1989 Chevrolet G-20 Explorer Conversion Van
Famous Classic Car / Vintage Race Tow Vehicle of the Mid-Atlantic
Please wait for all pictures to load!

Not just another junky conversion van! - EVERYTHING works!!

"The Lust Bus II" - 1989 Chevrolet G-20 Explorer Conversion Van
Towing Vehicle and Mobile Office for West of Sweden SAAB for the last two years
154k miles on original Chevrolet 350, 10k on rebuilt HD 700R4 transmission
Lots of work along with GOOD COLD A/C within last 2 years...
See extensive service record below!
Meticulously maintained by automotive technician owner/operator for hauling classic cars

Headlights are Cibie H4 and H1, not sealed beam but real light from real lenses and reflectors.

The LBII was fitted with heavy duty rear springs to compensate for the extra weight of the conversion as well as for towing a car trailer. She is wired for 7 pin trailer plug - brakes and 12V as well as lights. Load up and head out. Heck, with sideboards on my car trailer, my fiancee and I moved two households and I moved my entire business stock with the LB2 last September, not to mention the myriad of cars she has pulled in that timespan.

LB2's paint does not shine like a new one and she's a little rough in spots, but it doesn't fit in your garage either, so for an outside vehicle why have something which is too nice to leave outside? I haven't heard about any conversion van shows lately either, so it's not like you need to win fabulous prizes or meet the ladies with the LB2. (If you've got what it counts on your own the LB2 will take care of you, anyway.) What counts is that she is rust-free and totally reliable mechanically - I would jump in and go to the other coast tomorrow if I had the time and reason to do so.

Not only is she rust-free but she's completely straight down both sides.

Now where the LB2 really shines - apart from a couple small tears in her front seats, the interior is mint. Leather-wrapped steering wheel was a hallmark of the Explorer van conversion, along with the extensive butternut wood and other interior appointments! This van is more comfortable and gets the same mileage as a Cadillac, without the negative attention in parking lots! What a trade-off!

Here's what you DON'T see on most conversion vans, heck, most vans at all of this vintage since most owners never maintained them and mechanics were too lazy to do a good job: 50psi at idle with the A/C on, no more than 180 degrees on the temp gauge, and good charging under heavy electrical load. At the moment, I have the A/C on MAX cooling, the rear A/C fan on, and the headlights and highbeams on. Oh and the Pioneer AM/FM/CD deck is cranking out the tunes at somewhere below 45Wx4. Still, the HD alternator is putting out more than 13.5V!

Like the driver's side, the passenger's seat and all seats to the rear are sinfully comfortable with dual armrests and lots of storage cubbies and whatnot.

I think this is the first time the "drink stand" has been in place on the LB2 - but here is your picnic station. All captains chairs swivel 360 degrees, so when you're parked, switch off the overhead lights to save the battery and have a luxurious day by the water, at the car show, at the races - whatever - you'll never "tailgate" again! The "drink stand" pops right back out of the floor and stows beneath the 'bed' - see following picture for that compartment.

The third row seating folds down electrically to make a very comfortable queen size bed. I have camped out here before at numerous vintage sportscar races, Vintage SAAB conventions and while on the road hauling a car. Note even the vacuum cleaner on the rear wall. In the rear doors are storage compartments comprising a small bar as well for extra tailgating action. Or, take the sheets (not my sheets, the one from YOUR queen size bed), make the bed, lay down and, er, well, "if the van's a rockin, don't come a'knockin!"

Moving right along, the headphones plugged into the jacks to the side of the seats can listen to either the radio in the rear or the television in the front. I have a television for one of these vans which, if you would like it, you may have it, but I figure that with the advent of small DVD/TV combinations you might prefer to use one of those instead... the van was originally configured for a VCP and TV.

Above the bed are new JBL 6x9 speakers for the main audio system in the front. Rear audio speakers are along the sides. The rear radio is just out of the picture above the panel with the speakers and vents for the rear air conditioning.

What you see from the rear seat. Note the overhead console over the driver's and passenger's seats - switches for front and rear lighting, auxiliary equipment, rear radio and rear compartments (over rear AC) lighting, as well as CB radio and some cubbyholes. The antenna on the windshield is for the CB and it works just great, good to have out on the road.

A little closer in - note the Pioneer DEH-P77DH GM-DIN AM/FM/CD tuner - this is a fabulous unit which takes inputs from CD changers, XM radio tuners, anything you'd like to string along - plus has integrated alarm system and lots of other things I don't use. I just like the sound since I've gone through all the speakers with new JBLs. The noteboard comes out of the center console so you can put your coffee there. Squint and you can just make out the Mark III trailer brake controller under the climate control panel as well.

I even repainted the wheels when I put the new tires on... oh and the hubcaps too.

