First break down, a little nervous

[Ryan24]

Havent left for the trip I am planning yet, but I have already had my first mechanical issue. A shifting lock cable was busted and made it so I was stuck in park. 350$ to get it fixed, which isnt bad. However I am little worried about the health of my van as I go out on the road!<div><br></div><div>What do you guys do while your vans are in the shop?</div>

 

[4x4tour]

Mine never sees a shop. I've rebuilt most of it. &nbsp;With some tools, and the internet, anyone (physically able) can do their own fixes if they have the time. &nbsp;Vehicle specific forums are THE BEST! &nbsp;<div><br></div><div>For example, I had never done ANY kind of bodywork, rust repair, paint, body filler, sanding, priming etc.. before. &nbsp;I found this rusted out 68 camaro convertible (barely running) on ebay (paid way too much, never buy a car at midnight, in the rain... lol).&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I took the hardest color to spray (metallic silver) because I love being told I can't do something, i.e. paint a car in my 2-car garage and have it come out decent (without tiger stripes, and even metal flakes). &nbsp;Added the cloth top with rear glass (not plastic) and presto, sold this puppy for 40k to a body shop owner in Sacramento. he had no clue I restored it until I told him. &nbsp;He didn't believe me...</div><div><br></div><div>With a ton of research and plenty of obsessive compulsive desire&nbsp;<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif">, 6 months later, a Pro-Touring Camaro is born... &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;

</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>My advice, is that you never know your limits until you exceed them... &nbsp;There's enough knowledge on this board for most DIY projects, and then some... &nbsp;If not, we can always make sure you don't get ripped off on repairs.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Enjoy the site...</div><div><br></div><div>AJ</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;</div>

 

[freenez2]

In lieu of shelling out for a hotel it's worth taking a shot and asking the shop if it's ok to stay in the van over night. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<P><SPAN id=post_message_1270828449><FONT color=#0000ff>In lieu of shelling out for a hotel it's worth taking a shot and asking the shop if it's ok to stay in the van over night. </FONT></SPAN></P><P><SPAN></SPAN>Frenzy,I did that once<IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/sleep.gif">. Woke up in the morning, forgot it was up on racks and fell into the pit&nbsp;&nbsp; <IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif">&nbsp;&nbsp; <B><FONT color=#00ff00 size=4>Dragonfly</FONT></B><BR></P>

 

[Safaribob]

Dragonfly,<br><br>Your "fall into the pit" is why shops have the "Our insurance does not permit customers beyond this point" but it (your experience) sure does create a funny mental video.&nbsp; Thx.<br><br>

 

[cyndi]

Ryan, some of the automobile clubs provide lodging if your vehicle is disabled. I think I pay 65.00 annually for mine.<br><br>A&nbsp;shop may let you stay over night in your van, in the parking lot. A lot of RV places allow that.<br>

 

[Stillwater]

Ryan - I posted a link in another thread.<br><br><a target="_blank" href="https://vanlivingforum.com/post/Toyota-MiniVan-5418349">Previa Van - CLICKY</a><br><br>Is your Previa an AllTrac or regular rwd? What year? N/A or supercharger. My experience is with the Alltrac N/A. The vans will go 250,000-500,000 on the original motor/transmission. Don't skimp on oil changes. Expect to maybe change the alternator every 150k or so. You may have an O2 sensor every hundred thousand miles or so.<br><br>The unusual thing you may see is the SADS. Secondary Aux Drive Shaft... it is the shaft that allows your sideways/mid-engine van to power accessories on a hood like a normal vehicle. The linkages can go bad. <br><br>Don't sweat it, this is a normal maintenance kind of thing and not that big of a deal. <br><br><a target="_blank" href="http://www.toyotavanpeople.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&amp;t=3957">ToyotaVanPeople and SADS &lt;----CLICKY</a><br><br>If yours is the AllTrac, trust that - while not an off-road vehicle - you will get you out of most situations well. If the RWD, be cautious in ice/snow/rain... they have a tendency to be squirrelly in the rear though not as bad as the first gen Toyota Van.<br><br>I miss mine and would still have it if not for the bubbleheaded girl that never saw the stoplight. No, not thought it was green... she never even noticed it.<br><br>Take care of her.<br><br>

 

[kycat1]

Ryan, some of the automobile clubs provide lodging if your vehicle is disabled. I think I pay 65.00 annually for mine.<br><br>A&nbsp;shop may let you stay over night in your van, in the parking lot. A lot of RV places allow that.<br>

Cindi, or anyone who has good insurance, IE: good towing, not just to the nearest shop. But at the min to a Ford dealer(i have a ford 150) and will pay motels in case of a breakdown. Just a good ins. Name some that you have used that pay. Thanks

