I have been camping in my 1990 Chevrolet Silverado Blazer 2-door for the last 20 years. When I removed the back seat there was just enough room for a 3/4 sized (Hollywood, as some people called them) mattress to fit between the wheel wells and from the back of the console to the tailgate.
After all those years with my wife and I getting older, she decided we needed a little more room so she found me a 2001 Chevrolet Express van with low mileage on the internet. After checking it out and taking it for a test drive we bought it on the spot. It was a nice passenger conversion LT model with all the bells and whistles available in 2001. I will chronicle the changes I made to transform it into my Class B- motorhome in the next few postings. I call it my Class B- (B minus) motorhome because it is just a regular van without the raised roof.
Camping at Custer State Park, SD in February, 2015.
Camping and visiting Scott's Bluff National Monument, NE in October, 2014.
After all those years with my wife and I getting older, she decided we needed a little more room so she found me a 2001 Chevrolet Express van with low mileage on the internet. After checking it out and taking it for a test drive we bought it on the spot. It was a nice passenger conversion LT model with all the bells and whistles available in 2001. I will chronicle the changes I made to transform it into my Class B- motorhome in the next few postings. I call it my Class B- (B minus) motorhome because it is just a regular van without the raised roof.
Camping at Custer State Park, SD in February, 2015.
Camping and visiting Scott's Bluff National Monument, NE in October, 2014.
Today wasn't Saturday but I did have time to work on the camper van conversion after golf this morning. Installed an extra transmission cooler to help cool it down when towing my 23 foot camper on hot days. This should help it stay within temp specs. Now I need to get some flat black spray paint so it doesn't stand out like a sore thumb.
Today is Saturday, so it is time to work on the camper van again. This time I added a battery monitor gauge. It is capable of monitoring the charge of two batteries, so I connected it's "Battery 1" leads to my main van starting battery and its "Battery 2" leads to my auxiliary camper van battery. It tells me the percentage charge of each battery at all times.
This 2001 Chevrolet Express van did not have a tachometer, so I installed the aftermarket one I removed from my old 1990 Blazer before I sold it. A fairly easy home mechanic install on my 2001 because it still has only one coil and I didn't have to connect to the ECM.
Today's last modification was to add rubber labels to my under hood wiring modifications, so as "Old Timer's disease" sets in, I will remember what wires are connected to what. I rewired my power windows through the fusebox connection with a wire directly connected to the battery (fused properly of course) so that I could open my windows with the ignition on or off. Then I used the ignition fused power window connection to control the relay to my auxiliary battery and aftermarket accessories.
Now back to the internet to search for new ideas from others!
This 2001 Chevrolet Express van did not have a tachometer, so I installed the aftermarket one I removed from my old 1990 Blazer before I sold it. A fairly easy home mechanic install on my 2001 because it still has only one coil and I didn't have to connect to the ECM.
Today's last modification was to add rubber labels to my under hood wiring modifications, so as "Old Timer's disease" sets in, I will remember what wires are connected to what. I rewired my power windows through the fusebox connection with a wire directly connected to the battery (fused properly of course) so that I could open my windows with the ignition on or off. Then I used the ignition fused power window connection to control the relay to my auxiliary battery and aftermarket accessories.
Now back to the internet to search for new ideas from others!
loving retirement wrote:
Thank You "Black'95" for the info on removing the dash on the Chevy Express.
If you are trying to access the multi-function alarm like I was, I just discovered an easier way to get to it than the method mentioned in the GM service/shop manual. When I had my "doghouse" off today to do some engine work, I looked up to the left and guess what I saw? The multi-function alarm module sitting right there within easy access. To me this is easier taking out the "doghouse" than removing the instrument cluster trim.
The multi-function alarm module indicated by white arrow.