MAINTENANCE LOG:

1989 CHEVROLET EXPLORER VAN VIN 1GBEG25K8K7144322

139,640 - 18 JULY 03 - PURCHASE
AIR FILTER, PCV & GROMMET, SERPENTINE BELT, O2 SENSOR, EXHAUST SYSTEM,
HEATER VALVE, LOF, 4 GABRIEL PRO-RYDER SHOCKS, A/C COMPRESSOR, ORIFICE TUBE,
ACCUMULATOR, PRESSURE SWITCH, CAP/ROTOR/PLUGS/WIRES, TRANS. SERVICE, REAR DIFF SERVICE
PINION SEAL ON REAR DIFF, FUEL PUMP, FUEL NECK FILLER HOSE TO TANK, FUEL FILTER,
FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, REAR AXLE SEALS, REAR BRAKE SHOES, CYLINDERS, HARDWARE
140,050 - 30 AUGUST 03 - REAR LEAF SPRINGS - THURSTON SPRING
140,204 - 12 SEPT 03 - FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS, PADS, HOSES, ROTORS
141,151 - 24 SEPT 03 - LOWER BALL JOINTS, COONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, IDLER ARM, ALIGNMENT
THURSTON SPRING, RICHMOND
142,600 - 5 OCT 03 - SERPENTINE BELT & TENSIONER - NAPA, COLUMBUS, OH
143,203 - 6 OCT 03 - OIL & FILTER 4 QTS 10W30 / LUCAS 1 QT
144,100 - 15 NOV 03 - TRANS R&R TONY'S H.P. - HD CLUTCHES, HD T/C, COOLER INSTALLED
144,900 - 20 JAN 04 - PIONEER DEH-P77H HEAD UNIT INSTALLED, SPEAKERS ET.C.
146,073 - 05 MAR 04 - LOF CAPITOL GMC, RICHMOND - 4 QTS 10W30, 1 QT LUCAS OIL STAB.
149,054 - 07 JUL 04 - LOF CAPITOL GMC, RICHMOND - 4 QTS 10W30, 1 QT LUCAS OIL STAB.
150,024 - 01 AUG 04 - 4 NEW TIRES, WHEELS PAINTED
151,800 - 09 SEP 04 - LOF JIFFY LUBE, WMSBRG - 4 QTS 10W30, 1 QT LUCAS OIL STAB.
154,574 - 01 JUN 05 - LOF JIFFY LUBE, RICHMOND - 4 QTS 10W30, 1 QT LUCAS OIL STAB.

Why am I selling?

Because I need something capable of towing a larger trailer with heavier car(s). This van has been on trips as far afield as Indianapolis, IN, Binghamton, NY and Montpelier, VT towing classic SAAB 2-strokes, V4s, Sonett IIIs, 99s and even a very early 900GLE on my 16' flatbed trailer. It has performed well on these trips, with the A/C cranked to the max - but I want more. I also don't need the passenger hauling capacity of the LBII and I don't want to butcher its interior hauling filthy, nasty stuff. I have found a couple of Cabriolet conversion 5th wheel haulers with large diesels capable of pulling 2 and 3 car gooseneck trailers and frankly that's what I need right now.

Most vans of this ilk won't get you around the block - I know this because I rescued the LB2 from the National Kidney Foundation donation yard after looking at a bunch of much better looking vans which had much more going for them cosmetically. Sure, I put a transmission in the LBII - par for the course - and I spent the money to get it rebuilt to the same specification as a 13,000 lb RV with an auxiliary aluminum air cooler built for me by a top fuel dragster shop. I also brought a bunch of other stuff up to par, in some cases I did certain things just because I was already there. While the LBII does not look like it just rolled off the showroom floor, I invite you to come out from whereever you are and drive her home - anywhere - pulling a trailer, hauling the kids, your luggage, whatever - she'll get you there without a hiccup and will continue to do so for many more miles to come.

The successful bidder will also get a stash of stuff I have around for the LB2 - the crown jewel of this stash is a full set of pop out windows for the side and rear doors, since the windows in the LB2 are fixed. I was thinking about painting her last year before I moved and have not had the shop space since to consider it.

Payment and Pickup Information:

Payment is due within seven days of auction close via certified funds unless other arrangements are made with me prior to placing your bid. No exceptions - again - unless cleared with me first. E-mail me if you are in doubt. If you are a low-to-no feedback eBayer new to the game, make sure you know that your bid is a binding contract.

Pickup needs to happen within fourteen days of auction close. I'll pick you up at the train station, bus depot or airport. No problem!

BIDDERS WITH A FEEDBACK RATING LESS THAN 10 (TEN) NEED TO GET WITH ME BEFORE PLACING A BID. THOSE WITH NEGATIVE FEEDBACK OVER 1 PER 100 AS WELL... I WANT TO KNOW YOUR INTENTIONS AND WHO YOU ARE OR I WILL CANCEL YOUR BID.

Any other questions? E-mail me! Comments? Concerns?
Bid with confidence, see my feedback - and THANKS!