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This is a picture of my Aeromate truck built by Utilimaster from 1989-1994. Mine is a 1992 with 56,000 miles on it and I have had it about 5 months. I use it to haul art supplies to shows around the country. It is towed behind my motor home on a dolly. I get a lot of comments about the truck. If anyone has any information on Aeromates, I would love to hear about it. You can write to Don at (Click Don Sr Capellani To E-Mail ). |
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I bought this 1977 Chevy Step Van at a City Police Auction about nine months ago. It was used as a "Swat Vehicle". After many months of working after work and on weekends, we are almost ready to take it to the LSU Tigers football and baseball games to do some serious tailgating. As you can see, I left the police lights on the roof but painted them purple and gold. The PA system is very loud. They are in working order to help with parking problems. Ha! Ha! We installed a TV, stereo, microwave and mini refrigerator. This was my first paint job. I painted it outside in an open field. I am still adding team decals and decorations. Thanks for help with the parts I ordered. I hope the first trip to a game will be the BCS National Championship Game in New Orleans. That would be a great start!! |
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Hi from Denmark Scandi Lock Trade |
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This is our 2nd step van and this beauty turns people’s heads. We own and operate a paint contracting business in the Seattle Washington area and believe step vans are the way to go if you are running a service business. Our customers know when we pull up to their home we mean business. Thanks to Mill Supply for great parts at a great price. My engine oil cooler needed to be replaced. I called a local dealer for pricing, they wanted $269.00. Mills price was |
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THE BEAST II - Here’s a shot of my recently purchased 87 step van. This is not a work truck. I intend to make a poor man's Winabago out of her for fun trips to the race track infield parties, and to haul my 25' sail boat. This is actually the second step van I've owned for this purpose. The first was a great truck which served me well for many years with hundreds of thousands of miles. Unfortunately I lost her in a divorce and the guy my ex sold it to loves it so much that he won't sell it at any price. I'll send more photos as work progresses. |
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This is my 1995 Grumman 6.5l diesel GMC. This is my very first step van, and I am so delighted to be able to stand up as I put my tools away. I own a Home Renovation Company which makes this an excellent choice. This is a retired Highway maintain electrical van. The van has only 47k on it, PS ,PB, dual heaters, all the emergency lights anyone could want, and a professional installed 7kw generator already bought a bunch of stuff from Mill Supply, and can't wait to install them.
By the way, someone should start a web page for step van owners. |
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This is a 1978 Grumman Olson Kurbmaster that my friend and I bought this past April '05'. Purchased off the internet, had seen only pictures; went to Michigan and drove it back to Kentucky the next day, 450 miles. Overheated about half an hour into the trip; let it cool down and have never had another overheating problem. The powerplant is a Chevy 292, in-line six and gets about 10-11 MPG. This van is used for our power wash business and as an equipment hauler/portable green room for the band ‘Everydaypeople’. People seem to get a kick out of the van when it rolls up to a gig, Previous owner hauled his Harley with this van and had it outfitted with a 10' pull-out ramp, fabricated to fit under the floor, two beds and a wheel rack. We have removed the hauling accessories and keep it as stock as possible. Speedo tracks about 10 Mph below actual speed so the odometer read 71,000 +/- when we got her. This van is referred to as "The Big Unit" or simply "TBU" |
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Here are a few pictures of my 1986 Grumman Van. I have owned it for four years and converted it from a parcel carrier to a motor home. I rebuilt a 1987, 350 engine and installed a turbo 400 behind it. Originally it was an inline 6 (292) with a four speed. It gets about 12-13 MPG at 50 MPH. Top speed is not too good as it has a 5:17 ratio differential; good for back roads and hilly country but not so good on freeways. I originally only paid $800.00 for this step van because the motor and transmission were toast; and have about $4500.00 into it now, not counting time. I like the construction of this unit so much I bought five more (not at that low price), have sold three and still own three. Hope you enjoy the pictures. Wayne from Powell River B.C. Canada |
