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: 04/22/15 07:09pm

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The latest modification to the camper van was the addition of the 12 volt air compressor from one of our older trailer campers. It was salvaged from the camper when we converted from a pressurized system to an on-demand system with a new plastic tank.

I mounted it on the frame of the van behind the auxiliary battery. [image]

I connected blue air hose and a quick connector at the rear bumper along with the switch to turn it on and off.
[image]

I also added blue air hose in the front of the engine compartment. With these two connections I can fill tires or air mattresses at either end with a coily air hose. Started the project yesterday and finished it today after getting a couple of parts. [image]

Later I added another switch at this location so I could turn the air compressor on from this location or from the rear of the van where the other air quick connector was located.
[image]

* This post was last edited 07/26/19 08:58pm by an administrator/moderator * View edit history

Black95

South Dakota

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Posted: 05/03/15 09:29am

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Another modification I made to my camper van was the addition of an ignition controlled relay under the hood. It connects the van's battery to my auxiliary battery and other 12 volt powered accessories. When I turn off the ignition it disconnects everything from the main van battery to prevent discharging while using the camping accessories.
[image]

I also added a small wired fuse connection box under the dash of the van wired into this ignition controlled relay. I use this for connecting all my 12 volt accessories. Each one then has its own fuse to control it. I am currently using three of the slots and have room to expand two more circuits.
[image]

* This post was edited 07/26/19 09:00pm by an administrator/moderator *

Black95

South Dakota

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Posted: 05/05/15 02:49pm

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Today's modification to my camper van was the addition of a backup camera. I used a Peak brand with the wireless sending unit so I would not have to run wires from the front to the back. The camera and wireless unit connects to the back up lights for power. I removed the door's interior trim and ran the wires through the wiring harness into the van then back out through the tail light wiring harness to the backup light.
[image]

The monitor was mounted on my dash beside my GPS unit. The monitor just needs 12 volt power to receive the signal from the wireless sending unit. I connected its 12 volt power to an ignition controlled circuit so that it only comes on when the ignition is turned on.
[image]

I used a metal L-bracket under the trim bolted to the metal underneath the trim so that no holes were drilled in the trim for the mounting.
[image]

Works great and gives me another degree of safety in the big van.

* This post was last edited 07/27/19 07:51am by an administrator/moderator * View edit history

Black95

South Dakota

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Posted: 05/08/15 03:58pm

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Today's latest modification to the camper van was the addition of an under hood service light. It was an old retractable reel model that I removed from an old Chevrolet Suburban.
[image]

* This post was edited 07/27/19 07:51am by an administrator/moderator *

Black95

South Dakota

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Posted: 05/09/15 03:10pm

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Today's modification to the Chevrolet Express camper van was to add a switch to the wire leading from the driver's door to the multi-function alarm under the dash. When we are vacationing, I often pull over and get out of the van to take pictures without shutting the engine off and pulling the keys so my wife can still enjoy the AC or heat. When ever I do this the annoying buzzer sounds because the door is open and the keys are still in the ignition. Using my copy of the GM shop service manual, I located the alarm buzzer. I had to remove the dash instrument trim panel to access it. I disconnected it and added jumper wires to each connection so that I could isolate which wire came from the door switch.

Multi-function alarm shown by the white arrow.
[image]

Once I located the correct wire (green wire in the wiring harness to the alarm) I cut it and added a switch so I could have the door alarm on or off when I was getting out a lot.

Switch for alarm mounted under the dash. It is much less annoying now when I want to quickly get out and snap a picture or two. My wife appreciates it also.
[image]

* This post was edited 07/27/19 07:53am by an administrator/moderator *

Traveler7

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Posted: 05/10/15 05:25pm

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I love looking at your work- great!

Black95

South Dakota

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Posted: 05/11/15 10:41am

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Thanks Traveler7. Working on the Chevrolet Express van conversion to a camper has kept me out of mischief for the last two years of my retirement. I have transferred a lot of the ideas to the van from the 1990 K-series Chevrolet Blazer I converted into a camper back in the '90's. I think a picture of it in on the first posting of this thread. My wife wanted a little bit more room as we got older so she found the van for me on the internet. I grew up as a farmer's boy, so I like to innovate and it doesn't have to be the fanciest thing in the world as long as it is functional and works the way I want it to.

For the three years of my retirement before I got the van, she bought me a 1995 Chevrolet Corvette that kept me out of mischief, for the most part! Problem is, you can get into a little bit of mischief with a Corvette -- even an older one! But summer is coming now, so sand green golfing will occupy most of my time for the next couple of months. Have a good one!