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx</p><p style="margin: 0px;">xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ...<br>... If yours is the AllTrac, trust that - while not an off-road vehicle - you will get you out of most situations well. If the RWD, be cautious in ice/snow/rain... they have a tendency to be squirrelly in the rear though not as bad as the first gen Toyota Van.<br><br>I miss mine and would still have it if not for the bubbleheaded girl that never saw the stoplight. No, not thought it was green... she never even noticed it.<br><br>Take care of her.<br><br>

</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Sorry to highjack the thread, but I laughed when I read tis....</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Hey, Paddling man, that last sentence sounds like you are putting out a contract on the bubbleheaded girl .. or maybe you were referring to some other she??? <img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif"></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>

 

[Jim]

I would feel like I was living in a boat without knowing how to swim if I didn't know how to fix my vans. One day I hope to travel to the West coast and my biggest fear is being forced to use my living money buying a tranny or worse spinning a bearing or something. &nbsp;It would be very unfortunate to have to pull a motor in a van some place I had never been.

 

[Ryan24]

Thanks for all the feedback guys!&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Paddlin, its a 92 regular rwd n/a. The previous owners provided service records showing good care to the vehicle so far. I am going to check out those links you provided tomorrow, but it is reassuring that this issue seems to be something expected in the life cycle of these vans.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Jim, thats a fear of mine too. Thankfully I have been able to save enough money these last couple years to have a bit of a cushion should something like that happen in the next few years while I am out on the road. If the van needs to stay at the shop for a bit while I am on the road next year, my plan is now to take my bike, hammock, and some food for an impromptu camping trip someplace close as I wait for them to finish up. If the town is big enough, CouchSurfer may be an option too.&nbsp;</div>

 

[Stillwater]

Stude - That's AWESOME! I had to reread it to get what you meant - I still didn't notice the cut-into-a-different-thought had such connected implications! LOL.<br><br>Yeah, I meant: "Ryan - take care of her (the van.)" <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>

 

[WanderingRonin]

Luckily, nothing's happened to my baby yet. Although I only made 2 major trips out of town with it so far.&nbsp;<div>I have a AAA membership which I got the 100 mile towing range for something like $100+ a year. (You only need it probably that ONE time and that one time is all it takes...)</div><div>My previous vehicle has gone all over the map without too much problems.</div><div>A good "old school" practice is to listen to your engine each time you start it. Get to know the various sounds of your vehicle (each vehicle is like a person --you have to get to know them well --the bad sounds and the "just irritating but nothing" sounds.).</div><div>My old vehicle had an old engine and a gimpy transmission. But with care and gentle handling (I drove it like a granny), most of the parts held till the day we parted.</div><div><br></div><div>On another subject, yeah, I too, thought Paddling Man meant he took care of the bubbleheaded girl that wrecked his baby by stuffing her body into a fridge or something. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> hehe! Fun times.<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif"></div>

 

[WanderingRonin]

My old Ford Explorer was so nice to me, that the two times it blew a flat tire, it was under the care of my Dad or brother (I was overseas at the time). The battery gave out under the care of a friend (once again, I was overseas)... It was a considerate and kind vehicle to me--never breaking down under my watch. Even now, as I see it occasionally with its new owner, I can almost imagine it recognizing its old master...<div><br></div><div>If ever Great White breaks down (which I hope not), I probably will ask if I can stay in it while in the shop. Barring that, I'd probably do what most here would do and spring for a motel room nearby. Good luck with your wanderings!</div>

 

[Ryan24]

I have heard good things about the reliability of Explorers, and thought that if I ever need to look for a vehicle in the future, I may see what living out of an SUV would be like.&nbsp;

 

[Ryan24]

Just heard back from the shop, and some good news! Toyota shipped them the wrong parts, but they didnt want to make me wait so they found some used parts around the shop to make it work. (sure the could have done that in the first place but thats irrelevant now). The price went from 350$ to 225$. Its a good day here in Missouri!

 

[romani10]

Ryan24, this is my third breakdown, not including flat tires, but I would not trade it for the life I am now living. To get back to the stix and brix would kill me, I believe!

 

[SoulRaven]

well all I can say is hope for the best and plan for the worse... I keep up on maintenance religiously, you have to spot problems before they become emergencies... I have paid for a car rental via my insurance and have a pad and sleeping bag ready for such things stored under my bed... So ask for a rental van and live in it till my baby gets fixed...<br><br>Hope the best, plan for the worse... <br><br>

 

[She]

In lieu of shelling out for a hotel it's worth taking a shot and asking the shop if it's ok to stay in the van over night. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br>

<div><br></div><div>You took my plan.....already got&nbsp;permission.</div>