Wiring a Chevy Express 2001 g1500 conversion van - are vans harder to do?

[mrpep]

So I bought all the goods to begin my installation. I've done many but I have never done a Van. The van has an old tube TV in it and I actually plan on keeping it but not sure if the hook up will be compatible to my new kenwood double din ddx392 ( see link )

Amazon.com : Kenwood eXcelon DDX392 2-Din DVD Receiver with Bluetooth : Car Electronics

That's just one concern, another is the wiring in general. Any tips or pointers on a van installation? I hear vans are harder to do. Amy pointers will help, thanks.

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[WhiteYota]

Not harder - but takes a lot more wire to run if you put your equipment in the back. Also takes a LOT more deadening then you think it does.

When I wired my old 83 G2500 - that was a little more difficult because it didn't have the wire channels along the inside sides like the newer cars/trucks/vans does where it was before all this newer computerized stuff.

The HU should still hookup as long as the tv has a RCA vid in.

 

[mrpep]

Not harder - but takes a lot more wire to run if you put your equipment in the back. Also takes a LOT more deadening then you think it does.When I wired my old 83 G2500 - that was a little more difficult because it didn't have the wire channels along the inside sides like the newer cars/trucks/vans does where it was before all this newer computerized stuff.

The HU should still hookup as long as the tv has a RCA vid in.

Was your van a conversion van? Everything is so tight Im not sure how to begin. The step panel are like glued down or something, or are they clipped?

 

[WhiteYota]

No mine was a passenger with the 3 rows of seats. All the newer stuff is clipped - I would suggest getting a panel removal tool, very helpful. Also, I would make sure the plastic trim is warmed up - like run the van with the heaters on for a little while. This will help with not breaking the tabs or holders for the clips. Cold plastic is brittle.

Look and follow the trim - a lot of the times it is stacked, so to speak, where other pieces are placed on top of one you need to remove. Be careful when pulling trim - sometimes either the manufacture or the conversion places likes to hide screws. Also you will probably have to remove some of the stuff that the conversion manufacture has added after GM (who made the van).

I have seen the insides of some conversion vans and usually trim is placed like the factory trim is. Just take your time and pry gently until you see how it is clipped.

 

[mrpep]

I've been told by 2 installers that the carpets are glued down. Today I picked up a few pointers from an installer, he told me that he tied the cables to a long rod and just shoved the rod under the carpet from one end to another. He said it left a bit of a lump in the carpet but it wasn't that visible. What panel removal tool should I get ? I will look on Amazon for one too. Thanks for the pointers. i wish I could get more , I've looked but not too much online.

 

[WhiteYota]

Unless the conversion manufacture changed out the carpet - I have not seen OEM's glue anything but just held down with clips on the sides the trim.

It also depends on how the conversion place ordered the van from GM - they can get them with nothing (no carpet, seats, trim, etc) in them but then they have to provide the materials.

What place did your conversion van?

On the tool - the ones I use look like a dandelion picker - with just a split in the middle to create a fork. This is like the ones I have used http://www.amazon.com/Xscorpion-DPFR6-Heavy-Fastener-Remover/dp/B00ITN4B96/ref=sr_1_sc_15?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1427993044&sr=1-15-spell&keywords=door+pannel+tool

I see that there are a lot of different ones but I have only used this style.

I have done the rod and ran wires that way - but ya it leaves a lump. To me its worth the time to take stuff out and run wires out of the way. It also provides access to put in some deadening. In vans it makes a big difference because there is a lot of big steel panels and the OEM does not put on much to silence them (costs too much for them).

 

[mrpep]

I would love to run the wires the right way but I just dont see how to remove the wall panels. I bought this and I will mess with everything carefully and hopefully it turns out to be easy. I will keep you posted.

http://www.amazon.com/Panel-Window-Molding-Upholstery-Removal/dp/B00HPD6Z5E/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_16?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Y9R3TDFAN40RDJHCCY7

somebody just told me to use fish-line? Its that thing that electricians use to pull wire through. I'm going to give this a shot!! Whatever it is I do I must open a thread on it because there's nothing on the internet about wiring a van and I am sure that Im not the only one looking.

 

[WhiteYota]

Ya, a fish-line, aka wire puller would be just like running a rod and taping the wires. In the drivers door jam there should be another label that says what company did the conversion on the van. With that you can either contact them for a repair book or search the internet and find one. That will at least show how to get at different parts of the van. I dont think you will find much on the internet about putting in a upgraded sound system but looking through conversion van forums you might at least figure out how some things come apart.