wantahertzdonut
Observer
I recently purchased a 2010 Chevy Express 3500 for use as an adventure vehicle. I bought it to replace my F350/toy hauler combo with the intent of carrying my motorcycle to the race track for track days, sleeping in, and exploring the desert and back country.
As it sits, it's a stock passenger van but I removed the seats and installed a Pit-Bull motorcycle trailer restraint system which works great for hauling the bike. With the bike out an air mattress fits in well and I've made window block-outs to keep it cool and dark. I'm still working on storage plans but in the meantime have a lot of places for ratchet straps to keep equipment from rattling and squeaking.
However I have bigger plans that include off-road capability to explore the mountains and desert. I know there are a few 4x4 conversion companies out there that work on GM vans, but one has lots of negative reviews, one won't touch a van with more than 60k miles on it (and is on the other side of the country), and the third wants more to convert than I spent on the van.
I'm not 100% sold on 4x4 however, since many of the places I plan to go just need ground clearance. So I'm also considering just lifting the van and installing a locking differential along with some larger tires (33's or 35's).
One company makes a lift kit made for vans, however I'm not too impressed by a kit that includes poly blocks, so I'm beginning to do some research to see if any of the lift parts for the GM trucks also fit the vans. With all the wannabe Baja trucks running around southern California I'm curious if I could do a similar setup with my van. Basically I'd like something that can handle rough washboard roads without rattling the fillings out of my teeth. Maybe more suspension travel would be handy, but I'm really after clearance for a larger tire to smooth out the ride. Again, will pickup truck parts fit? In addition, I spoke with the guys at King Shock and they can custom make shocks for the van, but don't have anything to do with the lift. Their prices weren't too bad.
If I go 4x4 I'm leaning toward a solid front axle conversion. The GM AWD setup is 1/2T only so I don't think that would fit. I'm not sure if anyone successfully transplanted that onto a heavier duty van anyway. However if a truck swap is doable, I'm open to ideas. My fabrication space is limited so an easier project is welcome. I've also seen some minimal install leaf spring conversions but it looked like they needed some welding and have no idea how they drive, so I'm not ruling anything out. If anyone on here has done a build, I'd love to hear your experience, 2WD or 4x4. And if you know of truck parts that fit, please let me know.
As it sits, it's a stock passenger van but I removed the seats and installed a Pit-Bull motorcycle trailer restraint system which works great for hauling the bike. With the bike out an air mattress fits in well and I've made window block-outs to keep it cool and dark. I'm still working on storage plans but in the meantime have a lot of places for ratchet straps to keep equipment from rattling and squeaking.
However I have bigger plans that include off-road capability to explore the mountains and desert. I know there are a few 4x4 conversion companies out there that work on GM vans, but one has lots of negative reviews, one won't touch a van with more than 60k miles on it (and is on the other side of the country), and the third wants more to convert than I spent on the van.
I'm not 100% sold on 4x4 however, since many of the places I plan to go just need ground clearance. So I'm also considering just lifting the van and installing a locking differential along with some larger tires (33's or 35's).
One company makes a lift kit made for vans, however I'm not too impressed by a kit that includes poly blocks, so I'm beginning to do some research to see if any of the lift parts for the GM trucks also fit the vans. With all the wannabe Baja trucks running around southern California I'm curious if I could do a similar setup with my van. Basically I'd like something that can handle rough washboard roads without rattling the fillings out of my teeth. Maybe more suspension travel would be handy, but I'm really after clearance for a larger tire to smooth out the ride. Again, will pickup truck parts fit? In addition, I spoke with the guys at King Shock and they can custom make shocks for the van, but don't have anything to do with the lift. Their prices weren't too bad.
If I go 4x4 I'm leaning toward a solid front axle conversion. The GM AWD setup is 1/2T only so I don't think that would fit. I'm not sure if anyone successfully transplanted that onto a heavier duty van anyway. However if a truck swap is doable, I'm open to ideas. My fabrication space is limited so an easier project is welcome. I've also seen some minimal install leaf spring conversions but it looked like they needed some welding and have no idea how they drive, so I'm not ruling anything out. If anyone on here has done a build, I'd love to hear your experience, 2WD or 4x4. And if you know of truck parts that fit, please let me know.