “man” there, even if they didn’t do much, they often had better tools and knew more than me. Well one I was married to. But I think I knew and did more than I realize or gave myself credit for.

I don’t like coming off as some typical girl who needs a man, but being totally solo on this is a bit scary. What I really need to do is find friends who have the same interest and I’m hoping I’ll find some of that here. Or if anyone is in Alaska that would be great.

I probably have really stupid questions like how do I clean she out? Esp the cab. I wish I could take the hose and just blast the dash and floor and all that. I am working in an outdoor lot in Alaska, Anchorage, which is mild, but still we’re actually coming into our snowy season. Spring is a ways off.

I am not even sure what tools I’ll need. I have some older cordless 10.8 v lit ion drill and hammer and a newer dewalt miter saw I treated myself to last Mother’s Day. Skil saw and jig saw of my Dads with questionable wiring and probably need some tlc.
And then tons of hand tools, mechanic woodworking ect (dont have a torque wrench), tile snapper saw thing. See? I don’t even remember the names of tools I just use them.

I’ve been dying to get an oscillating tool, which I think is going to be essential for this but not sure what the best one to get, if I need new drill hammer or a new skil, jig.. or will the oscillating one work for a lot of things?

I’m not sure how to work with metal, I know aluminum is light and use rivets, steel I’ll need to weld. What type of metal working tools do I need?

Has anyone worked on their rigs in a cold winter and if so what are some hints. And do I need to compensate for contraction/expansion?

Maybe there’s a better thread for this, but I serious.y got overwhelmed with the platform and all the channels and how to read a thread. (I’m not totally tech idiot, I do have discord handle)

I try to make my novels easier to read using paragraphs, but I apologize for the length.

Okay … thanks if you actually made it here to the end.

Caly

Hi oh my gosh you sound like you could be my clone regarding your step van and almost everything else you've written. I also am a writer and a lover of my great white Grumman Olson Step Van. She's an old 1978 bread delivery dually, with a 300 straight Ford 6 engine 4 speed. I've had her for 20 years. I torched out all the bread racks and made her wide open and then built shelves and put a tub in the back and had a mobile grooming business for a short while until my back broke from concurring trauma over a lifetime. Surgeons terminology. now I have gutted her again. Like you I am solo and although quite a bit of mechanical and creative skill I have not been able to get answers. Like switching split rims to regular rims. She had been sitting for 8 years and had become a Taj Mahal for all the very thankful Critters where I live in Southern California high desert. So much more to explain but you almost said it for me in your post LOL! I'm not sure what the rules are but I am open to sharing my phone number for texting and speaking the good old-fashioned way. I am very thankful for this forum because this is the first time that I've actually looked through posts and found someone with the exact oh, well not exact but close enough, type of van and other issues. I'm Oregonian and working toward getting the heck out of California. My girl is 25 ft long with just the passenger sliding door and a roll up back door. I'm a newbie on this forum so I still have to properly investigate Waze or possibilities of sharing pictures Etc. I'm going to give my number hoping that it's not breaking some rule. After all it's my number and after being evicted in the middle of covid I am way past desperate to get the help and expertise to get her roadworthy even if actual living in her is not completed. Please feel free to contact me the easy way. And maybe both of us can raise some interest from all those experts out there! Thanks for sharing openly and hope to talk to you soon and Happy Valentine's Day to us and our great whites!LorriDianne
6612315394 1978 GrummanOlson hostess wonderbread

 

[Calypso]

Hi oh my gosh you sound like you could be my clone regarding your step van and almost everything else you've written. I also am a writer and a lover of my great white Grumman Olson Step Van. She's an old 1978 bread delivery dually, with a 300 straight Ford 6 engine 4 speed. I've had her for 20 years. I torched out all the bread racks and made her wide open and then built shelves and put a tub in the back and had a mobile grooming business for a short while until my back broke from concurring trauma over a lifetime. Surgeons terminology. now I have gutted her again. Like you I am solo and although quite a bit of mechanical and creative skill I have not been able to get answers. Like switching split rims to regular rims. She had been sitting for 8 years and had become a Taj Mahal for all the very thankful Critters where I live in Southern California high desert. So much more to explain but you almost said it for me in your post LOL! I'm not sure what the rules are but I am open to sharing my phone number for texting and speaking the good old-fashioned way. I am very thankful for this forum because this is the first time that I've actually looked through posts and found someone with the exact oh, well not exact but close enough, type of van and other issues. I'm Oregonian and working toward getting the heck out of California. My girl is 25 ft long with just the passenger sliding door and a roll up back door. I'm a newbie on this forum so I still have to properly investigate Waze or possibilities of sharing pictures Etc. I'm going to give my number hoping that it's not breaking some rule. After all it's my number and after being evicted in the middle of covid I am way past desperate to get the help and expertise to get her roadworthy even if actual living in her is not completed. Please feel free to contact me the easy way. And maybe both of us can raise some interest from all those experts out there! Thanks for sharing openly and hope to talk to you soon and Happy Valentine's Day to us and our great whites!LorriDianne
6612315394View attachment 30568 1978 GrummanOlson hostess wonderbread

Yes, definitely! Happy Hearths Day to you as well!
My stepvan soul sister!

 

[DougH71]

You two ladies sound very energetic and positive. I look forward to pics of your creations.

As for the split rims, are they 16” diameter 8 lug? Newer one ton dually wheels should swap on.

