93 Dodge Ram 350 Handicap Van

[Zizzer_Zazzer_Zuz]

Considering buying this vehicle.  It's been reposted on my local Craigslist several times over the last few weeks.

What I know:
Dodge Ram 350
Full hi top
curved windows around the back corners
custom door for wheelchair lift
wheelchair lift at back doors
passengar door modified as school bus door with step and added headroom + both regular sized swing doors
several rows of belted school bus seats

What I DON'T know:
How it would be registered in NC
How it would be insured in NC
How much insurance will cost me
milage / condition / current state of plates and legal ability to drive it on the road

Pro's:
Hi top.  Being able to stand is a requirement.
ease of repair and availability of parts.
*I am not a mechanic.  I drive a Hyundai and pay people to maintain my car. That said I need a vehicle that I can learn to maintain.  I understand that Ram vans and pickups for a large time span have almost interchangeable parts and so spares are common place. Further, most anywhere I go any garage or even a dude with a bitch'n set of tools will be able to work on it.
It's old and I get to learn to work on it

Con's:
low stealth due to many windows
permanent entry step behind front wheel where passenger door was
Roof appears to be fiberglass shell.  I am hesitant drill holes for solar or fans.
I have to take the seats and chair lift out
It's old and it's going to need work.

Thoughts or suggestion please.

 

[highdesertranger]

why don't you just link the ad? what year? motor? highdesertranger

 

[Hippiechk]

I would imagine if it is being reposted there are likely reasons its not selling. It still might be an okay buy but its not a great deal after weeks up for sale.

& like HDR says, that isn't any real info to go on to help you out...none of the ads have stated its mileage or condition??

Also, if you don't know anything about auto repair... a '93 isn't into the fix it with a satchel of tools 'old' category necessarily.

 

[Zizzer_Zazzer_Zuz]

why don't you just link the ad?  what year? motor?  highdesertranger

Sorry meant to via the "this van" but it didn't work.

8 Cylinder
145000 miles

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/5725640718.html

He's not answering his phone.  

 

[Zizzer_Zazzer_Zuz]

I would imagine if it is being reposted there are likely reasons its not selling. It still might be an okay buy but its not a great deal after weeks up for sale.

& like HDR says, that isn't any real info to go on to help you out...none of the ads have stated its mileage or condition??

Also, if you don't know anything about auto repair... a '93 isn't into the fix it with a satchel of tools 'old' category necessarily.

Since I'm going to be in this thing as much as I intend I'm going to need to start to learn it's inner workings. I'm talking about maintenance and some basic repairs not dropping a trani or replacing an engine myself.  

Right now I have road side assistance and fix a flat electric inflator pump for flats.  My car doesn't even have a jack. Perspective is everything.  

I am however smarter than the average bear and feel like I can manage lots of the smaller repairs.  I know I can do the interior wood as I've done some woodworking all my life.  I even worked in a wood shop in college.  Phase 1 may be 2x2's and plywood but I' know I can manage that with relative ease.  Fiberglass patch is something I've used on kyakes.  I've never worked with bondo but I've painted tons of stuff. 

A budget and some books and the internet should get me started.  I'll still need a mechanic.

 

[TrainChaser]

Whatever van you are really considering, get it checked by a decent mechanic. He/she can put those gadgets on it to find problems.

 

[Benjamin Dejo]

Dodge vans with a V8 360 motor (5.9L) don't get great mileage with the normal configuration. Having that high top with the blunt nose would probably render 8 mpg on the highway.

Lots of room inside for sure, but there will be NO stealth with that vehicle. Once someone sees it, it burns a mental image in the mind forever.

 

[Zizzer_Zazzer_Zuz]

Dodge vans with a V8 360 motor (5.9L) don't get great mileage with the normal configuration.   Having that high top with the blunt nose would probably render 8 mpg on the highway.

Lots of room inside for sure, but there will be NO stealth with that vehicle.  Once someone sees it, it burns a mental image in the mind forever.

Really?  8?  Wow that sucks a whole lot.

And yes, it does scream "handicapped children!".

 

[highdesertranger]

well the ad didn't add much. kinda hard to tell anything. that is one funky high top. would make a great home if it checks out. sorry I can't give anymore advise but with limited info it's impossible. highdesertranger

 

[Zizzer_Zazzer_Zuz]

well the ad didn't add much.  kinda hard to tell anything.  that is one funky high top.  would make a great home if it checks out.  sorry I can't give anymore advise but with limited info it's impossible.  highdesertranger

At $2500 it leaves me budget to do repairs and the buildout.  

How much of a pain in the neck is it to remove those bus seats?  I've seen videos of people needing grinders to cut the bolts.  Should that be required or would that be due to corrosion?  What about the wheel chair lift?

Can you scrap that sort of thing for cash?

 

[steamjam1]

At $2500 it leaves me budget to do repairs and the buildout.  

How much of a pain in the neck is it to remove those bus seats?  I've seen videos of people needing grinders to cut the bolts.  Should that be required or would that be due to corrosion?  What about the wheel chair lift?

Can you scrap that sort of thing for cash?

1993 is a good year for Dodge vans. The 5.9L is a great engine. (First year of the Magnum) easy to work on, cheap parts. Its weaknesses are the transmission, (46RH) and how prone they are to rust if you live next to an ocean, or anywhere they use salt on the roads.

It should get 12-13mpg unless somethings a miss.

 

[highdesertranger]

I would try to sell the wheel chair lift as a unit. recover some of your costs. as for the seats it is not uncommon to have to grind/cut off the bolts. I would try to sell those too. highdesertranger

 

[BC Guy]

I would think that the low step on the passenger side would give you a problem with speed bumps and with going off road.

 

[Wanderer]

I'd hazard a $1800 offer....After a hard look and (Of course) a carfax.....

Looks to be quite spacious inside, could be built out to include a shower also....

But as for stealth...Yep, not going to happen....

 

[Gary68]

shouldnt be to hard to revert or replace that passenger door,shouldnt be more then $100 for a salvage yard replacement,might take your lift in trade

 

[Wanderer]

shouldnt be to hard to revert or replace that passenger door,shouldnt be more then $100 for a salvage yard replacement,might take your lift in trade

I'd not do that as that's the entry way for passengers (Or your friends) the lift seems to be to the side and at this time, not a good option to have as entry way.

Once lift is gone "Maybe" it could become entryway, but I'd make it for something else...

 

[Gary68]

I'd not do that as that's the entry way for passengers (Or your friends) the lift seems to be to the side and at this time, not a good option to have as entry way.

Once lift is gone "Maybe" it could become entryway, but I'd make it for something else...

yea,if you're solo you could leave it as is,remove passenger's seat and use it as main entry,build past the side doors or i have seen people who mount their stove/kitchen on the side doors so they can just open them to be cooking out doors

 

[TrainChaser]

For the lift, contact places that deal with handicapped people, and ask them who could remove it for you. They might even pay you for it. One place to call is Catholic Community Services, which I believe is a national organization. Also, the places that sell those mobility scooters -- esp the ones that work with Social Security.

If no one that you contact directly does anything like that, be sure to ask if they know anyone who does.

About the seats: call a few body shops and ask how much they would charge to remove the bolts. Sell them on Craigslist, if you can, or give them away on Freecycle if you can't find buyers.

 

[Zizzer_Zazzer_Zuz]

I'm going to go see it tomorrow after work.

Talked with a buddy and he told me that some wheel chair lifts require fitting to the frame and removing the lift may require body work to repair. 

I'll take some pictures and see if I can drive it.

 

[steamjam1]

I'm going to go see it tomorrow after work.

Talked with a buddy and he told me that some wheel chair lifts require fitting to the frame and removing the lift may require body work to repair. 

I'll take some pictures and see if I can drive it.

Cool good luck man..