Conversion van
Other conversions include bespoke fitting services to be undertaken to make the load area of light commercial vehicles suitable for industrial work.
At the same time, both the U.S. federal government and vehicle manufacturers began efforts to exert some degree of control on the van conversion industry, demanding that certain safety guidelines be adhered to.
Also, DVD and flat screen technology meant that many automobiles now have features once exclusive to conversion vans.
Despite these setbacks though, as the economy boomed in the 1990s, conversion vans sales began to improve, with almost 200,000 units sold in 1994 alone.
Also, the early TVs and VCRs could be mounted in the ceiling, so they did not inhibit movement and leg room in the van.
The first high tops started not much higher than the factory roof, then raised aft of the driver's seat with two skylights mounted in this section, typically flanking a TV antenna.
High tops began to rise at a gentle angle with a steeply raked center spine section.
With the advent of flat panel TVs and small DVD players replacing VCRs, the need for high tops has been reduced.
These TVs were bulky (especially in low tops where they had to be mounted on the floor) and not very useful due to poor signal.
Finally, flat screen monitors have eliminated the need for special cabinetry to hold the TV.
Motorhomes "Class B" campervan are built on a full size cargo van and are sometimes lengthened a couple of feet (0.5–1 m).
These vans have more features that enable camping, such as a toilet, fridge, portable microwave,[2] sink, side sofa, popup canvas top that allows standing up, and sometimes a stove.
Other work is also taken out on the vehicle to make it as user friendly as possible this includes lighting, onboard power systems, ventilation, heaters and corporate liveries.
Some of these converted vans even have four-wheel drive drivetrains, suspension lifts and roof racks for carrying additional gear.
Other amenities vary greatly; some adventure vans might have small kitchens and even indoor showers, where others may only have sleeping areas and perhaps a cooler or refrigerator.
Exclusive partnership meant members of the CVMA were the only manufacturers authorized by GM to build Chevrolet or GMC conversion vans, but this group dissolved at the end of 2016.
Vans used for conversions in the past that are no longer in production are the Chevrolet Van/GMC Vandura (1970–1996), the Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari (1985–2005), the Dodge Ram Van (1981–2003), Chrysler minivans, Ford E-Series (1961–2014 in North America), the Volkswagen Bus and the Volkswagen Eurovan (1992–2003).
