debit.servus
No Longer Debased.
Within the next two years, I want to buy another cargo van for work use and as a daily driver. Looking at half ton regular cab cargo vans, as I do not plan to vandwell as I am a future skoolie dweller (in mid-build stage of full size skoolie build, here is a link to my build thread on Skoolie.net).
I searched the forum for "easist to repair", "repairability" and "repairable" looking for a thread like this. If someone has made a thread of this or a similar question, apologies in advance.
I have decided since I do not want to drive in a world without working oil refineries after a large scale EMP, I am OK with driving a vehicle with an electronically controlled engine. I have also decided that I want the minimum amount of bean counter factory assembly optimation which results in a tedius, convoluted dissasembly & reassembly process.
If Toyota made a cargo van in the model years 1996-2004, it would be heaven to drive and work on. I want to be able to swap everything excluding the engine, transmission, rear axle & differential if needed. Out of Ford, Dodge, GMC, Nissan & Chevy - who all made cargo vans in those model years, (feel free to add other USA OEMs if I missed one) which one is easiest to repair? What models has the most sensical layout of components in the engine bay? What is going to use only ONE measurement standard for bolts instead of using both SAE & Metric?
I don't mind paying a premium - it beats paying a premium in frustration, emotional toil and extra hours spent laid down on the creeper. I do not mind having less parts availability, as I like to invest in every vehicle I own. For example, I buy the Chilton's book right away, and keep as much spare fluid as I can afford, as well as critical spare parts which aren't readily in-stock at O'Reilly Auto Parts.
I searched the forum for "easist to repair", "repairability" and "repairable" looking for a thread like this. If someone has made a thread of this or a similar question, apologies in advance.
I have decided since I do not want to drive in a world without working oil refineries after a large scale EMP, I am OK with driving a vehicle with an electronically controlled engine. I have also decided that I want the minimum amount of bean counter factory assembly optimation which results in a tedius, convoluted dissasembly & reassembly process.
If Toyota made a cargo van in the model years 1996-2004, it would be heaven to drive and work on. I want to be able to swap everything excluding the engine, transmission, rear axle & differential if needed. Out of Ford, Dodge, GMC, Nissan & Chevy - who all made cargo vans in those model years, (feel free to add other USA OEMs if I missed one) which one is easiest to repair? What models has the most sensical layout of components in the engine bay? What is going to use only ONE measurement standard for bolts instead of using both SAE & Metric?
I don't mind paying a premium - it beats paying a premium in frustration, emotional toil and extra hours spent laid down on the creeper. I do not mind having less parts availability, as I like to invest in every vehicle I own. For example, I buy the Chilton's book right away, and keep as much spare fluid as I can afford, as well as critical spare parts which aren't readily in-stock at O'Reilly Auto Parts.
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