question about vans?

[kentuckywest65]

<P>Hi everyone! I'm new here. I would like to ask you all if you think it would be best to just look for a high top van or to also consider a regular van and have a high top put on it? I've noticed that the high tops are more expensive. I am really wanting to get one thats at least in the 2000's. Also, which do you think are the best ones? Chevy? Ford? Dodge? I think I'd like to go with a 6 cyl for the gas mileage. Would that be wise? Anthing I should really stay away from, or watch out for? Any advice is welcome. Thanks.</P>

 

[Seraphim]

Easier to find one pre-installed, I'd think., and probably cheaper, unless you can install it yourself. I'd avoid Ford: have had front end difficulties with mine. Prefer Chevy or Dodge.

 

[ped]

All Fords have a&nbsp;sloppy over-steer character about them. It can be much worse with a worn out steering box and/or tie rods. But you get used to it. I hated mine at first now I don't even notice it. I prefer Chevy because I know how to wrench on them the most. I have no experience with Dodge. Other than that I'd say it really doesn't matter. <br><br>I'd try to find one with a top already too. <br>

 

[SoulRaven]

I had to go with the Chevy, easy to work on, parts at every parts store, and custom stuff that never ends... Mine is a 85 G20 4x4 and has never let me down...<br><br><div align="center">Late snow in the Sierra's<br><img src="http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j135/TooRisky/Adventure/100_0900.jpg"><br></div><br>

 

[Les H]

I must say that I have never really had a brand preference, I have just always bought what was available. A couple of tips though-
Don't forget govt auctions- my bus is a 2000, had 95 kmi on it and was state maintained ( former prison transporter) for $1800 not quite 2 years ago. Now has 118 kmi on it.
If you have access to a lift, tools and a shade tree mechanic, I think installing a hightop of t your own could work. If you are not mech inclined, buy one already installed.
Buy the best that you can afford, even if it means waiting or doing an exhaustive search. I have often heard people say they wish they had bought a better van ( or car, or truck, or whatever). I have never heard someone say they wish they had bought a bigger P.O.S.
Les

 

[Seraphim]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Explanation: One problem I have with the mid 90s Fords is there are no grease fittings on the ball joints, so eventually they will corrode and stick. They can be upgraded, but the upgrade is expensive (figure about $1000 to have both sides done). Its just a potential problem that's going to happen one day, and you won't know it's an issue until you hear the noise as you turn the steering wheel.&nbsp; By that time, the problem is immediate.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">With other manufacturers, if you keep greasing the ball joints on a regular basis, the corrrosion won't occur.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">And, as others have mentioned, Chevys are easier to work on yourself.</p>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">IMHO, Think Chevrolet and GMC ... for ease of maintenance, multi-year parts interchange, general reliability, model variety, etc.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Les is right about government auctions. I bought my last two chevys there at low prices. There are high top vans and shuttle short&nbsp;bus types to be found there, and even an occasional bookmobile.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Bob</p>

 

[karl]

I agree Gm's are everywhere and parts tend to be a bit more interchangeable (at least on older vehicles) Have a friend with the 4.3 v-6 and it is impressive. <br>&nbsp;I have owned all three brands, and had dependable and not so dependable in all three....probably be a long time before I invest in a ford again.....unless it is an antique with the 300-6 or 302 v8......<br>Dodge has (had) some great engines, but some front end and frame rusting issues here in the North East......rust is an issue for body panels on all vehicles here.<br><br>Hi tops- most likely cheaper to by one already installed, but like most things- there are exceptions.<br><br>SoulRaven- I like your rig.<br><br><br>

 

[kentuckywest65]

<P>Thank you all for this great advice. I am kinda inclined toward Chevy/GMC vehicles myself. And no, I don't know how to put on a hightop, so one that is already a hightop would be better for me. I think I would be happier with a van I can stand up in. And I will keep an eye out for any government auctions in the area. SoulRaven...I love your picture..the snow is beautiful on the trees! </P>

 

[Phantom Blooper]

<P>I gave a girl a ride in my wagon<BR>she crawled in and took control<BR>She was tired as her mind was a draggin'<BR>I said get some sleep We'll get on down the road<BR><BR>cause like a princess she was laying there<BR>moonlight dancing off her hair<BR>She woke up and took me by the hand<BR>She's gonna love me in my <b><U>Chevy van<BR></U></b>And that's all right with me<BR><BR></P>

 

[akrvbob]

I have a preference for Ford myself, but my advice is to be more concerned with how it was treated after it left the factory than who made it. Any vehicle made from the late 90s on should be a fine rig if it was treated right. The only way to know that is to take it to a mechanic and get it checked out. DON'T BUY ANY VAN BASED&nbsp; ON REPUTATION. Buy it because a mechanic says it is in good shape. Bob<br>

 

[VanTramp]

DON'T BUY ANY VAN BASED&nbsp; ON REPUTATION. Buy it because a mechanic says it is in good shape. Bob<br>

