This van beckons me

[Matt71]

I keep running across this van in my periodic craigslist searches and it really appeals to me.
Lots of room inside, hi-top and only 106,xxx miles on it, which seems pretty good for an '89, and it's only $2200 which I could probably get down to $2000 cash pretty easy.

https://toledo.craigslist.org/cto/4779874258.html

As much as it appeals to me though, it's still 25 years old which means there can be a slew or problems just waiting to happen.
If I can find a newer model with the same qualities I'll be really happy - even if I have to pay a little more.

What do you think?

,Matt

 

[Wabbit]

I LOVE it and for 2k would pull the trigger on it after it clears a mechanics go thru. I am no expert on vans or prices just fyi lol.but from what I have been seening in my searches for my own van, if it's good mechanically, the price is good and that high top is awesome!

Edit: That wheelchair lift would prob sell for a few hundred bucks if no plans for it...

 

[Matt71]

I just noticed it has an extra panel on the drivers side. I wonder if that is for power?
That would be really convenient if I didn't have to cut any holes in the side to plug in.

 

[Almost There]

I just noticed it has an extra panel on the drivers side. I wonder if that is for power?
That would be really convenient if I didn't have to cut any holes in the side to plug in.

It's a mid-ford, that second 'panel' is for the 2nd gas tank. I had one that I 'inherited' from my parents when they quit travelling. It was wonderful because when you found gas that was cheap you could fill both tanks and drive almost forever...

If it passes mechanical inspection I'd be grabbing it. It's got the high top already installed (bonus of a couple of grand), it's an extended body which gives you more room. Also, it looks like it had a rear wheel-chair lift in it at one point which would lead me to believe that it was used for a retirement home. Oh, and it's got a hitch already there which means you could put a hitch hauler on it without having to pay the price for the hitch.

The only downside is all the windows leave you with hardly any walls although the openings are at the top which means you could put cabinets that come part way up the windows without destroying the air flow.

 

[Matt71]

... Also, it looks like it had a rear wheel-chair lift in it at one point which would lead me to believe that it was used for a retirement home. 

It actually still has the wheel chair lift in it, but I'd most likely remove that as I won't really have a use for it.
I looked up the logo on the side and it looks like it belongs to the Toledo Express Airport. Not sure if that's good or bad, but they likely have a staff of mechanics that maintain their stuff and they might feel the van is just too outdated for them.

... The only downside is all the windows leave you with hardly any walls although the openings are at the top which means you could put cabinets that come part way up the windows without destroying the air flow.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

 

[GrantRobertson]

I've been wondering how hard it would be to replace Windows with sheet metal. Not just replacing the glass, but removing the seal and welding or epoxying sheet metal from the inside. If you did a neat job it might look close enough to original to pass.

 

[stude53]

Grant,
IMO - Doing something like this is more appropriate for bus conversions. There are so many available Cargo Vans with solid sides, I think it would be unnecessarily expensive to try to create one out of a window van.

Just my two cents.

Bob