%%$$$#^^ Motorcover!

[BobM]

I'm wet from the skin out with sweat after man-handling that darn motorcover back in place! I'd forgotten how fun working on these little vans can be! The front bolts just would not start back into their holes! And that was after I'd wrestled the darn thing past the seats. It looks like someone may have bent the driver's side bolt and bracket in a previous dance!
I've got the tune up done and half the shocks replaced. Now if Gibson would just send my cat-back, we could go play. I don't want to run it until I get the exhaust fixed so that I won't foul up the new plugs.
I find that, the older I get, the less patience I have!

[ihatemybike]

Am I the only one that finds the engine cover fairly easy to remove/install?

[BobM]

Am I the only one that finds the engine cover fairly easy to remove/install?

Oh, add insult to my injuries!
I hated the one on the $100 astro too!

['cudapaul]

Outside of being annoying, I don't find removing the cover to be that bad. I never take out the seats and I don't have any problem re-installing.

If you are having problems putting it back in I would suggest that you pull it away from the friewall and reposition/realign it before pushing it back in.

In my earlier years I also found it frustrating to remove and install the cover, but after doing it so many times you kinda learn the "doghouse dance!"

[nielswheels]

I just did the "Dog House Dance" myself!!! it wasnt too bad. You guys are right....if you do it enough times...you get the dance down!

[Mr_Bowtie]

Its not too bad. Just wish it was a little faster to do at times. Especially when I got two beaters that I would love to just pop the cover off real quick, check hoses & stuff, and pop it back on all within 5 minutes.

[ihatemybike]

Am I the only one that finds the engine cover fairly easy to remove/install?

Oh, add insult to my injuries!
I hated the one on the $100 astro too!

Sorry, but I have been driving these things exclusively since 1997 and have had 5 with the 1996-later dash/engine cover.

[rev_les]

On the later model, i find it easier to remove the passenger seat to get the cover off, on the 95, it slips right out.Even doing a heater core on the '99 was a heckuva lot simpler than I had anticipated.

['cudapaul]

Yeah, will you should try doing a heater core on a 95 or older!

[rev_les]

now you're giving me something to (not) look forward too, lol

[Gary]

May least favorite thing is removing the cup holder/center consul.I totally agree seat removal is the way to make it easier.Might look to design a quick connector for the seats on Ole Yellar.

[BobM]

Well you gotta realize that I am an old one eyed fatman. Crawling around under the dash in ANYTHING is not fun!

[Mr_Bowtie]

You guys pulling the seat of the track or pulling the whole thing out of the way? I don't think my seat bolts going to the floor would be fun to get loose. Rusted!

[rev_les]

previous owner ditched the slide out drawer under the pass seat, i ditched the bracket that held it... an air ratchet with an 18MM slips right in, it takes about a minute to get the seat out. I don't think the drawer would have been much of a hindrance even it was present though.If they're rusty, soak 'em with a bit of PB Blaster, then remove them.

[Mr_Bowtie]

I have yet to really need to pull the seats out, but if I ever have a job big enough I will have to soak them good and long....Thanks! (Just the front two are rusty from all the snow and salt your bring in with your feet in the winter time...........well at least up here! )

[Matrixx]

With 96 or newr vans, you don't need to remove any seats "if" the seats are stock. Just loosen the cover off, then slide it back towards the drivers seat and bring the back part of the dog house up over the front right side edge of the drivers seat, then bring it up towards you until you're clear of any obstructions, then rotate it back on to the middle seat (with it being down and a blanket of some kind over it of course before placing it back their).

Just make sure the drivers seat is all the way back before attempting it. This is the way I do mine every time, and honestly, I have lost count on how many times I have removed mine over the years.

[BobM]

This is a conversion van with power seats. They have extra padding plus the power stuff in the way. But, hey I MIGHT win the lottery and the next time I may hire somebody!

[astro355]

Am I the only one that finds the engine cover fairly easy to remove/install?

I'm with you on that one. I think its pretty easy.

[BobM]

Hey, this is a conversion van. I even have wires left over!

[rev_les]

With 96 or newr vans, you don't need to remove any seats "if" the seats are stock. Just loosen the cover off, then slide it back towards the drivers seat and bring the back part of the dog house up over the front right side edge of the drivers seat, then bring it up towards you until you're clear of any obstructions, then rotate it back on to the middle seat (with it being down and a blanket of some kind over it of course before placing it back their).

I agree, it can be done, and I've done it that way too,but I'd rather just pull the 4 nuts off, it gives you some room to work without bending over as much as well. Plus, since I re-upholstered them with leather, I don't want to drag that cover across them!