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| | | 1969 Econoline Shorty | Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 1,510 Likes: 172 Master Yard Rat | OP Master Yard Rat Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 1,510 Likes: 172 | Hello everyone. After about a year of looking, I finally purchased my first van. I originally saw if for sale about a year ago and lost track of the number. I called the owner three days ago out of curiosity and his only words to me were: “yes, I still have it, get it out of my yard!†He made me an awesome deal based off a few issues. The van runs and drives but needs some work to be a daily. First and foremost, the radiator has a hole and there seems to be a fuel leak from either the tank or the rear fuel line. Second, someone had installed a roof vent that had broken at some point so there’s now a hole in the roof that needs a new vent. Finally, she needs some wiring cleaned up and general basics before I can start driving her as a shakedown test. Boy, I love projects. 😂
Thankfully all is not lost. The previous owner was a paint and body guy. He did all the paint and the interior is 70’s survivor interior. I want to make it into a period piece. 8 track deck, CB, hidden CD player to maintain the aesthetic, etc. I’ve already located a 71 in a local junkyard that was recently dropped off so I can scavenge the missing parts I need. I hope to have her in daily driver shape by spring time.
Currently, I’m working off my phone so I can’t upload pics at this moment but once I get home and the old owner delivers the van, I’m going to take a load of pics.
You hear the thunder of stampeding rhinos, elephants and tacky tigers This town ain't big enough for the both of us And it ain't me who's gonna leave
| | | Re: 1969 Econoline Shorty | Joined: Apr 2016 Posts: 764 Likes: 12 old hand | old hand Joined: Apr 2016 Posts: 764 Likes: 12 | Congratulations ! Looking forward to the photos and the progress on this.
1975 Ford E-150 shorty (sold) 2016 Ram Promaster shorty 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Summit 5.7l 1984 Ford E-150
| | | Re: 1969 Econoline Shorty | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 32,696 Likes: 172 Old Timer | Old Timer Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 32,696 Likes: 172 | Congrats and we love pics!
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 | | | Re: 1969 Econoline Shorty | Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 1,510 Likes: 172 Master Yard Rat | OP Master Yard Rat Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 1,510 Likes: 172 | Here is she was when the previous owner did the body work a few years back. It was prepped ok, not the best. She is still a decent 50-10 footer. After: She needs some Keystones and some BF Goodrich tires, thats for sure. The walls and ceiling are covered with some diamond pleat and it is totally a 70's job. It is showing its age, but I am going to keep it until it rots off. It is just too cool! The roof vent was busted out when I got it but I ordered a new one this morning and should have it installed by the end of this week to keep out the rain. I am looking for a few things for it, nothing large or major but some odds and ends. I follow a guy on instagram with one in LA and he has given me a few pointers on things he has done that I will in turn do to get the best 70's street look for the van. My currently daily is a 70's street 1964.5 Mustang coupe. I have her raked about 3 inches in the back with a mild 289. Once I have the van as a reliable daily, I want to beef the Mustang to a 331 and a limited slip rear and make it a weekend car. I plan to do the opposite on this van. She is going to stay as stock as possible with the engine aside from electronic ignition and general engine clean up. Anyway, from here I need to pull the radiator because she has a leak and pull the rear gas tank because she has a leak as well and get them fixed and pressure tested. Spring is my goal for reliable daily driver. This time next year I hope to have the shag carpet installed, side pipes, and some new wheels and tires. Anyone know if these are 5x5.5 or 5x4.5? I have conflicting information online and no way to measure. Thanks!
You hear the thunder of stampeding rhinos, elephants and tacky tigers This town ain't big enough for the both of us And it ain't me who's gonna leave
| | | Re: 1969 Econoline Shorty | Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,266 Likes: 43 old hand | old hand Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,266 Likes: 43 | Awesome! Doesn’t need much but a solid winters effort will really make this van really great.
1987 B250 - Painkiller
| | | Re: 1969 Econoline Shorty | Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,266 Likes: 43 old hand | old hand Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,266 Likes: 43 | looks like you have 5x5.5, due to the way the center hub cover is 4.5†and virtually just shy away from the edge of the bolt holes. A 4.5†bolt pattern usually has a much smaller center hub so it has more room and overall looks small from just glancing at it. If you can’t confirm, I’d take a wheel off and measure the studs
1987 B250 - Painkiller
| | | Re: 1969 Econoline Shorty | Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 372 Likes: 16 enthusiast | enthusiast Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 372 Likes: 16 | Looks sweet. Power or manual brakes? Does look more like 5.5, but tape measures are pretty cheap and easy enough to eyeball it without pulling a wheel.
Last edited by samhain; November 11th 2019 12:20 pm.
| | | Re: 1969 Econoline Shorty | Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 1,510 Likes: 172 Master Yard Rat | OP Master Yard Rat Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 1,510 Likes: 172 | Looks sweet. Power or manual brakes? Does look more like 5.5, but tape measures are pretty cheap and easy enough to eyeball it without pulling a wheel. She has manual brakes and it is 5x5.5 on the wheels. So few options out there other than slot mags and Cragar SS wheels. But, both of those are a clean look for wheels. I was also stoked because I never had anything with a tow hitch before so I was able to use a cover that my grandpa got from a garage sale about 15 years ago.
You hear the thunder of stampeding rhinos, elephants and tacky tigers This town ain't big enough for the both of us And it ain't me who's gonna leave
| | | Re: 1969 Econoline Shorty | Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,266 Likes: 43 old hand | old hand Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,266 Likes: 43 | Big ford and big dodge both share 5x5.5†so there is a decent selection of wheels out there. One option is to fit wheel adapters if you find a nice set that is a smaller bolt pattern. You’ll minimally space the wheel out probably 1-1.25†but will make it look great, especially if you can find a 15x7/15x8.5†staggered set.
There are turbines, wire mags, slots, soft 8’s all in 5.5 I’ve seen too.
1987 B250 - Painkiller
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