Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: My Chevrolet Express van Class B- camper


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Open Roads Forum > Class B - Camping Van Conversions > DIY

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Black95

South Dakota

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Posted: 02/02/20 09:04am

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Another update I made to my 2018 Express DIY camper conversion is in the mounting of my GPS. The dash on the newer Express vans has several storage pocket on it. I used the top pocket for my GPS mount. I cut a chunch of 2x4 pine to fit in the space by sanding it down until it fit well. Then I covered it with sticky-back felt and mounted one of my GPS mounting clips to it with screws. The felt made it fit snugly so it does not fall out when I drive. It works well for me.

Here is a side view:
[image]

Here is a view from the top:
[image]

Not one to leave things well enough alone, I had to make a mount for my Apple iPad too because there was a 2nd pocket on the dash. I did the same thing, making another chunk of 2x4 pine that fit into this pocket and covering it with sticky-back felt. The holder for the iPad was one I picked up on Amazon.

Front view:
[image]

Side view:
[image]

View of the dash pockets:
[image]

View of the dash with GPS and iPad mounted: (notice that the AC outlets are not obstructed)
[image]

* This post was edited 02/02/20 09:19am by an administrator/moderator *

Black95

South Dakota

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Posted: 02/02/20 09:33am

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After I got my swivel seat installed there was space under the seat for more storage. I made a box to fit this space and in it I store our campground directories and maps for the trip. I did have to cut a notch out of it so it would slide by the swivel seat nut sticking down. Now to get it repainted and we will be off on our next trip. Even though we have a GPS unit, we still like to see where we are going on paper maps and highlight the highways we travel.

[image]

J herb

So. Oregon

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Posted: 02/03/20 08:26am

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Black'95 wrote:

Hi Jay,
Here is the link for where I purchased my swivel seat. If you search the internet, I am sure there are several other places to get them also.

https://shop4seats.com/rv-furniture/rv-b........-chevy-aftermarket-seat-adapter-440.html

In answer to your next question about the wiring, I cut the wires and soldered in a new six wire connector after feeding the wires through the seat swivel hole in the center because no connector would fit through the center bolt hole on the seat swivel. I would suggest disconnecting the battery before you do the cutting and soldering. Here is a picture of the 6 wire connector I used. I had to buy them in a pack of five, so if you want one for the cost of mailing I will send you one. Send me your mailing address to me at [email protected]

[image]

I forgot to take pictures of the wiring before I mounted the seat and swivel, so here is a picture taken after the mount was installed. A is the connector wired in after the wires were cut and B is where the wires were threaded through the seat swivel hole before I soldered them to the 6-wire connector.
[image]

I will post more info on my GPS holder in my next update.

HI Mike,
thank you for the wright up and photos of your swivel seat setup as it looks great. It is nice of you to offer me the wired connector and yes I would like it and will e-mail you my address and I would be glad to pay you for the connector and the mailing. I take it that you have not had any problems the connector causing any problems with the air bag
system. Jay

J herb

J herb

So. Oregon

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Posted: 02/03/20 09:03am

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Mike,
good idea for a GPS mount, I like keeping the dash area clear and when I had my truck I keep my tablet with GPS on it below the dash.
Storage under the seat is always a good place for easy to get to your things.

Black95

South Dakota

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Posted: 02/03/20 05:32pm

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J herb wrote:

Jay,
When I had the wires disconnected while working on the seat, I had to start my van up and move it out of the garage and drive it back in to a different position. While it was running it must have sent it's monthly info to OnStar because that same day I got my monthly Onstar email report. In the message it mentioned that my air bag system needed service. After I soldered the new 6-wire connector in and reinstalled my seat with the new swivel, the message was cleared up, so I am assuming I will have no problem with it.

J herb

So. Oregon

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Posted: 02/03/20 07:45pm

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Black'95 wrote:

J herb wrote:

Mike,
glad that you didn't have any lasting problems,I don't have onstar my van was a special rental that GM makes for company's and I bought it with 9.500 miles on it.
Thank you for all the info and great pictures. Jay

Black95

South Dakota

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Posted: 02/05/20 06:04pm

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Our temps were in the 20's last week and we heard on the news & weather that the temps in the Black Hills would be in the 50's and most of their snow was gone so I figured it was time for a January camping trip. We traveled through Badlands National Park.
[image]

While driving through the park we saw a few buffalo and quite a large herd of sheep.
[image]

This big fellow was right on the road as he thought it belonged to him.
[image]

Later in the afternoon we set up camp at the Game Lodge Campground in Custer State Park in South Dakota. My wife caught me enjoying a hot cup of coffee near the campfire. All in all, a good weekend.
[image]

J herb

So. Oregon

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Posted: 02/05/20 08:24pm

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Mike,
great weather for winter camping and nice photos.
I just installed new running boards on my van and going to add new LED tail lights to my Casita trailer this week and than when we get a break in the weather we will go camping with the van.
Take care and go camping when you can. Jay

Black95

South Dakota

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Posted: 02/06/20 04:16pm

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I am starting to get cabin syndrome from being couped up to much inside this winter. Spring is coming, but not fast enough, so I decided it is time to update the camper van again. I had been using a blue painted wood box for our outside step. It would flip sometimes when we stepped on it wrong, which was hard on the shins. I found a single camper step online and mounted it under the side door. Works so much better.

Slid out and ready for use:
[image]

Slid back in for traveling. (When I get it outside, I will take a better picture than the tight angle in the garage.)
[image]

* This post was edited 03/10/20 11:08am by an administrator/moderator *

J herb

So. Oregon

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Posted: 02/06/20 07:41pm

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Mike,
your step looks great and I thought about doing that with my van but went with the running boards, ether way it's a great help getting in and out of the van.

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Open Roads Forum > Class B - Camping Van Conversions > DIY

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