Well I'm not dead set on anything yet and I do recall that those bumpers are pretty F'ing expensive so if I do go that route I'll get used or something else. At this point the bumpers are the LAST thing I'll be doing. Suspension and engine mods will come first. Painting it to match the truck WITH A CLEAR COAT I would do. I would absolutely not do another matte or flat paint job on the van though.

 

So small update and I need some advice:

First update, I debadged it. Didn't take too long but I did need to go buy a plastic razor to help get that crap/glue/gunk/foam off the van without scratching the paint.

Here's a before:




And with the badges ripped-off but that crap/glue/gunk/foam still on...









And after some Heat gun/Goo-off/plastic razor...



I left the Duramax badges cuz i like them...

 

Then I laid out all the gear/tools that I'm gonna want to keep in the van. So far this is what I came up with...



And the shelves that I'm gonna build are gonna be installed right here, behind the bed:



I'm no carpenter but have built a few things before so I'm kinda looking forward to building it, however: What would you guys suggest as far as building material, should I go with MDF or use regular old Plywood? I plan on covering the shelves with some Suede or Velvet so that it matches the interior but as far as strength, and versatility, should I use the MDF?

 

I assume the brown box is for candy

 

And lastly, what rear end do I have? I thought it was a 14-bolt but now I think I have a Dana-60 which is cool cuz it's a beefy as hell but I really thought I had a 14 bolt under this thing. Which is better anyways?




And I've decided that when I redo the exhaust, it will run between the frame rails and the body molding on the DRIVER'S side and exit in front of the rear tire. That will free-up all that wasted space where that muffler and Cat are. (that is the cat that is forward of the muffler is it not?)
In place of the cat and muffler I will put an equally large water tank just opposite the gas tank. That is also where I plan to put the compressor and air tanks for the bags. With any luck it will all fit there and I'll have some air connections so that I can air up my tires on the road/train horns or possibly run my impact wrench.

 

That's the box the Disco ball came in...but more on that later!

 

my duramax truck has a aam 11.5 diff

 

That's most likely a DANA 70 since you have a diesel. It should be cast into the webing some were.

 

Thats a dana 70 axle, https://wastegate.net/mav/tech/dana60-70.html

How are you going to put the exhaust around the gas tank?

 

I'd like to know how you're going to cross the framerail without losing some serious ground clearance.