Another Track Day Hauler...part 2 (Full Version)

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Another Track Day Hauler...part 2

  

dwhite645 -> Another Track Day Hauler...part 2 (7/26/2007 10:23:43 PM)

So, as we have all seen, OldFatGuy made a really sweet track day hauler from the red molester van. Went to a track day with him in June and was so impressed with his setup, I'm basically doing the same thing, but with a conversion van rather than a cargo van.
So, I've been shopping around for several weeks looking for a cargo van like oldfatguy's, but had no luck. They were either really new and expensive, or old and still way more $$$ than they are worth. Seriously. Oldfatguy got super lucky with finding and winning the bid on his - it's sweet, trust me!
I finally found a 1995 GMC Vandura 2500 (3/4 ton) with the Gulf Stream conversion. Test drove it and it seemed ok. One problem is the driver and passenger windows don't work, since they're power. Will look into that and fix soon, not a big deal. Another problem is the rear end is making a noise like possibly a bad axle bearing, but once again, I really don't care. It is what it is. Asking price was $2,300 and I offered $1,500 and it was a done deal. It's actually quite nice for the price and everything else works great. Lights all over the place, TV/VCR, captain's chairs etc... I may leave one of the chairs in back, but undecided.
Anyway, will post the process as I go along like Duane did last year. Here's some pics as is:

  
dwhite645 -> RE: Another Track Day Hauler...part 2 (7/26/2007 10:32:50 PM)

Here's the pics...   http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa53/dwhite645/?action=view&current=vanoutside2.jpg

Mad -> RE: Another Track Day Hauler...part 2 (7/26/2007 10:53:17 PM)

Looks like it'll work great.  Good luck...

devlzluv -> RE: Another Track Day Hauler...part 2 (7/27/2007 8:45:58 AM)

woot ya got party lites up in that beast

krash -> RE: Another Track Day Hauler...part 2 (7/27/2007 9:09:17 AM)

dude that is gonna make one sweet a$$ pimped track day hauler.  all you need now is a couple of umbrella girls[;)]
heck, you can even sleep in that thing the night before at the track, watch movies,  the whole deal.

dwhite645 -> RE: Another Track Day Hauler...part 2 (7/28/2007 3:23:25 PM)

Yeah, it's a regular pimp mobile. My camera decided to take a dump, so I'll have to get more pics later.
So far I've changed the oil, flushed the cooling system and put in the recommended dexcool. I've also tinted the rear door windows, side door windows and driver/passenger windows. Picked up a ramp today and have that fitted. Will be doing more mods to the ramp so I don't put my foot through the slots. Only things to go are to yank the seats and mount a chock, or two.

dwhite645 -> RE: Another Track Day Hauler...part 2 (7/29/2007 10:33:39 PM)

Here's the ramp I bought. Got the same one as oldfatguy from harbor freight for $79 on sale, so the price was certainly right. His worked quite well on his chevrolet, so it'll work good on my gmc since it's practically the same. I added the 3/8" plywood so it'll give the wheels an easier transition and also so my foot doesn't get stuck in between the rungs. I then coated it with a wood polyurethane to waterproof it. Then I added the 3M grip tape for extra traction.
For traction, I also hear of people painting the surface, then sprinkiling on play sand while the paint is wet. Then the sand sticks to the dried paint.

[image]local://upfiles/4409/5B76EC1740F74544BCA2C223A7F3C17B.jpg[/image]

[image]local://upfiles/4409/A6975D6383C942FFB988F135F0901133.jpg[/image]

[image]local://upfiles/4409/AD2C50CF3CB64A3091946FC9D6A46EC4.jpg[/image]

[image]local://upfiles/4409/97BE50614108424DB470D7618B1B1AFE.jpg[/image]

crazyhorse95gt -> RE: Another Track Day Hauler...part 2 (7/30/2007 6:32:30 PM)

its the new trend, i want one!!! keep us posted

OldFatGuy -> RE: Another Track Day Hauler...part 2 (7/30/2007 6:58:43 PM)

I'm a trend setter.... what can I say!  [:D] [:D] [:D]

