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Howdy from Houston
#667582 August 02nd 2014 12:24 am
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 7
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stranger
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 7
When I graduated HS back in '80, I wanted to buy a custom van and then cruise the USA. It's been a long time but now I'm ready to do just that and have decided I still want a custom van. The Fords really appeal to me but I like Dodges and Chevys just as well. I've gone back and forth on buying a blank canvas that needs everything to just getting something I can drive and needs nothing but gas. I am just nearing the end of my restoration of my 78 F-250 4x4 and that has taken me about two years on my spare time. I've done just about everything to it but paint the body and when I get a decent compressor that is what I want to do. I really would like to give it custom paint job true to the style of the 70's. I'm not so sure I want to start from ground zero and build my own van though. Simply because I would like to go on vacation in a few months and start using it.

Okay reason I want a van is just to have a cool set of wheels that I can take places from the beach to drive ins to camping and have room to carry my wife and dogs. I thought about an RV but those are just way to big and too expensive and won't look all that great in my drive way. I really don't know why these custom vans have faded away and it would be neat to see a resurgence but that might be like waiting for 8 tracks to come back. hahah

A couple of questions for ya'll to help me on my van hunt.

1) Are the fender flares and spoilers still available (new) for 70's Econolines? If not are they readily available used?

2) How well to the A/C's work in these '74-'85 Econoline vans when they are working like they should?

3) Although I love V8s and dream of hearing the rumble from some side pipes, I might consider a 6 cylinder if there was some fuel economy to be saved? What say you real world?

Guess that's about it for now. I look forward to your replies on the above.

AdSense long
Re: Howdy from Houston
GoodTimesRolling #667584 August 02nd 2014 1:52 am
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18,286
Likes: 558
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Posts: 18,286
Likes: 558
Welcome welcome


SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO
ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN
ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS
'93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB
'92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
Re: Howdy from Houston
GoodTimesRolling #667585 August 02nd 2014 2:40 am
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 941
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old hand
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J
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 941
Welcome from the U.K
Get it going you won't regret it.
And V8 all the way!


UK member of Nova Vans and
California Street Vans
Re: Howdy from Houston
GoodTimesRolling #667590 August 02nd 2014 8:30 am
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,091
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Welcome to the site...Your questions should be answerd soon

Re: Howdy from Houston
GoodTimesRolling #667621 August 02nd 2014 6:07 pm
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 18,536
Likes: 135
Supreme Master
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welcomefrom Florida


[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

Arianrhod:2003 Chevy Astro
Black Magic: 1985 Dodge B-250
Serenity:1985 Chevy G-20
The Outcast:1983 Ford club wagon
Luna 1974 VW bay window transporter
Freedom:1990 Ford E-150(parts van)
Outcast Vanners van club
Support your local 2%
Re: Howdy from Houston
GoodTimesRolling #667629 August 02nd 2014 9:43 pm
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 46
pooh-bah
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pooh-bah
Joined: Aug 2005
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Welcome, glad you're here. Air should work OK but you may have to upgrade it to modern stuff. There are a few places you can still get fiberglass parts.....cost is higher than in the old days though. You can sometimes find good parts at the bone yards, may have to repair some fiberglass a little to fix some cracking or missing sections but that's not that difficult. You'll get varied opinions on the V8 or 6 question. Yes, V8s will give you more power (a lot of people like the umph factor) but the 6 will give you more mpg.


2005 E350 Turbo Diesel
Why is it that when I press 1 for English, I still can not understand the person on the other end????
Re: Howdy from Houston
GoodTimesRolling #667639 August 03rd 2014 12:46 am
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 7
G
stranger
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 7
Thanks guys. I've chased after a few vans that were posted on here but have not hear back anything yet. As much as I like the look and the cleanliness of one of them, it has a 6 and I'm not sure if the trade off is worth it. I even thought I might just find another motor with an AOD tranny and then swap but my wife already thinks I'm a bit crazy for wanting an old van. She did like the V-8 rumble though the side pipes of some of the sweet rides I found on YouTube. She's telling me things like we need a new roof or some new floors or update the kitchen... I'm like yah I know... hey look at this van babe...

Re: Howdy from Houston
GoodTimesRolling #667644 August 03rd 2014 5:21 am
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,696
Likes: 172
Old Timer
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Posts: 32,696
Likes: 172
welcome


Jim & Lucy Newkirk
1965 Chevy Bad Influence
1981 Chevy-the Love Shack
2012 Chevy Van , 2020 chevy van
2020 Chevy van Sapphire Sweet.
Club Vannerz.
vanninvanner@comcast.net

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