Learn me older vans

I have a ridiculous lust for 80s or 90s Dodge, Chevy/GMC, and Ford vans right now. I just know very little about them. I like Astro and Aerostar vans as well. I really prefer a full size van because I want to be able to tow an open trailer with it and camp in it. I also prefer the contractor style vans with only windows on the doors.

At any rate, here are the questions

What is easy and cheap to work on?
Reliability?
What should I be looking for engine/trans wise for towing?

I don't really have a brand preference, I kinda like them all. Just looking for some experiences from others that have used one for a tow rig basically. Fuel economy is really on the bottom of the list compared to reliability, cost of parts, and ease to work on.

The Ford twin I beam setup is hell on tires but otherwise they hang together pretty good. The Chevy/GMC front suspension is a much better setup IMHO. The Dodge vans share the SLA Chevy setup, but to me don't feel as well screwed together as the Chevy/Ford. All will make decent tow vehicles.

Came for old Vans... Leaving disappointed.

But in all seriousness- Just like full size trucks, all full size vans are pretty stout. I would take a hard look at old conversion vans. Often cheaper and lower mileaged than contractor vans, plus they may have had better service. Those things go way cheaper than a truck around here. Many already have beds in the back.

Bit of a hijack, but hopefully relevant to the OP

How are they for towing? I was looking at a Chevy 2500 3/4 ton Express, but it only had a V6. How can a 3/4 ton have such a small motor? There's no way a 3/4 ton truck would have such a small motor.

-Rob

rob_lewis wrote: Bit of a hijack, but hopefully relevant to the OP How are they for towing? I was looking at a Chevy 2500 3/4 ton Express, but it only had a V6. How can a 3/4 ton have such a small motor? There's no way a 3/4 ton truck would have such a small motor. -Rob

Lots of 3/4 ton trucks came with straight 6s. But I would hold out for a V8

I put 100k miles on my 94 chevy van while I owned it (76k to 176k). Most reliable vehicle evar. Literally only changed fluids during my ownership. Did plugs cap and rotor at one point. (it was not hard on the V6) Changed a dead starter twice (5 minute job) and replaced the alternator. Front suspension was needing rebuilt when I got rid of it (balljoints and such). Trans shaft input seal was starting to leak too. Engine never consumed a drop of oil ever. (4.3 vortec)

I want another very badly, this time with the 5.7l and longer wheelbase at least. likely a raised roof conversion.

95 was the last year of the old body style chevys, the body style ran from something like 78-95, and is the best looking fullsize IMO ( I am biased). A few of the 96's are the old body style, I think its only the realllly long wheelbase ones, like the 1 tons and diesels. Those have a E36 M3 ton of room inside btw.

Always gets posted in a van thread.

Definitely go with a Chevy or Ford old enough to have pushrods.

There's a '94 chevy van on a nearby CL that I keep going back to. It's a Beauville, with a long wheelbase, and I'm guessing a V8. Yeah, it has windows all around, but so what? Get some curtains or shades for it when camping.

I'd really prefer an older, short wheelbase Econoline. One with almost no windows and a sliding door on the side, and definitely a manual transmission. I've come close about 2 or 3 times in the last year, but apparently sellers wanted calls instead of e-mails...as they rarely responded.

btw, my experiences driving older Dodge vans is that they are about the same as GM and Ford vans, when driving, but for assembly quality, Dodges always look like they are punched out on machines where the dies are at the end of or even a little past their tolerable wear level. (As in, door gaps that are wider than GM or Ford, and instrument panels where the gaps around the glovebox are wide enough to stick a finger into.)

I would also hold out for a V-8 unless you find a holy grail ford E250 with the 4.9 6 cyl. That would be the 300 six and it is about as bullet proof as you can find. otherwise hard to go wrong with a chevy 350.

In reply to Grizz:

And for very good reasons.

I would really like a 1960's Econoline, the 'mid engine' version.

I'd ditch the oversize blingoes and the Canadian tag otherwise it would be very similar to this. Problem is, they aren't very plentiful in my area. A V8 swap would be a must, but from what I understand the 'doghouse' won't allow enough room for the EFI intake. Drat.

