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Water and soda can also be put in there. The water companies have convinced people they need to drink water every five minutes, so the conversion company has to comply.
That's what got us back into vans in 1990. My first "car" was a 1973 Dodge cargo van that I "converted" with bed, TV, stereo and it still could haul gear.
We had I think it was a white and blue '94 Ram B350 conversion van, huge plushy seats, vhs player, big windows and horrible fuel economy. I still remember the day we gave it to a friend to scrap it.😫
Explorer van company makes quality products. As a dealer I sold a lot of them in the 80's and 90's. The fact they are still around, and the good experience I had with their customer service and product says a lot. My customers enjoyed and gave positive reviews of their van conversions too.
IMO those get boring though. Quirky oddball stuff is more interesting. It's like Top Gear/Grand Tour, I never really cared much about when they'd review cars. I just liked the challenges/specials. I'm definitely an automobile enthusiast but it just isn't interesting to see another Ferrari or Lamborghini.
Conversion is what I had meant to say. I apologize for the inconvenience and I am fully embarrassed. I added the family so the reader would more fully understand why we converted vans. It’s a sizable amount of people. A conversion van was the most economical way to transport our family.
@@johna3909 I went back and watched and I like that intro. It's creative and classic Hoovie. Swinging your arms and dancing weird to me is just kinda lame. Love Hoovie's videos and his personality. I think he's a great artist. I think he can do better!
A dealership i worked at a few years ago had one of these. I discovered it by accident and was so amazed. Next thing you know, me and a few coworkers would hide out in there for hours watching TV and drinking for about a week before we got busted. Been in love with this van ever since
The reason more people don't get these is because they're a little hard to find. Cadillac and Chevy/GMC dealers on the other hand are everywhere. I know some people who had to buy a plane ticket to go test drive/review a conversion van they were interested in. Most people aren't going to do that. They're just going to settle for whatever is close and convenient. Now, what would be interesting is a comparison between Hoovie's new Chevy Explorer Conversion Van and one of the Ford Transit Explorer Conversion vans.
I worked at a gas station many years ago and there was a family that had one of these that came by regularly (that gas mileage lol). They had 7 kids, so I guess it was kinda necessary haha. Usually it was just mom and the van after dropping off the kiddos wherever, but every Sunday it was the whole lot, in their Sunday best.
I own a 2006 9 passenger Explorer conversion van and we love it. All 4 of my kids played "travel" sports and we've taken this van all over the country. Now that my kids are in college, I take all the seats out and I can haul an "apartment" load of stuff in it.
yeah but you have to not care about what people think of you, and that is the reason why people are buying cars they cannot afford. To drive their status symbol, unless society changes overnight, the people will be way to vein to be caught dead driving a van.
The Chevy Express 2500 that you are driving also has a Detroit Locker in the rear end, meaning that both tires will spin when you burn out, like you did on the grass back at 11:36. That is probably why it won't burn rubber on dry pavement because both tires would have to spin, instead of one. Less likely to get stuck when off the road. Big advantage over an open differential.
I grew up in the 80's and Dad always had at least one custom, trophy winning van. Usually they had amazing painted art on the side panels or just amazing paint jobs. They were often "sleepers" and had a minibar with a tiny sink and fresh cold water. The back seat was usually a custom couch that folded out and made a bed. These full-size vans drive awesome. Dad still always has a class b camper-van and they still drive like its floating on air. That's my 2 cents,, thanks for listening.
It's an interesting culture with 80s vans but 90s van are kind of not in anything like that besides childhood road trip memories now apparently. But considering what these things are really, I think if you want a good cheap car, and you know what you're doing, 90s chevy vans are a hot deal.
No lie you could get old early 90s Chevy suburbans decked out with TVs and ambient limo lighting with a third row fully reclining bench seat and curtains just like this . Minus the standing room it was just like a limo . I really think these are severely underrated for going on mini road trips . If I had the money I’d add one of these to my super car collection LOL .
My grandmother in 2005 bought one that was a GMC. It had a TV and VCR! Back folded to a bed and I just loved it! Spent many days in it. I want to own another one one day!
