Too much carpet - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**slomotion** · 07-26-2018, 01:54 PM

I'm going to go check out an '81 Chevy SWB van tomorrow. It looks to be in great shape, 49K original miles and garaged most of it's life. I'll take a magnet and soft cloth of course and have a pretty good idea of what to look for.
My only reservation about this ride is the entire interior is covered in carpet. No telling what's living in it. I don't mind donning a hazmat suit, respirator and gloves to remove the stuff, but would like some idea's on how to remove whatever may be glued in with contact cement.

Idea's?

Thanx

**Palf70Step** · 07-26-2018, 02:29 PM

Hopefully a lot of it is attached to backing board. But, either way just rip it out and see what is left. Been a while since I have done one, but back then it was all sanding to get rid of the adhesive. Not sure what magical stuff exists today (About 25 years since I did one.)

**slomotion** · 08-01-2018, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Hopefully a lot of it is attached to backing board. But, either way just rip it out and see what is left. Been a while since I have done one, but back then it was all sanding to get rid of the adhesive. Not sure what magical stuff exists today (About 25 years since I did one.)

Well, I brought it home yesterday. (I am the second owner.) While checking it out at the previous owners he showed me the bill for having the carpet put in by a professional outfit in late '81. They did glue the carpet to thin ply then screwed the panels to the doors, overhead, floor - everywhere! The worst part is finding the fasteners through the carpet. I've gotten a couple of panels off and except for where the fastener holes are the doors are pristine.
I've taken to removing one or two screws then just prying off the panels. Much quicker.

'63GENIII · 08-01-2018, 08:48 PM

"The worst part is finding the fasteners through the carpet."

That might be the worst part but the most amazing part is you found a vehicle with its original owner, who still had the receipt for custom work that was done 37 years ago!

I can't even find receipts for the truck parts that I bought last weekend!

Nice find. Looks to be in super good shape!

So whats she gonna be? Work van? Dirt bike hauler?

72c20customcamper · 08-01-2018, 09:03 PM

I prefer waxed... oh wait were talking about vans nevermind

**Palf70Step** · 08-01-2018, 09:23 PM

Very nice looking van.

**slomotion** · 08-01-2018, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '63GENIII

"The worst part is finding the fasteners through the carpet."

That might be the worst part but the most amazing part is you found a vehicle with its original owner, who still had the receipt for custom work that was done 37 years ago!

I can't even find receipts for the truck parts that I bought last weekend!

Nice find. Looks to be in super good shape!

So whats she gonna be? Work van? Dirt bike hauler?

Thank you!

He provided me with the original bill of sale, the original title, and a pile of paper work that covered most of the repairs/maintenance done. It is in beautiful shape which creates a problem. In my mind's eye I put 16" Torque Thrust D's on it, dropped it a couple of inches, painted it a dark metallic gray,
installed a warmed over 350 and later OD trans. It already has PB and PS.

On the other hand, "They're only original once." It wouldn't take much at all to bring this back to a really nice bone-stock fun driver. (Which is the way I'm leaning now.)

As for uses, one of my hobbies is building and running large scale RC ships and boats. With a couple of purpose-built shelves and cradles, this would be ideal to take part of the fleet to our club's monthly runs with plenty of room for chairs, a table, and all the ancillary stuff.

Thought about calling it the "Boat Box"

Blue GMC · 08-01-2018, 10:17 PM

Congrats on the nice purchase but...

We got to see the inside pics before you removed that carpet from the shaggin wagon

**slomotion** · 08-02-2018, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue GMC

Congrats on the nice purchase but...

We got to see the inside pics before you removed that carpet from the shaggin wagon

Glad you reminded me! I hadn't taken any "before" photo's which I usually do.

I think I remember having a good time in one of these back in the early 70's

Anyway, I know this is a truck site, so I'll post a few photo's then return you to your regularly scheduled program.......

**Ol Blue K20** · 08-02-2018, 09:49 AM

Nice van....I always wanted one in high school.

**slomotion** · 08-02-2018, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Nice van....I always wanted one in high school.

Thanks! I also wanted one, it just took a long time to get it.

Maybe a good thing I couldn't afford one then. I'm sure it would have been a girl's father's worst nightmare in spite of my (mostly) honorable intentions.

**Ol Blue K20** · 08-02-2018, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slomotion

Thanks! I also wanted one, it just took a long time to get it.

Maybe a good thing I couldn't afford one then. I'm sure it would have been a girl's father's worst nightmare in spite of my (mostly) honorable intentions.

Yeah, I'm getting a little old fro my original intentions. Plus my girlfriend would kick my @$$........

