Russell's '66 GMC HandiVan

Some of you know I bought a Handi Van a couple of weeks ago. Let the fun begin!

Just a update on some of the work being done on my GMC.I pulled the 6 cyl. out and installed a 350,The picture is before I cut the floor for the bigger doghouse.


It isn't running yet but soon. Lot's to do

I've been living in Chula Vista too long I think,

I used some edging trim for the shift rod bushing's.

Somebody hacked my radiator support, (P.O.)
Adding a 2nd gen doghouse I noticed the bolt holes on the sides of the support are not going to attach it to the new doghouse. I thought they would work well for attaching a fan shroud. I have another radiator support from my other van, I cut some aluminum 30" x 6" and bent them over the round end of my vise to get the shape I wanted.



I set them into the support and drilled holes where the existing holes are in the support.
Then put them into the van.




This seems to work well and was easy to make. Since 1st gen fan shrouds are rare to find I know some of you might be interested. I have an 18" fan and probably should have cut the strips a couple inches longer. I plan to add 2 small squares to cover the holes and support the sides. If I were to use the original support I will probably notch the top because of the angle of the top of the support. Since mine had already been cut off it went in easily.

Cutting out the hole for the later V8 style doghouse is not real difficult. I set the new one over the hole lining up the front where the old one sits around the brake handle etc. and marked it inside and outside on the floor. I used a saws all to cut the inside area out leaving the part from the radiator supports forward.
The problem area is the rear section, the newer doghouse is shaped differently than the early one. I cut the rib's out so a new piece of flat metal could be placed over the floor section left. A little bit was cut out of the middle also to make the shape to match the new doghouse. A little welding, pounding and grinding and the hole is ready to put the new one in.
The first picture is before cutting it out.

I wanted to know how bad the tank looked inside.since I have 2 tanks and this one had a couple large dents in the bottom I decided to cut it open. Really crusty inside and seemed like it had some kind of coating, (rubbery?) The bottom section cleaned out easier than the top using just a scraper than some cleaners and scrubbing, the top part was alot harder substance and more rusty. I should be able to weld it back together and I'm thinking I might add a 2" strip between the two for a little more gas space.

It looks like an old grill.

I haven't posted in a while some of the progress. New radiator, doghouse installed with latches to separate the back half for maintenance, made tunnel for more air into radiator.


I will be able to remove the back half with the seats in place.

It's been awhile since I've posted the progress.

Russell, I love your work . Are you keeping this one or selling it??? Let me know… please and thank you!

It's getting really close to done. I don't know if I'm going to sell this one or the other one. After I drive it awhile I'll decide, I don't need 2 Vans.

I don't Need 6 VCV(& Astro)    But got them(for now??)  
Your van's looks Great Russell

Wow, now that's not an easy decision because they both look Fantastic!!!

Russell thanks to your FB post here's a link to a place that sells the fabric you used on the doghouse.

https://www.parts-express.com/Speaker-Cabinet-Carpet-Covering-Charcoal-Yard-54-Wide-260-765?fbclid=IwAR1ax6rsf4oRtwb5Ms1h783V9MshssqN900Rj7HfpzBNp56XCWm_Fb4iCbI

Do you remember about how much material it took?

THANKS, wideload

wideload wrote:Russell thanks to your FB post here's a link to a place that sells the fabric you used on the doghouse.

https://www.parts-express.com/Speaker-Cabinet-Carpet-Covering-Charcoal-Yard-54-Wide-260-765?fbclid=IwAR1ax6rsf4oRtwb5Ms1h783V9MshssqN900Rj7HfpzBNp56XCWm_Fb4iCbI

Do you remember about how much material it took?

THANKS, wideload

I bought 4 yards but didn't use all of it. I just bought another 4 yards to do the inside window frames, the long one is just over 9' long. it is 4'6" wide so I can cut it in half and do all the frames.

A couple of pictures of the cabinets I built to cover the wheelwells and corner with storage.

Looks like that latch probably hooks so that it won't accidentally pop open during transit?
I like the direction you're going with this...Great idea!

I put a new sending unit in months ago and the gauge worked well, It was showing close to empty so I drove it to the station and put about 5 gallons in it, gauge stayed near empty. I didn't want to drop the tank again since it was near full. I tested the wiring and knew it had something to do with the sender. I cut a hole in the floor for access, pulled sender and tested it outside of the tank and it was working? after re-installing, still not working I pulled it back out and noticed small dent in the float, it had a small crack and was full of fuel. I drilled a hole on the crack to drain it and soldered it back together. Working great now. I was surprised the new float was not good. I added some flat stock under the floor for support and replaced the piece I cut out. Easy access if I ever have to work on it again. Just because a part is new doesn't mean it's good.

I have some flooring I was thinking of putting in the Van but when I laid it out it just looked like too much with the wood side panels. I did cut some to try to level out the floor rib's. It is the perfect width set into the lower ribs, I will be putting padding and carpet over the floor area.
My wife liked the way the floor looks with the rib's filled. If the floor were painted and the cuts were nicer on the wood it would be a nice look for a cargo style floor.

I also put some material on the door at the bottom under original Chrome strip and top to match the side window frames, small rubber edging around the wood also.

Looks Great Russell! I like the look of the material at the bottom of the door and it should probably extend the life of the wood panel as well. Feet tend to scratch the wood up so that padding should help with that…

vanny wrote:Looks Great Russell! I like the look of the material at the bottom of the door and it should probably extend the life of the wood panel as well. Feet tend to scratch the wood up so that padding should help with that…

I learned from my other Van the bottom of the doors had scuff marks from holding it open with my foot. The material will help these panels to survive.

I haven't posted in a while, I decided to paint over the blue and went to grey, I think it gives more of a user friendly look.

Is it for sale Russell? And if so, what are you asking for this great looking Van?