What do y'all think of this van?

[GotSmart]

The Dodge for sale is the long WB 127" van you can spot it due to the 18" between the rear side door and the front of the rear wheel well.

It has a 9.5' cargo bed, if it was a maxi it has a 12' cargo bed.

The short van is on 109" wb and the side cargo doors have no space between them and the front of the rear wheel well and you can load an 8" sheet of plywood and close the rear doors.

This is a short Dodge Van:

I bought a 1980 short Dodge B100 for $3750 brand new and also owned a 1977 Tradesman 300 maxi 8 lug camper van.

You are 100% correct.  

I stand in awe at the superior eyesight of the victor.   :blush: 

My 91 B250 has a curve in the back door by the wheelwell, and I am unable to push an 8 foot sheet of plywood in the van through the back doors.   I can stack 8' lumber from the back between the front seats, but it passes where the seats are bolted in.

 

[masterplumber]

The prices seem at least 20% too high, but it sounds like you've already decided you might need something different. The Fords seem to go to just over 200,000 miles without major work, with the exception of possibly the transmission. That said, I've seen many never need a trans rebuild either - just depends upon how they were previously used. The transmission definitely doesn't like heat from being heavily worked.

As for the extended Fords, and Dodges for that matter, the problem isn't so much the extended length, as the way people load them. The have about 3' or more behind the axle and people tend to put the heaviest stuff there because it's easiest to get to, or out of the way. Due to the effect of leverage it creates uplift on the front causing handling problems. Combine that with drivers inexperienced at driving larger vehicles, such as teachers and day care workers, and it can be a recipe for disaster. It doesn't have to be though, if proper attention is paid to weight distribution and you don't drive it like a sports car. Chevys don't have as big an issue, as they extended the wheel base along with the length. But they are like driving my crew cab truck due to the long wheel base.

From your previous posts I think I would be looking for a standard length full high top 3/4 ton, or possibly a used single rear wheel box truck like U Haul, Budget, etc... rent. I think that would be the sweet spot as far as stand up room, carrying capacity, interior space, gas mileage, etc...

 

[GotSmart]

That 2 cents is worth a dime at least!^^

 

[akrvbob]

Had they fixed the 5.4 spark plug problem by the time this one was made?

If not I wouldn't consider it. Why buy a van you know it's just pure luck if it's going to puke a spark plug one day?

The Chevy 5.3 is a tremendously better engine.
Bob

 

[Canine]

Spend half of your money on a truck or van and the other half on a camper.You'll be ready to go immediately.

 

[PatsyG]

The prices seem at least 20% too high, but it sounds like you've already decided you might need something different. The Fords seem to go to just over 200,000 miles without major work, with the exception of possibly the transmission. That said, I've seen many never need a trans rebuild either - just depends upon how they were previously used. The transmission definitely doesn't like heat from being heavily worked.

As for the extended Fords, and Dodges for that matter, the problem isn't so much the extended length, as the way people load them. The have about 3' or more behind the axle and people tend to put the heaviest stuff there because it's easiest to get to, or out of the way. Due to the effect of leverage it creates uplift on the front causing handling problems. Combine that with drivers inexperienced at driving larger vehicles, such as teachers and day care workers, and it can be a recipe for disaster. It doesn't have to be though, if proper attention is paid to weight distribution and you don't drive it like a sports car. Chevys don't have as big an issue, as they extended the wheel base along with the length. But they are like driving my crew cab truck due to the long wheel base.

From your previous posts I think I would be looking for a standard length full high top 3/4 ton, or possibly a used single rear wheel box truck like U Haul, Budget, etc... rent. I think that would be the sweet spot as far as stand up room, carrying capacity, interior space, gas mileage, etc...

I am looking, but not finding yet. It needs to be new enough to be reliable - I am useless when it comes to fixing a car - but preferably under 7K$ and no more than 10K$. There are many high tops out there that are handicap vans and tho I may be able to take the equipment out, they usually charge several thousand more dollars for the feature.

I have also never driven anything larger than my Chevy Lumina except on a couple of occasions, so thinking about towing it behind. I would only get a few hundred for it anyway. But then, I've read a lot about the dangers of towing, so maybe not. So confused.

Patience, I guess.

 

[PatsyG]

Had they fixed the 5.4 spark plug problem by the time this one was made?

If not I wouldn't consider it. Why buy a van you know it's just pure luck if it's going to puke a spark plug one day?

The Chevy 5.3 is a tremendously better engine.
Bob

I read your blog article about your friend who had a high top installed in her van. That may be a way to go if I find the right cargo van for the right price. It would have the additional advantage of extra storage space.

 

[PatsyG]

Spend half of your money on a truck or van and the other half on a camper.You'll be ready to go immediately.

I had originally thought I would buy an SUV heavy enough to pull a 16' lightweight toyhauler with small kitchen and basic bathroom. Could do the rest myself. Or a small TT. Then I started reading all the articles about towing things. I am an ok driver but not great, so I backed off that idea.

Too bad. I just need to buy a 20' utility trailer, outfit it myself and then have someone haul it for me whenever I want, LOL.