My names Dan, my friends call me "BD". I've already posted, but haven't made an introduction post.
The band I was playing with a few years ago needed a vehicle for transporting gear so I picked up a 78 Dodge Tradesman conversion van off craigslist. It would only drive a few blocks at a time when I bought it, but a tune up was able to get it rolling.
Its been my daily driver now for the last two years. I've had to do a few jobs on it (which this forum was a lot of help with) - but after living out of it for 6 months I've decided to go through the whole thing. A lot of the carpet is moldy and the plywood subfloor has rotted in a few areas. Figure gutting it and doing a new interior is also a good opportunity to get some body work and a repaint done.
Might end up making a thread to post pictures of the process, either way, here are a few as it stands..
Welcome from Florida. Cool van. I look forward to seeing what you do with it.
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BD welcome! If you gut that interior don't throw anything away, post it here. Those low back seats, for instance, are beautiful to an old vanner.......
BTW .. there are a couple of active van clubs in your area. Colorado Van Association and Pikes Peak Van Association, some of the best people on earth.
Awesome van. Don’t mind the conversion, honestly looks really cool, your paint is pretty neat as well. My 79 is very similar condition interior wise. Good luck with it. For what it’s worth, I had to silicon seal around those big windows, a decent bit of water came through over its life but once I did that, it never leaked again and came out clean with tape and care. Also keep all that interior for templating before you trash it, if you do
Last edited by Deathorvictory; March 29th 2020 2:34 pm.
Nice van. My first was a 78 (new at the time). I agree with Catfish, I used to be a member of Colorado Van Association for 13 or so years and either Pikes Peak or C.V.A. are good choices if you are looking for fellow vanners (I think they even started up Rocky Mountain again). By the way...Welcome.
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????
Thanks for the warm welcome guys. I'll have to check out these clubs - to be honest I didn't even know there were any out here.
Originally Posted by CatFish
BD welcome! If you gut that interior don't throw anything away, post it here. Those low back seats, for instance, are beautiful to an old vanner.......
BTW .. there are a couple of active van clubs in your area. Colorado Van Association and Pikes Peak Van Association, some of the best people on earth.
Will do - I've got a bench seat/bed I'm going to throw in the classifieds right now, and a sink/ice box coming soon
Very cool timepiece Tradesman! Thanks for sharing. How was it stored for all those years before it landed in your lap? Looking at the paint in the photo, it's liable to come back in a big way with a good cleaning, and buff. Those seats are far out! Welcome on!
Very cool timepiece Tradesman! Thanks for sharing. How was it stored for all those years before it landed in your lap? Looking at the paint in the photo, it's liable to come back in a big way with a good cleaning, and buff. Those seats are far out! Welcome on!
Thanks! Not really sure on the history. The guy I bought it from was pretty hazy on details before his ownership. Sounded like someone used it as a camping vehicle before his time. The guy I bought it from intended on traveling with his girlfriend in it, but when the relationship fell apart and he realized how much work it needed it just sat in front of his house for a year.