So second choice would be an '80's SWB Chevy G series.

I like the Torq Thrusts on this one. Stuff in a 350 V8 and an OD automatic like a 700R4, much more doable.

My dad has been driving a full sized van for as long as I can recall. We had a Plymouth Voyager first, and it was enough to convince us to never buy a Mopar Van again.
Mom is smiling until the rod goes through the block at 10,000 miles!

It has been Chevy ever since. (They update their vans every 10 years or so...) It is pretty typical GM V8 truck stuff, change the oil and drive 200,000 miles. I agree with the conversion vans, if you can get over the overstuffed seats and shag carpeting, they are usually cheaper and in better shape.

Just saying...

Hotlinked for awesomeness.

Now I'm just being silly.

The first upgrade you make to the van in the name of performance is a sweet airbrushed mural on the side of it.

Curmudgeon wrote: I would really like a 1960's Econoline, the 'mid engine' version. I'd ditch the oversize blingoes and the Canadian tag otherwise it would be very similar to this. Problem is, they aren't very plentiful in my area. A V8 swap would be a must, but from what I understand the 'doghouse' won't allow enough room for the EFI intake. Drat. So second choice would be an '80's SWB Chevy G series. I like the Torq Thrusts on this one. Stuff in a 350 V8 and an OD automatic like a 700R4, much more doable.

The red and white one is a very early 70's. Nice! I think that body was used 71-95. Has to the the longest running platform ever for GM.

Drove a 1997 1 ton for several years, handled well for what it was, much more comfort and foot room than the competition.

I'm partial to Fords, but mostly due to experience - I had a 1990 E150 raised-roof conversion for about 9 years and dumping it for my truck is my biggest automotive regret.

I'm also a big fan of conversion vans, but some modifications may be desired for towing. Most are built on 1/2 ton platforms and set up more for hwy comfort than for anything else. The suspension is rather soft and they tend to be geared fairly tall. But due to this, they gobble hwy miles like nothing else. It's like driving your living room around. When the cruise control worked, I could easily do 8 hr drives and arrive at my destination not tired.

Don't dismiss how nice a raised-roof version is for camping. At 5'10", I couldn't quite stand up in mine, but it made changing much nicer than in a std roof van. It also made hauling the occasional motorcycle much easier.

This one is pretty cheap for a 95 conversion

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3242817744.html

I still kinda like the idea of a contractor style van for having a blank slate to start with. But the lack of maintenance that usually comes with those vans, does scare me a bit.

I guess I could get something like in the link and pull out the carpeting and chairs and build out the interior the way I want. Having the slide windows on the side would make sleeping in it at the track much nicer. Also, it already has a raised roof for more room.

96 grand caravan.. bought it with 99k onit.. its at 159,000 now.. no major issues.. gonna run it till it dies.. biggest expense was a new exhasut and routine fluid changes... uber functional..... for me anyways..

Ever since I saw Edward Scissorhands I have wanted a van like this (forgive the dark pics - best I could find)

Cant go wrong with an Econoline. Mine is in my profile garage thing, and it's been through hell (for once by Hell I don't mean Boston, but it's been through there plenty as well). My dad bought it new in late 1986, and I drove it to and from work today. As long as the battery isn't dead from some idiot (me) leaving the lights on, it will start and get me anywhere. up to 140k miles, and the only thing we've had to fix (other than general maintainance or something fixed due to me hitting a dead animal) was some rust patching (no new metal needed, no holes) and a U-joint, and since parts are cheap it cost far less than anything we've had to fix on my wife's G20. In fact, the Ujoint, oil change, greasing everything, and that exhaust repaired after hitting that raccoon still cost less than anything we've done to my wife's car.

Also +1 on the twin I beam front suspention sucking on tires, but it's hard to argue with it's reliability.

Back in the 90's I had a need for a similar setup so I built this out of a 78 custom van 350 4V that had been crunched front & rear. Yes there was shag and paneling involved as well as other van craze items like swivel captains chairs, sun visor, fiberglass spoiler/hood W/scoop, tube grill, etc. If the trailer you want to tow is heavy I'd get a long wheelbase van.