I did it today. The first real step toward getting out of sticks n bricks and away from having my pockets pilfered.

[Seajatt]

I got a used 4.3l with 88k miles on it. It was fleet maintained, so I need to pull the shelves and stuff out. But I'm ready to start building-out the interior.

 

[tradesman]

Congartulations! Looking forward to seeing the progress.

 

[frater secessus]

Woot! You might be able to sell the shelves on CL to funds for the build.

And we're gonna need pics no matter what

 

[Seajatt]

I will post pics as I go

 

[WayOutWest]

Congratulations!
I had a curiosity...anyone know what is the average expected lifetime, in miles, that a van might get? Before and/or after engine replacement? Eg, 150k, 200k, 500k?

 

[Seajatt]

Congratulations!
I had a curiosity...anyone know what is the average expected lifetime, in miles, that a van might get? Before and/or after engine replacement? Eg, 150k, 200k, 500k?

The best answer I can think of to that question is the engine that was the most well-maintained. You could have an absolute dog like a 6.5 outlast a legend like the 7.3 if the 7.3 was beat on and not maintained.

I know that's not a super helpful answer, so, if you're looking at a van that catches your eye, pay attention to the engine and the transmission it has, then google those things and have a look at the reputation it has. You can learn quite a bit like that. With enough time, you will develop enough knowledge to help you start gauging these things.

But if you're not mechanically inclined, keep a nice little chunk put away for a rainy day, you'll need it, sooner or later.

 

[BelgianPup]

What kind is it?

And... It's just me, but I've always thought that a glow-in-the-dark paint job would be nice. Easy to find.

 

[frodo2222]

I got a used 4.3l with 88k miles on it. It was fleet maintained, so I need to pull the shelves and stuff out. But I'm ready to start building-out the interior.

Congrats AND pics please

 

[kklowell]

Congratulations!
I had a curiosity...anyone know what is the average expected lifetime, in miles, that a van might get? Before and/or after engine replacement? Eg, 150k, 200k, 500k?

I think you'd find that a good engine to stay away from would be a Ford 6.0 diesel.

 

[PineyCruisin]

Since you mentioned a 4.3L van, I'm guessing you bought a Chevy Express 1500. If so, we purchased the one we are now driving (it's a 2005 high top 1500 conversion) with 104,000 in 2017. It now is close to 150K--going coast to coast 3x over mountains, deserts, etc-- and still running like a dream. Both my husband and I are absolutely anal at preventative maintenance tho.

The only engine-related problem encountered so far was having very rough starts in high humidity environments, even stalling when on the Pacific Coast Highway last year (we live 10 miles from Atlantic Ocean in NJ which also contributed). It ended up being a corroded distributor...mechanic told us it's a common problem bc of an old bad cap design that allows moisture inside.

Other than that, we love this van and plan on keeping it until it's body gets eaten beyond repair by rust. It's in great shape so hoping not in our lifetime.

 

[Seajatt]

What kind is it?

And... It's just me, but I've always thought that a glow-in-the-dark paint job would be nice. Easy to find.

Its a chevy express g2500. So same little six banger 4.3, but the diff and tranny are a little hairier.

 

[Seajatt]

Since you mentioned a 4.3L van, I'm guessing you bought a Chevy Express 1500. If so, we purchased the one we are now driving (it's a 2005 high top 1500 conversion) with 104,000 in 2017. It now is close to 150K--going coast to coast 3x over mountains, deserts, etc-- and still running like a dream. Both my husband and I are absolutely anal at preventative maintenance tho.

The only engine-related problem encountered so far was having very rough starts in high humidity environments, even stalling when on the Pacific Coast Highway last year (we live 10 miles from Atlantic Ocean in NJ which also contributed). It ended up being a corroded distributor...mechanic told us it's a common problem bc of an old bad cap design that allows moisture inside.

Other than that, we love this van and plan on keeping it until it's body gets eaten beyond repair by rust. It's in great shape so hoping not in our lifetime.

You got it, its a 2500. The body and engine seem to be in great shape, I had a looksee and had a gasser mechanic look it over. Compression was good, block was good, no hydrocarbons in the coolant and only a few spots here and there of surface rust. I'm hoping to get a good year out of it before hopefully anything major goes wrong. It should have paid for itself in what would have been rent in six or so months.

 

[Seajatt]

Congrats AND pics please

Sure thing, I'll post all the pics and steps as I go a long. Tear down begins monday.

 

[Seajatt]

USAA called and said that the dealership is overvaluing the van, and thusly would only cover a portion of the cost. I can't just cough up the remainder so I had to take it back. I do however have a paid-for dodge ram 1500 that I'm thinking I will make work. I'm sick of paying rent for this shitbox apartment and thinking I might try to find a bed topper for the truck and make it work. Very disappointing day, but maybe I'm thinking maybe there is a hand at work here so.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Your Ram 1500 opens up more possibilities:
- topper
- small pop-up camper
- travel trailer
- construction trailer

 

[afblangley]

I do however have a paid-for dodge ram 1500 that I'm thinking I will make work. I'm sick of paying rent for this shitbox apartment and thinking I might try to find a bed topper for the truck and make it work.

Take what you got, spend a week or two building it out then hit the road. In 6 months you may find yourself in a better mental space and geographic place, with a few more dollars in your pocket.

 

[Seajatt]

Take what you got, spend a week or two building it out then hit the road. In 6 months you may find yourself in a better mental space and geographic place, with a few more dollars in your pocket.

That's the plan, I'm getting out of the trap and nothing is going to stop me. I got plans to build a topper out of aluminum which will save me a lot of money. I was so low yesterday and this morning but as I consider what could be I'm growing more and more determined.

 

[metaglypto]

If possible, stay in your rig as much as possible while building it out. Testing your setup like that will reveal to you things you may have missed, overlooked, or things you just don't like. A build is never perfect or complete. All builds are a work in progress IMO.

 

[Seajatt]

I'm going to look at a bed topper tomorrow. l'm a little stuck until I can get that in place. I might have one tomorrow though. And on a different note, passed my cdl test today and got my permit.

If possible, stay in your rig as much as possible while building it out. Testing your setup like that will reveal to you things you may have missed, overlooked, or things you just don't like. A build is never perfect or complete. All builds are a work in progress IMO.