New to the Site, already working on my van

[kwest]

<p>I have recently bought myself a 1986 Chevy HiCube van. it si the G30 chasis with a rear box. It as a 6.2l diesel and 72k on the engine. It runs and drives great when it does run, I need to put a new lower radiator hose on, because its got a small hole from when the alternator belt busted. The van is in decent shape some dings and dents but no rust. i have alot of work ahead of me to really get this thing were I want it. i dont have any pics from when I first got it. But basically i removed everything in the rear striped out and cleaned it then painted all the exposed metal in the interior with rustoleum in case there is an condensation build up. I then laid down a layer of reflectix inside the whole box. for the walls i also put fiberglass insulation over the reflectix to add another layer. i choose to use fiber glass because the cube part of the van has horizontal and vertical support beams every 18 inches or so and it seemed like a huge task to try to fit board insulation in all those holes and get good coverage.&nbsp;Next laid down 3/8' plywood over the reflectix on the floor. Put red rosin paper over the ply wood, then laid down some bamboo laminate flooring I got for FREE, from a coworker. So the floor is done for now. I then went through and laid out my house electrical i didnt know much about 12v system so I ran 110 through the back and I am waiting to see how big of an inverter i will need. But with all the hookups and wires run iput up the walls and ceiling panels. That is about where i am at today. I am trying to add picturesw of the van so we will see how this goes</p>

 

[thinker]

THAT looks like a GREAT rig!<div>never thought of a cube van.</div><div>wonder how it would be for stealth?</div>

 

[kwest]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Thanks, i like the cube because it allows me to stand up, not quite all the way but close. The inside is 5'11" high and im close to 6'1" but i also gain alot of storage space. </p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">As for stealth, I dont plan on keeping it bright orange, it used to be a search and rescue van in texas, I think black or a dark grey with the white top should look ok. and hopefully it looks like a work van also. I will have to cover the windows, but i think it could still blend in as a work vehicle.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Here is a quick sketch of how I wanted to do the rear interior. But after looking at weight distibution i think i am going to switch the couch with the kitchen area. That way I can have the weight from the refrigerator, stove, propane, and sink water countering the weight of the batteries and fuel tank. </p>

 

[Guest]

Welcome to the tribe from New Mexico&nbsp; kwest and your new-to-you rig looks like it will be a great rolling home for you...<br>Bri<br>

 

[Ricekila]

"Hellooooo" from another new guy <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><BR><BR>I like the van - you can do a lot with it <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><BR><BR>Don't change the color -- no one in there right mind would live&nbsp;with a color like that ------- unless that's what your going for <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/crazy.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><BR>

 

[Les H]

Hey kwest, welcome to the forum. Nice rig to start out with. The roof being white will help, but you will DEFINATLY want a roof vent if it doesnt already have one. And lighter colors are the way to go, hands down. I measured it 135*f in my bus before putting the roof vent in.
Glad your here!
Les

 

[kwest]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Hey thanks everyone.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">And it already has the rubberized kool koat roof coating i'm just going to try to sand it down and put on a coule of fresh even coats. </p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">As for roof vents it has two in the rear which is really nice. I was debating on cutting one of them out and adding a small rear skylight, but I think I have enough windows, and the vent will help with the air flow. </p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">With the color I dont know if I could stand it everyday, plus the search and rescue guys painted it with a latex house paint I think. So that has to go anyway. I think the orange stands out to much and is to memorable if Im trying to be at all stealth</p>

 

[cargovanconversion]

<p>Welcome to the forum.</p><p>Great van, especially with regard to its height. I'm currently doing the same work to my van, so I know what you are going thru.</p><p>You can look at my progress at <a href="http://cargovanconversion.com" target="_blank">cargovanconversion.com</a></p><p><br></p><p>Van.</p>

 

[WanderingRain]

Welcome! Duuude! That will work really well for stealth! It looks so ordinary! Box vans are one of the vehicles I looked at before. And having one with an access panel to the driver's box is key.