Mail trucks

[joeonthecape]

As a single guy,,I thought about a US Mail truck,,looks like a small step van,,some have left side steering and some have right side steering. I wonder what kind of MPG they get and at what point does the postal service sell them. Might make a good DIY camper.Just thinking about the posssibities,,

 

[decodancer]

My first dog grooming van was an old mail truck. The company had three of them and we beat the hell out of them but they were reliable beasts. Lots of headroom and space for sure. It takes a while to get used to the right side steering, I hit more than a few curbs but the 3 speed on the column was much harder for me to deal with. I'd consider it if I were you.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

A three speed on the column? Man, that takes me back. I don't think I've driven one of those since the sixties . . .

Regards
John

 

[cyndi]

Are you talking about an LLV or a two ton?

As an ex-letter carrier, I wouldn't touch either of of those vehicles with a ten foot pole. They're horrible tin cans that were/are abused within an inch of their lives. They are driven stop and go stop and go. And not just stop and go, more like punch it and brake. The maintenance is sketchy. No way!

 

[highdesertranger]

made by am general, same company that makes Humvees. might want to check out parts availability. I used to work at a shop that worked on postal vehicles. listen to cyndi on that aspect. highdesertranger

 

[routeforty]

Are you talking about an LLV or a two ton?

As an ex-letter carrier, I wouldn't touch either of of those vehicles with a ten foot pole. They're horrible tin cans that were/are abused within an inch of their lives. They are driven stop and go stop and go. And not just stop and go, more like punch it and brake. The maintenance is sketchy. No way!

Also an ex-letter carrier. After 15 years of driving an LLV, Cyndi is correct. My fuel mileage was around 9-10 (a four cyl. 3 speed automatic). Used to fantasize while driving what kind of camper this would make, then I would slap myself and say you've got to be kidding. Loud, no insulation whatsoever, no AC, huge front windows, everything manual on it, and not enough room for me to lay in the back in either direction. Some of them were well maintained, others not so much, but I agree with Cyndi that all were driven hard and probably abused by many carriers who didn't give a flip about how they were driven. Nice to look at and think about, but if you get one, it would be a pretty safe bet that shortly thereafter you would regret your decision.

 

[Patrick46]

Used to fantasize while driving what kind of camper this would make, then I would slap myself and say you've got to be kidding. Loud, no insulation whatsoever, no AC, huge front windows, everything manual on it, and not enough room for me to lay in the back in either direction.

the reason it was loud, is because there WAS no insulation in it...so that's kind of a silly point.
Cargo vans are just as loud to drive until you get 'em insulated. I've had MANY of BOTH!
Huge front windows??? YES! This is a big PLUS!! I love my stepvan's big windows!
No A/C...most of my vans and stepvans never had any. I drove around with my doors slid open!!!
No power, everythig manual?? GOOD...nothing electrical to break down! $$$

as for the lack of room to lay down...well, ya might need a bigger one then. You don't hafta get the smallest unit out there.

I DO agree, however, that company rigs like this do get the crap beaten outta them from the careless drivers, and many turn into mechanical nightmares.

 

[Lostinspace]

Back in the early '70's I won the bid for 3 P.O. Vans. Two were 4 cylinder internationals and one was a Studebaker with a 6 cylinder automatic. When I picked them up the head mechanic said the Stude was the best and they had the problems with it.

I kept the Stude and sold the 2 internationals. They vibrated so much the bodies were falling apart.

The Studebaker was great, lots of ground clearance, limited slip rearend and great space. Wide enough to sleep two people no problem. I hung my bike on the the back. It got 11 mpg and it used oil.

I went from the Montgomery Al area to the Blueridge, numerous New England states, Watkins glen CamAm race then on to Montreal. Came back through Washington DC did the museums and then on down the Atlantic coast back to Montgomery. Averaged 11 mpg and took one case of castrol 50 weight oil.

Loved that van. Wish I still had it. I had insulated and paneled it. It cruised at a slow 55 mph. But that was because of the rear end gearing. Probably what caused the low mpg to some extent. In my hippy days it was perfect.

So I have good memories of P.O. Vans. Your mileage may vary.

Oh the best part, I paid $255 for each van. Sold one to the car club at my cost and the other one for $355. So the van cost me $155. Never had to put tires on it. I did get the starter rebuilt and it sucked a valve. Which I fixed myself. Cost a piston, rings and a valve. Next to nothing back in the 70's. I did put an air conditioner radiator in line with the regular radiator which means it was time for a radiator cleanup, rodding etc. I cheaper out. Solved the overheating problem though.

 

[highdesertranger]

thanks Patrick for the insight about not having a bunch of push button cr*p. remember if it's not there you will never have to fix it. highdesertranger

 

[decodancer]

thanks Patrick for the insight about not having a bunch of push button cr*p. remember if it's not there you will never have to fix it. highdesertranger

I second that remark. My minivan cost me a fortune in power window motors, now I just turn a crank and down they go.

 

[highdesertranger]

amazing how that works. the power windows always seem to go out at the worst time, like they are stuck down when it's pouring rain. highdesertranger

 

[joeonthecape]

I was thinking a 4 cyl,,would get good milage,,wrong there,,also I thought be a govt vehicle the maintance would be good good,,wrong on both accounts,,LOL. Well it was an idea,,and being an old guy,,I remember when the PO drove the little step vans and they were willys made I think.Oh maybe they were internationals,,just thinking out loud,

 

[Patrick46]

well hey...just because ex-PO stepvans may not be ideal...no reason to stop looking for one!! I still think stepvans are the neatest thing since sliced bread(truck)

I'm prepping to buy my #8th one!

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Back in the late 60s I had one of the Jeep mail cars with a 6 cyl & auto tranny and right hand drive. It had a hard top which I cut off and installed a roll cage.
It was one of the most fun vehicles I've ever had. I beat the crap outta that little thing and it just kept on taking it.
I think I gave it away after I had my fun...can't quite remember (that's what happens when you're losing your memory).

 

[LeeRevell]

Some mail jeeps were using 4-popper Renault motors, as AMC was partnered with Renault at the time. A neighbor had one she used as a part time mail carrier. She bought the Jeep herself, and used it for years after she stopped carrying the mail. I think it finally just wore slap out, and she replaced it with an early small Cherokee.

 

[TravelDerby]

I'd have to agree with former USPS emloyees that have already posted. Don't do it!


USPS has has always kept their vehicles on the road longer than most, and with their current financial difficulties they've stepped that up 10 notches. Honestly I bet it would be difficult to find a USPS truck for sale in salvageable condition.

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Many other government entities use similar vehicles and don't abuse them or keep them as long. Look for auctions from school districts, road commissions, city maintenance departments, state government etc. A lot of these places have set schedules on when they replace their vehicles (Even if there's nothing wrong with them). From what I have see the Post Office runs them to the ground, picks them up a couple times and then only gets rid of then when the pieces fall through the shovel.

 

[cyndi]

Some mail jeeps were using 4-popper Renault motors, as AMC was partnered with Renault at the time. A neighbor had one she used as a part time mail carrier. She bought the Jeep herself, and used it for years after she stopped carrying the mail. I think it finally just wore slap out, and she replaced it with an early small Cherokee.

The post office hasn't used those little jeeps for over 20 years.If you have seen one on the road, recently, it's a privately owned vehicle being driven by a rural carrier. Those were the last good vehicles owned and operated by the USPS.