GoLucky buys a big van

In reply to GoLucky :

YESSSS!!!

Congrats on a successful last minute thrash followed by trial-by-fire of a family camping trip! What could go wrong?! This is just the sort of dumb GRM ish we all love and do ourselves. Well done. 

Thanks, all, for the positivity!

Camping trip was a success. No real off-roading happened but 45miles of dirt mountain roads and almost two hours of highway driving were a good shake down. Obviously not super technical since our kids made it in their minivans as well. Kind of right at the edge of stock minivan capability though. The only failure was the stereo:

I need to get one with more positive messaging. It has not worked in my ownership of the van. There were a bunch of other things that popped up onto the fix list: Front end work required, not up to snuff currently. Noisy accessory belt bearing (suspected). Slider door sucks in every possible way; Special 2 hand techniques to open and close, rollers shot, no open lock, makes soooo much noise, dents, rust, power lock inop, and door seal bad. I should probably try and find a nicer replacement. Both outside mirrors need to be tightened since highway speed and mountain road driving move them into unhelpful positions. Back door needs a limit strap/open latch, this smacked me once pretty medium. Horn button works on the right side, not the left. One reverse light out. Vents "auto adjust" on bumpy roads. 

Despite the above I'm stoked with how it went. This stage of the project has me constantly monitoring the gauges while driving. Happy to report: Engine stayed cool within expectations the whole time in 100 degree weather up steep roads with the AC on. Oil pressure looked fine the whole time. Electricity kept being made at an appropriate rate. Oh, and the Transmission is working well. Shifts feel firm and nice, no detectable noises or hesitation. I am pleased. 

I don't know if I'm more envious of this van and your weekend shakedown trip or of the fact that your kids met you in their own vans for the camp. 

Great thread. Loved all the details of the transmission adventure. 

Stoked about all the van love. I was looking at front end parts and there are some options. From the door tag I am under the assumption that the correct fittment should be 3600 lb front axle. Shout out if you have some insights. 

Oh, my... During my searches for van parts I cam across something pretty special. There may be a slight change of plans for my van project. I've been messaging with the seller and the van runs and drives, needs a radiator, has lots of miles and has been a sitting as a shed for a while. 

High top, extended van. Widened, by a company called "the wide one". I am pretty excited. 

Interesting. Weird. Very weird. There was one around here some years ago, evidently a few years older and looking significantly worse for wear. That may be the only one I have ever seen. 

In reply to GoLucky :

Wow, that's... well, kinda nuts.

I found this video on the wide one

In reply to NY Nick :

This one also has the rear lift, or at least parts of it are still there. Cool video. 

Following along for more Full-Sized Wide-One content...  That's what she said?

I bought a radiator, rad cap and oil and filter for the wide van in anticipation of this weekend's acquisition. tossed in my fixed gear bike for a lunchtime trip to the license office to see about a temporary tag. 

So whats the actual plan?  Drivetrain swap from the other van, or just two vans?  

I'm excited for you! 

I've never seen the like. How much wider is it than normal? Looks like 8"-12" total, but that's just by the fill-panels next to the lights. The windshield is the only part of that causing me to pause. 

Good luck with your girth-enhancement operation! 

I like what's going on in here!

golfduke said:

So whats the actual plan?  Drivetrain swap from the other van, or just two vans?  

 

I'm excited for you! 

 

Actual plan? Not sure I understand. Haha. I'm leaning towards: Two vans enter; one van leaves. 
And my lady is excited about the extra size... 

In reply to Mezzanine :

The seller claims an extra foot,  inter webs say 14". So, I don't know how much extra is there. Girthy though for sure. 

GoLucky said:

I bought a radiator, rad cap and oil and filter for the wide van in anticipation of this weekend's acquisition. tossed in my fixed gear bike for a lunchtime trip to the license office to see about a temporary tag. 

After zooming in and rotating the image, I give up.

What bike frame is that?

In reply to RandolphCarter :

Yes, that is a tough one to identify. It is a frame that I built for myself. "Rusty" came from a mix of aircraft 4130 and bicycle specific tubing. Designed in Bikecad and made with a borrowed frame fixture using a combination of TIG and fillet brazing. 

I went back to the parts store and exchanged the radiator for the HD one since everything else associated with "The Wide Ones" is HD version. The first one was plastic tank and thin alloy core. This one looks pretty cool: 

I am pretty impressed with a welded aluminum radiator from the parts store. At least it is weld able if it ever needs repair or modifications. 

I have seen a Wide One conversion once, parked on a street in Pittsburgh with Texas plates. It was enormous!

Getting ready to go on an adVANture. I cleared out my work schedule today by staying late yesterday. Just got done with adding the prospective new van to insurance. I have a location to meet seller. Going to get packed and loaded up. 

Did you get it yet?

In reply to wvumtnbkr :

Just about ready to start the 5 hour drive there. 

Drving a Minivan to get a Megavan. I will update as things unfold. Tentative plan: Drive there, replace radiator and change oil. Drive to overnight spot. Return home tomorrow.