In this episode, host Beau Wigington visits Justin and Seth Williams of SwimShop 4x4 to unpack how they convert GM G-Series vans into capable four-wheel-drive rigs, and the MIG welding habits that keep those projects rolling.
Key Topics Covered
Why van conversions? The rock-n-roll roots, “rolling living room” ethos, and first builds that sparked a business.
Unibody reality check: why G-Series vans aren’t body-on-frame, and what that changes in your fab plan.
The jig story: cutting a donor van’s underbody, flipping it, and welding it to a table to build 126+ kits consistently.
Bolt-on vs weld-on: using existing van holes, minimizing welds to two key pieces, and where welding is still essential.
MIG setup in the shop: clean metal, penetration, heat/wire adjustments, and why “don’t zoom in” can still be structurally sound.
Parts sourcing workflow: diffs, transfer cases, running gear—how junkyards and Marketplace make the puzzle come together.
Square-body compatibility: designing around ¾-ton Suburban geometry so catalog parts actually fit.
Learning by doing: confidence, mistakes, and reading the puddle—why pinstripers make quick MIG learners.
Community + momentum: YouTube documentation, events, and how niche builds find their people.
Working with family: keeping shared interests, sharing space, and growing a shop together.
Memorable Quotes
“It’s a rolling living room… you can do wild paint, shag carpet—I had to have a van.”
“We thought they had frames… then we realized it’s a unibody. Whole different animal.”
“We cut the van’s underbody out, flipped it, welded it to a table—that’s our jig.”
“Everything’s bolt-in using factory holes—only two pieces need welding.”
“With MIG: clean metal, good penetration. When it clicked, it clicked.”
“Just because it’s not pretty doesn’t mean it won’t hold—don’t zoom in.”
“Anything that bolts onto a square-body truck fits our kit.”
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Connect with The Swim Shop 4x4
Instagram - @theswimshop4x4 https://www.instagram.com/theswimshop4x4/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@theswimshop4x4
Website - https://www.theswimshop4x4.com/
Connect With Beau Wigington
- Instagram: @beaudiditwelding https://www.instagram.com/beaudiditwelding
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauwigington
- E-mail: beauw@weld.com
