Chevrolet G20 Starcraft Conversion Van, 1994
Discussion
Part time van living has been not bad so far. The worst part is lack of space to move around freely.
The creeper van. I didn't write that on the glass by the way.
I took the van home to get rid of a lot of stuff I do not really need to live day to day.
As mentioned before the engine temp gauge is not working. I had replaced the temp sensor and there was no change. It turns out the sensor controls the thermostat and communicates with the ECU. There's a temp sender that communicates (sends resistance) to the gauge cluster.
I just replaced the temp sender, top, bottom radiator hoses and replaced the coolant. No change to the temp gauge...
I'll figure it out.
Anyhow some pics.
So to pee and poop I'll use a bathroom at work or gym at work. There's like 10 different gyms at my work place so until late there's no problem accessing a bathroom or shower. If it's late I'll use a wide mouth nalgene bottle and to poop I"ll use a luggable loo with a wag bag.
I found this class b g20 online.
I took a short trip to Gatlinburg and saw this very cool Ford by the roadside. 295 tire width on the back.
Ford E150
The mainstreet going in.
Dodge Challenger R/T
Still snowing up here.
My mail lady's Jeep. Dual steering wheel and foot pedals. I'd be worried about losing fingers.
I wouldn't mind some brake disc covers to stop the large amount of dust generated.
I think next I am going to try and recharge the AC with r134a and see if it works.
I'm not sure if this Citroen is a custom van or production but I love it.
The creeper van. I didn't write that on the glass by the way.
I took the van home to get rid of a lot of stuff I do not really need to live day to day.
As mentioned before the engine temp gauge is not working. I had replaced the temp sensor and there was no change. It turns out the sensor controls the thermostat and communicates with the ECU. There's a temp sender that communicates (sends resistance) to the gauge cluster.
I just replaced the temp sender, top, bottom radiator hoses and replaced the coolant. No change to the temp gauge...
I'll figure it out.
Anyhow some pics.
So to pee and poop I'll use a bathroom at work or gym at work. There's like 10 different gyms at my work place so until late there's no problem accessing a bathroom or shower. If it's late I'll use a wide mouth nalgene bottle and to poop I"ll use a luggable loo with a wag bag.
I found this class b g20 online.
I took a short trip to Gatlinburg and saw this very cool Ford by the roadside. 295 tire width on the back.
Ford E150
The mainstreet going in.
Dodge Challenger R/T
Still snowing up here.
My mail lady's Jeep. Dual steering wheel and foot pedals. I'd be worried about losing fingers.
I wouldn't mind some brake disc covers to stop the large amount of dust generated.
I think next I am going to try and recharge the AC with r134a and see if it works.
I'm not sure if this Citroen is a custom van or production but I love it.
Still looking good there chap!
Am now back from my trip.
The rental place was out of F250s but they did give me a 2017 F150 XLT (which I understand is a shared platform with the new F250 anyway) which only had 6,000km on the clock.
It did have the 5.0 V8 as well which i suspect would appeal to you, It certainly appealed to me!
Even though I am not a normal sized man, this thing still looks huge
Am now back from my trip.
The rental place was out of F250s but they did give me a 2017 F150 XLT (which I understand is a shared platform with the new F250 anyway) which only had 6,000km on the clock.
It did have the 5.0 V8 as well which i suspect would appeal to you, It certainly appealed to me!
Even though I am not a normal sized man, this thing still looks huge
Shakermaker said:
Still looking good there chap!
Am now back from my trip.
The rental place was out of F250s but they did give me a 2017 F150 XLT (which I understand is a shared platform with the new F250 anyway) which only had 6,000km on the clock.
It did have the 5.0 V8 as well which i suspect would appeal to you, It certainly appealed to me!
Even though I am not a normal sized man, this thing still looks huge
Good morning, how did you find the U.S.A.?Am now back from my trip.
The rental place was out of F250s but they did give me a 2017 F150 XLT (which I understand is a shared platform with the new F250 anyway) which only had 6,000km on the clock.
It did have the 5.0 V8 as well which i suspect would appeal to you, It certainly appealed to me!
Even though I am not a normal sized man, this thing still looks huge
What do you reckon of the f150?
It's pretty nice in the back seats for space.
Yep, that's the same coyote motorfrom the mustang, though I think it's slightly detuned. It's a very nice truck to drive, plus it will never rust.
Did you see any of the dually trucks while you were here?
There the one's with the 4 tires on the back axle.
Exposure to the USA was this time in Chicago visiting family, but a great city to visit, far, far calmer than NYC and still some interesting sights to see. Weather was good also. Saw your mate Donald's building but he wasn't in at the time, but caught a boat ride around the city from there.
Canada, where we rented the truck, was very similar.
Saw plenty of duallys and the other variants of truck. Best was probably a Ram SRT in the middle of Toronto that you could hear about 10 blocks away...
Once I got used to the top-heavy nature of the pickup it was fine. Did around 250km in it over a couple of days, Toronto-Niagara and back again with a couple of detours, but it rides well on the motorway and definitely goes well when you floor it. Didn't take me long to find "Sport" mode either. Think the only real oddity was converting my thinking from RHD to LHD and being on the other side of the road as well, everytime the sat nav said "Turn left" i wanted to turn right and I found myself having to properly think about which way was which.
Canada, where we rented the truck, was very similar.
Saw plenty of duallys and the other variants of truck. Best was probably a Ram SRT in the middle of Toronto that you could hear about 10 blocks away...
