Step vans and mechanical know how

[awilder]

Hi there. I was thinking about getting a cargo van but am being lured by step vans. My question is, can someone with no mechanical know how and a small budget (at most 10k for vehicle and unclear but minimal budget for build and repairs) handle a step van? Or would I be in over my head/wallet?

 

[bullfrog]

A lot depends on which drivetrain you get. Nice thing bout them is most older ones come with their own garage as they have an engine cover with great access to the engine.

 

[Doubleone]

I'd suggest to go with a standard type van or convert a box van.  Sure the step van has more room, but is a medium duty commercial vehicle.  I'm thinking anywhere you travel you could always find a mechanic to work on a standard van, but some might shy away from working on a step van.  Parts availability might vary too, I suspect more available if you go with a big three Ford/Chev/Dodge van.  Driving around town and parking lots would be easier to maneuver, and I suppose ride quality might also be a factor if you drive any distance.

 

[user 423]

If you more or less stayed put somewhere instead of lots of travel and had a small toad or motorcycle, a stepvan would be a pretty good choice IMHO.

I believe most have aluminum bodies so rust isn't an issue on older ones.

 

[awilder]

Thanks. The plan is to use the vehicle to get out of Brooklyn, NYC, so, regular 2-3 hour drives. I have a feeling a cargo is more for us at this point....the box shape and height and style is just so appealing. Don’t have a motorcycle but do have a 2 year old.

 

[66788]

A lot depends on which drivetrain you get.  Nice thing bout them is most older ones come with their own garage as they have an engine cover with great access to the engine.

And a huge removable floor plate over the transmission that allows super easy access to the whole transmission.

You could have a killer stepvan for 10K.  Check mine out in Quartzsite this December.

 

[bullfrog]

If you do a step van be sure you can register it and get insurance in your state of residence before buying as that can and has been a problem for some,

 

[awilder]

And a huge removable floor plate over the transmission that allows super easy access to the whole transmission.

You could have a killer stepvan for 10K.  Check mine out in Quartzsite this December.

Thanks. I have not heard of Quartzsite, will look into it. Are you saying they are easily serviceable by a mechanic? I was under the impression one should really fix em his or herself if going the step van route, or is that only older models? Also do you agree regular three hour drives (I live in NY and family is in RI) would be not so great with a step?

 

[awilder]

A lot depends on which drivetrain you get.  Nice thing bout them is most older ones come with their own garage as they have an engine cover with great access to the engine.

Sorry bullfrog I know so little I don’t even know what you mean by come with their own garage...

 

[bullfrog]

Yes, no problem. Step vans tend to be easy to work on for a mechanic as everything can be accessed pretty much from inside. They seldom have much in the way of sound reduction and usually are noisy and slow on the highway. The biggest problem is usually they have to get the commercial title changed to an RV or private use type title in order for the owner to be able to afford or in some states get insurance which is required in order to license it. They do have lots of usable room. I've been tempted to get one just for storage.

 

[kygreg]

 I'm thinking anywhere you travel you could always find a mechanic to work on a standard van, but some might shy away from working on a step van.   

Every town in the US has school busses and any place that works on busses can work on step vans. They use many of the same parts and they have the equipment to easily handle their size.

 

[rokguy]

To me, I would image a step van would be easier to work on than a normal van due to a removable engine cover inside. Mechanic on a normal van would be hanging over the front fenders and radiator support panel. The higher the vehicle the worse it is.
Best vehicle to work on are cabover box trucks (usually Japanese trucks) Tilt the cab and stand next to either side of engine as you work, front wheels/ tyres even form a nice sitting area while your there.

 

[awilder]

So is the reason I see people with steps from the 80s the same as those with other older vehicles, that if you do know how to work on it yourself you can get a simpler, older vehicle? Not that older steps are more appealing than newer steps for some other reasons?
I’m thinking about a small box too, for the quieter ride. But we have kids - Do people open up boxes cab to back? 
Really need to look into insurance...probably deciding factor between step or box and cargo.

 

[bullfrog]

Check insurance first as well as registration it may make the decision for you.

 

[rokguy]

I've seen a few walkthrough box truck conversions here in Oz most have cabover beds (like a C class MH)
Personally I didn't build it that way because I have a front (behind the cab) garage for my bicycles and tools which is conveniently under the elevated bed. (B class looking)
80s 90s vehicles are easier to work on with no electronic garbage to play up but might be harder to insure there.
Rego and Insurance isn't a problem here but as others have said check insurance/rego,

 

[jimmydean]

I chose a step van for my build because I liked the floor plan layout and the height. I also lucked out and got a wicked low mile 4BT diesel, so I get about 16+mpg.

Mine is a '78 Chevy P30 chassis and they are the same from like '72 until like 2005, so parts are not only plentiful, but often cheap. Mine is also an A arm front suspension (not I beam), so working on it is the same as working on other Chevy trucks I've owned. I replaced all the steering parts and have nearly all new front suspension to put in, but I can do it all myself.

 

[KarlH]

If you do a step van be sure you can register it and get insurance in your state of residence before buying as that can and has been a problem for some,

You also need to have the VIN number in-hand to get an accurate estimate from your insurer.  I went through that process a few months ago with AAA Minnesota, and the agent told me that I needed a separate commercial policy.  The cost she quoted me was more than double the rough estimate they'd given me earlier for an RV based on the same type of van.  There's a process for re-registering a vehicle as private, but the agent wasn't aware of it and just tried to sell me the commercial policy.

 

[KarlH]

Hi there. I was thinking about getting a cargo van but am being lured by step vans. My question is, can someone with no mechanical know how and a small budget (at most 10k for vehicle and unclear but minimal budget for build and repairs) handle a step van? Or would I be in over my head/wallet?

Some shops don't have a tall enough bay, and a lot of neighborhood shops don't work on diesels (if that's what you end up with).

The vans with inline engines have a lot more space in the engine compartment than a Chevy Express, and the ones with V-8s are somewhere in between.

They aren't super high clearance, although there's usually a space between the body panels and the chassis beams that has decent vertical room.

They have a reputation for not leaking, which is why a lot of people in the Upper Midwest use them as storage sheds.

 

[eDJ_]

I've often thought of an Aluminum bodied step van with a V8 engine and Auto OD transmission. 

Something like a GMC P-30 16 ft.  

I would want a kitchenette, shower, laundry center (110 vac over under), on demand propane hot water heater, bed, 
water storage tank under vehicle/w 2 gpm water pump, and 12 vdc with shore power for washer/dryer.  Solar would be an option but a good house battery bank may be adequate to start with.  The Step Van would be painted fleet white. 

If I were  to full time in it,  then it would be framed and insulated and have propane heat with a vent-less space heater with smoke and CO detection alarms.

 

[66788]

You just described my step van with 3 exceptions:  mine is a Cummins 4BT diesel (16-18 mpg) and doesn't have a vacuum system or laundry.   I've lived in it one year, both on the road and in an RV park with hook ups.   I love this thing.