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The Smoothie trucks are the ultimate custom rides. They undergo a complete custom re-fabrication process including full air suspension installation. This is what allows the truck to slam down from stock height, lay body on the ground and place the serving window at the perfect height (don’t forget the little people). It also has a High Performance 454 big block appox. 410 hp . and a custom interior with a fully equipped stainless steel food grade kitchen with premium water filtration system. To please their customers they have also included a slammin’ stereo, 42” plasma T.V. on the rear, Cadillac tail lights, and 20” chrome rims. That’s one serious money making machine! |
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| Veggie Van Gogh is transportation, warehouse, and lodging for two artisans, who cross North America, peddling their wares at arts festivals, powered by vegetable oil that they scavenge from behind restaurants along the way. It's filled with Mill Supply repairs and upgrades, including wet-arm wipers and slow-kick wiper control, air-bag suspension, and your wonderful rotating passenger seat! Much more info at http://www.Bytesmiths.com/Van -- hope to see this on your website one of these days! |
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Jayne recently purchased this Utilimaster in July of 2004. Originally the truck was used by Entenmanns Bakery. It was gutted, refitted with NSF walls and stainless steel. The outside was painted and the custom art work was designed by the new owners. Jayne writes, “I thought it would be awesome to have a theme truck instead of just having a boring picture of a hot dog on it.” The eye catching graphics and top quality food served makes a good business. If you’re ever in Danbury, CT. across from the airport stop by and grab a hot dog to go. Jayne concludes, “I would like to thank you guys for all the parts we ordered and received so quickly.” Your welcome Jayne, and good luck with the business. |
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Boyertown Dodge Owners submission: In the 18 years I have owned my beloved "Dolly" she has had virtually no known family, none roadworthy at least. Years of eyes peeled I've seen only a few desolate shells with dissimilar drive trains and longer or taller bodies in ancient boneyards. My girl is a '66 armed with the unendingly loyal slant six backed up by a New Process four speed and Spicer 60 rear. With a formidable top cruising speed of 53 mph she has managed to cross the country ten times, (that’s right, ten) and with over a quarter million original miles she has served as my home, business, and den of Greatful Dead concert-hopping sin. If the law would provide the proper loophole, I would marry my truck. I promised her I would not let her go quietly in a junkyard, so a few years back I unleashed a full restoration on her down to the frame, replacing and fabricating over 200 lbs of steel with some slight customization, (the fender skirts, etc.) I could truly write a book on what this machine and I have been through as well as what we have been under, over, past, and amidst. Anyone else out there with a surviving '66 Boyertown Dodge p200, Multi-Alloy minivan, or Forward Control Van, as I have learned her to be called, or is my girl the last to escape the exit ramp to the scrap heap in the sky? |
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| Josh writes: Here is my truck. I purchased a passenger “jump” seat from you guys. Dalles, OR. |
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Mike writes: Mike uses this 1974 Grumman® van for his US woodworking business called, “Intarsia Woodcrafts” in Puyallup, Washington. Mike has owned this van for 6 years and has tailored it to suit his needs. Right now the van has 400,000 miles on it with 150,000 of those miles on a rebuilt 350 motor with a Holley 4 barrel. The dual exhaust he installed saved him three miles per gallon while making a noticeable increase in horsepower. The stock air filter system was also replaced with a 360 degree open air filter intake. To keep expenses down, while doing jobs away from home, Mike has converted the inside into living quarters with a sink, holding tank, toilet, stove, TV/DVD and many more features. If you would like to contact Mike he can be reached at mikenat@msn.com. |
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This is the first Step-Van I've ever owned. My brother use to have one and I always wanted to get one and finally did. When I got the van it was white and ugly and had writing under the paint and on the back. I took and had it painted and put new wheels and tires on it. Now it looks much better. The van is a 1996, has 104,000 miles on it, features power steering and air conditioning. I am going to use the van for personal use and business. I am first using it to move from Florida to Kentucky then to go fishing at the Lakes. For my business I will be using it for buying and selling of retail items and flea market stuff etc. and also I will be using it for moving stuff in and out as I buy properties that I fix up and sell. It is perfect for that. If my working for myself fails, I will just use the Van to have fun in at the lakes, camping, fishing, etc. One thing for sure, I'm keeping it. It drives great and has all the power I need to drive down I-75 at 70 miles an hour. It has a 6 cylinder in it and believe it or not, the gas mileage is good. Well, I guess that is about it. One more thing I love about the truck, I can stand up in the front and my dog Thunder loves to go everywhere with me in it.