68C15 · 08-02-2018, 10:49 PM

Paint it black with a red stripe. Slap on some red turbine wheels. A Team all over again

Blue GMC · 08-02-2018, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68C15

Paint it black with a red stripe. Slap on some red turbine wheels. A Team all over again

Was thinking the same thing earlier. Or we need a mural of a wizard fighting a dragon on the side of it. With the carpet that would be a crowd pleaser at any show

DjS71 · 08-03-2018, 09:06 AM

I've had a hankering for a G-van of late, certainly don't have time, money, or space for one though. Congrats, looks great!

CG · 08-03-2018, 09:19 AM

Wow, that thing is cool. I wish I would have found something like that when I was searching for a new driver. It's screaming for a set of Cragars or 200S wheels. Please don't go A-Team lol!!!

72c20customcamper · 08-03-2018, 10:23 AM

I had a 76 g30 in high school was almost new bought it from my neighbor who had a few to many and slide the passenger side along the guardrail. Some used parts and some work and it was nice. Wood paneled with zebra couch and a full bar shag carpets . Sold it and Bought a Ford e150 van . Boy had a lot of fun in them.

The vans are coming on strong see lots more of them at shows.

**slomotion** · 08-03-2018, 10:48 AM

One of these vans has been on my bucket list for a long time so thank you all for the positive comments and ideas! The jury is still out on the rebuild as it's still in the tear-down phase to see what we've got. So far it has some promise.

I'd like to think the vans are coming back. I think the station wagons are too, which is unusual for me as I'm generally the last one to jump on a trend because I haven't the foresight to know one until it's winding down.

Sorry for the truck site hijack! I do still have the dually, so I guess I can maintain my membership?....

Troy Sr · 08-03-2018, 10:56 AM

Now that's a SHAGGIN WAGON!!!!

67ChevyRedneck · 08-03-2018, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Nice van....I always wanted one in high school.

I think every guy wanted one just like it in high school

**GOPAPA** · 08-03-2018, 05:01 PM

Just a thought ,,would a magnet find the screws.. or are they brass?

**slomotion** · 08-03-2018, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOPAPA

Just a thought ,,would a magnet find the screws.. or are they brass?

Thank you GOPAPA, I tried a magnetic stud finder which wasn't much help. Then a cow magnet and with that I can get into the vicinity, but the carpet nap is so thick and the screws driven so deep I still have to search for the 1/4" heads. When I get in the "neighborhood" I've been using scissors to cut the shag down as close as I can, then scratch around until the screw head shows itself. The carpet is glued to the panels, then the panels were mounted. More than half of the screws have been pulled down through the carpet and embedded in the wooden panel. Once I get two or three screws out and pull on the panels, the next ones in line are obvious. When I'm lucky they pull through the panel and then I just use my drill mounted socket to spin them right out.

Thank you!

**vetnat** · 08-05-2018, 01:08 PM

Not sure if it would work, but how about good clippers (for hair) with a coarse blade to get down to the screws? Just a thought, I'm a veterinarian, so use clippers to get a better look at things every day

Wow, is that a lot of carpet!

**slomotion** · 08-05-2018, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vetnat

Not sure if it would work, but how about good clippers (for hair) with a coarse blade to get down to the screws? Just a thought, I'm a veterinarian, so use clippers to get a better look at things every day

Wow, is that a lot of carpet!

Sure worth a shot! Thank you!

07-26-2018, 01:54 PM	#1
slomotion Old Duffer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Maine Posts: 1,821	Too much carpet I'm going to go check out an '81 Chevy SWB van tomorrow. It looks to be in great shape, 49K original miles and garaged most of it's life. I'll take a magnet and soft cloth of course and have a pretty good idea of what to look for. My only reservation about this ride is the entire interior is covered in carpet. No telling what's living in it. I don't mind donning a hazmat suit, respirator and gloves to remove the stuff, but would like some idea's on how to remove whatever may be glued in with contact cement. Idea's? Thanx __________________ '68 Short C20 Flatbed Dually w/ 292 4bbl, Langdon cast headers, and WC T5 trans. '81 G10 Shorty Van "Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement." Will Rogers "Under promise, then over achieve."