@@jeffhardy2602 He can't do a burnout because it doesn't have enough power. The only thing stopping the wheels from spinning is friction, while you roast your automatic transmission applying power standing still. He was able to do a burnout on the grass- so......
Dude, I really like this van 😬👍.. A while back I had a GMC conversion van that I wish I never ever sold.. I paid A Lot of money for it, but it was set up and had absolutely everything you could ever want.. It was like a mini house lol.. It was way extra long, and had a raised roof that was custom made and noticeably taller/ higher than like the ones installed on vans like the one in this video.. It had 4wd, fridge, microwave, huge comfortable bed, cabinets for food, came with attachments for an outdoor shower that kept you completely hidden / not exposed whatsoever, Hot water heater, Huge fold down flat screen tv, incredible lighting, just soooo much that I could aggravate everyone even more by listing more and making this post even longer lol!! Sorry, but if you’re watching this video, you would have absolutely loved this van.. I traveled for like 5mos straight with it, and went everywhere!!… I got kinda close to what I paid for it on a trade in for a loaded HD pickup truck with a brand new awesome snow plow.. I should’ve kept that van and just lived in it for a few years.. It was great seeing the country with it though lol.. The van I had today would definitely be over 100k & that’s if I could get all the stuff that my other one had.. The new ones are very nice, but you pay so much and don’t gain any more special options really.. I haven’t looked, but also, I haven’t even seen a HD van with 4wd in a while.. Do they even make them anymore? lol… Though they are more money, and there is definitely quite a difference, I feel that GMC makes the best conversion vans … They have more options that are of better quality, last longer, more robust, more detailed and well thought out, but again you are paying for all of that lol… Dammit I want another van so bad now!! Hahaha… I have to stop watching YT before I fall asleep at night.. It puts more stupid thoughts in my head that I literally cannot afford to linger there hahaha !!!.. I know whoever is reading this knows exactly what I’m talking about.. You’re doing the same thing lol 😬👍🇺🇸
Bet I've watched 100 of these custom van presentations. This is the best one by far that I've seen. Good job man thank you. Yeah they grow on you especially when your traveling cross country. On my second looking for third.
They are really nice mall crawlers, not to mention they are a great platform for armor plating. high survival rate in a crash. Its mom's and the alphabet boiz assault vehicle
This was in my suggested feed. Interestingly enough, Ive been thinking about a conversion van. Your enthusiasm while presenting this van is reminicent of Jim Cantori's response to Thunder Snow during Snowtober. 😂 Now I want this van!
many years ago 6 of my friends and I took one of these to an outdoor festival. it was cold and raining so we hung out in the van and closed all the window shades. we partied in the back of that thing for 12 hours and had a great time.
@Darth Wheazius I drive them because I am in a wheelchair, I am independent, loading a chair in/out of a car/truck is hard on your joints that hare overused to start with, a van is the best option, install a wheelchair lift, seat base to slide the drivers seat back and lift up, then add hand controls. The Econolines were the most durable, their body on frame had them holding up the longest of any van, and they offered the ability to have the floor dropped so you had the option to drive from your wheelchair. I have friends with 300,000+ miles on their vans.
I'd say conversion vans are cool. I remember as a kid when my aunt and uncle came up from Texas me and my cousins would pile into their conversion van and play Super Smash Bros on the n64 while we were going, well, anywhere.
@@Harey0407 Same here! I remember any time we stopped during the trip, we would ask our dad to keep the van running for a few extra seconds while we saved our games so the power inverter didn't shut off and kill our progress on Zelda :D
Ahh, the joys of criss-crossing the United States every summer in the 80s in my dad's Choo-Choo Custom Dodge conversion van. Never underestimate the utility and comfort of those things!
I recently bought a 1986 Ford E-150 getaway van. Pretty much everything works, I just took it on a 350+ mile trip with the only issue being slowing down going up sharp hills. Awesome van for sure
Conversion van yes, but it was parked on the side of a 7-Eleven. At 10:15 in the morning. On a Tuesday. With the curtains open, and Samir standing outside smoking a cigarette next to the ice machine on his break.
