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Old 03-19-2014, 09:07 PM   #1
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Idea's on my current Van body

I bought a 00 EB van from Maine that is rusting away. and it seems to be speeding up as it sits. it sits cause I am still working on it slowly.

having said that its hard to invest more into my build knowing that I will be able to flintstone my starts and stops as it rust away over time.

so I am invested and it needs much more. motor runs good as I add more and more things to it aside from a rebuild which would be nice (332k on the clock)

a body swap would be nice, but a lot of work. so would an engine rebuild. its a home build in the early stages as I am slowly getting things insulated. winter has put a hold on gluing it in. right now lack of funds is holding me back too, but that will change once work picks back up.

anyway I can go on, but dont want to bore you with my issues. but I would like some advice on which road to take.

thoughts are to part out my van and save for another van. body swap and deal with that fun. or drive my van till it falls apart and worry about it then.

thanks for any ideas.

you can see pics if you search "Elvis the beluga whale"

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Old 03-19-2014, 09:50 PM   #2
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Re: Idea's on my current Van body

To me it is all about using what you have to the fullest extent possible. Enjoy what you have and save for a better looking van down the road. Vehicles are just like people, it what is on the inside that counts.

Fix it up the way you want it on the inside. You can always transfer the upgrades to a less rusty van later.

Have put about $3,000 into my 89 that I bought for $5,000. Will never be able to sell it for what I have in it but will be able to pull everything out and put it in a newer rig when the time is right.
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Old 03-19-2014, 10:31 PM   #3
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Re: Idea's on my current Van body

I agree. Keep it, drive it. I've seen it, it's a nice van!
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Old 03-20-2014, 03:59 AM   #4
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Re: Idea's on my current Van body

I'm with the drive it 'til you can't any longer----at this point if its rusted and continuing to rust away it would be pretty crazy to start chasing those problems.

Adding in your mileage will necessitate an engine sometime soon you're fully into new-to-you van territory. If this van needed just an engine replacement that would be the easier and longer lived improvement. From your description chasing body rust is almost a no-win situation that becomes quite costly very quickly. BTW I'm in much the same boat with a work van---runs good (186K miles) but the body has issues I know can't be economically cured.

With the luxury of time on your side and assuming the budget permits I'd start looking for a suitable replacement. Depending on the range you'll travel for the perfect beginning vehicle there should be a few rust-free VGC vans to be had for a fair price close enough to inspect before purchase.

I'd search Craig's List via Search Tempest which allows for custom searches including distance from your home ZIP code. eBay is another great source with the benefit of seller's feedback ratings to help gauge credibility of an auction listing.

That's how I'd go about it anyway.............
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Old 03-24-2014, 03:52 PM   #5
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Re: Idea's on my current Van body

thanks all for the reply's and opinions.

my motor runs ok (actually starts at 10 degs). I have already done lots to it since I have owned it, but its all motor or fuel tank work. so its behind the scenes. still have a few things to add to that list, but no funds to get them installed. there two jobs I dont want to do cause there messy. I dont have a good location for a messy job. the fuel tank was pushing my luck.

I am familiar with the 7.3, but if i go the distance to rebuild it I feel like i will dig deeper.
the body had some rust when I bought it, but once I got it back to Montana I feel it started to blossom.
nothing like driving down a gravel road and the van fills with dust.

body swap is a lot of work too, but if I do that it would be a good time to attend to the motor cause you could actually get at it with out pulling it for most things.

parting out wont get me close to what want, but at least it would be something.

I even thought about looking into cutting the body off and slapping on a Chinook RV back end (the smallest one)


alas it sits mostly due to the price of fuel and wanting to get the parts installed before I really start to drive it more on weekend trips. I will probably contiune with a minimal build to let me save up funds for other things. just sucks having it and not using it as it slowly gets worst.

thanks again for the opinions.
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Old 03-24-2014, 04:15 PM   #6
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Re: Idea's on my current Van body

Quote:
Originally Posted by MTDewX8

I even thought about looking into cutting the body off and slapping on a Chinook RV back end (the smallest one)
What about an XP camper? This pic is a platform Chris (UJoint) did for an XP camper base:
http://image.trucktrend.com/f/autosh...mper-front.jpg
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Old 03-24-2014, 04:31 PM   #7
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Re: Idea's on my current Van body

I LIKE!!!!





Quote:
Originally Posted by carringb
Quote:
Originally Posted by MTDewX8

I even thought about looking into cutting the body off and slapping on a Chinook RV back end (the smallest one)
What about an XP camper? This pic is a platform Chris (UJoint) did for an XP camper base:
http://image.trucktrend.com/f/autosh...mper-front.jpg
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Old 03-24-2014, 06:58 PM   #8
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Re: Idea's on my current Van body

Quote:
Originally Posted by carringb
Quote:
Originally Posted by MTDewX8

I even thought about looking into cutting the body off and slapping on a Chinook RV back end (the smallest one)
What about an XP camper? This pic is a platform Chris (UJoint) did for an XP camper base:
http://image.trucktrend.com/f/autosh...mper-front.jpg
Yeah I have seen that and its awesome.

I would donate my van for a chance to have something like that. then rebuild the motor and have a killer rig that would make me happy.

but I couldn't afford to pay for that type of upgrade for a few years.

thought of doing something like an ambo with a box back end, but would have to upgrade to a dually
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Old 03-24-2014, 07:06 PM   #9
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Re: Idea's on my current Van body

Quote:
Originally Posted by MTDewX8

thought of doing something like an ambo with a box back end, but would have to upgrade to a dually
Not if you use a "Mini-mod" box. Those are bodies under 88" (as narrow as 80") and on a SRW chassis.
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Old 05-21-2014, 06:24 AM   #10
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Re: Idea's on my current Van body

I say keep at it -- scrape/sand/wire wheel as much rust off as you can and paint, and repeat every season as needed. Giving up on the rust and just driving it seems to be a mistake.

The '88 we just bought has been on the east coast for 10 years, parked on gravel and grass next to a salted main road up in the New York hills. But I'm certainly going to fight the rust with sweat equity, if not big bucks at the body shop.

Maybe it's just the east coaster's perspective here-- we are *quite* used to seeing and putting up with rust.
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