Cheated Death Fabrication

Cheated Death Fabrication Custom & hand fabricated off-road/overland equipment. We’ve all cheated death one time or another.

Ladies and gentlemen if I may have your attention for a momentI’d like to introduce this sweet young lady Layla, who has...
05/26/2026

Ladies and gentlemen if I may have your attention for a moment

I’d like to introduce this sweet young lady Layla, who has recently been diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastomia. She is currently receiving treatments in Morgantown with follow up treatments in Pittsburgh to best this rare childhood cancer.

She has quite the road ahead of her as she’ll be finishing out her chemo, have surgery to remove her tumors, and finish her treatment with stem cell treatments for 18 months.

This event is dedicated to this little lady and her mother to help them with their finances in this time of great need.

I am honored to be sponsoring this event as it is going to such a great cause.

Details below but the event is:

Saturday July 18th, from 12pm til it ends at The Williamsport Redman Trible 84.

16129 Lappans Rd, Williamsport, MD, 21795.

The complete Chevy Express build!I had to restrain myself from adding even more pictures of the entire build but I feel ...
05/26/2026

The complete Chevy Express build!

I had to restrain myself from adding even more pictures of the entire build but I feel these truly encompass all of the work that went into it and the completed vision.

This adventure van is now equipped with:

- A front bumper with a receiver, shackles, recessed dual light housing, and square upper tubing / bullbar.
- Steps mounted directly to the frame utilizing pre existing mounting locations. As well as a completely covered surface for full use of the steps.
- A ladder mounted to the driver side step as well as the roof rack. Wide enough for both feet and built from 1/8 in thick 1 inch square tubing for lightweight strength. It’s mounting locations make this ladder solid.
- A dual swing arm rear bumper complete with swing arm bump stops to prevent the arms from hitting the van doors, 2 locking positions on each arm, pressure latches, and for the tire carrier it uses oem studs to mount the wheel with oem lug nuts, the cargo box is mounted to the cargo arm and sealed to prevent any water from entering the box.
The rear bumper also has reinforced spindles integrated to the frame mounts, shackles, and flush mounted lights.

Every design choice and functional decision lend to the overall design of the van, every piece of equipment matches in its design and the angles flow cohesively.

This van now has additional protection, recovery points, extra storage, easier access to the roof, easier access into the van, and a look I am personally quite fond of:

A completely adventure ready overland camper van.

The vision is complete and what an absolute thrill this build has been. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this build.
This is by far my most favorite build yet.

Throughout the entire build process I’ve endeavored to document everything to release a 4 part build series on YouTube!!!!
I have quite a bit of editing to do but I’m stoked to have a full series on this camper van and to share it with all of you.

Thank you as always, for the unbelievable support!!!!
I hope you all have a glorious week!!!

The Chevy Express ladder is now complete!The ladder is entirely composed of 1 inch square tubing and mounts directly to ...
05/23/2026

The Chevy Express ladder is now complete!

The ladder is entirely composed of 1 inch square tubing and mounts directly to the driver side step I recently built as well as the roof rack above. Since the steps and the rack are mounted well there is no flex whatsoever from the ladder.

As a matter of fact, the entire van rocks when the ladder is pulled or pushed.

This brings the Chevy Express build to a most gratifying end and next week I will be writing up a breakdown of the complete build.

Have a glorious day!!!

Nearing completion on the complete Chevy Express build!The ladder has now been fitted and tacked up, next are the final ...
05/22/2026

Nearing completion on the complete Chevy Express build!

The ladder has now been fitted and tacked up, next are the final welds and paint!

The Chevy Express steps are now complete!The outer tubing has been switched out for a square tubing and it fits the over...
05/19/2026

The Chevy Express steps are now complete!

The outer tubing has been switched out for a square tubing and it fits the overall design of the van much better.
Surface plates run the length of the step and an additional mount towards the front side of the step has also been added for some additional strength!

These light duty steps are composed of 1/8 inch thick 1 1/2 inch square, 3/16 mounting plates, and a 1/8 step plate, and mounts directly to pre existing holes throughout the frame rails. And of course has all been finished in a flat black paint.

Now that part 3 of the Chevy Express build is complete it is now time to build the ladder!!!

The mounts for the Chevy Express steps are now installed and attached to the main step rail!Here I’m utilizing 2 mounts ...
05/15/2026

The mounts for the Chevy Express steps are now installed and attached to the main step rail!

Here I’m utilizing 2 mounts on sections of the frame rails that have pre existing holes and bolts through them. In the first picture I’m using 2 bolts that pass through the frame to the crossmember depicted.
In the second I’m utilizing the leaf spring mount to mount the second step mount to as it has a stud that protrudes from it. Additionally the rear step mount also uses a second bolt that goes through the lower part of the leaf mount.

Each mount also has vertical supports to give it more strength.

This design allows the user to confidently get on the steps without any flex to them whatsoever.

Now, on to the surface plates!

A bit of progress pictures of the Chevy Express light duty steps!These steps are made of a smaller diameter round and sm...
05/13/2026

A bit of progress pictures of the Chevy Express light duty steps!

These steps are made of a smaller diameter round and smaller square tubing to reduce a bit of weight as they are meant to be steps and not heavy duty sliders.

Now I’m getting these mounted to the frame mounts and then finishing the build with the step plates.

Then….
The ladder!

04/24/2026

Don’t roast me this is just how I get in the zone

04/24/2026

The completed Chevy Express front bumper build!

This specific build includes a frame mount integrated receiver, shackle mounts, shackles, recessed light pod mounts, and upper tubing.

What an exciting build this was!

Now that the front is complete I am working on building some light duty steps / sliders and a ladder!

The completed Chevy Express front bumper!This build is designed to directly fit the frame ends and be bolted on both ver...
04/23/2026

The completed Chevy Express front bumper!

This build is designed to directly fit the frame ends and be bolted on both vertically and horizontally (last 2 pictures).
The frame mounts also have square tubing connecting both sides with a receiver integrated into the frame support structure - you may have already seen this in some of my previous posts when I was building up the frame mounts.

Additionally we have recessed pod light mounts with enough adjustability to slide them and turn them outward or inward if wanted, shackle mounts and shackles, and upper tubing.

What an exciting build this has been, and I must say it fits this van SO well!

Next I’m going to spend some time on the floor building some light duty step / sliders and accompanying ladder!

04/17/2026

The main bumper is complete!!!!
Now for some upper tubing and light cut outs!!!!

Address

Dry Ridge, KY
41035

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