Chevy & GMC Vans

With shipping it was just under $110. They listed 2 different wire sets. I got the cheaper ones. Both were listed as correct on AC Delco's website. The cheaper was OE and the other professional. Not sure what the difference is.

Dropped off safari at mechanics. He fixed the broken wire for the power lock on the drivers door, replaced the power window motor, fixed the melted connector for the blower motor, and tried to fix the rear AC fan box (it would have helped if I got the right box...it was an inch too tall :facepalm: ).

I've developed a very visible lean to the driver's side. It looks like there's still a few turns left on the torsion adjuster bolt, so I hopefully it can be fixed, but I don't understand why it's happening more on one side. Could having the weight of a toolbox, a deep-cycle battery and the driver there could wear down the suspension unevenly? Is it because right-hand turns are sharper than left-hand turns?

Wasn't exactly today but...
As we were arriving at camp on Sunday at the end of a 350+ mile drive I slow down at the last turn to go up the hill to camp and feel a slight hesitation. As I slow again to turn in our drive I think I feel it again.
We unload the van and later I move it out of the way... No problem.

Next morning (Monday) we had some errands to run so while I'm waiting for my wife I start the van to warm it up. The fuel pump is moaning and screaming like a banshee! I turn the truck off and cycle the key just to hear the pump and it sounds BAD! I decide we are going nowhere including driving back home in a week without the pump being replaced.
I call the local garage... a good mom & pop shop that has always helped me before. He says he's jammed until Wednesday and drop it off in the morning.
I decide to help him out and siphon as much as the 1/2 tank of fuel out as possible. While that is happening I decide to spray the bolts, etc. with WD-40 so they can soak for the two days before he gets the van.
I started poking around and found the bolts clean and easy to break free so I just kept going. Meantime I call a friend of mine who I know is in the area at his camp... sure enough he's in town picking up some supplies! I ask him to grab a pump kit, the strainer/sock and a new main fuel filter. By the time he shows up at 1PM with the parts I have the tank out and ready for the new pump.

The 3" lift sure made working under the truck easier and the rocker was just high enough to clear the tank while sliding it out.

That's awesome 'Rider! Way to take charge of the situation.
So it's not that big of a deal to replace the fuel pump/filter? I had that done a couple of years ago and it cost $$$.

Well yesterday I broke down and sent my van to a friends auto repair shop, I ran out of time winter is upon us and I could not get it timed by myself. So I should be back on the road soon. This is the first time since I got my license 30+ years ago that I have sent my vehicle to a shop with the exception of a transmission shop about 16 years ago.

H2OJoe wrote:That's awesome 'Rider! Way to take charge of the situation.
So it's not that big of a deal to replace the fuel pump/filter? I had that done a couple of years ago and it cost $$$.

Not bad if you have a fairly rust free vehicle... the only thing that was really bad looking was the line connections so I left them alone and lowered the tank as much as possible and spun the lock ring that holds the pump/sending unit in the tank to release the unit from the tank with the lines still connected. I let the pump hang there on the lines while I lowered the tank the rest of the way slowly as i pulled the pump out of the tank.
You should also know know that I am a (former) ASE Certified Master Automotive Tech so I have done this a few times previously on many different vehicles but never laying on the ground.

Did a tune-up with all AC Delco parts...new plugs, wires, cap and rotor. Also did a lube, oil and filter and rotated the tires. I hope to report next week I am getting better than 12.5 mpg!

Actually yesterday, but helped my Mom get a Christmas tree!

Your van looks awesome James! Just needs chrome trim ring on the wheels.

I agree..........van looks terrific. Put some trim rings on those wheels.
http://autodetailcompany.com/products/TRIMRINGS.aspx

Thanks guys, but actually it does have trim rings! I know they're hard to see in those shots because of the lighting, especially if you're expecting chrome rings. I took a better picture for you.



We didn't like the chrome, so we had them powdercoated gloss black. I hope you like them, but we'll still be friends if you don't.

From a distance and in the shadows the black ones don't show up very well. The close up shot looks pretty good. I still prefer the chrome ones.

Well looky there. They look nice but I prefer the chrome also. Chrome sets off the wheels better. I really like the wheels. Color matching them with the van was a great idea.

Well we had a big snow storm here in Minnesota over the weekend and I hit a cement barrier/divider with my van and did some damage.

Been working on it the last couple of nights to fix it back up. \ Bent the left front rim and snapped the stabilizer link, damaged the front bumper cover and reiforcement, buckled the fender a bit and when I deflected off the wall, it caught my back 1/4 panel just a little bit by the taillight and also tore off my rear bumper cover, which I wasn't aware of til the next morning. I did this at about 2:30 in the morning on my way home from a gig with my band. There was no avoiding it, it was just that slippery on that particular corner. Thankfully, I was only going about 15 mph or it would have been much worse.

Found a used rim for $17 and got everything repaired and painted last night. Still looking for a rear bumper cover, if anyone has one for cheap???
I have a set of 15 inch chrome trim rings to trade or sell if anyone might be interested as well. I took them off as they were the only pieces of chrome left showing after I wrapped the van.
Will print and re-wrap the damaged areas tomorrow and should be good to go.

D'oh!