Project Man-Van
08-20-2012, 07:06 PM
#22
On The Tree
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: MT
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Badass. I wish i could get over my hatred of vans, they really are quite useful.
I just cant stand driving one, and seeing as thats what most of our service rigs are i cant avoid the damn things. Sitting over the front tires and feeling like youre going to roll is creepy at times.
Youre doing a damn good job building it up. Should be super comfortable. Also, Id just leave it white as nobody will notice it and try to get inside. Get too flashy looking and you need a good alarm.
I just cant stand driving one, and seeing as thats what most of our service rigs are i cant avoid the damn things. Sitting over the front tires and feeling like youre going to roll is creepy at times.
Youre doing a damn good job building it up. Should be super comfortable. Also, Id just leave it white as nobody will notice it and try to get inside. Get too flashy looking and you need a good alarm.
08-20-2012, 08:41 PM
#26
I like the pre-runner idea over the lowering idea, if only to keep it from acting like a shovel in the desert, although I would stick with 16s or 17s as opposed to 20s. We have a few Quigley 4x4 Ford Express vans at work that are lifted on 33s and you can go anywhere you won't tip or run of power (4.6 junk); I drove a brand-new stock-height one with the Quigley 4x4 retrofit last year (2011 or 2012 Chevrolet Express 4.8/6L90E) and it drove great everywhere I went. I think leveled on some all-terrain 265/75-16s or 70-17s (285s if you can fit them and stay reasonably low) would really fit the get-around-without-getting-stuck-or-needing-a-4x4-conversion bill 
just remember that the vans have a ridiculously-high center of gravity vs the trucks, and you can certainly feel it 
just remember that the vans have a ridiculously-high center of gravity vs the trucks, and you can certainly feel it 
Reasons for lowering it is two fold:
1) Looks and handling, like you said the center of gravity is a bit high and I don't need the clearance.
2) Gas mileage. I think one of the most overlooked aspects to gaining fuel efficiency is sail area. Everyone talks about tune, converters, and weight (which they all have their place) but I think reducing the windage and sail are of the vehicle is the biggest thing you can do, and ****, if your trucks are commonly referred to as flying bricks, what the hell does this van resemble!
I gained over two points in mpg when I slammed my CCSB 6 years ago. The ride sucked and I didn't like the look but when it came to fuel economy I couldn't beat it. I raised it back up and lost a bit of mpg in the process.
Something else to think about, If your gonna run a ceiling mounted A/C. Get a Honda generator and build a mount for the rear hitch. If your gonna camp in it then you can run the generator to power the AC or keep the battries charged. They are silly quiet and you wont ever know its running plus they sip fuel.
I like the rhino lining! And I used to have those KMC Addicts, sweet wheels. The Lil lug looking things around the lip are a bitch to wash around, but still nice wheels. I'd do 17's or 18's, 17's would be cheaper and easier to get tires.
You should do dual exhaust 5" dP to a Y and 4" dual. Would sound beastly!
You should get a rack up top or a bar up top and mount some bright *** HID's up there. Couple spot lights!
Ok found some sweet ideas for you!
You should do dual exhaust 5" dP to a Y and 4" dual. Would sound beastly!
You should get a rack up top or a bar up top and mount some bright *** HID's up there. Couple spot lights!
Ok found some sweet ideas for you!
I'll have to see how this all works out with it being lowered. Not sure what a Pre-runner van lowered would look like, but I'm sure it'd be a conflict of interest!
Sticking with the 17" wheels for comfort and unsprung weight reasons.
DP might just end up being 5", not sure...will determine it when I dig into the motor.
Change it!!
Your a mod and I don't mind. Just be creative with it. Maybe all you Mods can mull it over and come up with a better one!