<div><br></div><div>I agree with one small variation. Some vans have well known/established issues that are worth noting and with the number of options on the market, well worth avoiding. For example, my favorite brand (Dodge) has common issues with handling/suspension in a specific age range 1998-2001 I believe.</div><div><br></div><div>Reputation may not be the best word to use, reputations are often quite justified and can shed light on a design problem. Buying a specific van based on other peoples brand preference is a mistake IMO? Are we saying about the same thing Bob?&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

 

[old69vanner]

I would stay away from any V6 variety unless it is a mid-size van...a V6 in a full size van will work extra hard to do the same job a V8 does with little effort...plus, if you still have to pull a small trailer along with all the added weight of your camping gear you may want more power...you don't want to be the slowest van going up a hill do you?<br><br>Chevy makes a really nice Vortex 5000 engine with is easy on the fuel and good on power...just stay away from the 5.7L Vortex...it has a ton of power but will be more thirsty than the 5.0...good luck on your van search.<br><br>P.S.&nbsp; I too want a high top but will be doing my own thing for head room and other stuff on top.<br><br>SB <br>

 

[akrvbob]

Buying on reputation is always risky. I once bought a F150 because it had a 300/6, one of the best engines ever made. It had been poorly maintained and it was shot and I had nothing but problems with it. If I found a 2000 Dodge van with 318 and my mechanic said it was in great shape and it had a great price, I'd buy it. The reputation of the 318 offsets the reputation of the wandering front end. Besides, it is just a good excuse for me to slow down and drive slower.<br><br>One of the exceptions would be a Ford 6 liter diesel. I would never buy one of those on reputation alone, so there are always exceptions to every general rule. Their reputation is overwhelmingly bad. My point is you are buying an individual vehicle, not a reputation, good or bad. Bob<br><br>

 

[VanTramp]

I see. We are actually saying something different then. There are just some reputations that are worth heeding. &nbsp;The Dodge example was just one of many and one of the less significant ones. There were design issues that caused the handling problems with those years and yes, they can be corrected, so on an individual basis, if it has already been dealt with, it saves a person buying the rig significant money as well as improving safety. Driving slow is a good thing to do by choice, but being forced to because your rig is dangerous doesn't sound like something I would want to be stuck with.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>A better example of a reputation that is a huge safety risk if ignored would be the rear axle of the Toyota class Cs before 1985 and including some 85 and 86 models as they were transition years for the much better rear end. &nbsp;It is another that has a fix, pretty expensive though if it hasn't been done. Also, the "Toyhouses" are often heavy enough from the factory that the safe vehicle weights are almost met before putting any of your gear in them. That applies to the ones with better axles too like my old one as well as one in perfect factory designed mechanical condition. Mechanic can tell you it is perfect, but if you plan to haul a lot of weight(and they do have space for it), it isn't a good choice.</div><div><br></div><div>Most everyone has their favorites and some come up with them for some very odd reasons. I would take those suggestions (only buy Dodge, Ford or Chevy etc) very lightly.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;</div>

 

[karl]

You're&nbsp; both right , IMHO....<br>You got me thinking about my earlier thoughts and comment on not buying a ford again- my reasons were more about the design flaws in that particular (new) vehicle and the way that the dealer and fomoco chose to deal with the several times it was towed back for repairs.... bad taste lingers.....<br>One of the advantages of buying a vehicle that has been around for a while is that at least some of the design weaknesses have been identified and if you are aware of their reputation, can make more informed decisions.....a good&nbsp; mechanic may be aware of a brands weak points and warn you what you MAY need to address someday.....some of the poor design repairs are ridiculously expensive to correct since there are few junkyard parts available (ford aluminum case 5 spd trans, Toyota MH&nbsp; 6 bolt rear axles, chrysler mini van manual trans of certain years for example)....So, yeah, I like to know reputation, and how the vehicle was treated, and repair history, and how many are still around, and how difficult are they to work on (does the engine have to come out to repair the trannie?, does the inner fender have to come out to change the spark plugs?, does the passenger seat have to come out to replace an O2 sensor ?) Are parts available, expensive?<br>I would (hopefully) choose a mechanic to evaluate the vehicle who had experience with the specific brand/year/model I was interested in, preferably one who can be candid without putting his job in jeopardy with a dealership since dealers are not prone to advertising the common problems of their brand. <br>Like vehicles of any brand, mechanics are not all created equal either....nor can they predict the future. But, the use of all the info one can gather from reputable sources can save grief later on. <br><br><br><br>

 

[cargovanconversion]

<p>I've had a Dodge B-250 for more than 20 years without any major problems. I think you just have to be lucky. One owner (myself), which tends to make a big difference.</p><p>I live in Florida so rust isn't a big problem.</p><p>I am in the process of converting it to an RV (cargovanconversion.com) and thought about installing a Hi-Top too, I decided not to, mainly to be able to park it in my garage, but if you decide to, I would have the work done. Nothing funny about leaks, but it will cost you a bundle.</p><p><br></p><p>Van.</p>