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A little hard to see but this 1983 Kurbmaster is decorated for Christmas. Billy is a contractor in Seminole Florida and writes, "This truck fits my needs to a "T". It is 24 foot from bumper to bumper with an aluminum body. His goal is to polish the body to look like a brand new B-17 from the factory. (Any suggestions on how to polish this body can be sent to (Photo Editor; ) This vehicle has 262,000 miles on it and Billy says that the Mill Supply catalog has been very helpful in repair and maintenance. Here is a suggestion we received from a stepvan owner. There is a site for bus owner with a bulletin board that covers a multitude of questions. Many of the 35 and 40 foot buses were all aluminum and needed to be stripped and polished. Aluminum stepvans are similar and the information could be very useful. To start, go to http://www.busnut.com/home.html , “Bus Nut Online”. In the left column click on the BNO BBS Bulletin Board System. Use the search feature under the Utilities heading. |
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To SEE Your truck here, send photo and information to Photo Editor: or mail to: Jim, % Mill Supply Inc., 19801 Miles Rd., Warrensville Hts., OH 44128 |
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1986 Grumman Olson Kurbmaster - 160,000 miles, owned 5 years. This is one of five trucks Robin Hood Express uses to deliver frozen food to homes, schools, hospitals and restaurants. Many of the institutional products they deliver are not available in the grocery stores and are repacked into a smaller more attractive size and then delivered at no delivery charge. One of the biggest complaints Herschel has about these trucks is the electrical problems but they are overcome because these trucks are workable. The Robin Hood Express Company has purchased many of their truck parts from Mill Supply including: vents, wiper parts, hold-downs and weatherstrip |
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1961 Grumman Olson Kurbside - 54,000? Miles, owned 5 years. Alias "The Slug", has a 223 6-cylinder with a 3-speed transmission. Windows were put in the sides and the interior was customized with a "bamboo tiki" theme. This van was driven from Key West, Florida all the way to San Francisco, California, and back. Over 7000 miles were logged in two months. The mileage averaged 12.5 per gallon. Dan is currently working on a book about van-dwellers (a chronicle of the American Gypsy) and would like to hear from anyone who has done traveling in their van. Dan Pretto, PO Box 1595, Gulf Breeze, FL 32562 |
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1990 Grumman Olson Kurbmaster - 154,000 Miles, owned 3 years. Don from Wethersfield, Conn. uses his truck daily for his scissor and knife sharpening business. He runs approx. 200 miles a week with no complaints, especially pleased with the easy body upkeep and roomy interior. |
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1983 Grumman® Small Tractor Trailer - 208,000 Miles, owned 10 years. Reid from Seamless Gutters and Soffit has three Grumman® tractor-trailers that serve his gutter business perfectly. Running about 500 miles per week these trucks can carry the supplies he needs for just about any job. |
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1983 and 1986 Grumman Olson Kurbmasters - 114,000 and 151,000 miles, owned approx. 5 years. Running about 525 miles per week Gary from Catskill, New York delivers bakery (bread and cake) goods daily to nearby retail outlets. Boasts of the large storage room but occasionally would appreciate better suspension and braking. At one point in his deliveries Gary (without realizing it) pulled out of the gas station right into the formation line of a parade. Quick maneuvering steered him clear before he became part of the procession. |
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1990 Union City Body - 157,000 miles, owned 6 months. Jeff has been in the tool business for 9 years running approx. 500 miles per week. This particular truck of his has a custom built display inside with 40 air tools hanging from the ceiling. A custom flame paint job puts Jeff ahead with the best-looking tool truck around. |
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1976 Grumman Olson Kurbmaster, owned 5 year. Mario is in the tile business and likes the fact that his truck is large enough to keep all his tools in one place and dry. After many years of working in the construction business out of a pickup truck, not having enough room, always worrying about the weather and living in Florida with lots of rain, he decided to buy this old truck. He had the engine rebuilt, replaced the rotors, drums, and brakes, but otherwise it has the original parts. The unpainted aluminum body is easy to keep looking halfway decent without worrying about scratches and the like. The shelves that he built to suit his needs reminds him daily of the trouble he use to go through when he had to dig through the pickup to find the right tool. Now everything has a place saving him time, money and aggravation. He plans to purchase another van to replace this one as soon as possible. |
