Joe Van's 1966 GMC Handivan

So after a week of waiting the Brake Light Switch came and got it installed last night......                                                                                                                I figured while I had the Belly Pan off I would get a couple of other things done also first was to figure why my horn sounded like a small import horn.!!!. A few turns of the screw and out came a hand full of sand blast shot I bolted it back on and it works normal next thing was to check the gear oil in the steering box I have been noticing a few drops after a long ride coming out of the pitman shaft seal it took about 1/4 quart and it was full.!!!. came out the next day and the 1/4 quart was on the garage floor. Carquest Auto Parts had the seal for $8.95 and was not easy to remove at all.......                                                                                                                                              The seal was SHOT it had 3 cracks and was split half way around                                                                    All back together again belly pan back on ,horn works normal, brake lights work, and steering box is full to the proper level.. 3 more things crossed off the list...  ......

you have been busy, I know how you feel once that belly pad is off you try to get every under there done

I have been having some starter issues seems after a long trip it wont turn over until it cools down I have been from the Ignition switch to the starter checked all the connections and I gave up so I Pm the "Master" Donivan and he suggested a extra Relay/Solenoid but said a jumper wire would work for now so I modified his idea and made a fused Push Button ever since I installed the button the problem went away Go Figure....                                                                                    Spent the weekend in the back yard with my Van's..   ....

I love a Good story with a happy ending! Congrats to you and Donivan for getting the kinks worked out!

Finally Some Progress Scored a New Set of High Back Vinyl Adjustable Seats with rear pockets Today for a Jeep Wrangler.... 19 1/2 wide at the seat and 19 inches wide on the backs... I just have to fab some brackets..Cruising will be Way More Comfortable Now....And Finally found a Front Ebrake Cable and some pulleys from Hywaychild after a Year Long Search...Now I can get rid of that Go Cart Throttle Cable.....  ..

Lookin' Good Red Ryder! That's the correct cable, if you need any pics of how that retainer mounts over that pulley, let me know...

Great SCORE on those seats. Please post pics as you do up your seat brackets and install.

Those look like nice comfy seats Joe! I'm sure your better half will appreciate them on long rides. Happy wife, happy life!   

Great progress, really like those seats!

For those of you who Know "Joe Van" I could Not Wait..!!!..I got the passenger seat in today fit Perfect just enough room all around just have two drill two holes... The factory brackets will work Perfect along with the two I made a while back..The Wife sat in them and Smiled Ear to Ear I am back in the game...  ..                                                                                                                                                            The Rain Halted Progress for Today I will try Again Tomorrow after Work..!!!.  .

One more Photo Comparing the Stock Seat to the Jeep Seat..  ..

keep picking away joe and it will all come togather...

They look pretty darn close Joe!

Well I figured I would do the Harder side First Boy I was wrong the passenger seat fell in compared to the drivers side...... I put the Seat where it lined up with the holes Today and the Steering Wheel was not in line with the seat and the left wheel well has raised mounts unlike the right....SO the First thing I did was go grab a "Cold Beer" I knew once I cut that bracket off there was no turning back...after thinking about it last night and all day today.... I drilled 2 holes moved the Stock Bracket from the Original seat out 1/2 inch on the seat so it will bolt in the stock location and will have to make two inside brackets like the right side....3 hours later Got the Left Outside Bracket all painted and ready to Reinstall Tomorrow ..!!!..  ..

Looks Good Joe ... and the Mountains are Blue !!!!!!!!!

Looks pretty darn good to me! Yeah the drivers seat is offset from the steering wheel a couple inches. I have had some of the guys parting a van out save me the seat mount pads from the wheel well and welded them in on the passenger side. Nothing you would want to do at your stage though. Just saves doing the bolt through. Ended up using them them as a weld down point on the pass. side when I switched to the cruiser seats. Flat bottom for mounting and the right width. man those seats were made for these! ^5s

LOOKS GREAT JOE SEE YOU AT BAKERS

BILL Carson wrote:LOOKS GREAT JOE SEE YOU AT BAKERS

Sorry Bill We wont be able to make it this Year.Its been a Rough Year Finanacelly and Just cant afford it Probley $1,000 in Gas alone..If I had 3 Wishes One would be able to attend Bakers this year..!!!.. I KNOW Chris Will Be There..  ..

Got the outside bracket bolted on and had a chance to make the inner ones at work today ...I started with two Rear Bench Seat hold down brackets from a 3RD Gen Ford Van a few cuts a lot of bending and I made two of theses got them painted and installed the drivers seat after work..!!!...The wife is Happy I am Happy another thing crossed off the Long List...   

nice work joe..

They look Great Joe!  

Is that door strap above the door to assist to get into the van?

Thanks for All the Reply's Guys.....Yea Paul it makes it easier for my Wife to get In and Out of the Van... Plus if I have to Stop or Turn Fast it gives her something to hold on to....... She calls it her OH Shit Handel...  ....    ..

Well got Rained Out at the Car Show today for the 3rd week in a row I am glad we have a Truckin next week it will go on Rain or Shine...  ..Got another thing crossed off the list today I have been smelling Gas around the back of my Van for a while but haven't seen anything leaking then went to top it off and it started coming out the top of the tank..So I dropped the tank took the sending unit out it was loose and sure enough another "Victim of Ethanol" surprising there was no rust in the tank all I found was some solder from a obvious repair a New gasket repainted it all installed and on to the next issue I will be saving for a set of the Stainless Steel Straps... I cant believe how flimsy the stock ones are..!!!..   ...

Good detective work Joe!!! Looks nice and clean under there!   

Very Nice