Terry's Homebuilt Chevy van with GTRV top

[terry]

Terry's Home Built Chevy van with GTRV Top

I ordered a new 2006 Chevrolet 1500 Express Cargo Van and "T" Top from Mike Reed of GTRV in November 2005. (I selected the Chevy van because of the superior gas milage that I got with my 2005 Chevy truck with the same drive train)

I picked up the van in Vancouver, B.C. with the "T" Top installed, in mid March 2006. (I selected the GTRV top over Sportsmobile top, because it would be garageable) I live in Lincoln near Sacramento, Ca.

I did the internal conversion of the van to an RV myself. (This was the fourth van that I have converted to an RV) .(My last conversion was a 2003 Dodge van using the Sportsmobile top (It was garageable) with similar floor plan to my Chevy conversion)

I orded the van with the following options from the Chevrolet factory:
5300 V8
Tilt & Cruise
Power Windows & door locks
Cloth high back bucket seats
CD radio
Side door & rear door windows
HD trailering equipment
Remote keyless entry
145 Amp alternator
Chrome bumpers

I ordered the following option installed in the "T" Top from GTRV:
prewire for solar
prewire for roof mounted Fantastic Vent
TV antenna embedded in "T" Top
added vinyl windows to side of "T" Top

I installed the following items:
Note - layout of my van is similar to Sportsmobile RB-12
Norcold DC0051 12 DCV refrigerator
Rear dinette/bed (72" x 48" x 4" bed/matress)
Penthouse bed (3 ea. - 24" x 37" 3/4" oak plywood panels)
Tri fold 2" x 37" x 72" Penthouse mattress
WFCO Converter, 3 stage battery charger, & AC/DC electrical center
4D AGM battery
110 ACV electrical inlet
sink, faucet, 12 DCV water pump, & fresh & grey water tanks
12 DCV outlets
110 ACV outlets
Sure Power battery separator 200 Amp
interior 12 DCV lights
Trimetric TM2020 battery monitor
Fantastic Vent
cable TV
TV Stand
Vinyl Flooring over plywood
two side windows
window curtains
privacy curtain
Porta Potti
110 ACV rear door Air Conditioner
Portable one burner stove
wall paneling
Oak cabinets
Suburban NT-12SE furnace
Manchester #6814 propane tank

I have posted pictures of my construction progress on the Yahoo Groups GTRV Westy Owners Forum "Photos"| "Terry's Chevy RV Construction"
I have also posted pictures of the finished van on the Yahoo Groups GTRV Westy Owners Forum "Photos"| "Terry's Chevy with GTRV top"

[markopolo]

Great work Terry!

I enjoyed looking at your photos. Anyone contemplating a DIY Camper van should make sure to see them.

[Ron J. Moore]

Terry, you do excellent work...the photos are indicative of how well you thought this out and planned accordingly. Congrats, Ron