Utilimaster Van engine size

[Teressa G]

New to this site and RV living. I've found an 1987 Utilimaster Van in good condition that I believe would be perfect for conversion. However (again knowing nothing) I was told that the GMC P3500 5.7l V8 was too small of engine to carry itself and camper equipment. This seems confusing to me as it was made to carry cargo. Anyone have any thoughts about this?

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the forums Teressa! Sorry I can't help you with your question but hopefully someone more informed will chime in.

Please check out the Tips and Trick link . Welcome again!

 

[akrvbob]

That's the chevy 350 and it is an old, great engine. It will work great in that van. It will get terrible gas mileage and struggle with big, long hills, but it will move it around just fine. I lived in an 80s box van with a Chevy 350 and driving around town was no problem ever. Obviously it wasn't a race car but driving with traffic was never an issue at all.

It will work hard moving the weight and so it will suck gas. But if you can live with that then it's a great choice.
Bob

 

[highdesertranger]

I have driven 2 1/2 ton trucks, with 350's(5.7). works fine. we had one on a farm I worked at and that truck would scream even fully loaded. but that was pre all that junk they have added. for the most part what bob says is true. highdesertranger

 

[karl]

I have a Grumman- similar to Utilimaster - with a 350 carborated engine and OD transmission.
It does work hard on the hills, especially with a trailer.
With dog 'n me, tools and food/water it weighs in at close to 9,500# and I average 10 mpg on the highway.

 

[Teressa G]

Thanks for your responses. I've been trying to do my homework but obviously have very limited knowledge. If my offer for this vehicle is accepted I will begin the planning for the build. I would be glad for any advice you all could offer! Presently I've been thinking about what kind of electrical and heat needs I will have. I live in a really cloudy part of the country so solar will likely not be the solution. Considered putting in two 12v marine batteries but not sure how long that would power a small refrigerator and lap top.

All considered about putting in a vented Newport propane heater p9000. It doesn't require electricity and seems small enough. Draw backs are not thermostat though, just low and high.

Was also wondering if people feel that putting in a bathroom is worthwhile. I can imagine a toilet is essential but how about a shower?

Thanks again!

 

[cdiggy]

Hello! I have owned a 83 Grumman Kurbmaster for about 3 years. Has a car berated Chevy 350. Gets 10 mpg on a good day. They can certainly do the work but like somebody else said they are bad doing steep inclines. Good luck! Sounds like a cool van. How big is it?

 

[Teressa G]

I think it's about 20 feet long according to the garage manager. Hope I don't come across to many inclines! Still waiting for my bid to be accepted. Either way this is the type of vehicle I think I will get beause I like to amount of room.

 

[cdiggy]

Same size as mine about. Think mine is 19 feet bumper to bumper. Just starting to redo mine

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I've been thinking about what kind of electrical and heat needs I will have. I live in a really cloudy part of the country so solar will likely not be the solution. Considered putting in two 12v marine batteries but not sure how long that would power a small refrigerator and lap top.

No matter how many batteries you have, sooner or later they will need recharging.

Realistically, you only have four choices:

1. The vehicles alternator
2. A battery charger plugged in to shore power
3. A battery charger plugged in to a small generator
4. Solar

So how much daily driving you plan to do and whether or not you can park somewhere there is a wall outlet become big factors driving your decisions.

Regards
John

 

[LeeRevell]

I would think engine type and size is of less importance than the transmission and gearing.

 

[Fabber McGee]

I think it's about 20 feet long according to the garage manager. Hope I don't come across to many inclines! Still waiting for my bid to be accepted. Either way this is the type of vehicle I think I will get beause I like to amount of room.

When will you know if you got the Utilimaster? It will make an excellent home. If you don't get this one, there are usually several on ebay. A year ago the market was flooded by retired Twinkie Trucks from Hostess going out of business. I got one from a lot outside St. Louis last fall with a Cummins diesel and 5 speed that I'm very pleased with. I paid 4500, but they've gone up to about 6500 on average. The bread trucks generally seem to have bigger bodies and softer suspensions than most of the other common uses for step vans (Fed-Ex, UPS, linen supply's etc.).

Mine is almost 7' high, close to 8' wide inside and more than 16' behind the drivers seat. Lots of room for shower and toilet, kitchen, sleeping, living area and storage. The possibilities are pretty much endless. Do you have construction skills?

Keep us posted.

 

[cdiggy]

When will you know if you got the Utilimaster? It will make an excellent home. If you don't get this one, there are usually several on ebay. A year ago the market was flooded by retired Twinkie Trucks from Hostess going out of business. I got one from a lot outside St. Louis last fall with a Cummins diesel and 5 speed that I'm very pleased with. I paid 4500, but they've gone up to about 6500 on average. The bread trucks generally seem to have bigger bodies and softer suspensions than most of the other common uses for step vans (Fed-Ex, UPS, linen supply's etc.).

