Can I get your impressions of this van?

[mayble]

Actually it's the passenger side doors that I'm concerned about:

They don't close quite right. Either the doors, the hinges or the pillar are out of slightly out of whack.  I don't know if it's collision damage or just age/use.  Any suggestions what to look for?  New door seals/weatherstripping would be in order, at the very least.
On the other hand, it's not bad overall for it's age (1990)

Interior is in good shape, no signs of water or anything.  I haven't driven it yet but I will be talking to the owner tomorrow.  I'm thinking if I can get it cheaply enough, it might be worth buying to mess around with and try out some ideas that won't work in my minivan (provided it gets my mechanic's approval, of course).

 

[SternWake]

Actually it's the passenger side doors that I'm concerned about:

They don't close quite right. Either the doors, the hinges or the pillar are out of slightly out of whack.  I don't know if it's collision damage or just age/use.  Any suggestions what to look for?  New door seals/weatherstripping would be in order, at the very least.
On the other hand, it's not bad overall for it's age (1990)

Interior is in good shape, no signs of water or anything.  I haven't driven it yet but I will be talking to the owner tomorrow.  I'm thinking if I can get it cheaply enough, it might be worth buying to mess around with and try out some ideas that won't work in my minivan (provided it gets my mechanic's approval, of course).

Adjusting the doors or striker so that they close properly is not difficult, assuming the frame is not bent.  If so then walk away.

If it was in an accident it might be 'crabbing' down the road with the back wheels an inch or 4 out of alignment with the front tires.  not really apparent to a driver  but very obvious to someone following the vehicle.

That low top over the driver limits storage in a good place for storage.

Those windows in the fiberglass top are notorious for leaking.  Check for externally applied silicone sealant, and sniff for mold mildew in that area inside.  That area dries out fast

 

[GotSmart]

In expanding the pictures out, I see rust streaks/bubbles on the drivers side. The drivers tire looks feathered.    Expand the passenger side picture, and look at the top of the pillar behind the front door. That looks damaged.

 

[DannyB1954]

High top vans are a bit weak because the metal top has been cut away. The body may have flexed a bit.
On my pickup the top of the door had wind noise. I rolled down the window, opened the door sat on the seat facing the inside of the door, put my foot on the door and pushed while pulling on the top of the door. No more wind noise.
After years the top of the doors tend to flex out. The metal infront and behind the window is not all that strong. If you are of small stature, get a large friend to help. Make sure you roll down the window first. Glass is pretty strong really and will make the maneuver most difficult., (if the window does not break). When I did it, I could not tell that I moved it at all.

I suppose that you could roll down the window, open the door and put something in the opening that will keep it from closing, (block of wood), then from the outside push the top of the door frame in.

 

[mayble]

If it was in an accident it might be 'crabbing' down the road with the back wheels an inch or 4 out of alignment with the front tires.  not really apparent to a driver  but very obvious to someone following the vehicle.

You know, I've never thought to follow a vehicle as part of an inspection.  I think that's a great idea.

In expanding the pictures out, I see rust streaks/bubbles on the drivers side. The drivers tire looks feathered.    Expand the passenger side picture, and look at the top of the pillar behind the front door. That looks damaged.

Where should I be seeing these streaks/bubbles?  I'm not seeing it and didn't notice anything in person.  It has a bit of surface rust in the usual places, but feels and sounds solid throughout.
I've been trying to find pictures of a "healthy" van to compare the pillar and doors but with no luck.  Can you point out the damage that you see here?

High top vans are a bit weak because the metal top has been cut away. The body may have flexed a bit.

After years the top of the doors tend to flex out.

I wondered about the body flexing, whether that would account for this issue.  Actually it's the lower half of the (front) passenger door that is out, by about 1/4" or so.  The second passenger side door appears to be off evenly top to bottom.  When I opened the third door, the seal peeled away and then it didn't want to close properly either.



I'll get more info from the owner this afternoon about the van's history.  It's obviously had some paint work but there's no serious rust or filler as far as I can tell.  Like I said, if it's cheap enough (he's asking $1000 obo)  I'd consider it a disposable starter kit.  I'm assuming the top could be removed and put on my next van, along with whatever I build on the inside.  Low top vans are a dime a dozen around here, but not so for the high tops.
Thanks all for your input!

 

[GotSmart]

Look at the pillar right behind the front passenger door.  At the top the trim is broken, and there is silicone at the top of the pillar.

Their is a rust streak under the driver's door, indicating that water is leaking in the doors window and leaking out the drain hole.  Rust bubbles around the wheel wells and along the lower body.  The back doors and interior body need to be checked, as well as underneath.

Run your hands over the tires.  They should be smooth.  Anything else indicates a problem in the suspension/steering/alignment.

 

[mayble]

Look at the pillar right behind the front passenger door.  At the top the trim is broken, and there is silicone at the top of the pillar.

Their is a rust streak under the driver's door, indicating that water is leaking in the doors window and leaking out the drain hole.  Rust bubbles around the wheel wells and along the lower body.  The back doors and interior body need to be checked, as well as underneath.

Run your hands over the tires.  They should be smooth.  Anything else indicates a problem in the suspension/steering/alignment.

Gotcha.  If that's silicone at the top of the pillar, it's painted over.  I see a notch in the gutter - I thought it was intentional as there's one on the other side as well, tho I guess it would be an odd place to let rain drip out near the door.
I didn't realize a streak under the door would be coming through the door via the window.  I'll look more closely at that.  Rust is something we see a lot of around here  This vehicle hasn't seen many Michigan winters, that's for sure.

 

[gargoyle]

That notch in the gutter may be an old cb antenna mount location?
A common spot, as the cable would run out at the door.