Out of All 1996-2004 Full-Size Vans Models, Which is Easiest To Repair?

[debit.servus]

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.

 

[bullfrog !]

I have gone back and forth for many years on this issue. Just because parts are available doesn’t mean they are quality parts that will last, older vehicles tend to get less fuel economy and weigh more limiting the amount you can carry and so on. Vans in general are not easy to work on as access is often limited in my opinion. A commercial box van is easy but top speed, insurance in some states and some situations limit where you can go. As you mentioned older Toyotas are great platforms but the basic Tacoma is much easier to work on. Putting a topper or light weight box on the back in my opinion is ideal for one person but space is limited. A very small light weight camper trailer works well with them. 15 to 23 MPG is common and they run well if maintained. I needed more space for my family and like you disliked all the electronic additions of new vehicles. I built a 1988 Chevy Suburban which has pros and cons but for what it is worked. It uses lots of gasoline at 11 MPG and seems the best rebuilds I can find still use a quart of oil every so often. I started to build it out but found I had enough stuff it was easier to just pull a medium sized trailer and use the Suburban for tools and spares. Because of the poor fuel economy a bike or some alternate means of getting around locally is necessary for me with my budget. Older Vans will require too much expensive difficult maintenance, be too heavy once built out and therefore not last as long or be reliable for me to full time. When I started out with just me and a backpack and a bike vans worked great especially in urban areas. A stripped out cargo van with just a light weight bed platform to lay my sleeping bag on. No build ins or insulation other than carpet to prevent condensation dripping on me that had to be replaced due to mold every so often till I got enough ventilation built in, no electrical as in solar or storage batteries, shower or fridge. Just a bucket toilet, place to sleep and hang out in bad weather. When the motor needed replaced that was it for me and I went to a truck and topper then later a diy box both of which worked great in remote areas. Just for reference my wife’s Toyota Sequoia we bought used has run over 300,000 miles, gets 12 to 20 MPG depending on load and road and has cost less than my Suburban overall to buy keep and maintain. I still keep my old 70’s Jeep Truck with only electronic ignition and carry a spare old style ignition just in case! Lol!!! The tent and backpack are still around as well. Most vans over 20 years old will need complete rebuilds taking lots of time money and work with varying results depending on the quality of available parts. My recommendation is a Toyota V6 or V8 truck with a small fiberglass or diy camper trailer and topper.