Stealth or convesion van?

[VenFan]

My choice was to get a white stealth van without side windows and for that reason i need something that has modern look however this newer looking vans 1990+ are all with automatics without manual option and i wanted to go back to manual for more control.

1. Only van's that have manual transmission are older looking vans, but would it make sense to buy one of those as i have not seen many commercial vans that old in the city probably older design is not good option for stealth van?

2. How much more important is to have stealth commercial van versus passenger van (not a camper conversion), do people law enforcement really bother you that much?

3. Does manual transmission really helps on the van (especially going up hill with full load)?

Help me decide i am tired of waiting just want to buy one already.

 

[TMG51]

I don't think I'd get hung up on the manual thing. All the cars I've bought before were manual, and for the same reason; I like that control. But it's a preference I let go when I started shopping for a van. As you point out, there really aren't modern commercially produced options that way. Although it is technically true a manual should be able to achieve better economy, we're all getting 10 MPG anyway. And when living in a compact area, I view even the floor space saved in the cockpit as a benefit.

 

[MikeRuth]

Just to say I have a 2007 Ford E-150 with the 5.4 V8 and auto. I bought it new in 2007 and it has been a reliable purchase.
Mileage on the road is at best 14 to 16 with a tail wind. In the city it's 12, not much variation in it.

I drive it in the mountains frequently and the 4 speed auto has been solid as well as the 4 wheel disc's.


that's not a ford ad, that's me and my van LOL

 

[TMG51]

that's not a ford ad, that's me and my van LOL

What's that strapped up underneath the driver's side? Holding tank? Battery?

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Kind of impossible to answer a generality like that.  It depends a great deal on WHERE you are trying to live, as some authorities are much stricter about it than others.

If you give us some idea about where you are interested in staying, perhaps some people here are familiar with the area and can advise you about how strict the enforcement is there.

Regards
John

 

[Patrick46]

If you give us some idea about where you are interested in staying, perhaps some people here are familiar with the area and can advise you about how strict the enforcement is there.

This ^^^

also, if you're going to be in a big city, with all that stop & go traffic, I don't think I'd want a manual, as I'd think your clutch would burn out a lot faster.

I've had good luck with the automatics in the vans I've had.

 

[East]

A conversion van can be pretty stealth depending on the location. Some might disagree with me but if you go the conversion route try to get something newer and in good condition so you don't get targeted by law enforcement. I think driving an older conversion van would grab more attention than a more modern late 90s or 2000s era one if that's a big concern.

 

[highdesertranger]

yeah you won't have much luck finding a manual in a van and if you do it's going to be 3 on the tree. any truck top loading transmission(4,5,6 speed) the shifter will be in back of the dog house. that would make for awkward shifting. highdesertranger

 

[eDJ_]

Some thoughts on model years.   Most delivery vehicles will be within 5 years of manufacture.
Why ?  Accountants write these off in a period of 5 years as capital equipment.  Then they are
sold and new ones replace them. 

Fleet vehicles are generally kept clean and waxed to project a look of prosperity for the business
using them.  The business may not allow clutter on the dash and any appearance of being trashed up.

These are little details which can tip off LEO's that the Van isn't what it would represent itself as being.

You may get lucky and find a late model Van that you could travel in.  Some times these are sold short
by the business and you can find a deal. 

As for Automatic Transmissions,  the newer generations of automatics have shown to be more dependable
than the standards.  Some offer 4 speed "Overdrive" and perhaps "Lockup" torque converters such that
in high gear they are like being in 4th or 5th gear in a standard.  On the highway this will result in greater
fuel mileage.

I have a friend who was shopping for a later model Van recently and he was telling me that purchasing an automatic equipped vehicle provided a lot more options than one similarly equipped with a standard.  


You may want to look at American Van com  accessories as they sell a lot of things for Commercial Vans.
These may be found used in wrecking yards too.  But by having a partition behind the front seats with a
door to access the rear of the Van it may look like a legit commercial Van at a glance to a LEO.  But remember
some Cities require all Commercial Trucks to have a sign on them stating Name, Address, and Phone.  The
LEO's may look to see if the Van has a Commercial license plate on it too.  

http://www.americanvan.com/

 

[accrete]

: )
The only time a cop stopped by the van and talked to my wife... I think he was on a donut break.
...Drooling over our van and wanted to know all about the build.
So much for stealth!

Thom

 

[SoulRaven]

Just echoing what everyone else is saying Re: Stealth on how it really depends on the location.

For me, I got a conversion van, then realized it wasn't quite stealthy enough for the places I preferred to sleep, so when that bite the dust I switched to a minivan.

I really couldn't have known that until I actually got on the road and discovered where/how I wanted to settle down.

Another contributing factor for me is that I cannot the the routine of park at night, sleep, and drive off in the morning. I have severe health issues and am often up half the night vomiting, then usually cannot get going until afternoon-ish, and often need to unexpectedly remain parked for days in a row due to a sudden extreme medical problem. So for me, the routine required to maintain stealth in a white cargo van simply isn't doable or comfortable. Whereas, a minivan parked in apartment overflow parking for a few days doesn't even get noticed in the slightest.

So, I'd encourage you to think about your location, where you might like to say, maybe even park at different places and just sit there for a bit envisioning spending the night there. Can you get a sense for where you'd eel more comfortable? Does your current daily routine yield clues as to which might be a better fit for you?

All you can do is make an educated guess, move forward with it, and if you realize you want something different after all then you work out what to do from there. Good luck!

 

[VenFan]

Some thoughts on model years.   Most delivery vehicles will be within 5 years of manufacture.
Why ?  Accountants write these off in a period of 5 years as capital equipment.  Then they are
sold and new ones replace them. 

Fleet vehicles are generally kept clean and waxed to project a look of prosperity for the business
using them.  The business may not allow clutter on the dash and any appearance of being trashed up.

These are little details which can tip off LEO's that the Van isn't what it would represent itself as being.

Don't all deliveries have some logo on the side like FedEx or whatever and don't think they use minivans across country rather big trucks.

I was thinking of mocking the small/family business like "Jacks Electrical", "Jacks Construction Company" with some custom logo on side and ladder across the roof etc to hide solar panels, fan etc.

I know someone who drives an older dented white van mid 90's in Los Angeles and saying that LEO's don't bother him at all cuz they think its commercial.
You'd be surprised to see how crappy some commercial vans in LA look.

My concern would be the plates from out of state if i go across country its obvious if i have CA plates in Florida it be a major flag for LEO's

 

[highdesertranger]

yep can't trust them Kalifornians. highdesertranger