07-26-2018, 02:29 PM	#2
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,613	Re: Too much carpet Hopefully a lot of it is attached to backing board. But, either way just rip it out and see what is left. Been a while since I have done one, but back then it was all sanding to get rid of the adhesive. Not sure what magical stuff exists today (About 25 years since I did one.) __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

08-01-2018, 08:48 PM	#4
'63GENIII Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Carlos, Ca. Posts: 3,048	Re: Too much carpet "The worst part is finding the fasteners through the carpet." That might be the worst part but the most amazing part is you found a vehicle with its original owner, who still had the receipt for custom work that was done 37 years ago! I can't even find receipts for the truck parts that I bought last weekend! Nice find. Looks to be in super good shape! So whats she gonna be? Work van? Dirt bike hauler? __________________ Chris '63 k15 long step Vortec 7.4 - L29 Blackbear tune, Five 0 Motorsports injectors, Chris Straub Cam, NV4500, divorced 205 52" front and 63" rear spring swap D44 / 14bff - disc axles Milemarker 9K and 10.5K hydraulic winches 63" & B52 Spring Install http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ng+swap+thread NV4500 Reverse Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=reverse+build L29 - 7.4 Vortec Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&highlight=L29

08-01-2018, 09:03 PM	#5
72c20customcamper Registered User Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Catskill Mountains,NY Posts: 8,139	Re: Too much carpet I prefer waxed... oh wait were talking about vans nevermind

08-01-2018, 09:23 PM	#6
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,613	Re: Too much carpet Very nice looking van. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

08-01-2018, 10:17 PM	#8
Blue GMC Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 384	Re: Too much carpet Congrats on the nice purchase but... We got to see the inside pics before you removed that carpet from the shaggin wagon

08-02-2018, 09:49 AM	#10
Ol Blue K20 Proprietor of Dale's Corner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vacaville , CA Posts: 15,834	Re: Too much carpet Nice van....I always wanted one in high school. __________________ "Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man

08-02-2018, 10:49 PM	#13
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	Re: Too much carpet Paint it black with a red stripe. Slap on some red turbine wheels. A Team all over again __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

08-03-2018, 09:06 AM	#15
DjS71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 267	Re: Too much carpet I've had a hankering for a G-van of late, certainly don't have time, money, or space for one though. Congrats, looks great! __________________ 1971 C10 Short/Fleet 307-2BBL/3OTT 1999 Silverado 2500 ECSB 6.0/4L80

08-03-2018, 09:19 AM	#16
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Monroe, Wa. Posts: 19,772	Re: Too much carpet Wow, that thing is cool. I wish I would have found something like that when I was searching for a new driver. It's screaming for a set of Cragars or 200S wheels. Please don't go A-Team lol!!!

08-03-2018, 10:23 AM	#17
72c20customcamper Registered User Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Catskill Mountains,NY Posts: 8,139	Re: Too much carpet I had a 76 g30 in high school was almost new bought it from my neighbor who had a few to many and slide the passenger side along the guardrail. Some used parts and some work and it was nice. Wood paneled with zebra couch and a full bar shag carpets . Sold it and Bought a Ford e150 van . Boy had a lot of fun in them. The vans are coming on strong see lots more of them at shows. __________________ Mark 72 c20 custom camper Husky edition, 66 SS396 Chevelle 1964 Hawk, 63 Avanti,62 lark 1969 AMX , 1968 c20 stepside ,85 K20 1977 Suburban sold 68 anniversary.

08-03-2018, 10:48 AM	#18
slomotion Old Duffer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Maine Posts: 1,821	Re: Too much carpet One of these vans has been on my bucket list for a long time so thank you all for the positive comments and ideas! The jury is still out on the rebuild as it's still in the tear-down phase to see what we've got. So far it has some promise. I'd like to think the vans are coming back. I think the station wagons are too, which is unusual for me as I'm generally the last one to jump on a trend because I haven't the foresight to know one until it's winding down. Sorry for the truck site hijack! I do still have the dually, so I guess I can maintain my membership?.... __________________ '68 Short C20 Flatbed Dually w/ 292 4bbl, Langdon cast headers, and WC T5 trans. '81 G10 Shorty Van "Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement." Will Rogers "Under promise, then over achieve."

08-03-2018, 10:56 AM	#19
Troy Sr Registered User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Antioch, Ca. Posts: 442	Re: Too much carpet Now that's a SHAGGIN WAGON!!!! __________________ Take Care Troy

08-03-2018, 05:01 PM	#21
GOPAPA "Tail Gate Best Seat In House" Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nampa Idaho Posts: 7,342	Re: Too much carpet Just a thought ,,would a magnet find the screws.. or are they brass? __________________ When you learn a thing a day you store up smart.

08-05-2018, 01:08 PM	#23
vetnat Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Moose Jaw, SK Posts: 510	Re: Too much carpet Not sure if it would work, but how about good clippers (for hair) with a coarse blade to get down to the screws? Just a thought, I'm a veterinarian, so use clippers to get a better look at things every day Wow, is that a lot of carpet! __________________ 1961 GMC half ton, short step, Canadian model. Just starting work on it.



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