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  1. steamjam1

    Can a Van Last for 40 Years?

    Here is my 2- cents: If you bought a rust free 1980's or early 90's Ford Econoline with a Big-6, or any Dodge van with a slant-6, then out of the starting gate replaced, or have a shop replace the entire drive line and suspension, that van would easily go to 2058... and easily go to 400,000...
  2. steamjam1

    Super random phone van question....

    For those who are gear heads: Remember back in the 1970's the Pacific Bell utility vans in that awful, but distinctive green they were? Anyone know what that green is called? Or better yet a paint code? I know... Out of really really really left field.. :-D
  3. steamjam1

    It got SO hot ...

    It's been in the mid-90's for a week here out here on the west coast, as well as half the place seems to be on fire right now.  I have one of those little "Arctic Air" evap coolers too. I think it would be too small for most vans, and it goes through an incredible amount of water.
  4. steamjam1

    For Dodge van fans: Japanese van racing

    Leave it to the Japanese to take a seemingly silly idea and taking it to the umpteenth degree.. :-D
  5. steamjam1

    Thoughts on an old Chinook

    Those older Chinook/Fords are cool. Full frames. Only problem I see? Big Block engine. 8mpg.
  6. steamjam1

    Doghouse noise!

    Sounds like all you need is sound deadening.
  7. steamjam1

    Airbags or Springs. The van has got to stop twerking!

    I installed Monroe brand gas shocks. I replaced all the bushings at the same time since I was there under the RV as well as wheel bearings and king pins. Then I went straight to the tire shop and had the alignment checked while it got all new tires. It made a big difference... Now to be...
  8. steamjam1

    Airbags or Springs. The van has got to stop twerking!

    XL tires are better then SL, but not as good as E. Its really going to depend on how much weight you carry in your rig. The more weight, the higher rating your going to need. At the same time, if your carrying enough weight to require E rated tires, its a much better idea to up-rate your...
  9. steamjam1

    Airbags or Springs. The van has got to stop twerking!

    If your not carrying alot of weight, then you probably just need new shocks. I drive a class-B RV based on a 1/2 ton Ford extended. It's a considerable amount of weight for a 1/2 ton. It useto be really terrible to drive even on the smoothest dirt roads ("Twerking" I guess... swaying side to...
  10. steamjam1

    beautiful ford 300 engine

    Yep. There is a reason why there is no such thing as a slant-6 get away car...
  11. steamjam1

    Self Help Gear for Getting Unstuck

    Not getting stuck in the first place is the best method, but there are times you will, regardless of how careful you are. I personally carry: A high lift jack. A shovel tire chains A few strips of 2x4 Rubber straps. With those, you can get yourself out of most stuck situations.
  12. steamjam1

    The rising cost of used vans

    I have notice a steady rise in the price of used vans over the last few years as van dwelling has become more popular.
  13. steamjam1

    beautiful ford 300 engine

    Yes. The Ford "Big-6" 240 and 300ci engines are the best engines Ford ever put out, second only to the Dodge Slant-6. I have personally taken slant-6's that were seized due to piston rust, squirted some Kroil into the spark plug holes, waited a day, then carefully worked the crank back and forth...
  14. steamjam1

    Airbags or Springs. The van has got to stop twerking!

    Dodge used very few ratios when it comes to axles. The most common in 1/2 and 3/4 ton is 3:21. The one ton full floater dana 60 got the 3:55 or 4:09 ratio. Generally speaking, if you get an axle out of a B250/B2500 with the same engine as your 150/1500, chances are better then 75% it'll be with...
  15. steamjam1

    Airbags or Springs. The van has got to stop twerking!

    There are a few things about Dodge vans that you should consider: The brakes on the 1/2 ton and 3/4 are the same, BUT the rear axles are different. The 1/2 ton will be equipped with the Chrysler 8.25 axle, which really aren't that strong. Its the same axle Dodges used in Dodge Dakota, Durango...
  16. steamjam1

    Airbags or Springs. The van has got to stop twerking!

    It depends on how much weight your carrying, and where your carrying it.
  17. steamjam1

    Has anyone felt like you had to do it NOW ???

    To me it depends on the motivations behind anyone going nomadic in a van/RV. You want it bad enough.... You'll find a way.. In a hurry... I went from a house to deciding to live in a van, buying a van, and moving into it in 3 days. To me it was purely a financial decision where I was eye ball...
  18. steamjam1

    Old Rv engine motor repairs

    Dodge Transvan.. I've always wanted the smaller single wheel version. They just look 1970's funky and neat. There is a '78 4x4 dually transvan for sale in SoCal for 2g's that looks restorable...
  19. steamjam1

    Dodge Ram Van Rust T/F Question

    Dodges are particularly vulnerable to rust at the frame horns. This is mostly due to Dodge not undercoating the frame rails properly during production. Whenever I buy a Dodge, (I've owned a few) its the first thing I look at before I even pop the hood to see how well it runs. When it comes to...
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