Chevrolet G20 Starcraft Conversion Van, 1994

[Barchettaman]

Some fairly heroic home maintenance going on there to sort out the problems during the service, bloody well done. I wish I was that talented.

[5ohmustang]

Barchettaman said:

Some fairly heroic home maintenance going on there to sort out the problems during the service, bloody well done. I wish I was that talented.

Thanks I appreciate it. I'm just frugal and if I can do it myself or teach myself how to do it I will. If it wasn't for the cold weather and getting dark early it would be fully serviced by now.

The last time it was running, the stereo had power going to it as the backlight was on but it was totally unresponsive, also the electric mirrors were the same. Hopefully it's just a shared fuse.

Just saw the G Van on this Canadian news snippet.
https://youtu.be/B6ABtUk5EkE

Edited by 5ohmustang on Friday 3rd February 21:52

[Shakermaker]

5ohmustang said:

Yes, I especially like the "Jesus will fix it" track. The van is still in the drive and I'm still waiting for him to install the manifolds back on. I've been waiting a while.

Saw this nice g20 at Walmart

They say "Jesus will fix it" but wasn't he a carpenter? Not sure how well those skills translate to bodywork, or replacing the rear differential on one of these?

I like that Ram truck.

[John_S4x4]

....and only in Japan, I give you the Japan’s Dajiban scene ...van racing

https://youtu.be/7U2BC5sOltU

http://jalopnik.com/i-will-never-get-tired-of-watc...

[5ohmustang]

Well their is plenty of wood work he can start on for that matter. I liked the dash in the Ram Van. Typically out of the big 3 have worst mpg, worst body condition and worst transmission. However I appreciate there oddities and uniqueness.

The dajiban is cool but I have no idea where they pick up performance parts for these vans other than the engines. Also most of those race vans are long wheel base and not short, so not lighter. I like the Watanabe wheels. You can pick up the ram cargo vans for next to nothing.

I seem to remember the 2500 and 3500 have a very high towing capacity for an older vehicle, somewhere around 8000lbs.

All the new van interest is in the dodge ram promaster which is a fiat Ducato with a bigger price tag, and also the transit. I saw a dually transit 3500 powerstroke a week ago. I'm pretty sure it's a euro diesel with the powerstroke name.

Edited by 5ohmustang on Thursday 2nd February 20:23

[Captain Smerc]

Jesus was a carpenter , but no way was he responsible for that wood work .
MFI's finest .
By Christ , my poor eyes .

V8 a good thing , though !

Edited by Captain Smerc on Wednesday 1st February 18:24

[5ohmustang]

The stereo and electric mirrors are working again, they share the same fuse as the horn. Not sure what caused it to blow.

Completed engine oil change and filter, engine sump has no sign of gasket leaks, tightened the supply and return line. Changed out the rear diff fluid and gasket.

The driveshaft is still leaking tranny fluid. I can see it coming between the walls of the yoke and the main body of it. Some trucks have a hole in the yoke in case of overpressure and it can leak from there this does not have not have one.

The only other thing it could be is an o ring on the output shaft itself, which I don't remember seeing. I'll do that next.

Edited by 5ohmustang on Friday 3rd February 21:54

[anonymous-user]

Tyres on the Mustang look... Uncomfortable.

[5ohmustang]

OpulentBob said:

Tyres on the Mustang look... Uncomfortable.

Yes why the owner did that no idea. I've seen that mustang before. The tires are stretched for those size wheels, and it's not even been lowered. There nice wheels but totally wrong size tires.

[5ohmustang]

We got him!

I removed the driveshaft again and noticed it does have a hole in the center of the yoke. However even if I was to do the reckneck solution of cleaning the hole and rtving it closed, it would still leak at the output shaft seal. The service manual does not cover it.

After some searching online I found this.
http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/drivetrain/yokelea...

Yes mine has the metal cup after all. I tried to remove it carefully but somehow it's pressed on. I used some tweezers and removed the o ring. It was hard and loose. Ordered a new one from GM for $2 Inc postage. Hopefully this will be the last time I have to drop the driveshaft.

