newer vans?

[sirhk100]

what level of paint job ( $200.00 - $10,000.00 ) would Earl Scieb or whomever require, to make the van look nearly new?
You know how you see paint jobs and you, even though new paint, KNOW the quality of the work, while decent, is too obviously a new paint job... and this to me, defeats stealth.

Not to get off topic but...

This is $3000 from Maico done just this past Oct. according to the invoices I got with the van. There was some extra charges for painting all the jams, the bumpers and the wheels too. (Just some real world current price figures.)















I feel that "if" I were to be living in it or parking it in urban settings, I'd be mistaken for a police stake out van before I was mistaken for a vandweller!

Next thing is tinting the rear and side door windows.

 

[jeanontheroad]

Just a thought, but if I saw that van, I would definitely notice it. It would stand out for me because I don't usually see vans, new or old, that color. White, dark blue, silver or even black would not catch my attention. I see vans those colors all the time. That tone of green would be note worthy, tho.

 

[sirhk100]

Yeah, it definitely does not blend in with the norm that's for sure!

 

[vanguy]

i just paid a few hundred for mine, it's sorta beat-up but the drivetrain is solid. speaking of paint, some of mine actually washed off when i washed it, LOL. another advantage of an older van is that there's a ton of info. online about them. any problem i'm trying to diagnose has already been discussed somewhere and is easier to pinpoint.
caseyc, just wanted to mention that your system is an OBD1. newer ones use OBD2. my van is a '94 chevy and i'm researching how to get the codes out of it.
ford and GM usually have a "trick" for getting the codes without a reader. for mine, i would just need to put a paperclip and jump it between two of the terminals on the OBD1 connector. the codes show up by the 'check engine' light flashing a certain # of times. 6-2-5, for example. then you can google that.
you can also google how to do that on a Ford. i found this right away: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=190139
google is our friend

---

this seems more informative for fords:
http://www.f150forum.com/f12/how-read-check-engine-code-1995-without-obd2-7993/

 

[signman]

on my 93 jeep you turned the key on then off 3 Or 4 times ( dont remember exactly) then turn on but don't start, the check engine light would flash the codes.

fordtrucks.com is another good site,... go to forums, there is a section on E series vans.

Vanguy, This is excelent information for many here that could turn a wrench but are afraid of electronics. The onboard computers will diagnose most problems.

With only basic, and a few special tools, (most of which you can borrow or rent at the auto parts stores) needed you can save a lot of money fixing your own van, truck or whatever you drive.

 

[MrNoodly]

another advantage of an older van is that there's a ton of info. online about them. any problem i'm trying to diagnose has already been discussed somewhere and is easier to pinpoint.

There wouldn't be much repair info for vans that need few repairs. There's more info on older vans because as they age they need more repairs.

 

[vanguy]

^ok, fair enough . i was just under mine today, removing the A/C compressor now i see it needs radiator hoses too but hey, i knew it was gonna be kinda needy when i got it and i'm handy enough with a wrench.
besides, a decent van for under a G is worth the extra effort, IMO

 

[Malibusurfer]

My 89' was running great before burning a few valves... Rebuilt the engine and ripped out the fuel injection and went carb. The older vans are "older" but I like simplicity ( no computers, etc... ) and I can see everything when I open the hood and doghouse... It's a basic old school 302 with a AOD trans. Also have room for my deep cell in the engine bay... I would love a newer van, but this works for me in the meantime.

 

[GotSmart]

Code questions? Many parts houses will read your codes for free. Autozone and O'rileys come to mind. If you ask enough questions, they will call around and find you the best price on parts also.

I have a 91 that I bought with a newer motor and transmission and new tires. (30K miles) I have another $500 and many hours into it. But it is purring like my cat on a heating pad. (Brakes, hoses, belts, tune up, spare parts...) Perhaps another $1,000 when the interior and solar is complete. I can do everything, so an older van is not a problem with me. In my travels I have seen people stranded in motor homes, because they could not work on them. I am lucky in that I have the tools and can even do my own cabinets.

Any part I need is at the local U-Pull-Yard for $5. I saved $300 on a cruise control that way.

 

[idn88]

An ODB II scaner is less than 20 bucks on Amazon. Everyone should own one whether they do their own repairs or not, that way they know before they go to the garage, and they don't have to drive around and wait for someone to read your code.

I have a couple of the more expensive ones, but they all do the same thing. This one looked OK?

http://www.amazon.com/Autel-MaxiSca...qid=1427411170&sr=8-1&keywords=ODB+ii+scanner

 

[highdesertranger]

just a heads up repairing a vehicle off what the codes say is not as simple as some people make it out to be. bottom line you have to know what you are doing. also if you are in the peoples rebublik of kalifornia, the parts stores are not allowed to read your codes. highdesertranger

 

[SoulRaven]

An ODB II scaner is less than 20 bucks on Amazon.  Everyone should own one whether they do their own repairs or not, that way they know before they go to the garage, and they don't have to drive around and wait for someone to read your code.

I have a couple of the more expensive ones, but they all do the same thing.  This one looked OK?

http://www.amazon.com/Autel-MaxiSca...qid=1427411170&sr=8-1&keywords=ODB+ii+scanner

My old vans don't have any of that stuff, but they do a very good job of telling me what they want long before it becomes critical.