 

[sithigh]

I just adopted a stepvan and trying narrow down the best room or channel or whatever for posting. I get a bit lost with all of this.

We don’t fit in with the sprinter pro master .. soccer mom vans (idk that’s what I always called them when I was a soccer mom with my Jeep). But not really an RV or truck.

So I’m wondering if this is the right place for “misfits” and where I can direct my lists to others who have adopted similar beasts of beauty.

I adopted a 2001 Workhorse WP31842 .. so P42 5.7 gas with 135k miles,20k in the past 8 years.

I put pictures up in another room or thread. She is a dually, and has her summer sandals on at the moment, with her winter studs off rim. Used as a contractors rig.

Im not too sure what I’m doing. I probably have more skill than I do confidence. I’ve done a fair bit of home remodeling (not just design, like excavation additions, replumbing, ect), some mechanical (changed fuel pump in my subbie, rebuild rear differential on my dodge). But still couldn’t explain it to anyone using words or terminology… I just sort of do.

I have a hard time digesting written information, even though I’m a prolific writer myself.

Other than the fuel pump I usually had some “man” there, even if they didn’t do much, they often had better tools and knew more than me. Well one I was married to. But I think I knew and did more than I realize or gave myself credit for.

I don’t like coming off as some typical girl who needs a man, but being totally solo on this is a bit scary. What I really need to do is find friends who have the same interest and I’m hoping I’ll find some of that here. Or if anyone is in Alaska that would be great.

I probably have really stupid questions like how do I clean she out? Esp the cab. I wish I could take the hose and just blast the dash and floor and all that. I am working in an outdoor lot in Alaska, Anchorage, which is mild, but still we’re actually coming into our snowy season. Spring is a ways off.

I am not even sure what tools I’ll need. I have some older cordless 10.8 v lit ion drill and hammer and a newer dewalt miter saw I treated myself to last Mother’s Day. Skil saw and jig saw of my Dads with questionable wiring and probably need some tlc.
And then tons of hand tools, mechanic woodworking ect (dont have a torque wrench), tile snapper saw thing. See? I don’t even remember the names of tools I just use them.

I’ve been dying to get an oscillating tool, which I think is going to be essential for this but not sure what the best one to get, if I need new drill hammer or a new skil, jig.. or will the oscillating one work for a lot of things?

I’m not sure how to work with metal, I know aluminum is light and use rivets, steel I’ll need to weld. What type of metal working tools do I need?

Has anyone worked on their rigs in a cold winter and if so what are some hints. And do I need to compensate for contraction/expansion?

Maybe there’s a better thread for this, but I serious.y got overwhelmed with the platform and all the channels and how to read a thread. (I’m not totally tech idiot, I do have discord handle)

I try to make my novels easier to read using paragraphs, but I apologize for the length.

Okay … thanks if you actually made it here to the end.

Caly

I also follow https://www.facebook.com/groups/1652643568393956/ It has also had good ideas for sourcing parts and solving problems. So far I've repaired all the locks, relays and fuse box on my 2001 workhorse that has spent more days in our driveway than miles or hours on the road for us. Cleaning the aluminum in the cab and finding the source of the diesel soot is our priority before installing the cloth captain's chairs from the back of a Honda odyssey minivan or a too complicated dream of tiltable roof-rack and a large awning that slides out to one side for more solar panels. (Inspired by this picture in a post by Ryan Christie over 18 months ago on that site. (I haven't started on it.)

 

[maki2]

Oily cleaners are also not suitable for aluminum as believe it or not aluminum is a porous metal and if it absorbs oily stuff it will make it difficult to apply paints or adhesives on it and have them stick to the surface.

You also have to use a PH neutral cleaner on aluminum to avoid inducing surface corrosion. So do your internet research and purchase cleaning solutions that are made for cleaning aluminum.

You can of course use solvents such as acetone and alcohol on the really tough areas.

Another factor you have to watch out for is caulking. Silicone caulking is not safe for use on bare aluminum. It is not PH neutral so it induces surface corrosion which will of course mean it will not stick properly to the surface and will not create a water tight seal. Read labels carefully, if it does not specifically say it can be used on aluminum avoid that product. You can use butyl rubber caulk instead of silicone. Hardware store, RV supply and marine supply stores all sell butyl rubber caulk. Always read labels and do some research using the keywords “bare aluminum” when choosing products to apply to that type of metal.

For instance if you wanted to strip paint off you need to find an aluminum safe stripper. If you want to paint aluminum you need to find an etching paint meant for use on aluminum. None of this is impossible to find but it might sometimes take ordering in the right stuff to use. But a really good hardware store is likely to have a viable option of cleaners, caulks and paints safe for use on bare aluminum.

I have not owned a step van but I had a career working on aluminum aircraft so I had to learn the dos and donts regarding aluminum including cleaning, surface prep, caulking, adhesives, primers and paints and of course fasteners too.

I framed the cabinets in my fiberglass travel trailer with riveted aluminum angle to save a lot of weight and because it is super strong compared to using wood for travel on rough dirt and gravel roads.

 

[Happy Camper]

That is some grade A information. I may never get a step van, but I just learned a lot more about aluminum and how it reacts. That will be helpful with future projects. I never even thought of a lot of those things. Good stuff.

 

[maki2]

At least you learned that if you buy an older RV that has aluminum windows or trim pieces you should not use silicone or acrylic caulking on them but instead use butyl rubber caulk. Lots of people think silicone is always the number one prime choice of caulk but that is not true.