D2VW14_20 -> RE: Another Track Day Hauler...part 2 (7/30/2007 10:33:48 PM)

Hahaha, these are awesome.

dwhite645 -> RE: Another Track Day Hauler...part 2 (8/1/2007 1:18:50 AM)

So, today was the start of the tear down for "remodeling". Pulled out the rear section that used to hold the speakers and rear AC vents. It was located near the rear doors, up on the ceiling. I would have left it as it was, but I had no clearance to pull the bike in. Also yanked out the rear bench/bed. That was a huge pain, more than I thought it would be. All bolts that held the seat to the mounting subframe were hard to get too. After pulling that out, I had a hell of a time pulling out the rear seat subframe itself. Had to crawl under the van and unbolt it that way with the impact. All bolts there were rusted and seized. Good news is that I don't think I'll have to add any hardware for the ratchet straps to secure to. I should be able to use the seat mounting points, or the seatbelt mounting points. The front captain's chairs are easy to take out, they're quick release. I think I'll leave one in if I can.
There are also pics of my new lawn furniture. It was my thinking chair for the day. You'll notice the end table near by. Then I moved it all inside the garage and set up a nice ensemble. You'll be quick to notice that my subtle use of tones and colors really pulls the room together. It gives it that "lived in feel".
Tomorrow when my chock arrives in the mail, I'll bolt that in somehow. I also have to replace the front brakes tomorrow too. The old ones are shot. Starting to squeal and the pedal is extra spongy.

[image]local://upfiles/4409/F29943082AF24D509BFFBA55B845B017.jpg[/image]

[image]local://upfiles/4409/E7D5C781394F4C0F8052A7DCC9A85A4E.jpg[/image]

[image]local://upfiles/4409/C667350C110141CEBD37C6A13C1FEC64.jpg[/image]

onewheelneil -> RE: Another Track Day Hauler...part 2 (8/2/2007 2:14:48 PM)

make sure you keep this thread updated,the more I see of your project the more I wanna do this...

dwhite645 -> RE: Another Track Day Hauler...part 2 (8/2/2007 5:42:37 PM)

Well, it's all done. Since these pics were taken, I cleaned up my mess inside there. What I didn't take a pic of, and will do later, are the shackles that are mounted to the former rear seat location. Then the ratchet straps go through those. The canyon dancer is strapped to the passenger side seat plate and the other side is secured to the driver's side rear seatbelt location with another shackle...will take pics soon.
To secure the ramp when folded inside, I used lag eye bolts and went right into the interior wood trim. It's thick wood, maybe 3/4" to 1" so the lag eye bolts hold in very well. I also did the same to secure a tool box and some other miscellaneous crap.
To secure the ramp to the van before ride up/down, I used the 1/4" pins that hold the hinges on the door. I just drilled a 3/8" hole through the ramp tangs and directly into the body of the van, near the bumper. These aren't structural, but just keep the ramp from comming out of location. Oldfatguy did the same, so I swiped the idea from him.
The only real thing I have to take care of is welding two bars to the chock, in the up/down position to give it more strength and keep from flexing so much. Going over to a friends this weekend with a sweet welding setup. I drove it around today, and noticed that while braking to a stop the chock gives a little with the weight of the bike up against it. I should have ordered a chock with the bars already on, but I cheaped out on that.
Here's the pics

[image]local://upfiles/4409/B4349B2B847540C9A7D81B775E764B43.jpg[/image]

[image]local://upfiles/4409/37A4DBA243CD463F96D7F21066B7C5FD.jpg[/image]

[image]local://upfiles/4409/CB6839A306DD4671B6156F1465D6A8FA.jpg[/image]

dwhite645 -> RE: Another Track Day Hauler...part 2 (8/2/2007 5:43:29 PM)

and a few more...

[image]local://upfiles/4409/F2929E31950041C9BD05505DBA29E1D6.jpg[/image]

[image]local://upfiles/4409/D42A1BF4C9EF4D04A8B195FF54ACED4C.jpg[/image]

Puck -> RE: Another Track Day Hauler...part 2 (8/2/2007 8:16:24 PM)

Very nice!!!  Looks like it wasn't that bad to complete.  Great pics.

  

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