[Straff99]

Great story and a cracking van. The horror tales about breakdowns makes me feel a whole lot better about stuff like that when it's happened to me in the past. Perhaps that cassette tape is in there to ward off dark forces... It's obviously not worked ;-)

[5ohmustang]

Straff99 said:

Great story and a cracking van. The horror tales about breakdowns makes me feel a whole lot better about stuff like that when it's happened to me in the past. Perhaps that cassette tape is in there to ward off dark forces... It's obviously not worked ;-)

The consequences of a breakdown where I like to explore are much worse in the U.S. Literally so far out there (plus no phone signal) if you breakdown it's a full on survival situation. Which is my next task, pack the survival kit for the van and a get home bag (not the same as a bug out bag)

Also I plan to have my scooter or motorcycle mounted on a trailer hitch. So if the van fails at least we we have a way to travel long distance. The issue I have encountered the cheaper motorcycle racks are limited to 500lbs. My Vstrom 1000 is 500 lbs, plus it will stick out a few feet and have a large amount of stress on the male part of the receiver.

There are quality American racks that will hold up to a gold wing but they are pricey. Here are some examples:

[5ohmustang]

I'm looking for ideas on how to secure gear from sliding around when in transit. Once the sofa/bed is back in, it will be a bit easier to store gear in plastic boxes under and to the rear of the bed, with the mattress topper over that it will give me an extra foot of room.

However at the moment all the seats in the rear and not installed. There are no hold downs/brackets like there would be in a cargo van due to all the upholstery.

So I am looking for ideas to stop gear from sliding back and forth.

[Shakermaker]

I would have thought that some kind of velcro straps would help with that kind of thing?

There's a product called "StayHold" being advertised on Facebook a lot. However, it is £25+ and doesn't seem to be any better than using some velcro, particularly if you have upholstery for it to grip onto.

Anything that increases the friction will do the job for the lowest cost.

[5ohmustang]

Interesting product if it works. The carpet in the van is more than a house carpet than the regular thin smooth car carpet. They sell it at Walmart apparently I think I will try it out.

I want the capability to switch from van to camper van so everything installed is removable, rather than permanently installing sink, stove fridge etc. At some point I will get a travel trailer will all the rv stuff in it.

This is nice, G van with the older style lights.
https://youtu.be/KxUIMpbEE7o

Edited by 5ohmustang on Tuesday 7th February 04:38

[Colonial]

There is something incredibly naff about these I just can't resist.

Great read.

[5ohmustang]

Colonial said:

There is something incredibly naff about these I just can't resist.

Great read.

It's the glory of the 1980s, listen to https://youtu.be/yyYhZ9HH8cI and it takes you back to a simpler time. I can imagine being in route to Wally World with Clark Griswald when I turn the key. Cheap, practical, versatile and very relaxing to drive.

[5ohmustang]

The old O ring in comparison to the new one is hard. I hope this is the fix. Swapped it out, transmission housing installed, driveshaft installed, topped up the tranny fluid.

I drove it down the street and the motor is smooth and effortless. I'm going to drive it to work tomorrow, although I believe the leak only would happen on a gradient.

Inspiration: https://wanderlust.com/journal/living-the-van-life...

[Shakermaker]

5ohmustang said:

The old O ring in comparison to the new one is hard. I hope this is the fix. Swapped it out, transmission housing installed, driveshaft installed, topped up the tranny fluid.

I drove it down the street and the motor is smooth and effortless. I'm going to drive it to work tomorrow, although I believe the leak only would happen on a gradient.

Inspiration: https://wanderlust.com/journal/living-the-van-life...

Not a bad read.

Interesting that Wal Mart seem to allow people to spend the night in their car park for free, can't imagine any Uk supermarket doing the same!

[5ohmustang]

Shakermaker said:

Not a bad read.

Interesting that Wal Mart seem to allow people to spend the night in their car park for free, can't imagine any Uk supermarket doing the same!

The U.S. doesn't have a problem with gypsies taking over car parks is my main guess.

Walmart also sees it as the occupants of vans, rv'ers will spend their money at Walmart to resupply so they benefit from it too.

Typically boondocks park at the far side of the parking lot and keep themselves to themselves, take their trash with them and don't be a nasty dirtbags and dump grey or blackwater in the carpark.

I just drove the van to work for the first time. She started on the first attempt, Def Leopard came on the radio and we rolled out. I'm so pleased after all the messing about that it runs and runs pretty well.