Mine is almost 7' high, close to 8' wide inside and more than 16' behind the drivers seat. Lots of room for shower and toilet, kitchen, sleeping, living area and storage.

That's what I miss about mine... That extra foot in height and width can really make a difference.

 

[66788]

I think it's about 20 feet long according to the garage manager. Hope I don't come across to many inclines! Still waiting for my bid to be accepted. Either way this is the type of vehicle I think I will get beause I like to amount of room.

I have the Grumman Olson step van, 26 feet bumper to bumper, with the Cummins 4BT turbo diesel motor. 17mpg, but it's slow up the hills. I just fall in behind the trucks and chug up with them. I'm retired and not in a hurry to get anywhere so it doesn't bother me at all.

I bought a fiberglass shower stall at an RV dismantler for $60.00. I have hot/cold water, 33 gallon fresh water tank, 480 watts of solar and 450 amps of battery.

Step vans are great!

 

[Teressa G]

I'm really bummed because I lost the bid on this utilimaster van. I guess I will have to go on looking for another one or something similar. That van had less than 60,000 miles & a generator. So on the look out again. I'd appreciate any tips to find something reliable. I have a lot of concerns about not finding a reliable vehicle then ....you know the story...Great build....Van in the shop :huh:

 

[patschum]

Does anybody with the Cummins 4bt or 6bt have info on real world MPGs with these step vans? How about manual vs automatics and reliability? Different years and MPG and reliability? I'm seriously looking and there is so much to learn.

 

[akrvbob]

Just 2 posts above this one 66278 says he's getting 17 MPG. I'm pretty sure he has a manual transmission.

Bob

 

[66788]

I have the 4 speed manual transmission. A lot of fun to drive!

17mpg on a 650 mile trip, including mountain driving.

 

[Fabber McGee]

My "Twinkie Hotel" has a 4BTA Cummins and 5 speed manual. I got around 19 mpg across the prairie states last winter. When I got over to Arizona I tied my 1970 F100 to the back and never really checked the mileage afterwards. But, I didn't notice a substantial change. I'd say 17 mpg including mountains would be a fair estimate for mine also. The transmission is direct in 5th, no overdrive, so the final ratio is probably very similar to that of 66788. The transmission has too large a spread between gears, meaning I have to wind it up past the peak power rpm to shift and it bogs when it goes in the next gear. I have rounded up an auxiliary transmission (gear splitter) from an early 60's International mid-size truck that I will be installing next month sometime. The ratio of the splitter is 1.28 to 1, so that should get me a gear right in the middle of each of the original gears. I'll start a thread for that when the time comes.

 

[headinthetrees]

I'm really bummed because I lost the bid on this utilimaster van. I guess I will have to go on looking for another one or something similar. That van had less than 60,000 miles & a generator. So on the look out again. I'd appreciate any tips to find something reliable. I have a lot of concerns about not finding a reliable vehicle then ....you know the story...Great build....Van in the shop :huh:

The most important part about shopping for a vehicle is patience. Don't fall in love with anything, be completely objective. It might be a nice old lady selling it, but don't let her tell you the story, be a detective. Ask questions like when the last time the tranny and diff were serviced. If they don't know, it probably speaks to the overall maintenance of the vehicle. Look at (and smell) the tranny and motor oil. Did they bother to change the fluids and clean the vehicle inside and out before the sale? When I see a car/truck that hasn't been washed in months that's actively for sale, I usually move on. Of course this is different if you approach someone for something thats sitting around in their yard. If its got a hitch installed that isn't factory, it was probably used to tow. Maybe a lot, be weary. Ask why they're selling it. Check the carfax (if available) and see if the story jives with what you've been told. Also realize that odometers (especially 5 digit ones) are very easily manipulated, especially on older vehicles. I've seen a few stepvans listed on cl with <100k miles that clearly had 200-300k+.

While finding a rig that's already converted is nice, if it wasn't done properly you could be asking for more problems than its worth. You could have electrical issues hidden behind walls that become fire hazards. Problems with 12v systems rarely amount to fires, but problems with hundreds of watts of solar panels connected to high voltage systems can a real danger. You could have poorly fitted or improperly designed plumbing that is leaking behind a wall somewhere you cant see and slowly rotting/rusting away your investment, not to mention putting mold spores in your lungs.

None of these things are dealbreakers, and you might find a great vehicle that has some small manageable problems and be able to use them to bargain the price way down. But you should know what you're getting yourself into before you start, as much as possible.