I would love some opinions on this van please!

[DreadHeadDrifter]

Hello everyone! I have been shopping around for several months now for the right van for me. I was looking for a high top conversion van with less than 200,000 miles for around $2,500 or less but they seem to be hard to come by! I decided to lower my standards a bit and found this van on craigslist, I would love any input you have on this van, reliability and such. Is this price too cheap for this van to be in decent mechanical shape? Anything advice helps. I have never had a regular van like this without a high top so I am hoping I don't regret that decision, but I spend most of my time outdoors anyways so I feel it could work. Thanks a bunch! Here is the van I am looking at:

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/5113376724.html

 

[Gambler]

See and drive

 

[Canine]

Looks good.If it drives out ok,I think I would jump on it.

 

[Canine]

It's clean, fairly priced, you need to get mechanical info and run a Carfax or auto check. I couldn't do the interior myself...

 

[DreadHeadDrifter]

It's clean, fairly priced, you need to get mechanical info and run a Carfax or auto check.  I couldn't do the interior myself...

Thanks for the input!  I will definitely do a Carfax on it. I am going to take out the seats and carpet so it won't be as overwhelmingly red lol I was kind of thinking the same thing.

 

[Trout]

Like above, driving it around corners and up a steep hill (if you can find one) will tell you a lot.

 

[ramblingvanman]

Hi, I have lived in a 1991 Dodge just like it, but blue, for over 6 years. The only thing I can say is mine has been very reliable. Even when I haven't stayed on top of maintenance the way I should. Mine is a 3.9 V6, but the 318 is a great motor and it would give you more power though less room to work in the engine compartment. Some things to watch for. Plastic bushings. The ones for the transmission linkage went out the first year, but in the last 6 years have given me no trouble. The plastic bushings for the windshield wipers went out twice in 7 years. I just keep a set in the van now. Power windows. You cannot get a rebuild kit for the motors anymore, so you have to replace the whole motor and junkyards want to sell you the whole assembly with the regulator even though the regulator will most likely never go bad. The main thing is oil changes and tune ups. Keep up with them. I had to replace my water pump 2 years ago. A real PITA with no air tools, but it took me about 3 1/2 hours by hand. You do not have to remove the radiator to do the pump, but you do have to take off the alternator, PS pump, AC compressor, and smog pump to get it done. Most bolts on the van are metric. Keep that in mind. It is most likely OBD1, so you do not need a scanner to get codes from the computer if you have a problem. That reminds me. The main power relay for the computer. Learn where it is before you need it and keep one in the glove box or something. If it goes you are totally dead in the water. The engine will crank, but you will get no fuel, no spark, and no codes. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Honestly, I am a Ford man at heart BUT this van has paid for itself and been very reliable.

 

[Canine]

Really good info for the OP there RVM... That's exactly what he needs. All I know about Dodges is the computer issue is common and the 318 is about indestructible...

 

[HarmonicaBruce]

If that's what you're looking for, go for it. If it was mine and I was living in it, I'd be saving my money and looking for a high roof. But, I survived a few months living in my 1989 dodge low roof, it could have been a lot worse.

 

[DreadHeadDrifter]

Wow thank you ramblingvanman and everyone for this great advice I really appreciate it and have already gotten way more feedback than expected. I am arranging to look at the van tomorrow where I plan to bring my diagnostic tool, go a carafe report, and test drive the van. I will definitely update when I am done with this! Any other advice is greatly appreciated and thank you again.

 

[SoulRaven]

For a low top, I really like this one. Pretty much identical to mine except with far fewer miles. 6' x 12' behind the cab. I get 15/18 mpg with mine. Move out seats, move in furniture, done. Headliner is an easy fix with corkscrew tacks from an upholstery shop, just screw em in.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/5128464444.html

Here's some other posibilities I found in your area, in no particular order.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/5132460929.html

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/5129758347.html

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/5112981757.html

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/5092048491.html

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/5119889587.html

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/eat/cto/5113299569.html

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/5072378746.html

Good Luck!

 

[Belinda2]

Check the car fax also for location of vehicle: In my area I don't want any older vans from New Jersey where they had a lot of flooding years ago.
Complaints for your specific vehicle can be found at:
www.safercar.gov
www.NHTSA.gov
www.arfc.org

 

[DreadHeadDrifter]

Wow thank you so much Off Grid 24/7 and Belinda. I am just overwhelmed with the amount of support and response I have had already here. This is all such good advice I am glad I didn't hesitate to create this thread.

 

[ramblingvanman]

I really like that 87 ford. How much of a PITA is it to buy a vehicle in another state and get your tags transferred?

 

[DreadHeadDrifter]

ramblingrvman, is that not too many miles for you? Sometimes I am unsure of when to say no because of mileage.

 

[ramblingvanman]

No. it isn't. Assuming a stock 302 and C6 transmission I am quite comfortable with the mileage. I have seen these vans with upwards of half a million miles with no frame issues unless they have had an accident or major rust.

Edit to add. The brakes on those vans are extremely easy to do and the pads are cheap. As for the PS leak, it is likely just the front O ring where the reservoir meets the pump itself. Very common leak point for that pump. Also it should have a carburetor which, depending on what carb it is, I prefer to fuel injection.

 

[highdesertranger]

ok I have posted this at least a dozen times. do not rely on carfax or any type of these services. they might give you some good info, but they are not even close to 100% reliable. there are tens of thousands of shops both mechanical and body that do not report to these companies. a vehicle could have been totaled and it wouldn't show up on these reports. as an example, bubba could have had a few to many one night and drove his van off a cliff into a lake he swam to shore where he slept it off. next day he called cousin Leroy who has a tow truck and they recover said van from the lake. bubba takes said van to cousin goober where it is completely rebuilt to good ole boy standards and put up for sale. result clean carfax. If you don't think this happens, I don't know what to tell you except I have a good deal on a bridge. highdesertranger

 

[Canine]

i bought a Bubba truck a few years back... then was a bad boy and resold it... count me in as another Bubba on that one.

A qualified mechanical inspection is safest bet yet Id still use autocheck before carfax.

 

[Canine]

For a low top, I really like this one.  Pretty much identical to mine except with far fewer miles.  6' x 12' behind the cab.  I get 15/18 mpg with mine.  Move out seats, move in furniture, done.  Headliner is an easy fix with corkscrew tacks from an upholstery shop, just screw em in.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/5128464444.html

:exclamation: For its age that's a pretty good buy if info is accurate...

 

[Canine]

Shoot, every one on that list except for the last one is about a grand below what it would cost here in Phoenix. But I cant justify going to Atlanta... good for you though.