Joe Van's 1966 GMC Handivan

Joe just about every 70's van used this stuff and it will last forever.!!!. I do not trust the bubble stuff after a few years and I don't have 4 or $500.00 for the dyna mat. I kept the insulation about 1 inch off the floor I will need more than the one roll to finish the rear corners but with the Metal Air Duct tape and 3m adhesive and 2 rolls of insulation it will cost me about $60.00 to insulate the walls on both sides and I think because of the humidity here I will not put any insulation on the the roof just a head liner...And there is A BIG difference working with this low itch stuff compared to the old insulation...

dodge man wrote:nice job joe, it will be nice and quiet inside driving down the road now,,

You know I noticed a BIG difference right off the bat when I shut the front doors when it started to sprinkle a little it was solid and no side panel flex and when it got dark I could see the ribs on the outside of the van as the temperature dropped down tonight...

Took out the factory bench seat its not going back in the van so I will store it with the rest of my stuff I will be building a old school bed in the back.!!!.  ..                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          There sure is a lot more room with out the seat..  ..                                                                                                                                                                                             For some reason the PO Did not paint the inside of the side doors so I got what I needed and maby get them painted before I make the door panels in a couple of weeks its pouring rain today so I will finish the insulation in a couple of days its to damp for the adhesive to dry right....

Nice start Joe! You're right, the interior looks huge without the seat. If you're not carrying passengers, why use up valuable space. Thanks for the pics!

Joe,Very nice work looking great! Bill

Looks awesome so far, love the update pics!

attention to detail..I like it. Is that a stock door sill molding or custom? Like that too!

Vannin Ken wrote:attention to detail..I like it. Is that a stock door sill molding or custom? Like that too!

       I was told by Dan'o they came off a Sports Van along with the tail light bezels....

WELL I went out to the garage to admire the work I have done so far I was playing with the led lights and noticed the right rear taillight did not work the only thing I could think of is I tucked in the wires over the left wheel well  when I installed the insulation I pulled the harness out and this is what I saw..  ..                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Upon further inspection some one used trailer light wires to run the right side taillight and twisted the wires and used black tape it was a Freaking mess.........                                                             OUT IT CAME......  SO much for taking it Easy Today.!!!. Lucky I still have some wiring left from when I built the Harness for my Willys

Started building a new right rear Harness......                                                                                                                     Well 4 hours later GOT it all installed Looks and Works GREAT and plus be safer also I don't want any electrical fires it all went well everything works and once again I am DONE for the night..  ..I also hooked up the reverse lights also so I will run a toggle switch and light them up the first time in over 10 years that I know of...  ..

very nice wiring job, you should have seen mine, there was an old lamp cord used to the right tail light of mine, I have all the wiring corrected in mine, but I want to rewire the hole van next winter, I could never understand people cutting and splicing wires when they don't know what there doing,

I found some of the same when I did my interior. Ended up making a whole new harness for the rear before it got buried. Also used one of the old wires in the A pillar to pull some new ones through for the extra LEDs. It's the time to do it for sure.

I seen the trailer wiring some time ago on the right side and knew I was going have to redo it before I Installed the headliner I just did not expect to do it TODAY but I am glad I did with all the exposed wires I found.!!!. The rest of the van still has factory wiring in GREAT shape Thats why I can not understand why someone would have to redo just the right rear.  ..I have a thin 6 ft cable with a eye let in one end and I also pulled the speakers and taillight wires with also through the post I ran all my speaker wires through the windshield pillar to keep all the stereo wires off the floor that was the only way I could think of without the wires getting caught and bunched up in the roof rails I tried for a long time with out a cable......

I Finished diner about 7 O'Clock last night and could not stop thinking about that split spiral wire loom crap I DID NOT like it that explains why I have so much of it laying around..My Wife calls it Excessive Compulsive I call it its not right so back out to the garage I went unplugged the socket and the reverse light and pulled the wires BACK out pulled the loom off and wrapped it with electric tape like the Factory Did.!!!.                                                                                                                                                                                            Brought the pig tail to work re-soldered new longer wires and shrink wrapped it good as NEW.!!!.                                                        LOOKS much Better.....                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              All tucked away and another thing crossed off the List..  ...

                                                                                                                                                                   Got the rest of the insulation done after work today except for the rear corners I will be finishing it up before West Coast Van's TRUCKIN in three weeks and I will test the insulation out then.. I will be bringing a heater just in case.  ..

Joe, I should really just keep my mouth shut around someone with OCD as bad as you, but the factory DID NOT use regular electrical tape. If you use the regular stuff, it turns into a big globby mess.

>>>>Scotch Super 33<<<<
Oh, and if you do the doghouse stuff, try 88, it's high temp. I used 33 on my slant 6 and it's holding up well, but with more power (heat), go for the top stuff.

BTW, the rest looks fantastic, and I will be reviewing this thread when I'm to that point!

Looks good Joe.. Look at the bright side at least you found it now.....

I was thinking the same thing as Rod. I always called it friction tape. cloth type stuff, pretty much just stuck to itself at first. Same thing as the #33 ?

Joe fine work on the insulation

RodStRace wrote:Joe, I should really just keep my mouth shut around someone with OCD as bad as you, but the factory DID NOT use regular electrical tape. If you use the regular stuff, it turns into a big globby mess

                                                       THANKS  Rod I really Appericate your Knowledge and Opinion.!!!. Maby I should have said simular to factory.!!!.I usually have to redo things on MY projects at least two or three times before I am satisfied with it but lately its only been twice so I am getting better.  .. PLEASE tell me I dont have to pull them wires out again    ....

Harness tape ,correct non adhesive wiring harness tape. Classic Parts has it in 1inx100ft(#52-951) $4.95 or OE style 1 1/4 inx 100ft(#52-950)$9.95
Made the El tape mistake before. What a mess

WELL thats just GREAT.!!!.  

Joe, if I lived closer, I'd come over and give you a hand. Heck, if I had the money, I'd jump on a plane right now and get away from the snow so I could help you out and warm up at the same time! At least you can still work on yours through the winter. Smile brother!   

THANKS PAUL.....Its my Own Fault I should have asked first. I will get the right stuff before I do the headliner in a couple of months.. You know You and your Wife are WELCOME to stay at our home anytime you have been a Good Friend and Vanning Brother.!!!. it was in the mid 70's today...... I will get over it in a day or two for now I have No Brake Lights something let go in the switch and I have to tap on it to get them to work so the new switch should be here Thursday........HAPPY NEW YEAR.....  ...

Started the New Year off right "Red Ryder" made the front page of our FVC Newsletter.... A photo from Vanorama in Zephorhills.!!!.  ....