I actually found a company in Colorado that specializes in Van 2wd to 4x4 conversions. But that's not a priority right now. I gotta save for a downpayment on a place. So as of now the Van is just being used as a hauler/transporter and occasional sleeper.

 

Welp, I'm back at if for a little while until I have to ship out again!! This time around I'm focusing on the exterior of the van, probably won't finish everything I have planed since some of these things are $$ as crap. But I digress... so I picked up some aluminum OEM 16" wheels for cheap and am getting them powder coated as I type, should have the back in a few days, monday at the latest. They weren't any of the ones I had orignially wanted, and turns out there are only a couple wheels that will fit my Van's backspacing. It isn't the same as the trucks. The bolt patterns are the same but most of the aftermarket rims would stick out something fierce if tried to throw them on there. So OEM stuff it is, and some of them aren't half bad so no worries.
I also ordered some Toyo Open Country A/T II's for the wheels, they are load rated (E) and are a little beefier for off-roading but are still very good for highway use and not very loud. They have an aggressive look so it should help out a bit in the looks department. Size wise I stayed small for fuel economy reasons and got 225/75/R16. Should do the trick hopefully.
I also ordered a Diamond Eye Downpipe that just got here today, looks good but they forgot the block off plate so I won't be able to install that just yet unfortunetly. After I do that I plan on running some trick exhaust to let that turbo whistle while it works.

Also trying to buy some bumpers and finally found one that works and looks good, but might not get it for 7-8 weeks as the guy needs to build it.


So while waiting for some parts to arrive and wheels to finish being powdercoated, I decided to do some plasti-dipping today...

Couldn't find a good before pic but here's one just as a reference:


Took the front end apart so I didn't have much overspray on unwanted areas:


Grill before:


Grill After:


Started on the bumper and masking off the hood:


Bumper finished and Hood almost finished:


Everything finished w/out lights:




And then with everything put back on and finished:





So I used plasti-dip so I would have an idea on whether I like something or not and if I can live with it and like it than I'll paint my van like that eventually. I stopped there for the day because I was losing light and plasti-dip. Hopefully in the next few days I can get more and finish up what I have in mind. I plan on dipping the bottom part of the side of the van(where the rocker panels would be) as well as the wheel arches. Also paint the slots where windows are supposed to be and then I might add a R/T stripe from the hood down to the wheel well. Haven't figured that out yet but that's the idea for now. We'll see how much of that I get done.

 

I have Savanna at work just like yours with the quigley 4x4 conversion. It's an awesome rig.

 

Thats one mean looking panda.....

 

Awesome.

A van like yours is so hard to find.

 

I've been thinking about doing that more and more. I've found a few places that do the conversions.

Lol, it's a work in progress. I need more Plasti-dip before I can finish what I'm invisioning! Looks kinda uneven right now with all that black stuff up on the front of the van. And if it turns out like crap...I rip it off and try something new!

The few people who realize it's a diesel do a double take and then want to know more!

I raced my buddy in his Diesel ambulance yesterday... The fire department uses a Cummins rig that gets 6mpg's!!

 

Picked up my wheels from the Powder Coater...

Got 5 done so I can have a spare that I'm gonna mount on a tire mount.




Black with 60% Gloss:





Tires will be here tomorrow and I couldn't wait to see how they would look so I mocked them up as best I could!! (Just picture beefier A/T tires around the wheels!) lol

 

Best HD wheels ever made! Love the progress on the van man, great work.

 

Dang spooly, that looks pretty dang good! Different but good!
Good tire choice, those are nice.
Can you do a DSP5 on that model? (efi live 5 positiion switch)

 

hahaa just now seeing this thread and i got to say i like it!! not too sure about the hood paint job thou ... if anything i would say paint to match your truck or keep the white as is or do some vinyl graphics on it ... i could help you with that .

oh yeah this things needs more boost!!