Good News (I hope)

[Markw]

So I have a friend that happens to have a late 90's dodge van (I believe it's a 3/4 ton).  After several years of owning it, he has decided he wants a 'better' one.  It's a cargo van with a metal wall pass-through between the driving area and 'cargo' area (which I believe makes it a GREAT choice).  

He knows of my plans to hit the road and has seen me wracking my brain trying to work out how to save up for a van without ending up moving back into the shelter I work at. I have actually already spoken to those I would need to speak to in order to be able to move back in and...it's an option (though one I would really really rather not take advantage of).

To make what could become a very long story shorter, I have helped him out quite a bit (letting him stay with me off and on etc) and as a 'thank you' he said that once he gets a new van he is going to give me his current one!

One large expense checked off the list!

Now...it does need some work. For instance, someone wrecked into the back with their truck in the parking lot which basically wrecked the doors.  The tires could use replacing and he is currently rebuilding the brakes and doing some other mechanical work on it.  Overall, though, it seems to be in decent shape (and who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth, right?).

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Now...it does need some work. For instance, someone wrecked into the back with their truck in the parking lot which basically wrecked the doors. 

Not to be Donnie Downer here, but body work can be EXTREMELY expensive, and if these doors aren't fixed right, you could end up with a van that leaks badly every time it rains.  Depending on how many miles are on it, etc. this FREE van might not be worth fixing.

If you could post a picture or two of the back; doors opened, doors closed, etc.; we've got people here - more knowledgeable than me - who could express an opinion on this, if you are interested in getting some advice on this.

 

[Markw]

Not to be Donnie Downer here, but body work can be EXTREMELY expensive, and if these doors aren't fixed right, you could end up with a van that leaks badly every time it rains.  Depending on how many miles are on it, etc. this FREE van might not be worth fixing.

If you could post a picture or two of the back; doors opened, doors closed, etc.; we've got people here - more knowledgeable than me - who could express an opinion on this, if you are interested in getting some advice on this.

   I will once he's out of it (he is currently living in it/at my place when it gets too cold).  I can take pics of the outside but I believe he said the doors either won't open or are a real bear to get closed.  I currently can't recall which.  I won't bother with pics of his set up because his set up is WAY too cramped.

 

[closeanuf]

I don't know where you live, but if I were you I would try to find someone with some body repair experience look at it and maybe they could tell you if you would be wasting your time.  If it's beyond repair find out before you get your hopes up.  I know where I live (Lubbock, Tx)  There are lots of people who do body repair in their driveway and you should be able to get an opinion cheap or free.  There is probably someone in the shelter who has some experience or friend or relative who does.  If it just needs doors they are plentiful and fit from many years newer and older. If it's just doors they can be changed out easily.  If the area around the doors where the hinges bolt on or the top and bottom of the opening where the latches attach to the body are bent you are going to need help from someone who has special equipment.  Pictures would be nice if you could get your friend to get the doors open and hang a sheet where me can't see his stuff.

 

[#1BonBonQueen]

I don't know where you live, but if I were you I would try to find someone with some body repair experience look at it and maybe they could tell you if you would be wasting your time.  If it's beyond repair find out before you get your hopes up.  I know where I live (Lubbock, Tx)  There are lots of people who do body repair in their driveway and you should be able to get an opinion cheap or free.  There is probably someone in the shelter who has some experience or friend or relative who does.  If it just needs doors they are plentiful and fit from many years newer and older. If it's just doors they can be changed out easily.  If the area around the doors where the hinges bolt on or the top and bottom of the opening where the latches attach to the body are bent you are going to need help from someone who has special equipment.  Pictures would be nice if you could get your friend to get the doors open and hang a sheet where me can't see his stuff.

You also can do a web search and find out the price of new doors too.  Since you aren't having to pay for the vehicle itself and if it is sound, you may be better off to buy new doors, and have them painted to match. 
Just a suggestion, besides having someone to repair doors, it doesn't always make the doors easy to open, when they are done. JMHO
Sharon

 

[rvpopeye]

If someone gave me that van and the doors couldn't be replaced .
I'd build a wall there and maybe add a door if I thought I needed one.
If the opening wasn't square plywood could be cut to fit .

 

[DrJean]

Goodness the price is right! I mean the worst you could do is have to live inside a tent inside it hahahah! It'd still be safer and warmer than a tent outside!

Can you afford the insurance? Can you do the maintenance that will be needed? If so, then I'd say take it! You don't look a gift horse in the mouth! (For you younguns out there, the way you tell a horse's age is by checking their teeth/mouth!)

 

[Markw]

Goodness the price is right!    I mean the worst you could do is have to live inside a tent inside it hahahah!   It'd still be safer and warmer than a tent outside!

Can you afford the insurance?  Can you do the maintenance that will be needed?   If so, then I'd say take it!   You don't look a gift horse in the mouth! (For you younguns out there,  the way you tell a horse's age is by checking their teeth/mouth!)

   Oh..I don't plan on looking a gift horse in the mouth at all.  

   As for the damage to the doors, from what I can tell it was a fairly central hit.  Link to a pic of it below (license plate blacked out at request of said friend):



Edit: Did a search at a local pull-a-part and I can get van doors there for about $42.50 each.  Also have another friend that is a fabricator...so getting this fixed should not be an issue.

 

[Almost There]

Oh yea, definitely replacement door time.

When you're at the pick'n pull grab the top and bottom door latch assemblies off the body of the van. From the looks of the doors, the ones on the van might be a bit twisted and it would be easier to replace them with the ones off the donor van than to try to fix the ones that are there.

You'll also need to re key the door locks to match the rest of your van but that job can wait until you've got the funds. You just won't be able to open the locked back doors with a key, unless you can get a key from the pick'n pull that will work.

See what they want for the bumper while you're at it or make it a later project!

 

[closeanuf]

You should be able to find white doors and not have to paint anything.  I just went out and looked at my white 97 Dodge van and the lock cylinder on your door is held in place be a horse-shoe shaped clip that slips off the lock and has some clips that hold it on a rod that goes to the lock so you just change it out.  You may even learn a few new words getting this off.  Actually you could make some cuts in the old door and get the lock out easy then you'll see how to do it.  I had to replace the bottom latch that goes on mine and the suggestion made to get the upper and lower latches was a very good idea.  They may even let you have them as part of the deal.  GO FOR IT !!!!

 

[Ballenxj]

   As for the damage to the doors, from what I can tell it was a fairly central hit.  Link to a pic of it below (license plate blacked out at request of said friend):



Edit: Did a search at a local pull-a-part and I can get van doors there for about $42.50 each.  Also have another friend that is a fabricator...so getting this fixed should not be an issue.

From what I can see, it looks like a couple doors may solve most of the problem, along with what looks like a missing window.

 

[djkeev]

Oh Gee!
That appears to be an easy bolt on fix!


Just remember, the most expensive vehicles are often free or cheap!

Dave

 

[ArtW]

I'd be all over that

 

[Markw]

I'd be all over that

   Oh, I plan to be.  Just might take a month or so due to circumstances.