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1987 Grumman Olson Kurbmaster - owned 2 ½". Here is the story of the "Pig Wagon" and Dan's business "FAT BOY'S Bar-B-Que Ranch. Location, Prattville, Alabama, ten miles north of the capital city of Montgomery. I'm a contract vendor with the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, 90 miles northwest of our restaurant and hometown. We were graced with the opportunity at the University while our restaurant was being rebuilt after a fire struck our building 2 ½ months post opening day. The "Pig Wagon" is equipped with a stainless steel 3 compartment sink, a S.S. hand wash sink, S.S. work tables, hot and cold water, stocked shelves, plates, cups, pans, utensils, stereo, tool chest, 110 volt circuits and most everything our restaurant kitchen has. We go to Tuscaloosa and sell sandwiches and drinks on the "Quad" in the center of campus on all home game days of football season. Each game we make and sell over 2,500 sandwiches in the Pig Wagon. I pull a "Smoker on Wheels" that cooks half of the Boston Butts we need with the Pig Wagon. Another supply truck pulls my other smoker, and two Suburbans pull supply trailers and carry most of the 20-man team. On the last game day of the season, 40 miles from home, the motor blew-up in the Pig Wagon on a foggy two-lane section of Hwy 82. We limped it to a station, hooked the smoker with meat to another truck, left a supply trailer with the Pig Wagon, rearranged essentials supplies, called a wrecker and took off to the game. With one man behind the rest of the crew went on to set up. Within 20 minutes a wrecker pulled up with the Pig Wagon, backed it into position and we went on to making sandwiches, selling a record number of sandwiches up to that game. Since then, we've enlarged the restaurant twice, signed our 4th contract with the University, and cooked 220,000 lbs. of pig. |
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1994 Utilimaster - 140,000 miles - owned 5 years. Richard from Courtland Manor, New York runs approximately 300 miles per week delivering breads and cakes to retail outlets. He likes the dependability of his truck but the front suspension gives it a "really" rough ride. |
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1988 Grumman Olson Kurbmaster - 197,800 miles - owned 1 year. Vincent from Oak Bluffs MA writes. I used to have a full size Chevy van to perform my locksmith duties. It served me adequately, but I needed more. Now with the walk-in van, I can stand up out of the wind and rain. I have a full shop on wheels that I can comfortably work in. There is plenty of storage and a long workbench for key machines and work areas. With regular maintenance the van should last a long time. He writes that he would buy another when the time comes. |
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Chevrolet Step Van Sunny, owner of this clean Chevrolet Step Van, located in Honolulu, HI, has been on his own since 1999 after 15 years of working for Snap-On and Matco. He purchased this van in 1983 and does all the maintenance on this truck himself. Everything is in original condition except the engine, which has been upgraded to a 454. The walls are lined with slanted shelves for optimal viewing of the tools he sells, Plexiglas cases cover the more expensive items (and the knife hobbyist), and the air tools are hung from the ceiling. Auxiliary batteries and a 150-amp inverter run his on-board computer system. Sunny has designed his own logo and likes to modify the truck to make it more functional than when he got it. |
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1981 Grumman Olson Kurbmaster - 187,000 miles - owned 11 years. Kenoza Vending Co has eleven walk-in vans including Grumman Olsons and Utilimasters. They have found the step van type vehicle a reliable vehicle for hauling their vending machines. The only complaint about these vehicles is that there is no air conditioning in the cab area. This particular van is run about 400 miles per week. |
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1985 Grumman Olson Kubvan - 94,000 miles - owned 9 years. Here's a van you rarely see. The Kubvan was designed for economy and Walter with Kimmel Contractors, Brooklyn, New York, owns two of them. He finds that even though the vans are a bit sluggish and smaller in size the standard walk-in van, they are excellent for ease of entrance and exiting. |
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@2001-2007 Mill Supply, Inc. (All Material on this page is copyright by Mill Supply, Inc. 2001-2007)
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