|
The main drawback of the fibreglass roof as mentioned above:
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/chevrol...dcb4cf1cae.jpg OMG! |
Wish I had done before/after shots when power washing the top. Definitely a different process from the 90's. Not sure if there ever was paint/clearcoat used on the "Designer" model. Looks like bare fibreglass.
|
I spend 4 hours a year scrubbing the tops to remove the black that accumulates on them. 2 hours in the spring and 2 hours in the fall. I use an 8 foot ladder and a telescoping wash brush hooked up to a hose...typically on the hottest day of the year for some reason. https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/s...-0398545p.html
I am hoping the old van sells soon so I don't have to scrub it again. It's good exercise but I never look forward to it. The old van seems like it was just a coarse fibreglass material without any clearcoat. The new van is fibreglass with primer, paint, and clear coat. It will need to be repainted soon. |
who are these people w/ lifted pickups on 35" tires referring to none offroaders w/ off road truck used only on street.
I pull up to home depot park next to a tall truck as I exit the 02express high roof I first look at the trucks roof then my vans roof then knod of approval that the express is taller shattering the poor guys ego sitting inside his lifted truck. he thought his was taller untill I came around. as for the peeling paint on the roofs (due to slite impacts) I recommend a vinale wraper for front and sides of roof like wallpaper for the van my 02 express explorer didn't have the yellow lights on the front of the roof I'm thinking these yellow lights are mandatory when towing taller than van stuff and that when they are turned on? I personally would prefer a clear of lights roof, but would be the first guy to install some lights if it where required by law in AL,GA,FL and Miss. one of my favorite vans is the wide road trek popular21 |
I don't know what the rules are for this thing, it could be for styling purposes only. In my mind there should be the 3 lights in the middle plus corner marker lights. It has the 5 lights including corner marker lights on the back. Roof lights are just another opportunity for leaks so don't put them on unless DOT requires it.
|
I'm of the belief that when done right, it wouldn't leak, although I do understand that the chances do increase. And I don't know of any requirement of roof lights when towing.
That being said, I like additional lighting. A row of amber LEDs would look kewl. |
Originally Posted by MiragePilot
(Post 433334)
I owned a '96 Express conversion van with the hi-top for 16 years. The increased head room is a really nice feature, but it comes with a huge price....you need a minimum of 8+ft clearance to park the vehicle under cover. That seriously limits your parking options in covered parking lots, like at airports and downtown parking garages, etc. And forget about ever taking it through an automatic carwash. In the event you forget about the required roof clearance and scrape the top of the hi-top roof, the clearcoat will be compromised and it is only a matter of time before the clearcoat on the roof starts peeling/separating from the paint. The only fix is a repaint job of the hi-top. Been there, seen it and done it.
When I replaced the van, I specifically chose a conversion that did NOT have the hi-top, for all the reasons mentioned above. After owning the replacement van for 18 months now, I have to admit that I miss the increased headroom of the hi-top. So, it is a tough call whether to go for a hi-top, or not. Peter
Originally Posted by dberladyn
(Post 433278)
I cannot imagine it would be too difficult to pick a roof up out of a wrecker or elsewhere and mount it. It would be a lot of labour, but I cannot imagine it being too difficult. I wonder if I would enjoy something like this more. Headroom vs. Parking which I cannot do anyways. In the end it's just appearance.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/chevrol...79a5dd4d5b.jpg is there a curb weight differnce between this van and the all fiberglass wide body? |
Originally Posted by dberladyn
(Post 433371)
They look cool beside eachother like that. Kind of fleetish. Especially with the same roof line. I was thinking of a hole in the floor for something. Oh yeah, the multi-axis and roll sensor. Why GM didn't cut a hole and drop those I do not know. Now you have me thinking about chopping up the floor and lowering. More ideas...
I really like utilizing space there's alot of space there. my trips are usalley 200-250 mile oneway would like a place large enought for the 3ton floor jack once again the roadtrek has a long locker that streches the lenght of wheel base golfbag sized holds 150LBs I think it's insulated designed to transport smelly fish. my ultimate van will require a generator to replenish house 12VDC batteries. I believe normally the gens. are mounted at the lower rear quarter panel, which won't do for me because I launch a 24' boat so there's a possiability of moisture.the roadtreks have a seriously cool trailer hitch w. a spare tire mount this mite be a spot for the generator. just a small 50LB yamaha 1600watt continuous inverter not a Ogen that comes w/ the roadtreks. I've only sean a few roadtreks in parking lots and videos never been inside one yet. it looks like the best van available.however these outside compartments didn't seam to have locks. I would expect to be able to lockup my gen.and whatever contents in the large locker, on second thoughts I'd rather have the 5th door instead of locker, I like stuff locked. |
I have photos of both Roadtrek's here:
https://archive.org/details/2004road...letexpress3500 https://archive.org/details/1991roadroadtrekphotos For Sale video of the old one is here: I need to do an "owners video" of how to care for the old one...that would need to happen this weekend as it's sold and being picked up on Monday. I actually learned from the buyer that the front seats fold forward like a 2-door car...I did not know that but it would have been handy for entry into the back as the seats protrude well into the entry area. It will take some time to do a video on the new one as I'd like to get to know it a bit better. The roof windows are bonded in like a conventional windshield. The old one had rubber mouldings holding in the roof windows and they leaked a lot. I used some clear Lepage Quad clear caulking on them to resolve that. The caulking on an RV probably needs a good inspection and repairs every 2 years or it will leak. |
I put the van up on some ramps today to see the condition down below. It seems that the floor is simply lowered because it is also the shower pan. It doesn't drop enough to provide significant head clearance. There is a channel and floor drain around the corner of the first photo, it does not drain out the doorway.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/chevrol...cab4c31cb5.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/chevrol...1c011ae19a.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/chevrol...ab9e62e05f.jpg |
| All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:21 PM. |
© 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands