Can you de-computerize newer vehicles?

[Jack]

While I appreciate and benefit from technology, I'd prefer to have a van that isn't computerized at all, right down to manual windows and locks.  Not to mention that the more electronics there are in a vehicle, the more there is to break down.  

I'm not sure exactly how to word this but, is it possible to take a new(er) vehicle and turn back the clock to make it completely manually operated?  For the sake of an example only, if there was an EMP attack, vehicles today wouldn't run because of the technology in them.  (Again, just an example, I'm not concerned about an EMP attack.)

On the flip side, what would I be looking for if I wanted an older van that fits this criteria already when it was originally made?

 

[highdesertranger]

it's possible in certain circumstances. for instances the 5.7 Chevy Engine yes you can do it but it's out of production since 2003. any of the newer GM engines I don't think so. the newer engines don't even have a provision for a distributer, so good luck with that. I think up until the mid 90's it's very possible on both gas and diesel engine. the GM 6.2/6.5 diesel is still in production and those are very easy to go sans electronics. highdesertranger

 

[Trebor English]

A carburetor uses physics to have a particular mass of air cause a correct mass of fuel to flow. A computerized system monitors the exhaust to make small corrections. With catalytic converters the amount that the mix can be off is limited. Older converters could handle more error, newer converters are smaller. In theory you could take off the fuel injection and install a carburetor. In practice it would take a lot of engineering to make it run well using today's gasoline. It might need an old camshaft.

The electronic ignition could be replaced by points and condenser in a vacuum and mechanical advance distributor. The maintenance frequency on those systems is every 10,000 miles for checking and adjusting, 20,000 for replacing parts.

In the late 1960s they added PCV, positive crankcase ventilation. That small mechanical valve alone took care of 90% of the bad stuff emitted by engines other than lead. By early 1970s they started with electronic ignition to get longer service life without misfires.

A late 60s Chevy Van or Econoline would probably meet your requirement.

 

[WanderingCanuck]

Without the electronic engine controls you'd never pass an emission test. I'd bet that modifications like this are illegal in many places because of it, but this is just speculation on my part.

It isn't so much the complexity that's the problem, it's the lack of transparency and access to information to troubleshoot problems. I spent some time as a mechanic longer ago than I care to admit. There are so many things that get replaced instead of repaired because even the mechanic doesn't know how something is supposed to work.

Vehicles are better with this technology, but I do share much of your sentiment.

 

[Weight]

Modifying the factory anti-pollution OE is illegal in the USA. Every state. Would you really want to go back to carburetors and engine knock from lower quality fuel? Computer engine controllers can be removed from Late 80's by using parts from earlier years. Newer engines themselves are engineered to use the sensors and electronic controls, I don't think a newer engine would even be able to run without OE stuff. I think the electronic fuel injection and modern ignition systems are better than, are more reliable than, anything sense 1950.

 

[steamjam1]

Easiest way to have an older non computerized van is to go buy a 1970's or 1980's van, and then a good set of tools... You're going to be using them.. alot.

 

[bullfrog]

Almost anything is possible but seldom affordable enough to make sense. Putting $10,000 or more into a vehicle that will get less MPG and confuse modern mechanics when it comes to finding parts is seldom worth the work, as is trying to fix up an old worn out rust bucket. This why most people that do this do it as a hobby or because they know these vehicles completely and don't care to deal with learning the new ones and their problems.

 

[Jack]

Thanks for the replies, folks. Not being mechanically minded at all (yet) I was just wondering. I guess they really don't make anything like they used to.

 

[velojym]

The LS series engines can be 'de-computerized', and it's being done more and more often to re-power classic cars and trucks. The trick, legally, is to drop the engine in a vehicle that isn't subject to those regulations.
So, the smart move in your case, given your desires, is to find an older van (or whatever you prefer) with good 'bones' from a rust-free area, have it pretty much gutted, and do a resto-mod.
This can be relatively cheap, as mentioned before here, if you do much of the work yourself, or have mechanical friends you can ply with beer and pizza.
A good "for instance": an older Chevy van with a blown engine you can get cheap, or free. Pick up an LS engine on ebay for a few hundred bucks with fairly low miles. Have it checked out and install a carb intake, and 'downgrade' the ignition. Use a mechanical 700r4 (beefed up, with an auxiliary cooler)...