Here I am still rocking my dad's 1997 Dodge B2500 Coachmen. BTW, doesn't matter how many kids you have, even just one. The more distance between you and your spawn on a long road trip, the more relaxing the road trip.
These are the absolute BEST for traveling. Had an Astro van with raised roof but switched to an Expedition. Thinking of getting a full sized for the grandkids.
Yeah at 10 miles per gallon at trip cross country will break the bank. Round trip , plus side trips. 10k miles average 2.50 a gallon. 2,500.00. Plus lodging and meals. Trust me I've done it, its not cheap.
@@toysoldier46552 just think , if you had a small car with a 4 cyl you'd have saved enough money to move out of your mammas basement by now. Just kidding
@@kennypool Oh no...and gasoline is at an astonishingly high second cheapest price level in internal combustion history right now. Oh the humanity. Truly, only a robber baron could afford.
@@Channel-gz9hm 2000 miles at 10 mpg= 200 gallons. 200 gallons x $2 a gallon = $400. More than 50% of Americans cannot afford a $500 dollar expense, so most people could not afford that. www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/most-americans-cant-afford-a-500-emergency-expense/
My childhood best friend's family had one and I always thought it was the coolest thing. The TV in their's was a bit smaller and only played VHS though. 😂
@@Studio23Media yeah ours had a small TV with a VHS as well. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I have no idea how old it was, but it wasn't new or even newish. I think it was probably an late 80s van.
I think they recently ditched. Now those seats come with the seatbelt built inside the seats. So when you swivel you get the shoulder belt. It's a good and bad thing in a way. Personally liked that two click seat belt design for lap and shoulder. Since you can easily take out the belt and power wash them. But with them built in the seat, you can't anymore.
I asked my husband to buy me a Chevy Classic Conversion Van with the full-on EXPLOYER COMPANY PACKAGE for our anniversary several years back. He came through and I absolutely 💯 LOVE it! Road trips, Weekenders, Fishing trips, Van camping, it's PERFECT for all of those times. Better yet, I love taking it and not having to move our Motorcoach around everywhere we want to go! Set up the Motorcoach for Wintering in Florida and then get out and experience Florida in my Chevy Classic Conversion Van with the EXPLOYER COMPANY PACKAGE. Differently the WAY-TO-GO !! Oh, and the built in Inverter SWEET!
This is awesome as hell, i went in a I think escalade limo when I turned 16 and this reminds me of it the luxury, the lights. The tv etc. I'd buy 1 if I could. Upgrade a couple things to more modern but definitely mainly stay the way it is.
I'm a van guy also, I've had several including an '89 3/4 ton Chevy Beauville with the 6.2 diesel. That thing was a terrific freeway cruiser and I could get 20+ mpg on the highway. In the early '90s I could get diesel on sale for 99 cents a gallon. I put a queen-size air mattress on a platform across the rear, added a chemical toilet and a cooler and my wife and I would go from Orlando to Philadelphia in 20 hours with only one stop half-way for fuel. Kept that thing for over 20 years and never had a major mechanical issue.
My grandfather used to exclusively buy and drive these Chevy conversion vans, so consequently i spent a lot of time in them. He also used to daily drive them, which i always found hilariously strange. Thanks for this video! It takes me back to when I was a kid
Id take a conversion van over an Escalade any day. I used to work for gm up until 2014 and i had a customer order a gmc 9 pass 3500 lowtop with the duramax, and then had it sent to Quigley where they made it 4x4. The thing was sick. 😎
@@vinstinct 100% agree. My parents had two they loved them so much. I remember folding the rear seats into a bed and sleeping through long trips. They also came equipped with an original nintendo which was just amazing to me as a child.
"You could live in here... mostly... because of this back seat. That ill show you in a minute." Totally thought the back seat would turn into a toilet.
I have one of these, only a little older. Kids love it. The back seat is really bumpy though and the thing handled awful until i got super duty shocks on it. Also hand and custom built is not good when it comes to electrical things lasting. But it is nice for long trips.
