Dropping an Econoline Van?

Nice catch. I'll wait for the pictures. :)

Lof8 wrote:

Wow, I want that. And I know where one is I can have for dirt cheap.

Lof8 wrote: ]

More evidence for the "Panasports make everything look awesome" theory.

details or links on the dodge vans above?! those are sweet

^^^ This until it gets posted!!

Ive been considering one of those for a 4bt swap as a tow/travel vehicle and havent seen pics like those before.. makes me all the more interested!

Plus if i can get one with a 360 (seen em as low as $600) I can swap that into the Dakota

Vigo wrote:

details or links on the dodge vans above?! those are sweet

^^^ This until it gets posted!!

I've been searching since I saw them!

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4713713

http://omgpancakes.wordpress.com/2010/01/12/dajiban/

The vans posted appear to have Japanese license plates.

Two major things to watch for on the Econolines are- 1) the rubber-like disc that they used on the steering shaft between the steering box and the firewall. It will tear at the bolt holes and makes the steering very sloppy and 2)the bolt holes where the steering box bolts through the front frame rail. The bolt holes elongate and that's not good. Back in the early 80's, I had a 70 Econoline. One winter while I was laid off, I built a boxlike subframe and mounted a 460 right behind the seats. I used an old in board boat engine cover to enclose it. The driveshaft ended up being like 30"end to end. Under the hood was closed in with sheetmetal to make a totally useless trunk area. I removed the existing engine cover and closed that in also, then installed a power bench leather seat from the wrecked Lincoln I got the engine and trans from. Boy, I was stylin'!The rear area had a wrap-a-round inverted "L" shaped (along the dr.side wall and across to the other side)seat and a plexiglass partition behind that, to contain the heat in the cabin area and to mount the speakers. The back area was for cargo, tools etc., and was just covered with indoor/outdoor carpet. I had to tub the rear wheelhouses to fit the J70 Mickey Thompsons. As long as I drove normal, I got 14-16mpg city and almost 20 on the highway. I ended up adding a big lead plate to the front because it could get hairy driving in the rain.I used it as a tow vehicle for my roundy car, but sold it with the car two years later.

Memories of the 70's. Guy across the street from me on LI had a SWB Ford van about the same vintage (70-73 or so). Shag carpet, small sink/fridge/stove top. Had a "cruiser" raised top with self made cabinets around the inside. He made the original bed convert so that it could be used as a seating area with table. Had the nicest 8-track player money could buy! Best part was the paint job. Pearl white base with variously colored squared shapes faded on top. I loved that van and wanted it bad when I was a kid. My mom was not impressed with my "do it in a van" t-shirt! What did I know? Best of luck with the build. Now pictures!

How hard would it be to drop my 1978 Dodge Class C Motorhome?

Snowdoggie wrote: How hard would it be to drop my 1978 Dodge Class C Motorhome?

Put more stuff inside.

Shawn

I have a 76 Econoline 4x4. I say higher is better.

<< This guy's jealous. I want a '70s 4x4 van in such a bad way...

'Course, now I'm taking a closer look at Dodge vans, too.

Sometimes I hate you guys.

http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2007/12/redefining-mini-vans-and-emulating-70s.html

Check this out!

DILYSI Dave wrote:

More evidence for the "Panasports make everything look awesome" theory.

Actually, I don't think Panasports would look as good on this van as these. These are most likey Konig Rewinds or Watanabe wheels.

They're Watanabes.

This is what I am thinking about.

http://www.blow-net.co.jp/papa_rider.php

http://www.blow-net.co.jp/gallery.php

Thanks for the link vwcorvette.

mainlandboy wrote: DILYSI Dave wrote: More evidence for the "Panasports make everything look awesome" theory. Actually, I don't think Panasports would look as good on this van as these. These are most likey Konig Rewinds or Watanabe wheels.

Whatever. They are all panasports in spirit.

Not to threadjack, but...

Anybody have insight on the lowering setups on those dodge vans? Man those things are hot.

minimac wrote: ... Back in the early 80's, I had a 70 Econoline. One winter while I was laid off, I built a boxlike subframe and mounted a 460 right behind the seats. I used an old in board boat engine cover to enclose it. The driveshaft ended up being like 30"end to end. Under the hood was closed in with sheetmetal to make a totally useless trunk area. I removed the existing engine cover and closed that in also, then installed a power bench leather seat from the wrecked Lincoln I got the engine and trans from. Boy, I was stylin'!The rear area had a wrap-a-round inverted "L" shaped (along the dr.side wall and across to the other side)seat and a plexiglass partition behind that, to contain the heat in the cabin area and to mount the speakers. The back area was for cargo, tools etc., and was just covered with indoor/outdoor carpet. I had to tub the rear wheelhouses to fit the J70 Mickey Thompsons. As long as I drove normal, I got 14-16mpg city and almost 20 on the highway. I ended up adding a big lead plate to the front because it could get hairy driving in the rain.I used it as a tow vehicle for my roundy car, but sold it with the car two years later.

How did I just see this? This is about the coolest damn thing I've read on this site. Tell me you have pictures, man.

alex wrote: Not to threadjack, but... Anybody have insight on the lowering setups on those dodge vans? Man those things are hot.

I've been going through the guy's blog. So far what I've found is that they're putting 454SS springs up front and removing leafs in the rear. Apparently they're having to run coilovers to make the ride better in the rear. It's hard to make it out, the babelfish translation kinda sucks.

I had a 96 van at work that we retired. I am going to see if I can buy it tomorrow. Hopefully the van shares a spindle with some other Dodge, and I can run drop spindles and a flip kit.

Or I suppose you could bag the back, right? I dunno, this lowering thing is all Greek to me.

Keep us (me) posted if you dig up anything.

I need my Japanese friend to read it to me, reading it in Engrish is mind-numbing.

Looks like the front bar needs to be flipped or at least the ends mounted below the control arm.

How'd a bunch of SWB Dodge vans wind up in Japan? Wouldn't have guessed a big market for them there.

i saw a stock dodger van like these today. STOCK, they are ugly as sin. They look like a distorted diseased lake erie carp.

ewwww.

But the ones on this thread are beautiful