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WELDAuthor: Weld.com
WELD is the show that opens real doors in the welding world. From first arc to six-figure specialty work, host Beau Wigington talks with industry professionals as they share wins, mistakes, and the various pathways available in the welding industry. Whether you are in school or on the tools, guests will share practical steps, safety-first habits, and career plays to help you master the trade. MIG, TIG, stick, flux-core, pipe, fabrication, repair, inspection, and business growth all live here. New episodes each week. Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Homegrown 4X4 Van Conversions with The Swim Shop
Episode 226
Monday, 1 December, 2025
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 CoveredWhy 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.”Save 20% On Related American Welding Program Courses Use code WELD20 at checkout for eligible courses - https://foxly.link/9T3dtcConnect with The Swim Shop 4x4Instagram - @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
