No one in my immediate family likes this purchase. My oldest daughter named it the "Pedo Van". Rear windows have the darkest window tint available. Completely missing both door panels and the ignition lock has been broken and no longer requires an ignition key. Clear Title. The paint has the nasty clear coat blistering off its 1996 panels. SLIGHT hale stone damage to hood and roof. No cracked glass. No rust on anything. Solid frame and front end. 4 speed automatic and 297 thousand on odometer. My use? Cheaper then a camper version as it can make dump runs and carry feed, grain and three grown dogs. 350 v8 is my favorite small block. I pay for gas by not using motels and noisy campgrounds. Equipped with a 9000 lb reciever hitch tied in to the rear frame, and mid frame. crossbar. Door panels I'll make myself and adhere mylar bubble insulation to inner door skin. The cargo area came insulated and carpeted. It's never going to be a beauty queen but it's got "Good Bones". 2CAV
CK5
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Impounded Cargo Van?
- Thread starter 2Cav.
- Start date
It's my favorite van, I had a 97, now I have a 2000 turtle top conversion van and a 96 regular top that needs an engine and I am thinking of building it on 4x4 frame.
I am selling the 2000 because I need the money and if I make this one 4x4 it might sell better.
By the way friend lived 6 years on the road one like yours, commercial van, minimal stuff inside, moved around the country chasing good weather and living off gigs from Craigslist
It's an 'upgrade' from finding cheap or free quiet places FOR A TENT.Definitely cozier then a sleeping pad on top of 17 tons of aluminum personnel carrier. I don't understand people's math skills. Two nights staying in different rest areas pays for two days gas and food. Small block Chevy is one of the longest running series of modern V8. Etc. Here in Texas pickup trucks rule. I dont see the sense to that either. Same for all the comfort geegaws. 70G for an open bed truck ?
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The saga continues. The garage installed the wrong serpentine belt. I have the correct one now but it is more hassle getting it back to the place and I like the owner . It did less than 50 miles before belt noises started. (Ticking). Yup fraying at the engine side and I'll cut it off instead of trying to pry it off. I will take the receipt to the garage and see if they are naughty or nice. Certified mechanic should check the work done out In the shop.
Don't cut it if you are trying to get money back. You are giving them a reason to blame you. Installing the belt should be a 5 minute job, but vans are special. However, the work to install the new one would allow for removing the old one without extra damage.
You're right but when the garage forces the wrong serpentine onto the pulleys and the tensioner has no flex to loosen this too narrow belt , then it gets cut off as it was already fraying after the ten miles driving home. Getting any sort of refund on this botched part of the work has already been tried. I'm saying good bye to that ASE Certified garage. My bad.
I stopped going to shops 35 years ago, even when you could still find some decent guys, they just don't care enough
Our generation Does care but we're aging out and taking the dirt nap. Unfortunately taking a lifetime of wrenching and passed down knowledge with us. My 96 express is a touch stone to my 60 Dodge D100. Her rods turned to ball peen hammers. 90 wt gear oil got the flat head a few more miles while I pulled a 62 chevy small block out of my no frame left station wagon.
We found that for traveling all day, 8MPG in an RV + a campground costs more than 20MPG + hotel. The best-case was staying with family or friends, with the camper on their property for multiple days. You get to visit as much as you want (no commuting from a hotel somewhere), but still have your own bed.
Are you going to share pictures of this "super abductor"?
Are you going to share pictures of this "super abductor"?
Hi Blue. I'm hoping to get 12 to 18 mpg.i have managed 22 Hwy with the 60 D100. I had wagon wheels so tall on the rear it knocked my speedometer off by 10 mph. Also ran a single barrel SU with a 2 inch throat. I had to rejet and the Bentley Rolls Royce dealer was aghast that anything on this motley Dodge could possibly have something using an SU carburetor . I think the straw broom in the sideboard hole behind the cab just put him over the edge. It was artistically curved by wind and rain miles. First life for this truck was as an Airforce generator/ aircraft start truck. Low miles. Happy pilots. Then Beezemer Auto did the military auction and welded angle iron brackets and frame for a two by twelve inch wood push bar and it was Knighted by Triple A on both door panels. Complete with a magnetic based, glow in the dark, plastic statue of Jesus still giving blessings from the middle of that metal dash.
