Kyuubs Box Van

[kyuubs]

<img rel="lightbox" src="http://i45.tinypic.com/7252ew.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><strong>What I got:</strong><br>1984 Chevy C30 (1 ton) box van, dually. 65k miles, and not a spot of rust anywhere. &nbsp;The tires are decent, and everything works (switches, ac, heater, etc) &nbsp;Its got a mysteriously shot 2nd gear in the auto trans (other than that it works&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/confused.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">), and a blown drivers side head gasket. &nbsp;It also has an all aluminum body which is really really nice (wont rust).<br><br><br>Yesterday I spent the day pulling apart the engine and cab interior. Found out its leaking antifreeze into one of the cylinders (headgasket), so I'm now in the process of pulling off the heads (might as well do both). &nbsp;I'm going to do a comprehensive cleaning while I'm in there as well as change any gaskets or gadgets that may need replacement, Ill probably paint it is well (any ideas on colors?&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">).<br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/3v32t.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://i46.tinypic.com/2n95k9.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><br>And some stuff I picked up from locals for free<br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://i48.tinypic.com/25ggvig.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br>I also picked up a folding couch and an old water heater that I am going to convert into a wood stove. &nbsp;I would like pretty much everything in the van to be recycled or re-purposed. &nbsp;Right now I am trying to figure out what I am going to do with the floor and insulation for the sides. &nbsp;Any input is always welcome

 

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Hi Kyuubs,</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Good start with this one, yeh I would do both head gaskets and replace all the topend gaskets, check the waterpump one aswell while your doing the engine work. I would stick with plain white gloss paint in the cab, unless you were to hot glue some sort of fabric over.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">EDIT. engine paint .... chevy orange it shows up any future water or oil leaks easily.<BR><BR>The timber floor looks in good shape and I would just sand and varnish it, then add a few rugs,&nbsp;there are good pop in packing panels of insulation you could reclaim or maybe you can get a product I've used called Tontine ceiling baffle. Its a safer green version of the old pink batts made by the pillow company (I don't know the availablility in the US) but there would be similar stuff there.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Your truck aerodynamics (gas mileage) can be improved by install a upper box nosecone, bought or&nbsp;they can be built cheaply yourself using recycle styrofoam shaped to a profile (using a handsaw) and then sheeted over in alloy the same as the box. </SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Hope this helps.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Keep up the good work, that truck is going to look cool. Geoff</SPAN></STRONG></EM>

 

[kyuubs]

How appropriate, Chevy Orange&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">. &nbsp;I've always liked the color too, it screams old-school american. &nbsp;The cab is going to get carpeted with whatever I can find, the paint on the vehicle looks great so I don't really want to touch it (except for the roll up door, which I am keeping). &nbsp;I would like to install a nosecone, but if I do I want to be able to put my bedding stuff in it on top of the cab and get more room, but that's all up in the air right now as to what I can&nbsp;acquire for materials as I build this. &nbsp;Would the wood floor really be&nbsp;adequate with a couple rugs and some insulation? &nbsp;Its boards, not a single panel, and I don't want to build it up further than I have to (head room).&nbsp;

 

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Those wooden boards are just like mine and that's what I did, usually about 20mm thick (3/4in) on framing, (solid wooden is one of the best insulation materials there is).&nbsp;&nbsp;If you want it more insulated you could put heatproof insulating material underneath between the framing crossmembers on the box.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">A polished or varnished floor really makes a nice home on wheels.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Geoff</SPAN></STRONG></EM>

 

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Not the best picture but this is my wooden boarded floor.</SPAN></STRONG></EM>

 

[kyuubs]

Back with some updates!<br><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://i50.tinypic.com/ic2q8g.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://i45.tinypic.com/xc69vb.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br>I was able to pick up an emergency exit side window from an old 70's greyhound bus, which I fit into the top of the box for an awesome sun roof. &nbsp;The smaller piece of glass swings inwards and the big piece outwards. &nbsp;So it gives me both a roof vent for extra air, and a swinging hatch so I can get easy roof access. &nbsp;It also adds plenty of light while being totally invisible for the outside (I want some stealth factor).<br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://i45.tinypic.com/otm9aw.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://i45.tinypic.com/2n7199z.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://i47.tinypic.com/35cga6o.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br>I picked up a bunch of recycled insulation material from in town for free, it works great and was really easy to put panels in between the struts in the box. &nbsp;I have so much I'm probably going to do the roof and floor in it as well.<br><br>And last but not least:<br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://i46.tinypic.com/ziod40.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br>Arya, a queensland heeler/wolf that just kind of walked into my life a few days ago. &nbsp;So now I have a co-pilot too&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[87mobiletraveler]

That's pretty cool,that van will give you a lot of possible ways of building your home,good pic's too,looks like you have got you a great helper too.I be watching for some more build..&nbsp;

 

[akrvbob]

Great job! You are making a wonderful little home for you and your new best friend!<br>Bob

 

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Hi Kyubb,</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Great work and a great little friend you have there.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">From the pics of the wooden floor you show it looks in really good shape to sand and varnish / stain. Looks like you would&nbsp;have room for&nbsp;some fold /pull out stairs under the floor at the back.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Geoff</SPAN></STRONG></EM>