Once I got used to the top-heavy nature of the pickup it was fine. Did around 250km in it over a couple of days, Toronto-Niagara and back again with a couple of detours, but it rides well on the motorway and definitely goes well when you floor it. Didn't take me long to find "Sport" mode either. Think the only real oddity was converting my thinking from RHD to LHD and being on the other side of the road as well, everytime the sat nav said "Turn left" i wanted to turn right and I found myself having to properly think about which way was which.
I'm glad you liked it. I try to avoid cities like the plague. I'm sorry DJT was not present, I'm sure he was #gettings
tdone 
I've always liked the ram srt10. The problem for me was that the crew cab was auto only and the regular cab was 6 speed. I do not like regular cabs for the reason of very limited ability to recline the seats. If memory serves me correctly, the srt10 had bucket seats, same as the caliber srt4 and charger srt8. It's just there's nowhere to recline the seat to.
I'd love to drive one. Last time I looked they were about $17k used. Too many of them have been modified and look crap. If I had one I'd leave it looking stock.
Yes it takes a while to adjust to driving on the right, especially at intersections and the middle lane for both directions of traffic.
With enough time anyone can adapt.
Most recent picture of the van, currently in it now, about to go to sleep.
tdone I've always liked the ram srt10. The problem for me was that the crew cab was auto only and the regular cab was 6 speed. I do not like regular cabs for the reason of very limited ability to recline the seats. If memory serves me correctly, the srt10 had bucket seats, same as the caliber srt4 and charger srt8. It's just there's nowhere to recline the seat to.
I'd love to drive one. Last time I looked they were about $17k used. Too many of them have been modified and look crap. If I had one I'd leave it looking stock.
Yes it takes a while to adjust to driving on the right, especially at intersections and the middle lane for both directions of traffic.
With enough time anyone can adapt.
Most recent picture of the van, currently in it now, about to go to sleep.
Edited by 5ohmustang on Thursday 20th April 04:54
Trabi601 said:
I fail to see any appeal in having to crap in a bucket because you live in a van.
Campervans have their uses, mostly taking them somewhere that has electric, proper bogs and decent showers on site.
As mentioned, it is a contingency if I am not near a bathroom.Campervans have their uses, mostly taking them somewhere that has electric, proper bogs and decent showers on site.
Hooking up to a site involves paying rent. Why pay rent when I don't have to.
Yes I could buy a cassette toilet however I don't crap enough to justify it taking up space. If I was full-time I would get one.
Life on the road, so far has been pleasent. By the end of this month the van will have paid for itself. Give it another month and the money spent on repairs/replaced parts will be fully covered in order to break even.
The biggest issue is the heat. I have not messed with the AC yet. I will buy a can of r134a and see if recharging it works. For now I am using a battery powered and a USB fan.
The side sliding windows have mesh to stop the skitas getting in. It's going to get much hotter, into the 100's soon. I may order some reflective for the glass to keep the heat out.
I am no longer using the Velcro curtains. Instead I am using a shower curtain rod and black out curtains behind the front seats.
his is a much faster method for privacy, plus, it adds stealth as up front it just looks like a regular parked van cab.
During heavy rain the rear door seal slowly leaks. I replaced the seals on both doors for $40. Each door took about 3 hours to do as the old seal disintegrated, sticking to the door in pieces.
I also picked up a Reese roof bag for $30 to store my motorcycle gear to free up space in the living area.
Last week I took the van home as the trailer hitch arrived. It's a Curt Class 3, $130. I managed to install it myself which was akward due to its size and weight.
I'm now ordering a motorcycle rack capable of carrying 600lbs. With my bike at 500lbs I hope the rear end does not sag. Worst case scenario if the van breaks down I will have backup transportation. Touch wood(and there is plenty of wood in here), it has not had any mechanical issues, surprisingly with it being old tech.
The biggest issue is the heat. I have not messed with the AC yet. I will buy a can of r134a and see if recharging it works. For now I am using a battery powered and a USB fan.
The side sliding windows have mesh to stop the skitas getting in. It's going to get much hotter, into the 100's soon. I may order some reflective for the glass to keep the heat out.
I am no longer using the Velcro curtains. Instead I am using a shower curtain rod and black out curtains behind the front seats.
his is a much faster method for privacy, plus, it adds stealth as up front it just looks like a regular parked van cab.
During heavy rain the rear door seal slowly leaks. I replaced the seals on both doors for $40. Each door took about 3 hours to do as the old seal disintegrated, sticking to the door in pieces.
I also picked up a Reese roof bag for $30 to store my motorcycle gear to free up space in the living area.
Last week I took the van home as the trailer hitch arrived. It's a Curt Class 3, $130. I managed to install it myself which was akward due to its size and weight.
I'm now ordering a motorcycle rack capable of carrying 600lbs. With my bike at 500lbs I hope the rear end does not sag. Worst case scenario if the van breaks down I will have backup transportation. Touch wood(and there is plenty of wood in here), it has not had any mechanical issues, surprisingly with it being old tech.
Shakermaker said:
Rear end sag would surely help with getting the power down though, allowing for better drag race starts?
Of course that's why it sits like that.Nothing to do with worn bushings and springs
Here's a quick g van
https://youtu.be/jw_ca7LYmoI
5ohmustang said:
Shakermaker said:
Rear end sag would surely help with getting the power down though, allowing for better drag race starts?
Of course that's why it sits like that.Nothing to do with worn bushings and springs
Here's a quick g van
https://youtu.be/jw_ca7LYmoI
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff