Are you looking for a mid to full-sized vehicle that offers both luxury and versatility?
Are you interested in seating for seven plus passengers, but don’t want to deal with the pain of climbing in and out of a narrow SUV?
Maybe you like the idea of being able to travel on the weekends so you’re looking for a car with features such as a refrigerator, sofa bed or television, but also want to own something luxurious you can go have a night on the town in. Conversion vans offer all of these things and so much more!
Conversion vans, especially in the last few years, have become a popular alternative to the boring luxury SUV. Conversion van specialists have been busy innovating high quality vehicles using reliable brands such as Ford, GMC, Mercedes and Chevrolet chassis.
To first-time conversion van buyers, navigating some of the terms of the industry can seem overwhelming. A seasoned conversion van owner knows that while it may seem like a lot goes into one of these vans, they are the best value of just about any vehicle. Their dependability and utility are unrivaled by most other mid to full-sized vehicles on the market.
Below is a list of terms used when talking about conversion vans. You may come across some of these if you are researching your next van purchase:
Adaptive Seating: Commonly found in newer models, adaptive seating recognizes occupant position and adjusts the seat cushions to fit any individual.
Alloy Wheels: Wheels made from alloy, aluminum or magnesium. Alloys are a mixture of metal and other elements. These wheels generally provide greater strength over pure metals, which are softer and more ductile.
Aux 12-Volt Power Outlets: An auxiliary power outlet in a car, also recognized as a cigarette lighter, is the primary method by which power is delivered to portable electronics in the car.
Bench Seats: These relatively flat seats extend the full width of a vehicle’s interior and usually have no divisions between passenger seating areas. Some third row bench seats can fold into a sofa bed.
Bucket Seats: Bucket Seats are contoured or rounded seats purposed to fit one person. Some bucket seats are bolstered, which means they have extra padding on the sides.
Captain’s Chairs: Similar to bucket seats, Captain’s Chairs have a high back and are made to fit one person. These seats also usually have adjustable or swinging armrests.
Chassis: May be used to represent either the entire vehicle that is produced at the factory when no body is included, or the frame only with brackets, bumper and other miscellaneous parts directly attached to the frame.
Commercial: Any vehicle that is purposed for business. This can be any sort of work vehicle that is modified to better serve their owners.
Deluxe Dye Cut Exterior Graphics: Precision graphics for the exterior of your vehicle.
Digital Compass Display: Commonly located on the rear view mirror, the digital compass display provides information regarding outside temperature and the coordinates of your location.
Dynamat Sound Deadening in Doors: Dynamat is a product used to deaden noise by absorbing sound causing vibration energy, eliminates speaker resonance and baffles out excessive sounds.
Dynamat Sound Deadening in Floor: This is similar to sound deadening doors except Dynamat is installed in the floor to reduce road noise.
Easy Access Fuse Panel: Fuse panel that is easily available so you can plug in your external devices such as laptops, cell phones and iPad’s for charging.
EcoBoost™: A family of turbocharged, direct injection gasoline engines developed by Ford. They achieve approximately 20% better fuel efficiency and 15% fewer greenhouse emissions.
Engine Oil Life Monitor: Tracks coolant temperature, engine RPM and driving time to predict the condition of the vehicle’s oil. An icon illuminates on the van’s dash when it is time to change the oil.
Explorer Van Company: One of the nation’s leading van conversion companies. Located in Warsaw, Indiana, Explorer Van Company produces high-end van conversions on Ford Transit, Chevy Express, GMC Savana and Mercedes Metris chassis.
Extended: A van that is longer in length and typically has the ability to seat up to nine passengers.
Front Step Bumper: An attractive, more affordable alternative to expensive grille guards.
Front Stereo Sub Woofer with Amp: A complete loudspeaker, which is dedicated to the reproduction of low pitched audio reproductions known as bass.
Full Front Bumper Cover: This accessory is a sturdy strip of molded plastic, urethane, or metal that fits over your vehicle’s stock bumper. These provide protection for the bumper so it won’t be easily grazed and dented during low impact collisions.
Full Hidden Power Running Boards: An automatic electric-powered running board that instantly extends when you open your door, and then hides itself safely out of sight when the doors close for improved ground clearance, aerodynamics and appearance.
High Intensity Ceiling Light Panel: A panel located in the ceiling with typically LED lighting.
Hi-Top Conversion Van: These vans have the original factory roof cut away and an added fiberglass “elk roof,” “high-raised roof” or “high-top roof.” This style offers more interior space. While these vans are slightly more top heavy, they allow the occupants to stand up in the cabin area. High-tops are more ideal for using your conversion van as a camper. They also tend to have more storage and are easier to install entertainment systems such as televisions.
HomeLink®: A widely trusted, vehicle-based wireless control system. This system conveniently allows you to close and open your garage door, front gate, equip your home’s security system, and turn on and off your interior and exterior lighting.
Indirect Lighting Dimmer Switch: Lighting that can be adjusted with a switch.
Lighted Drink Holders: Drink holders with lighting on the insides for easy drink placement in the dark.
Low-Top Conversion Van: Low top vans retain the factory chassis roof. These vans have slightly less interior space, but are more aerodynamic and better on gas mileage.
Monochromatic Door Handles: Door handles that are the same color as the vehicle’s exterior paint color.
Padded Front Door Armrests: Padded interior front doors of the conversion van.
Perimeter Exterior Lighting: Lighting that is located in exterior places such as underneath the passenger mirrors or aside the running boards to provide extra style and light.
Power Inverter: An electronic device or circuitry that changes the direct current (DC) to an alternate current (AC). The input voltage, output voltage, frequency and overall power handling depend on the specific device or circuitry.
Power Lumbar Front Seats: Seats that can move front and back with the use of a switch or joystick.
Power Sliding Rear Sofa: Typically, the third row bench seats on a conversion van that, with the flip of a switch, recline into a sofa bed.
Power Sunroof With Sunscreen: Sunroof that is located in the cabin of the conversion van and can be adjusted with the flip of a switch or partitioned.
Remote Vehicle Starting System: A remote starting system preheats or cools the vehicle before the driver gets into it. A button on a keychain remote starts the vehicle automatically at a predetermined time.
Side Air Vents With Turning Lights: Vents located on the sides of the front driver and passenger doors.
StabiliTrak® Created by GM, this is a chassis enhancement system that improves vehicle stability, particularly during emergency maneuvers. This module compares your steering input with the vehicle’s actual response and if necessary makes small individual brake and engine torque applications to enhance control and help the driver stay on track. The system automatically intervenes when it senses the loss of lateral traction.
Swivel Middle Chairs: Captain’s chairs located in the center cabin of the van that have the capability to turn.
Touring Suspension: A softer and more “cushy” set of shock absorbers, and linkage that connects the vehicle to its wheels. This allows for smoother drivability.
USB Charging Ports: Ports that allow devices such as smartphones, iPad’s and laptops to charge.
Vista Cruiser Panoramic Sport Roof: Only available on high-top conversions, the panoramic sport roof offers the entrance of light from both sides of the top of the van.
6-Way Power Driver Pedestal: Seat hardware, which allows you to recline and move your seats forward and back.
12 Volt Air Compressor and Vacuum: 12-volt air compressors are devices that use any number of methods to effectively inflate air into different objects. Vacuum’s will come in handy with easily cleanable messes left in your van.
Hopefully this list will help you decide which features you will be looking for when you purchase your first or next conversion van. As you can see, conversion vans have so much to offer! You can go from a very basic model that will comfortably transport your family, friends or equipment, or upgrade to just about whatever you want with an ultra luxurious conversion.
Remember to do your research when searching for a new or used conversion van and make sure to contact Classic Vans. For thirty years, we have been the #1 trusted name in conversion vans, class B motorhomes and mobility vehicles!