(There is a whole lot more of why I still have that statue almost fifty years later). Somethings happen when you have your first born in her car seat and you break a rocker arm in the middle of New Mexico on a Sunday.
The aircraft starter was removed before I bought the truck for $200. The rusted out and gone truck bed got fixed with a sheet of 3/4 inch plywood. That heavy Starter unit was held in there with only the cross braces. No one knows where or how long Jesus and His truck did road calls in all weather and late nights. But Jesus has taken many tumbles off the dash on rough road calls.His arm is raised but that hand and finger are long since gone. I know he still works no matter what time or whoever needed a road call. The truck was loaded with scrap and towed away to " The Foot " Salvage yard. 2Cav
Will this be a camper or a hauler? Keeping both goals really limits the build.
That's an achievable goal, like trying to shoot a barn, standing near the barn. It's probably also pretty similar to the EPA City/Hwy ratings, so no real tricks needed.
There are plenty of places to camp for free all over this country. You just need to know how to find them.
Hey Blu. No pictures yet. Rv's are nice but I shouldn't spoil myself. I've spent almost twenty years in the Army Combat Arms. Duffle bags 'A' and 'B' plus a ruck sack. My main concern was to somehow keep a platoon of half adults out of trouble while back at our stateside base. Just so we could go into the front and keep everyone in ' readiness' and hopefully bring them back to their families stateside. I'm retired now and I smile and laugh at most things. To sleep in the back of this Van is all I need. Really. Put the sailing canoe on top and it's much more then I ever thought I would do.
Iceman. I did three cross country tours on two wheels. Four wheels for me is luxury. At one time I was in lust for a Unimog. The longer wheelbase 4x4 that could be outfitted for mountain rescue and transport. I have a book for free camping I also have my Military ID. That's access to active military recreation areas.
It's funny, like hearing the thoughts in my head.
I am 60 and haven't broken down and got an RV.
I am slowly building one in case at some point I feel like it or I could sell it.
I still like to backpack with the guys, and camping with the family. Got tired of the 2 wheels after 45 years.
I am good with the 4 wheels now but I enjoy the remote places that sometimes require more than what a van can handle.
I built a 4wd 1979 van before but had to leave it behind in the middle east where I grew up.
Now I am building a 2000 van and in the meantime I enjoy my suburbans.
I did see my fair share of action as well, 25 years of that, and have been left with my platoon in the middle of nowhere with no food, water or shelter for days.
Nothing phases me anymore
I am 60 and haven't broken down and got an RV.
I am slowly building one in case at some point I feel like it or I could sell it.
I still like to backpack with the guys, and camping with the family. Got tired of the 2 wheels after 45 years.
I am good with the 4 wheels now but I enjoy the remote places that sometimes require more than what a van can handle.
I built a 4wd 1979 van before but had to leave it behind in the middle east where I grew up.
Now I am building a 2000 van and in the meantime I enjoy my suburbans.
I did see my fair share of action as well, 25 years of that, and have been left with my platoon in the middle of nowhere with no food, water or shelter for days.
Nothing phases me anymore
My love for two wheels started in junior high. I didn't ever see a 4wd except the Dodge Power Wagon and my brother had a CJ5 back then. I'll be 74 this year. Trucks ! I 95 became my backyard in 63. Quarry trucks with 8ft and a steel ladder to climb into the cab.Dual engine Euclid belly scrapers. Cranes , Graders , excavators and a one lung chain steering pavement roller. Cat D8 with rock rippers hanging off the back. My favorite was the Euclid scrapers. Two big diesels and 5 inch straight exhaust. They bellowed across miles. Big mechanical dinosaurs.
