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Old 02-10-2014, 05:14 PM   #1
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Finally took the plunge. 2000 Express 1500

After trying for months to find a cool ride that could work with my number of my paddle boards, I decided to buy a van. I never thought of a van, but after seeing the Sportsmobile, ding!

Since this is a toy for board hauling, I got on craigslist and found a 2000 Express with 108k miles for $2000. Body is straight, motor is good. My only complaint is that it sat for 2 years and it took 4 hours to clean the inside.

First things first, make sure all the things like fluids get changed and the brakes get inspected.

After that, a 5 inch lift from Boulder Offroad and a set of 33's on black rims. While i'm waiting for those items, i'm going to break out the black paint this week and get rid of any silver!

This forum is giving me a ton of ideas, some of you guys are real craftsmen.

If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them.


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Old 02-11-2014, 09:54 AM   #2
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Re: Finally took the plunge. 2000 Express 1500

Congrats!
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Old 02-11-2014, 11:18 AM   #3
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Re: Finally took the plunge. 2000 Express 1500

Once lifted and blacked out, that thing will look sweet!
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Old 02-12-2014, 09:19 AM   #4
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Re: Finally took the plunge. 2000 Express 1500

Thanks!

Plasti Dip bought and the masking begins. Will have pics later today of the finish.

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Old 02-13-2014, 11:15 AM   #5
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Re: Finally took the plunge. 2000 Express 1500

This is 4 coats. The storm was starting to come in and decided to quit there.

Big improvement.

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Old 02-24-2014, 11:50 AM   #6
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Re: Finally took the plunge. 2000 Express 1500

Some updates. Trying to get it road ready as it needs a new ABS Module.

New ball joints, shocks, Summit wheels ($43 per), 235/15/75 tires


I was going to do the lift, but since this is mostly a board carrier and I live in Florida, I decided to put that money elsewhere.

The floor was the first thing to fix. The van was a carpet cleaning business for many years.



Did a lot of grinding, some rust neutrualizer, and some primer to help stop what's there.






We'll just start over.. The best $134 bucks I spent so far on this.





I'm going to work on some floor templates this week. If anyone knows if they sell them on the internet, i'm a buyer!

Put your foot into it.



Looks so much better with the wheels.

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Old 02-24-2014, 02:45 PM   #7
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Re: Finally took the plunge. 2000 Express 1500

Looks awesome!!! Congrats.
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Old 02-24-2014, 06:53 PM   #8
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Re: Finally took the plunge. 2000 Express 1500

Thanks!!

Really hoping to make this a great surf vehicle.
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Old 02-25-2014, 05:22 AM   #9
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Re: Finally took the plunge. 2000 Express 1500

The floor condition seems typical of any van that has any sort of floor covering installed, most notably the OEM mat with compressed fabric backing. Those of us living in a four season climate notice our vans sweat which seems to be absorbed into the floor covering to the point it becomes saturated. Because that moisture can't escape and never dries completely its constant contact with the metal begins the rusting process.

I've not yet seen anyone selling floor or side wall templates but if they were available I'd have a set or two myself. As it is now I make my own using cardboard, various wood working templating tools and a sharp utility knife, new blades at the ready constantly. One of my favorite tracing or outlining tools is something called Perfect Butt Profile Scriber: http://www.m-powertools.com/products...rfect-butt.htm Great for this sort of thing, small learning curve but well worth it.
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Old 02-25-2014, 06:10 AM   #10
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Re: Finally took the plunge. 2000 Express 1500

Wheels and tires made a huge difference!

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