Moar opinions

[ArtW]

https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/6001379412.html

https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/6004551402.html

https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/6007559001.html

I lean more to #3 despite the owner said it has some busted windows
#1 I haven't contabted because the add shows and tells little, # 1 nice hightop but will cost in fuel

 

[John61CT]

Those handicap conversions usually have nicely beefed up suspension, if you could shed the extra weight would carry/tow more than usual.

 

[BradKW]

The problem I have with that price range is that I feel certain I'll be buying problems that are either hidden or about to surface. Some people here are perfectly comfortable swapping a tranny, redoing the front end, new head gasket, etc...but I'm not one of them, so while I know any vehicle is a dice roll, $1500 for a 20 yr old van would just be the buy in.

That said, I'd lean towards the high-top "bus" because it would offer enough space that my build would justify the continued mechanical upgrades and repairs likely needed. But if my build was just going to be a very basic cot/dresser/5gal bucket/campstove type thing, I'd lean towards the basic van...

 

[ArtW]

Thanks folks, any known issues?
btw is the link for the bus working right? on my PC it's not, gonna repost that link in case
https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/6004551402.html
I need to research and see how much that glass will run me on the basic cargo

 

[Gary68]

if you plan on doing the traveler/tourist thing,get the newest smallest van

if you plan on going to an inlet at a lake and fishing for 2 week get a roomy rig,you will get very good mpg parked for 2 weeks

texas with it's rep for good condition classic junkyard cars just sucks for vans and rv's,went through the same thing looking for a rig for Grant

 

[Txjaybird]

 Just me, however if all things were equal I'd pick the bus.  I couldn't click on it and get to see it.  My van has a hightop that looks like a boat turned upside down.  After being/working in it for a while my back really starts hurting.  I'm 5ft 5in tall and don't even want to think about not having a raised roof.  I think with a bus you wouldnt have to take your TT on trips unless you really wanted to.  Hope you find something.  Did you get a bigger pickup?

Jewellann

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

254,000 miles on the high top bus?  That's gonna nickel and dime you to death at best, assuming you don't wind up springing for a new tranny or engine in the near future . . .

 

[ArtW]

Well Gary, the newest would be the Chevy, I texted him and he said it 'sprang a leak' He didn't know what was up, he'd have to look at it tomorrow 'today' I also didn't ask about mileage once I heard 'sprang a leak' lol
That leaves the 97 Dodge with 3 busted windows or the bus
The busted window van has 130k, the bus 254, although I place far more credence on condition than mileage,it's not something i totally ignore, either
at present I will be making limited trips, I won't be going fulltime mobile anytime soon due to obligations / the need to keep earning money
I've even considered a minivan as a sort of 'self propelled teardrop' but I do want the ability to move my Trailer if and when it seems pudent

Jewelann, did you try the newer link? I reposted it in post #4
In addition to the hightop, it has a massive wheelchair lift lol, I could almost load my Silverwing in it (lift not quite long enough)
It definitely has standing room, though that will eat mileage, it'd be easy to fulltime in, whenever that day comes, and I've pretty well decided that when that day comes, my Trailer is staying home, it's just too much to drag around with me, with a 5 or more MPG hit to my mileage
but there's also the issue of that side door nearly dragging the ground, which limits where you can go with it I'm not much of an odd roader, so maybe not a big deal

OP, I hear you, the 318s will live forever, the 360 not so much, and the tranny isn't bulletproof, then there's the question of what 250+ miles may have done to the join between the proginal van body and the high top
the owner is out of town right now, so it looks like the cargo is the only one I can look at right now
$250 worth of glass, sheesh

 

[hepcat]

254,000 miles on the high top bus?  That's gonna nickel and dime you to death at best, assuming you don't wind up springing for a new tranny or engine in the near future . . .

My thoughts EXACTLY.   It's likely due for a refresh on ALL of the mechanicals...  engine, trans, brakes, rear end, suspension, ball joints...  And where, exactly, are you going to find replacement parts for those bus door mechanicals when they fail?  

Don't discount the high top as a mileage killer.  Your engine/trans/rear-end gearing do a lot more (or less) for mileage than worrying about the high top...  and the hightop is worth its weight in gold when you can stand up inside.  My high-top B-van averages 13mpg...  11mpg in a heavy head wind... and 15mpg with a good tail wind.  

But better yet, I'm 6'5" tall and I can stand up inside my Coachmen (except for the back where the roof A/C lives) and walk about the van freely standing up.  That's worth a million bucks.

 

[ArtW]

Well THAT didn't go well lol
pretty sure I was being set up
Sent to addy on dead end street (red flag)
Addy not there (red flag)
Van not there (red flag)
I left, after messaging owner (who was not very communicative) "i don't see that addy, I'm out"
No response, but in a bit I noticed another car following somewhat too closely, so I pulled into the breakdown lane to let him pass (ostensibly) and he dropped WAY back
After a while, he wasn't there anymore
not a total loss though, on the way back i saw what looked remarkably like two Runaway Campers, but they weren't, they were Compact Campers, very similar to runaways, but not rebadged Runaways, the frame is different, they use a different AC unit, a few other details were not the same
same bitty 4x8 size, Navigator appointments, navigator price, but 3 hours from my place, not 15

 

[ArtW]

Oops, sleepandgo campers, compact campers is the company name

 

[Ballenxj]

btw is the link for the bus working right? on my PC it's not, gonna repost that link in case
https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/6004551402.html

I think the bus would make a great camper, but with 254 K on the odometer, plan on rebuilding everything major and expensive.
If you can get it cheap enough it still might be doable. Just start saving for the inevitable expenses.

 

[Gary68]

when i went to buy my rig the owner gave my the house for sale across the street addy,he was elderly and wanted to see who pulled up before talking to them but the rig was right there

 

[Ballenxj]

when i went to buy my rig the owner gave my the house for sale across the street addy,he was elderly and wanted to see who pulled up before talking to them but the rig was right there

Smart old guy, but throw your neighbor across the street under the bus? :dodgy:

 

[ArtW]

this guy sent me to an addy that didn't exist, and there was no van on that street at all that I saw