Author Archives: gwebs

Van Chat IV – Tools for Road Trip

Posted on by

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIC14-JdVLI

Streamed live on May 8, 2016

Van Chat IV – Tools for Road Trip

Getting tools ready for the road trip, what am I missing?
What would you leave behind?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFKHjSruSLl/?taken-by=gearwebsites

GearWebsites.com
http://www.GearWebsites.com

Gear Websites Gear;
http://www.Gear-Whore.com

Gun Websites Blog:
http://www.GunWebsites.net

Gun Websites Chat:
http://www.GunWebsites.net/chat

Find us on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/GunWebsites

Find us on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/#!/GunWebsites

Engine Belts

Posted on by

The belts were all noisy but in good shape

I decided to buy a set of engine belts from the local shop, since I didn’t buy any online (not knowing how the engine was set up)

Now that I know there is A/C, etc I know which belts to buy
4 belts ($21, $29, $20 & $22 = $92 total)

I decided to keep the new ones in the parts bin, and wait till the existing belts wear out, since they look pretty good still

20160503_105104

Fixing the headlights

Posted on by

When I picked up the van, it had no battery

20160504_170408

when the battery was connected, the headlights were on

I bought one to install, and when the battery was connected, the headlights were on. The dashboard lights were off and did not come on. There was no light switch, so when stopping, I had to disconnet the battery

This turned out to be a very easy fix. I bought the headlamp swtch ($25) and knob ($7) and replaced the switch, and added the missing knob.

1986-Chevrolet-G-Van 0036

New part (in the bag) replaces the old one, plugs into the grey part

After the fix, the lights worked well, as did the dimmer switch on the dashboard lights

20160512_182620

After the fix, the lights worked well

The Cargo Area, Before & After

Posted on by

The goal for the back (cargo area) of the van is to keep it functional, and open for hauling large things. This will also allow plenty of space for camping out of the van

Van first day 2

Started out with a dirty red carpet, and some wooden cabinets in back. All of this was removed. A metal shelf was welded in place, I left that and added a few more metal shelves screwed into place along the drivers side of the cargo area

20160512_162920

Once the carpet and old cabinets were removed the van was claner and ready to go. The divider between cargo area and cab was easy to open up and repair. It ffers a way to section off the front of the van when needed, as well as some additional level of security

Cleaning out the back

Posted on by

The van was a diamond in the rough.

The door of the cargo area divider was closed off with plywood.

Van first day 2

There was a wood cabinet bolted down in back a dirty red carpet glued down on the floor in the cargo area.

Van first day 3

Some angle iron was welded to the floor, to hold a toolbox (or something heavy) in place against the metal cargo space divider.

A set of metal shelves were welded into place on the floor and frame of the van. I left these in place, the weight to strength ratio is better for metal shelves vs wood
Van first day

New Battery

Posted on by

Bought a battery at a local shop for the van

20160504_101533It has no battery now, so when I pick it up it will need one to drive

Since it its a 1-ton van, and I plan to take it camping & fishing, I went with an 800 cold cranking amps (the largest available)

No time to shop online and wait for shipping.. and no core charge since there is none to replace..

I prob would have gone with this one if I had time to wait for shipping