Conversion Van seats/equipment to newer Van
June 24th, 2021, 10:30 AM
#1
Conversion Van seats/equipment to newer Van
So, I cant find the thread (I dont even recall if there was actuelly one) where a forum memeber moved all interior parts from an old conversion van to a newer one. Wife started to remind me that we were suposed to replace my beloved Van for a newer one, but conversion vans are crazy expensive. So I thought I could explore that option.
June 25th, 2021, 10:29 AM
#2
Most of the seats used in the conversions have holes in the bottom for several different tracks. I attempted to use a 1997 power track with a seat from a 1995 conversion in my 1994 van and was easily able to bolt it to the track, the track required two new holes in the 1994 seat base, but I had forgotten that the 95-back vans with power seats use a different seat base that is 2 or 3 inches shorter. The power track made it too high to get my legs under the steering wheel.
What this means for you is you can probably use the seats, they will bolt up, the manual seat track is identical on 97-02 seats as 91-95. However without a 6 way power base they may be somewhat lower than the stock seat.
What this means for you is you can probably use the seats, they will bolt up, the manual seat track is identical on 97-02 seats as 91-95. However without a 6 way power base they may be somewhat lower than the stock seat.
June 29th, 2021, 5:08 AM
#4
About all you're going to directly swap are seats and maybe lights or individual electronic components. It is possible the side windows can be swapped if you really want to strip your van.
I would borrow or rent one and drive it first. They drive well but have so many cheap plastic components, I went back to the 94 when I found a good one.
I would borrow or rent one and drive it first. They drive well but have so many cheap plastic components, I went back to the 94 when I found a good one.
June 29th, 2021, 9:03 AM
#5
About all you're going to directly swap are seats and maybe lights or individual electronic components. It is possible the side windows can be swapped if you really want to strip your van.
I would borrow or rent one and drive it first. They drive well but have so many cheap plastic components, I went back to the 94 when I found a good one.
I would borrow or rent one and drive it first. They drive well but have so many cheap plastic components, I went back to the 94 when I found a good one.
June 29th, 2021, 10:38 AM
#6
Yes really.
July 1st, 2021, 4:41 AM
#7
Somewhere in the mid-late 2000s they even did away with a latching glove box, most of them just have a bin that snaps into the lower dash extension on the doghouse. Which is usually broken. Door handles and surrounding area, plastic, gets brittle with age. Door latches, plastic. Trim around the windows and headliner, plastic, snaps in place. Dash face, plastic, snaps in. The older G-van has plastic there too but it screws on. Molded plastic door panels where the G is metal or upholstered. Plastic inside window crank handle that the **** won't stay in, on my 3500 with crank windows I put a 60s GM handle on out of my swap meet stuff. On vented side/rear windows, plastic latches that break. Plastic vent panel between hood and windshield. One piece plastic grille, have to replace all of it if it breaks. Plastic trim on the upper rear body. Plastic license plate insert with door handle. The bumpers are steel but they're probably half as thick as the previous vans and prone to rot.
In fact a couple weeks ago my state had a surplus auction with like 50 vans, some of them fairly low miles (50,000-75,000) and virtually every one they noted frame rot as an issue on. They ranged in age from 2000-2011 save one wrecked 2016 or so. From regular wheelbase work vans to a couple of mini-bus conversions to extended high top vans with wheelchair lifts.
In fact a couple weeks ago my state had a surplus auction with like 50 vans, some of them fairly low miles (50,000-75,000) and virtually every one they noted frame rot as an issue on. They ranged in age from 2000-2011 save one wrecked 2016 or so. From regular wheelbase work vans to a couple of mini-bus conversions to extended high top vans with wheelchair lifts.
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July 2nd, 2021, 5:29 AM
#9
I think the newest ones get fairly decent fuel economy now, but the two 2002s I have had were no better than the 91 G20, that would get a steady 15 highway all day whether I drove 60, 65,70 or 75. Same size engine in both.