STEPVAN to MOBILE OFFICE/RV

[FuzeMag]

Hello All. A few weeks ago, I purchased a 1997 Chevy P30 w/the 6.5L NA diesel from CINTAS for $3000. It has 258k and was in very good physical & mechanical condition but needed new suspension & brake parts. First thing I did was repair leaks (seals) and replace the worn parts in the suspension which included everything except the leaf springs. Cost me roughly $1500 in parts. More to come...

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fuzemagazine/10744855744/" title="20131027_150115 by fuzemagazine, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7349/10744855744_6870f396b1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="20131027_150115"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fuzemagazine/10744746735/" title="20131027_150340 by fuzemagazine, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2885/10744746735_1ceaf5cb99.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="20131027_150340"></a><br><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fuzemagazine/10745147064/" title="20131105_174539 by fuzemagazine, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3671/10745147064_44508307a0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="20131105_174539"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fuzemagazine/10745144274/" title="20131105_174629 by fuzemagazine, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/10745144274_52903f1216.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="20131105_174629"></a>

 

[wagoneer]

loved the GMC 6.2 TD I had blank canvas is nice occupy oops I already see an occupant. Welcome aboard My old steppy

 

[FuzeMag]

loved the GMC 6.2 TD I had blank canvas is nice occupy oops I already see an occupant. Welcome aboard My old steppy

 

[FuzeMag]

Ok so I had to spend an extra $200 getting the motor mounts replaced as the motor was pretty much sitting on the frame and I had an annoying vibration at 60+ mph. Come to find out that didn't do anything lol! The culprit... bad tires that were pretty much dry rotted (I knew that but...) so I went and found 6 used tires from a reliable shop here and got some pretty decent tires for $240 for all 6! Problem went away and she rides like BUTTER!!!! Next up is audio, carpet and custom seats for the cab. Pics coming soon.

 

[FuzeMag]

Here's my first video discussing plans...
[video=youtube]

 

[akblack10]

FuzeMag, Looks like an amazing platform, can't wait to see what develops!
-AK

 

[WheelEstate USA]

I'm surprised the company let the steppy go without blanking out their logo.

 

[FuzeMag]

you can find the orginal shop manuels on ebay for a song and dance. I bought one new in 98 and it cost me $160. now I see the 4 volume set for less than $40. delivered.

Only saw the electrical diagram. Will keep a look out! Thanks.

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I'm surprised the company let the steppy go without blanking out their logo.

Yeah but the right side looks like they had started. It just says "CIN" on that side. LOL!

 

[user 423]

I'm surprised the company let the steppy go without blanking out their logo.

I've noticed U-Haul now seems to be blanking the sides of their used truck offerings with some sort of all-white vinyl(?) covering.

 

[grumpygrizzly]

I picked up a Grumman 1995 Stepvan on a Chevy 2.5 ton chassis with a 350 gas motor and auto tranny.  It was an auction from the City of Portland fleet and has been well taken care of.  I think it has 140k miles on it.  I bought it for $1,600 and drove it home from the auction. 

The back in has wooden shelving built in on both sides and a small workbench area on the left rear just inside.  It has the barn doors that open the entire backend up.

I had been in the process of making it a Mobile Small Engine Rescue business but, never have been able to convince the missus it's a good business.

I've recently started my drafting services up where I go out and do as-builts of houses and provide new designs for houses. 

I just picked up a computer desk that was destined for the local Goodwill (and more than likely a dumpster in the back).  Got it for free and I plan to anchor it to one side of the van, probably the left side after I remove a bunch of the cabinets. 

On the right side, I plan to take out most of the lower lockers so I can out my 36" color plotter in there as well as a tabe for laying out drawings.  The over head shelves on the right side will probably become a bed so I have a place to crash when working out of town for prolonged periods. 

I plan on putting an extra monitor on the desktop and connecting my laptop to it so I have dual monitors.  I even have a decent laser printer/fax/scanner that'll have a place in the van.

For long term use I have one of those small porta potties that fits under one of my shelves and also have a few different types of 12v/110v coolers. 

I have a heavy duty 3 step stepladder where the op step can be used as a mobile platform to work off of when in a house taking measurements.

I picked up a 700 watt inverter but, next I think I need to get a battery isolator as well as a marien battery to power things in the back end. 

I've got a smaller Craftsman 2100 watt geenrator I can fit into one of the cabinet places but, haven't convinced myself I need it yet.

I've got a small 'window shaker' A/C unit I could mount somewhere or find one I can mount on the roof.

The back end of the van is only 12' long so it won't take a lot to heat or cool it.  The walls have some insulation in them already.

On the floor, the original owners put plywood and carpet down but, I love using the rubber matts they use for kindergarten classrooms, think 12" tiles of multi colors with numbers and letters that pop out.

I have them on the floor currently, also have them in the bed of my F150 pickup and still have 2 or 3 shopping bags extra in my shop.  If you spill something on one or really tear it up, just pop it out and put another one in it's place.

Any suggestions on the isolator, do I need a bigger inverter, other suggestions?

I've got one roof vent in the top already and I've got another one I plan to put at the opposite corner to get some more ventilation circulating..

I've got an old canopy made of fiberglass that I'm thinking about parting out the windows (tinted) and placing them around the top of the sides to let some light in and let me see what's outside at night.

It's all fun..

 

[4GNomad]

Grumpy,

I would create your own thread/topic on your build so you can have one dedicated to your build only. Look forward to see what you do with your build with this type of van. I am also building a mobile office with mine so I can work from the road. I am doing the same monitor with a laptop setup.

Give us some pics of your build when you get a chance on a new thread. Cheers!