My 2019 that the kids have affectionately dubbed the Idiot Express.

 

Dear, would you mind to send me some pictures from under the van, how you mounted the bulbar? iv got a go rhino but the brackets are for the express +2003... i want to make the brackets but dont know how

 

Just brought home this week. Just couldn't make the Tacoma work for camping and I was so tired of towing. We never stay long anywhere. Honker will be a camper van unless by some stretch of the imagination and my business takes off and I need a van.


2020 Express 2500 Extended

 

Hey Folks...
i think, no one did this before in the way we did it. So i will show you our converted 2006 SWB Savana, Ex-Explorer VAN, fully new built Campervan with Solar on the Roof and 190Ah Battery Pack on the Frame. A Toilet is stored under the Bed and can be pulled out, if needed. Left Side in front of the Bed the blue Box is a Seat, wich has the Fridge under itself, that also can be pulled out to the middle of the VAN. The right side, the orange box is only for washing with a little bit Freshwater and Greywater Tanks in it. Also you can pull up 3 Tables if you want. 1 in Direction to Front, to have a little Table, the second to the Outside if the right Doors are opened to have a table outside, the third is on the first Door on the left side, to have a table where 2 People can sit while camping or rainy weather, for eating inside or something.
Both Frontseats have a swivel Base, wich i welded by myself and they work great.
Ready for Adventure, Greets from Germany - Pony

 

My 04 Savana AWD Explorer conversion and what it looked like when I bought it.

 

can you please tell us about your lift?

 

I used the Journeys Off Road 3" lift keys and replaced the rear leaf springs from a 92-99 3/4 Suburban. I put Bilstien 5100's shocks in the front and Bilstein heavy duty shocks in the rear.

 

Thanks.
I presume the 'Burban springs have more arch and provide the same lift. Why did you choose this route instead of the spacers in the kit? (or even shackles)

Any particular reason you used Bilstien shocks?

 

I chose to use the Suburban leaf springs after reading a few people had done it with good results. I believe the Journeys Off Road site is where I read it, but do your own research of course. I would check out Timberline Vans also, they do great stuff as well. Mine also has an electric rear seat that folds down into a bed, and the fiberglass roof and all the pleather and plood, and the stock springs were never upgraded for the conversion. The Burb springs have 7 leaves I think, and that combined with the arch gives it a tad more than 3" when new. They also have a higher weight rating giving me "capacity" more or less. It does ride SO much better and handles way better and got rid of the rocking and swaying I had with blocks and stock springs.
I have always run the Bilsteins on my Toyota's, but I'm not sure they are good choice up front with the torsion bars. The rebound is a little fast, good for off road, but maybe a little too springy for the street. The rears are perfect and smooth.

 

This is our beloved Chevy aka “Whale”
Does anyone know, what could be the make of the conversion?

There were quite substantial repairs to be made, I added heating, pergola… would love to add external spare rack, new bodykit… but it is next to impossible to get conversion parts here in Czech Republic.

This is the state I bought it

Bodykit must have been put away because of clearance. I would like to get new one, though. But it is very difficult to get these parts here in Czech Republic. Is there an e-shop selling conversion parts? I can have them delivered to Norcross GA 30071.


Wooden parts are attached quite crudely…

We love roof windows


This is the current state.

Rear window is not original, it is made from plexi… I would love to get the original glass, but it is next to impossible to get it here.