2003 Dodge LWB Van

[djkeev]

Hi All!

Newbie in New Jersey!

I just purchased a 2003 Dodge Conversion Van.
We paid $2,500 for it which seems like a good price for a decent low mileage driver.

It is the Long Wheel Base with a fiberglass hardtop on it.
5.2 Auto trans, Cruise Control ABS, Air Bags.
It has 103,000 on it and runs well. 
A fair amount of "road rash" on the paint and clear coat peeling on the fiberglass top. 
The applied side stripes are faded and peeling. 
Two small rust spots which I'll cut out and weld in new metal. 
New tires on aluminum alloy rims.

Currently it is your typical 2 captains chairs and fold down rear bunk setup. 

My plans are to gut it out and create a queen size (almost) bed and a toilet/shower set up.
I'm 5'10" my Wife is 5'9", we are hoping to set up a bed side to side but it seems it will be a little tight? 

Our useage will be as lodging for long distance travel instead of hotel rooms. We desire a comfortable nicely appointed personal hotel room/guest room while visiting family. Our last visit to Montana at our Daughters home found us sleeping in the Grandsons HORRIBLE bunk beds!  :s  We aren't 9 yrs old any longer I'm afraid........

We haven't need for a real kitchen or table in this conversion. 
Just a small food prep area. I already have a TruckFridge TF49 that we use in our Westfalia.

I'll post up some photos and start a build thread.

Dave

 

[cyndi]

Welcome to the CRVL forums, djkeev! I think the van as a guest house will beat the bunk beds in wvwey way imaginable!

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[poncho62]

Welcome....sounds like you got a real deal on the van. Got any pics of it?
Lots of good info and people here

 

[djkeev]

Well, thanks to Sportsmobile I've got a handle on a basic floor plan......
http://sportsmobile.com/standard-rbplans/



Some photos...... You can see the drivers side rust staining the running board, same spot on the other side at the rear of the door opening! ?
Must be a common Dodge rust point in the rust belt States?

I like that the dash and doors on this unit are NOT adorned with cheap wood on every surface like so many of these conversion vans are! ............ Not my taste at all.











Thanks for the warm welcome thus far!

Dave

 

[djkeev]

One MAJOR plus (IMHO) of this Van is NO TRAILER HITCH!!!!

This gives me a glimmer of hope that the transmission will continue to serve me well for many miles to come.
Trailer towing adds a LOT of stress to the power train when running down the highway !
Not just to the transmission but the engine, axles, differential and drive shaft as well.

I will put a 2" reciever hitch on though, not so much to pull a trailer but for a basket or bike rack.

None-the-less the unit will be completely serviced (by Me for I distrust "professional" mechanics...... I was one many years ago, I KNOW what goes on in the shop!) before it takes to the highway. Even though the PO says that the fluids were just changed I need to establish a base line for future service needs. I also want to KNOW what the brakes look like, what the transmission oil looks (and smells) like, what wear debris is in the transmission oil pan, etc.

Besides...... PO's have been known to lie!

Dave

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard Dave!
Looks like a good floor plan for your needs.

 

[eDJ_]

Welcome to the CRVL Forum  

I'm sure others here will be wishing that they had your luck.  Great find on that Van and your plans for
rigging it for long distance travel sound well thought out to me.  I agree with what you are saying about
the 2" receiver hitch too.   Sounds like it was just used for transport in it's day and should serve you well.