It'll cost more than picking up an early 2000's van and fixing it up, but it'll fall on the right side of the law, emissions-wise... heck, it'll still be far cleaner than the original engine... and once you've built it, with help even, you'll have a far better understanding of what's going on under the hood, and will be better able to provide your own mechanical support in the wild. You can expect a huge number of miles out of it, too, if you treat it right.

Personally, unless I had the extra cash laying around, I'd just find an earlier LS van and go with that. EMP could be an issue one day, but I'd tend to plan for more likely scenarios. I would keep a bicycle with me as an 'escape pod', even if only as a way to get to the next gas station if planning fails.

 

[Jack]

The trick, legally, is to...

Wow.  Government can't keep their hands off anything, can they?  Everything is illegal.  Even catching rain water on your own property... as if they were the benevolent ones who created and owned the rain!  I'm going to digress now before I go into a rant and not be able to stop.  


Thanks for the suggestions.  It makes a lot of sense but, since my mechanical abilities stop at telling a truck from a car, it's just not going to be worth it to get into.  I don't have a lot of cash on hand but, if it was something that could be done relatively easily, I would have gladly paid someone for the privilege.  
I benefit from technology.  I appreciate technology.  But, I hate technology.  It's supposedly simplifies our lives and it does, to a point.  But, at what cost?  After indoor plumbing and air-conditioning were invented, I was perfectly content.

 

[velojym]

I hear ya Brutha. I work in I.T., but if I could get away from it and live with nothing more capable than a flip phone, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

 

[Weight]

But you can't leave it all behind, got to have at least a flip phone. So much better than land line

 

[highdesertranger]

what is wrong with a flip phone? hahaha highdesertranger

 

[velojym]

I don't have any issue with smartphones, in general.... as a technology. However, part of my 'modern life' issue is that everyone has their face buried in such a device, and nobody's actually "being with" each other. I'd go with a flip phone, as it's still useful for calling folks when needed, but I'm really getting sick of technology wedging out personal interaction.

Seeing my daughter use TXT-SPK, ZOMG LOLZ!!! even when she has a full keyboard available... nails on a chalkboard to me.

 

[Jack]

Exactly. The technology part of smart phones is fine. It's how it's changed society for the worst that's the problem. I'm 52 and reluctantly got a smart phone when I was 50. If it was feasible, I'd go without a phone altogether.

 

[tx2sturgis]

I'm not sure exactly how to word this but, is it possible to take a new(er) vehicle and turn back the clock to make it completely manually operated?  

Possible? Almost anything is 'possible' given enough time, money, tools, parts, knowledge, skill, and a place to do it.


Is it practical?  Nope.

 

[becida]

I remember when an older vehicle went over 100,000 miles, it was a big deal. Today I expect to see 250,000 on the clock & I'll have done far less wrench turning on it (I really hope!) than I would have with one from the 60's or 70's.

 

[velojym]

My '04 Suburban has about 210,000 miles on it, and my HHR has 190,000
They're both very reliable.
Great for what they are, but some folks don't like the idea of being so reliant on electronics.

 

[becida]

My '04 Suburban has about 210,000 miles on it, and my HHR has 190,000
They're both very reliable.
Great for what they are, but some folks don't like the idea of being so reliant on electronics.

Electronics & computers have to be a big part of what allows these machine to run this long without major work. Without minor work too!

 

[MrNoodly]

With the time, energy and expense of decomputerizing a newer vehicle you could probably completely restore an older one.

I have over 250,000 miles on my 2007 Express. The only issues I've had with it are totally unrelated to its electronics. Just mechanical parts wearing out.