speaking of cars
 

So.. I just found myself becoming the owner of a used gmc cargo minivan, and I'd like to do up the cargo compartment a bit; considering insulation, paneling and some better flooring, maybe some electrical improvements. anyone have any tips or hints? how should i go about, say, adhering carpeting or something to the floor? should i worry about condensation behind insulation? should i consider some sort of solar roof vent to keep it aerated back there? any advice would be appreciated from car folks, cause i'm pretty much a noob at this, but i've been wanting a vehicle like this for quite some time.

so far, all i've worked out is that step one is remove the.. bulkhead barrier? rape grate? whatever you want to call it from behind the seats, metal barrier thing doesn't have a door and it sort of freaks me out. step something else is definitely a cheap rear/backing camera system...

Do up the cargo compartment for what?

(?s)He's building a lurvemobile

If that were so, why would he remove the "rape grate"? :haha:

Because otherwise he might become happy winslow and that would be bad for business?

Shag carpet. 'S all I'm saying.

Oh, one other thing...

Don't put an oak entertainment center w/TV/VCR/DVD/PS2/Stereo system/surround sound, speakers, hand-made oak panel LED ceiling lighting in there. Cuzz, when you get busted, they will rip that shit out with a crowbar. And smile at you while thinking about all the hours of labor you put into it.

ETA: Then they will sell it.

Colour scheme:

Attachment 30074

Seriously, though, what are your plans for the van? Courier, tradesman's van, or camping / cruising / shaggin-wagon?

I have no advice about installation, but having had a campervan, I would say that being able to walk through from the front to the back is highly desirable. Out with the safety grille, if that makes this possible.

NO, not shag. It harbors smells, bugs, and precious bodily fluids... impossible to clean.

Linoleum then? with a drain in the middle? easy to hose down......

pretty much cruising, light camping, and occasional cargo hauling for a) projects and b) moving house are my plans for the beast.

the bulkhead divider definitely can, and will, come out; it's just a matter of going out there with a ratchet and removing the annoying thing. not only will the walkthrough be nice but the extra visibility of not having to look through the grate in the rear-view would be nice.

i actually want to get some cheap carpet back there so it's not just the slick polymer floor-coating; any recommendations for how to anchor it down (preferably in a way that's removable later)? i'm also considering some insulation for the back walls to dampen the sound, and maybe a bit of paneling, but that's down the road a bit.

no disco balls or shag carpet, but a place to chill out a bit is also what i'm after. i'm out and about a lot a lot between school and other activities. debating how to run a power system to the back, too. and getting a bit of ham radio gear in there.

not so much "shaggin'-wagon" as "nerd-wagon", i'm afraid. :D

edit: having re-read my previous post i already asked half of what i just said and am just repeating myself. i am clearly too tired to be on the interwebs tonight, but any further thoughts or ideas are welcome.

Plywood on the floor with linoleum, and a throw rug if you want to lounge. Closed cell foam insulation for the walls, and if you want to gussy it up, a no pile very tight weave industrial carpet.

Linoleum is no good for the Sunday Night Mobile Oil-Wrestling matches...

Rugburn.

Nothing says seventies shaggin wagon like shag.:D

Is this an Astro/Safari van? If so, if it's got a decent motor, and is a truly 'no guts' cargo van, that 4.3 can raise a little hell. I used to drive an Astro cargo van as part of a job I had. Got a ticket for 63 in a 35, the cop never saw or smelled the tire smoke I left right around the corner...