G series camper van forums

[Craig Nedrow]

Sooooo, my wife bought a 1991 G20 extended van, 146” wheelbase. 350tbi and 4 speed auto 147k on chassis, 80k on engine. No rust out anywhere, which is amazing, bought new by Idaho State University, used for people hauling. We bought it from the second owner, who had it five years. Wife wants to convert it into a nice camper van. Question, does anyone know of a great forum like this one for van, van life, van conversions? Thanks all

 

[bucket]

I'd like to know as well.


Wanna trade that old '91 for a modern '00 van?

 

[HotRodPC]

Sooooo, my wife bought a 1991 G20 extended van, 146” wheelbase. 350tbi and 4 speed auto 147k on chassis, 80k on engine. No rust out anywhere, which is amazing, bought new by Idaho State University, used for people hauling. We bought it from the second owner, who had it five years. Wife wants to convert it into a nice camper van. Question, does anyone know of a great forum like this one for van, van life, van conversions? Thanks all

There's about a million and a half videos on YouTube with different Van Lifer builds. You know if she gets this van and builds it, you'll be building another one in a few short years. Reason being, she's going to be wanting one that's taller and bigger. I've been following some van lifers for several years. You'll be lucky if all she wants is a bigger van and not a bus. Seems like many bus lifers become van lifers after awhile, and many van lifers become bus lifers after awhile. I myself prefer buses, but of course you can convert a bus to a whole house, not a camper van. Also much more expensive to maintain if you don't know anything about diesel mechanics. If you want, I can probably find you some van build videos to watch. Or you might just want to watch some van build tours where all you see is the completed builds to get ideas.

Here's my starts..

The first little bus I bought for $500 and was going to put a gas big block and Turbo 400 in it since it came with no engine or trans. I paid $500 for it. Sold the hood and 1/4 fenders for $500 to get my money back, and robbed many parts off of it and sold some for profit. I still have it and stay in it at my off grid property when I go out there. I have solar on it and it has a fridge, TV, Wifi Router, runs my computer and lights, AC for a few hours a day and a diesel heater in the winter time.

The 2nd one, Freightliner FS65 will be sold soon. It's loaded up with lumber for building things at my property.

The 3rd one is at my shop in OKC and I run a power cord to it.

The 4th one I bought at auction the same time I bought the 5th one. I sold the 4th one for a $4500 profit. which covered the cost of #2 and #3, so they're now FREE buses too.

The 5th one is my baby and I plan on building it out to be a fully self contained RV. It's a 2010 Blue Bird Vision with a Cummins 6.7 and Allison 2500. I'll be removing the handicap lift. This one has a taller ceiling, flat floors with no wheel wells, front and rear integrated AC units, air ride, air door and seat. Only 132,000 miles. It's a sweet ass bus.

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[HotRodPC]

BTW, if you want to start a build video, or working on it video, there's a section for G Series Gen 3 Vans too. Here's the Link to it https://www.gmsquarebody.com/forums/g-series-gm-3rd-gen-71-95-vans-pathfinder.85/ in the under construction section. At least post some pics of it.

 

[Grit dog]

Sooooo, my wife bought a 1991 G20 extended van, 146” wheelbase. 350tbi and 4 speed auto 147k on chassis, 80k on engine. No rust out anywhere, which is amazing, bought new by Idaho State University, used for people hauling. We bought it from the second owner, who had it five years. Wife wants to convert it into a nice camper van. Question, does anyone know of a great forum like this one for van, van life, van conversions? Thanks all

Well, you already know Chevys better than 95% of the population and you’re smarter and more resourceful that probably the same % of #vanlife folks.
Let er rip.

 

[HotRodPC]

Well, you already know Chevys better than 95% of the population and you’re smarter and more resourceful that probably the same % of #vanlife folks.
Let er rip.

Yep, the only thing Ford has on Vanlife is, even though rare and hard to find, Ford does make OE 4x4 chassis. Anthing 4x4 GM is a conversion. Though a locker in the rear axle will take you just about anywhere you'd want to go with the right tires on the rear. Not like you're going to be rockcrawling or mud pittin' in a Van.

 

[bucket]

Yep, the only thing Ford has on Vanlife is, even though rare and hard to find, Ford does make OE 4x4 chassis. Anthing 4x4 GM is a conversion. Though a locker in the rear axle will take you just about anywhere you'd want to go with the right tires on the rear. Not like you're going to be rockcrawling or mud pittin' in a Van.

Are you sure about that? The Quigley 4x4 conversions were also available new via the Ford dealer, just like a Chevy.

Also, for a good number of years in the 00's, the GM vans were available straight from the factory with IFS AWD. They were available as 1/2 ton vans only, with 6-lug hubs.

 

[vr1967]

Our small church bought a 92 G3500 from another small church (original owners) a few years ago. Had 40,3?? Miles on it. I think it now has just under 41k miles on it. Selling it has been discussed, and wife and I are considering buying it to do the same (converting it to camper) so I’m interested in ideas also

 

[Craig Nedrow]

Back story about the wife she was a traveling nurse for 15 years had a 36 foot motorhome we sold that got a camper too hard to get into the bed sold that Got a 21 foot trailer liked it a lot but didn’t get to use it as much so we bought this fan. She’s in love with it drives it all the time now we’re just gonna throw an air mattress in it for this year and then she wants to do a conversion this winter. We’ve been looking for one for almost a year and a half looked at some of them did a lot of traveling, but this is the one.

 

[Craig Nedrow]

She bought the wheels last week

 

[bucket]

Now, I love my newer Express vans... but dang I sure would love to have a nice clean G-van like that.

 

[Craig Nedrow]

Hey Perry, bought a Mustang two front end, Ford 9 inch with 390 gears four bar coil over suspension, frame connectors double adjust adjustable shocks all the way around Corvette spindle 13 inch Corvette brakes and calipers just to let you know, for the Nova

 

[Craig Nedrow]

Pic

 

[Craig Nedrow]

Jan is learning how frustrating wrenching can be. I have shocks all the way around, and all the rubber for the six doors, and driver/passenger window channel and etc. Jan's is removing door panels and insulating, though the previous owner did some of that. She bought Dynamat for the doors, and whatever we need that for. She bought some paint, and will be painting the doghouse, rustproofing and rust conversion the floor, as she has also removed the mat. She's getting more excited as she continues to see progress. Bought oil, and a filter and as soon as the shop lift is accessible, we will get it on the lift and change oil and the shocks. Pics to come.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Now, I love my newer Express vans... but dang I sure would love to have a nice clean G-van like that.

i saw a jet black short G van in town the other day, perfect shape

A white roof and a decal in the rear portion would go hard

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Kinda like this but gloss instead, and had different wheels
And it was older, this looks like its got square lights probably? the one i saw had the old circular ones