1997 Dodge Ram conversion van

[uncagingmyspirit]

We're really on the fence about buying this and would like to hear an opinion or two from experienced van dwellers

1997 Dodge Ram conversion van
condition: excellent
cylinders: 8 cylinders
fuel: gas
odometer: 130357
paint color: blue
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
type: van

$3499 + tax & financing interest rates 
Total: 3,700

CA DMV  registration is appx $419 

I looked up the VIN & it sat for 2 years, ran for 5, sat for 3 years and seems to have been updated - passed emissions. I test drove it & it feels like it needs Power Steering Fluid... felt a little resistance? tough? while driving... basically how I feel waking up the morning after going out and staying up late

Exhaust pipe smoke is thin and slightly grey. Not loud but not completely quiet either

Engine I wish I would have taken a picture. Some of the tubes were old and the outer layer peeling & a few were new.
Roof (outside): Along the edge is rust - can this be scrubbed out & simply repainted?  

 

[LeeRevell]

If the seller allows, have a good mechanic look it over, test drive it, and inspect it thoroughly.  Based on his findings and repair estimates, you can buy or walk away.

 

[B and C]

It is a low top.  We traveled extensively in one although we were a lot younger then    I don't think we could do it today as walking around inside on your knees or bent over would have us hurting big time.

If the rust is not all the way through, a good sanding (remove all rust) followed by primer and paint should be OK.  Tubes?  Do you mean hoses?  These should all be replaced as well as changing all fluids.  This is one of the first things I do with any used vehicle purchase.

X2 on a mechanic check if you are not qualified.

 

[cyndi]

x3 on the mechanic inspection. there are mobile mechanics if the seller is prickly about taking it off property or it's not insured/registered

x2 on the low ceiling.

I paid close to the same for a 97 ford conversion, earlier this year. Every mechanic that's seen it thinks it's a great ride.

 

[Wanderer]

I have a 1998....Yours looks way better and nicer especially the mood lights. Mileage is also a bonus, mine had 200K and (Sadly) I learned that the back had a leak...

I X4 the mech. Yes $500 seems a bit much, but do you want to pay $4K for a rolling junk heap and
you're stuck with it for 2-4 years? No Thanks!

Complain like mad about the steering, make it seem like it's a danger on the road.

Rust? POINT IT OUT!! Especially the engine flaking and such...REAM, ream, ream...

After all, you're paying for this, not them....

 

[highdesertranger]

x4 on the mechanic. remember rust never sleeps. I would have the rust checked out real good. the peeling on the engine is common, a trick of used car people is to steam clean the engine then spray a clear coat on everything. makes it look real good to uninformed buyers. this doesn't last very long and starts to peel off. obviously this seller didn't do it or you wouldn't notice, it was probably done by a previous seller. highdesertranger

 

[rgs80074]

i must have gotten lucky. i purchased my 1997 dodge ram b2500 conversion van for 1100 incliuding taxes, tag, etc.

of course the dealer had no mechanics and thought there was more work to be done to it than worth doing.

300 in labor charges from moble mechanics and about 500 in parts and we are good to go (except a couple of small things and the ac).

but as for the power steering fluid it might be fine.

i had to replace the power steering pump in my van (its what they thought was the transmission going bad). maybe i'm spoiled by my jeep that turns on a pin with no effort but the van does not always seem to turn so easy especially at low speeds, not as bad as not having power steering at all but still harder than what it should. I doubt my mother could turn the wheel if the vehicle as not moving.

 

[uncagingmyspirit]

We're really on the fence about buying this and would like to hear an opinion or two from experienced van dwellers

1997 Dodge Ram conversion van
condition: excellent
cylinders: 8 cylinders
fuel: gas
odometer: 130357
paint color: blue
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
type: van

$3499 + tax & financing interest rates 
Total: 3,700

CA DMV  registration is appx $419 

I looked up the VIN & it sat for 2 years, ran for 5, sat for 3 years and seems to have been updated - passed emissions. I test drove it & it feels like it needs Power Steering Fluid... felt a little resistance? tough? while driving... basically how I feel waking up the morning after going out and staying up late

Exhaust pipe smoke is thin and slightly grey. Not loud but not completely quiet either

Engine I wish I would have taken a picture. Some of the tubes were old and the outer layer peeling & a few were new.
Roof (outside): Along the edge is rust - can this be scrubbed out & simply repainted?  