@@YogisGarage I've been in a 1998 Express conversion van. But it was like 6 years ago. (a 2014 Chrysler Town and Country replaced it). The conversion van had so much more room and I don't remember it being too bad. Except if you went over a big bump. Personally I wouldn't get a Ford Transit variant since I prefer American vans like this cool express and those Transits are so European compared to Econoline. It just doesn't have that cool van look to it.
I got to ride around in one of these bad boys my entire childhood (a family friend owned it) and watched so many movies in complete comfort in the back. These things are the definition of bang for your buck
I have a 2019 GMC 2500 Explorer Limited SE it has been in the shop for: 1) new heavy duty tires 2) blown Body Control Module #5 (4 times) 3) Vista Roof window leak, headliner replacement 4) front end grill alignment 5) rear quarter panel window replacement 6) HDMI input not working (x2) 7) charging pad replacement/hardwired 8) front door inner panels missing clear coat 9) rear sensors replacement/reinstall and new rear bumper 10) center latch door replacement 11) passenger seat recliner not functioning 12) drivers seat heat warmer not working 13) rear A/C vent cap broke 14) Front A/C vent cover replacement 15) rear cargo door panel window not properly installed 16) rear cargo door panel clip not properly installed 17) replacement under mirror flood light 18) replace metal seat buckle x3 19) replace squeaking rear seat catch x2 20) replace defective 1/4 panel clearance light (causing 2nd blown Body Cintrol Module) 21) replace defective Blu-ray player 22) now being told by Explorer that I have an electric draw somewhere causing my battery to drain while GMC is telling me I need a new battery 23) and now flickering overhead light... UPDATE: 24) GMC told me I had to buy a new battery and i did, they installed. 25) Battery replacement caused head unit to short, GMC replaced (also lost CD) 26) Van left me stranded again due to bad battery, replaced battery again and ey reimbursed from my not needed previous battery purchase. 27) 40,000 miles later my Fuse #5 blew AGAIN, told by all there is an electric short somewhere. Explorer Van Co. sent flatbed to Houston, Texas and picked up van and sent to Indiana to do an in depth investigation. STILL cannot find where the draw is, love the van but we are so torn. So disappointed with my first conversion van, but EVERYTHING has been taken care of under Explorer warranty (thanks Deb). Wife is tired of it, but I told I refuse to get an overpriced Tahoe/Suburban!!!
How many miles did you end up putting on it in total? I'm surprised you had issues with the rear windows, those should be GM parts, I don't think explorer touches them. We just picked up a used van, and I'm hoping we don't run into this many issues. The previous owner had to have the A/C totally replaced. I know these vans can have transmission issues too. The 6l90 has a faulty torque converter that likes to give out from what I've read online.
I used to own a 2004 hightop conversion van very similar to this one and I loved it! We drove from FL to Wyoming and back pulling a loaded enclosed trailer and 6 people. It still did 90 on the highway no problem
I'm here because I've been reading/watching all I can about the GMC Conversion vans. I saw one in person and it was incredible and now I'm looking for just the right match for me. (aka PRICE). Glad to see someone with the enthusiasm that I displayed when I drove one.
I just brought my first conversion van, a B1500 DODGE and I'm fully restoring it. I have a deep appreciate of Conversion vans now and I'm disappointed I slept on these puppies for so long. Great Video Hoov
Love conversion vans! Totally agree with his statement comparing them to suburbans and escalades. We frequently go to Houston and the ride comfort and amenities along with the space....awesome if you have kids!!!!
Back in the 1970’s we all owned Ford or Chevy Vans in HighSchool.. Custom paint jobs & mag wheels and a mattress or a water bed in the back.. black light with black light posters or wood panels & shag rugs .. keg of beer and back doors open at the all night drive in .. cheers from 🇨🇦
You know Hoovie, Harry Metcalfe and of course James May just might be the some of the last journalists not obsessed with how well a car handles "on the limit" and more concerned with the asthetics and how the car functions for the everyday motorist.
I have the exact same van, but in silver... soon to send it to advanced 4x4 for a 4wheel conversion.. it is super comfortable to ride in and camping...
