Thanks guys but again, I don't have access to things like electricity, air, garden hoses, etc. I'm either staying at an RV park in the dry camping area or a church parking lot, neither of which will allow me to work on my van. I do have my former neighbor but other than a few times to work on it I'm at the mercy of his schedule and girlfriend. I'm just going to have to tough out living in it while trying to find where the leaks are and dealing with them as I can.
I called the kids recreation club to find out more about the van. The assistant director filled me in on it's history. They were the original owners and it did sit for most of the 5 idle years at their property until they donated it to a local organization that takes vehicles. They parked it because it was old, had issues(especially electrical) and the 2 vans(one was a Dodge) were being replaced. The broken glass I found wasn't from the side swipe it was from the van being vandalized while parked. So, possibly one of those windows was not sealed properly when replaced. The side swipe occurred in a grocery store parking lot and the vehicle that did it left. The van driver came out and found it that way. No one was ever caught.
So, in terms of actual ownership I'm the 4th from Samena, the donation lot, the sales lot and then me. As far as actual use I'm the 2nd. At least I know it's history!
Today the seat belts and plastic come out and then I run to the dump before it closes, then I clean it up as best I can. Tomorrow the vacuum booster and master cylinder get replaced then I start building the bed frame in Lowes parking lot. Monday I move in it and put this van up for sale. Tuesday night is my last night at the campground and Wednesday I'm back at the church so I can save what money I can for the trip down to Nevada.
If I have to replace all the window seals I'm okay with that because I also want to tint the windows as well. There is a 15 level tint on this van on all the windows behind the front seats and it really contributes to privacy. It's definitely not as dark as limo tint but it does make things difficult to see unless the sun is at just the right angle or I have a light on. However, the law states 20 in NM so I'll do that to be on the safe side.
I have a pic to post later that some of you may find useful; it's an extended Club Wagon with the very rear little window on the drivers side removed. In it's place is a metal plate held on by 4 bolts and attached to that plate is a fan very similar to a Fantastic fan. I thought it was a great way to do that without cutting the roof. I know I could use a fan right now!
BBS!
