Xplorer

[frater secessus]

Maybe he'd let you ride shotgun while he drove. Not a perfect solution but better than no dynamic testing at all.

 

[Ballenxj]

HOWEVER by that time Dodge "put down the bong" and replaced the awful Carter Thermal-quad with a Rotchester Quadra-Jet. (Much better) Its going to get no more then 12mpg. (Assuming that its a 5.9L V8, which 90% of those Dodge model Xplorer's came with.)

WOW, I didn't know Chrysler/Dodge ever used the Q-Jet! I really like that carburetor!
By the same token I hated that stupid Thermoquad. If I ever bought a Dodge with that plastic junk controlling my fuel intake it was a given that it was soon to be replaced. You cannot even rebuild them, as the housing always warped.

 

[steamjam1]

WOW, I didn't know Chrysler/Dodge ever used the Q-Jet! I really like that carburetor!
By the same token I hated that stupid Thermoquad. If I ever bought a Dodge with that plastic junk controlling my fuel intake it was a given that it was soon to be replaced. You cannot even rebuild them, as the housing always warped.

Yep. 1985 - 1988 for Dodge vans equipped with the 5.9L V8. Dodge went FI for the 5.2L for '88 and the 5.9L the following year. Even DODGE , who was late to the game on EVERYTHING cept Turbo charging was up by '84 on the pitfalls of the "Thermal-Pain" carburetor. I hate them. The only fuel delivery system I hated more is the Fiat's SPICA system.

The Q-Jet is a great carburetor. They don't warp when you FART in its general proximity like the T-Quad.

 

[hepcat]

What about all the rubber components? Thirty years if it hasn't  been cared for could mean big trouble.

All of this could be a moot point because he has not responded to emails requesting additional information and never gave me an address.

Well, that's too bad.  You're right, it may be moot.

I mentioned earlier that the rubber components were something to look at, but if it has a newer engine, the belts and hoses may not be that old.  And maintenance records may show even more things replaced later.

It'll be interesting to hear what the thing actually looks like if you get to go see it. 

Good luck!

 

[ArtW]

You guys must be talking about a later version of the T quad, the one on my 69Fury 3 was metal, and performed well, the 340 Demon had a Holley, I think
BTW, Dodge was also first to go Uniboby

 

[Ballenxj]

You guys must be talking about a later version of the T quad, the one on my 69Fury 3 was metal, and performed well, the 340 Demon had a Holley, I think.

Negative. If it didn't have a Black plastic  body, it was not a Thermoquad. That was their claim to fame.

 

[steamjam1]

You guys must be talking about a later version of the T quad, the one on my 69Fury 3 was metal, and performed well, the 340 Demon had a Holley, I think
BTW, Dodge was also first to go Uniboby

If the Fury was a small block, then it had an Carter AVS, if it was a biggie, then Carter AFB as far as I can recall. (4V)

Anyways I don't mean to hijack this thread... Its about Xplorers.. Not what carb came with what.

 

[Ballenxj]

Anyways I don't mean to hijack this thread... Its about Xplorers.. Not what carb came with what.

Speaking of which, any more contact from the guy that owns it?
It may be time to ask if he's serious about selling it.

 

[mothercoder]

Not a word. I emailed a couple more times telling him I'm a serious buyer and have cash but nothing. It's still on CL. He either doesn't want to sell or there's something wrong with it and he's hoping to attract someone who will ask fewer questions.

My search continues.

 

[ArtW]

Must'vs been the AFB then, big block Police Interceptor, fast mama
The seller sounds like he's trying to pull a fast one, I'd be tempted to flag it

 

[closeanuf]

Has anyone else tried to contact the owner?  Maybe he wants to discuss the carb.

 

[OutdoorFT]

Xplorers are actually what got me interested in class b's. I liked their layout more than others of the size.

 

[mothercoder]

Has anyone else tried to contact the owner?  Maybe he wants to discuss the carb.

Don't know.  No one else I know has tried contacting him.

 

[#1BonBonQueen]

Not a word.  I emailed a couple more times telling him I'm a serious buyer and have cash but nothing.  It's still on CL.  He either doesn't want to sell or there's something wrong with it and he's hoping to attract someone who will ask fewer questions.  

My search continues.