 

[highdesertranger]

patience will get you what you want. highdesertranger

 

[BigT]

I see that van has California plates.  Here's one with a hi-top...  though the price does seem a bit high.

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5376653500.html

I was really hoping someone would chime in about the overall reliability of the mid-90's Dodge vans.  They seem to be very popular among van dwellers, but I know nothing about them at all.

 

[Goshawk]

Am thinking about something similar 1992 dodge conversion (class b) van, in SC. They want $7500. Coachman Saratoga. No generator, low miles. Just seems way over priced. Market here is thin and rare in the state. May need to consider Florida to shop in.

 

[rgs80074]

hahaha florida where i bought mine. not sure how plentiful they are a cheap prices I just got lucky becasue i got it at a buy here pay here place that thought it was going to have major issues and wanted to just get rid of it.

 

[GotSmart]

I see that van has California plates.  Here's one with a hi-top...  though the price does seem a bit high.

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5376653500.html

I was really hoping someone would chime in about the overall reliability of the mid-90's Dodge vans.  They seem to be very popular among van dwellers, but I know nothing about them at all.

First lie, 15 mpg city with that 318.  You would be lucky to get that highway.

Price is more than double what a 20 year old van is worth.  After looking again, 3X  $2,000 van. 

At first look, the front end needs work.  

"Remodeled" (Cheap carpet badly installed) what is under it?

Mid 90's Dodge vans.  Check front end.  Look at rust points inside back doors, and on frame.  They can be extremely reliable, or not depending on te real maintenance.  Parts go out at 130K miles.

 

[uncagingmyspirit]

I see that van has California plates.  Here's one with a hi-top...  though the price does seem a bit high.

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5376653500.html

I was really hoping someone would chime in about the overall reliability of the mid-90's Dodge vans.  They seem to be very popular among van dwellers, but I know nothing about them at all.

Yes, it is a nice van but the price is a bit high for a Dodge Ram of that year. Only a few days old, I contact him to see if he's willing to bring the price down a bit.

 

[BigT]

First lie, 15 mpg city with that 318.  You would be lucky to get that highway.

Price is more than double what a 20 year old van is worth.  After looking again, 3X  $2,000 van. 

At first look, the front end needs work.  

"Remodeled" (Cheap carpet badly installed) what is under it?

Mid 90's Dodge vans.  Check front end.  Look at rust points inside back doors, and on frame.  They can be extremely reliable, or not depending on te real maintenance.  Parts go out at 130K miles.

I looked up the estimated MPG for that year and got 15/17, and that's without a hi-top and its barn-door aerodynamics, so it's unlikely the seller is getting 20 MPG on the highway unless they checked it going downhill in a tailwind or while being towed by another vehicle.  

Another red flag, for me at least, is that the seller admits to having just bought, yet they want to get rid of it.  They say it's for "health reasons" but fail to specify if they're physical or mental.  ("Oh my God, why did I buy this piece of crap, money pit?!"  Maybe I can dump it on someone else at an inflated price.") 

As for the $6,000+ price tag for what is essentially a stripped down hi-top van with 120,000 miles ...  Welcome to NorCal, home of the crack pipe-induced asking price.    

It's too bad..  I see some real potential with that interior setup.  

Not sure I understand your comment about the front end needing work.  I didn't notice anything in the photos.  I'll have to take another look.  
Not that I'm going to buy it.  Just curious.

 

[GotSmart]

Not sure I understand your comment about the front end needing work.  I didn't notice anything in the photos.  I'll have to take another look.  
Not that I'm going to buy it.  Just curious.

The picture showing the front tire at an angle.  It looked like some feathering going on. (Picture 5 and 6, drivers side) Dodge vans have touchy front ends.