Today is Saturday which means project day as I don't have to mow at the golf course or mow the lawn. I made another modification to the van camper. We use it to tow our regular 23 foot camper when we go short-distance camping or family reunions so I added a gauge to monitor the automatic transmission fluid temperature when we are towing. Routed the wires through a hole I drilled in the firewall and protected with a plastic TV coaxial cable protector from the home improvement stores. I mounted the sending unit in the pan of the automatic transmission the last time I changed the fluid and its filter. Will use it for the first time next Thursday when I pull the camper to a niece's wedding in the Black Hills of SD.
Removal of Instrument Cluster Trim Plate for 2001 Chevrolet Express Van
1st remove the center lower trim panel (officially called the IP Extension Trim Plate). Pull on the left side of it to disengage the metal clip. The right side has plastic tabs that could break off if you pulled on that side. It should pop right out.
Next remove the plastic piece below the steering wheel (officially called the instrument panel cluster trim plate filler). Grab it and pull it straight back towards you and it should come right out.
Now to remove the instrument panel trim plate. The instructions tell you to set parking brake and block the wheels. This is because you will have to turn on the key to move the shift lever out of park into the first gear position. Then you are to pull on the left corner, the right corner and the top to disengage the metal clip retainers to work the entire trim panel loose. You will then have to disconnect the electrical connectors from the switches in the instrument panel trim plate to remove it. I had to disconnect the light switch and the fog light switch. The instructions told me to rotate the trim plate counterclockwise but I had to rotate mine clockwise to get it off. With a little wiggling and squeezing it can be done. Good luck!
If you are trying to get at the multifunction alarm like I was, you will find it at #2 in the following diagram. The green wire in my 2001 van was the one in its wiring connection that controlled the door alarm. That is the one I cut and inserted a switch.
1st remove the center lower trim panel (officially called the IP Extension Trim Plate). Pull on the left side of it to disengage the metal clip. The right side has plastic tabs that could break off if you pulled on that side. It should pop right out.
Next remove the plastic piece below the steering wheel (officially called the instrument panel cluster trim plate filler). Grab it and pull it straight back towards you and it should come right out.
Now to remove the instrument panel trim plate. The instructions tell you to set parking brake and block the wheels. This is because you will have to turn on the key to move the shift lever out of park into the first gear position. Then you are to pull on the left corner, the right corner and the top to disengage the metal clip retainers to work the entire trim panel loose. You will then have to disconnect the electrical connectors from the switches in the instrument panel trim plate to remove it. I had to disconnect the light switch and the fog light switch. The instructions told me to rotate the trim plate counterclockwise but I had to rotate mine clockwise to get it off. With a little wiggling and squeezing it can be done. Good luck!
If you are trying to get at the multifunction alarm like I was, you will find it at #2 in the following diagram. The green wire in my 2001 van was the one in its wiring connection that controlled the door alarm. That is the one I cut and inserted a switch.
Today's modification to the Chevrolet Express camper van was to add a switch to the wire leading from the driver's door to the multi-function alarm under the dash. When we are vacationing, I often pull over and get out of the van to take pictures without shutting the engine off and pulling the keys so my wife can still enjoy the AC or heat. When ever I do this the annoying buzzer sounds because the door is open and the keys are still in the ignition. Using my copy of the GM shop service manual, I located the alarm buzzer. I had to remove the dash instrument trim panel to access it. I disconnected it and added jumper wires to each connection so that I could isolate which wire came from the door switch.
Multi-function alarm shown by the white arrow.
Once I located the correct wire (green wire in the wiring harness to the alarm) I cut it and added a switch so I could have the door alarm on or off when I was getting out a lot.
Switch for alarm mounted under the dash. It is much less annoying now when I want to quickly get out and snap a picture or two. My wife appreciates it also.
Multi-function alarm shown by the white arrow.
Once I located the correct wire (green wire in the wiring harness to the alarm) I cut it and added a switch so I could have the door alarm on or off when I was getting out a lot.
Switch for alarm mounted under the dash. It is much less annoying now when I want to quickly get out and snap a picture or two. My wife appreciates it also.
Today's latest modification to the camper van was the addition of an under hood service light. It was an old retractable reel model that I removed from an old Chevrolet Suburban.
