Well, I've got a Saw-Zall and a MIG....

The start of something good or sleepless nights?

NMNA.  $1700.

I know they could be had as a chassis/cab configuration, but if this one was originally a van, I'm guessing the rear frame is not as strong, and that one does seem to be a little concave.

Never seen one in person, but I would guess the frame is bent in front of the rear axle. These most likely were made with a flat floor, and the sketchy plywood covering the frame doesn't look flat to me.

Found a photo of one without the rear body. Yup, should be flat.

Would be sleepless nights for me, but you have a Sawzall and MIG which I don't so maybe it would be ok? Well, ok except for that air filter...

oh dang. very good thing that is far from me, otherwise I'd be in trouble. 

still might be in trouble.

ok, nm. Looks like these can be had much more reasonably than I thought... still not out of the water but at least I'm not trying to drive to the east coast this weekend. 

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/272141684339879/?ref=search&referral_code=marketplace_search&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A3f4d89be-6403-4533-a8cc-728e08849e1a

If a better price could be had on this it might be a good driveline donor, perhaps repowering an older Merc diesel car? Agreed that this one looks like the frame isn't quite square. 

The "woodgrain" back of the cab ,looks a little drafty. 

drock25too said:

The "woodgrain" back of the cab ,looks a little drafty. 

Yeah, and it is making me think even more that it was a hacked up van, instead of cab chassis, since it looks like the vertical 2x4 is inside the cab space.

Yeah, the sticker on the windshield says Dodge van. And the way it appears to be sagging in the middle, I bet it drives real weird.