akrvbob said:
$900!!!!!!!?????
They could have asked $9000! They wouldn't get it, but they could start there. Amazing deal, one of the best I ever heard of. Who did the conversion, can you tell?
Bob
It's a landmark conversion. It has a fold out bed in the back and that's about it other then paneling and carpet. The most I have ever seen a Van charger go for is $6000 and around here in Ca I usually see these for for the 2-3K range in O.K shape.
The only reason I bought this van is it being a 1985. If it was an '84 and older I would have skipped it. Van chargers up to '84 were full time 4wd using non selectable hubs and NP203's. In '85 they went to selectable hubs and either NP205 or BW1345. (Mines got the preferred NP205.) I personally do not like full-time 4wd and I didn't want to spend the extra money to convert such a van to part time. So when this '85 popped up I snatched it up.
For the money I spent on it, I'd say I did pretty good. The engine, although it needs a tune up ran decently enough and the transmission shifts well. On the road it drove true and straight. On my way up to the ranch where I staying I popped 'er in 4wd on the 5 mile long dirt driveway and this thing can climb mountain sides with all that torque the 360 engine makes. And I got
about 15mpg on my way back from buying it. Not bad for such a monster.
It's got some problems tho. The driver side rear corner is badly damaged from an accident. I inspected the frame and floor long with the drip rail alignment and it appears to only be the cosmetic outer sheetmetal that is crumpled up. The back doors are in good condition and still open and close nicely.
The power steering is out. Trying to maneuver a 6000lb battering ram with a non functioning power steering system on the surface streets of San Francisco on my way home yesterday was THE most challenging thing I have ever tried.
The power brakes are malfunctioning. Trying to stop a 6000lb battering ram with a broken power booster on the surface streets of San Francisco on my way home yesterday was also the most challenging thing I have ever tried.
The interior is a disaster. About the only thing I don't haveto tear out and redo is the high top's headliner.
Stay tuned everyone! I'm going to be making a few junk yard runs over the next few weeks as I need a new non-tilt steering column. Mines got a tilt, and Dodge van tilt steering columns are garbage and it'll break if you stare at it too long.
I have everything else I need to restore it on a parts 4x4 Dodge van I have sitting around which I *think* is either a Quigley, or a Salem/Kroger conversion. At any rate, its so badly rusted its only good for its parts.
I'm going to haveto cut out that panel using my plasma cutter, straighten out the floor and graft in another panel.