Well Mothercoder, I for one would probably run, as fast as I could away from this so called Deal.  I don't think he thought you would be asking questions, you are a female, females don't normally know enough about an auto to ask about.  But that is just my opinion.  I think there is many problems with this vehicle.  He isn't answering your emails, probably because he is hoping someone comes along who won't want to test drive it, or ask about it. 
I always think that when things fall apart, it is because something else is working out that is even better.
Good Luck with your endeavor and I hope you can find your dream camper!!!
Sharon

 

[billybob200138]

Flakey/bakery Mom...HoboJoe

 

[Gunny]

I agree with #1BONBONQUEEN, there was or is something wrong with either the seller or the van. I know the search for the right vehicle is frustrating but worthwhile when you find the ONE.

I think your caution on the xplorer was well warranted and saved you some grief now rather than later.

My Best, Rob

 

[hepcat]

Well Mothercoder, I for one would probably run, as fast as I could away from this so called Deal.  I don't think he thought you would be asking questions, you are a female, females don't normally know enough about an auto to ask about.  But that is just my opinion.  I think there is many problems with this vehicle.  He isn't answering your emails, probably because he is hoping someone comes along who won't want to test drive it, or ask about it. 
I always think that when things fall apart, it is because something else is working out that is even better.
Good Luck with your endeavor and I hope you can find your dream camper!!!
Sharon

Or he could be ill.  Or someone in his family could be.  Or he could have gone somewhere for a week.  Or any one of a dozen other reasonable explanations that have nothing to do with him being flaky OR the van being junk.  Conjecture is just that; conjecture. 

This van, at $4100 with 69k miles and a newer engine (provided that the drivetrain is in fact sound,) may well be about the best buy in a class B I've seen since I bought mine.  It all depends on condition, condition, condition...  and persistence may pay off, if you can talk to the guy and see the van in person.   Nice, twenty year old B-vans with 100k miles on them are going from $18k to $22k.  This one doesn't have A/C or a generator, so it's not quite in that class, but still for $4k in this one you can afford to invest another $4k or $5k and still not be upside down in the van, and potentially have a really nice B-van.  At $2500 this could be an absolute steal. 

That said, it all still depends on condition and how the actual contact goes with the seller if you finally get the chance to meet.

 

[mothercoder]

I agree with #1BONBONQUEEN, there was or is something wrong with either the seller or the van. I know the search for the right vehicle is frustrating but worthwhile when you find the ONE.

I think your caution on the xplorer was well warranted and saved you some grief now rather than later.

My Best, Rob

Thanks, Rob and Sharon.  Yeah, I kinda feel like I dodged a bullet on this one!

 

[mothercoder]

Or he could be ill.  Or someone in his family could be.  Or he could have gone somewhere for a week.  Or any one of a dozen other reasonable explanations that have nothing to do with him being flaky OR the van being junk.  Conjecture is just that; conjecture. 

This van, at $4100 with 69k miles and a newer engine (provided that the drivetrain is in fact sound,) may well be about the best buy in a class B I've seen since I bought mine.  It all depends on condition, condition, condition...  and persistence may pay off, if you can talk to the guy and see the van in person.   Nice, twenty year old B-vans with 100k miles on them are going from $18k to $22k.  This one doesn't have A/C or a generator, so it's not quite in that class, but still for $4k in this one you can afford to invest another $4k or $5k and still not be upside down in the van, and potentially have a really nice B-van.  At $2500 this could be an absolute steal. 

That said, it all still depends on condition and how the actual contact goes with the seller if you finally get the chance to meet.

I wondered whether something might have happened to him.  I have sent him an email from my work email and will see if he responds to that. 

I get what you're saying which was my thought on first seeing the ad.  I am very curious why it needed a new engine at 60k.  I don't care about the AC or generator and would be fine putting another $4k into it if it's solid mechanically.

 

[mothercoder]

He's alive and well. He responded to my new email:

"Just say when and bring someone capable of lifting the battery and installing. It is on the trickle charger for the winter. It is too heavy for me to lift and install on my own. As for test drive, I would be driving as my ins wouldn't cover you. Also, a word of caution so no one wastes any time, low ball offers are not accepted. At all. Have plenty. Not honoring them. Period. I bought this thing for 5500, put in over 2k on good solid maintenance and do not see a reason to drop an already low price."

Um...okay. So he's not willing to consider any of what he would consider a low ball offer. So the whole discussion about offering him $2500 is out the window. I prefer to test drive but I guess I understand why he wouldn't allow it if something happened.