Hello Vanners!
I had a good day today. I Found and fixed an annoying rattle that turned out to be a loose upper shock bolt.
Then I removed my rear door handle. The Thumb press decided to no longer rebound on it's own many many months ago.
Found a broken spring. So I Fab'd up another and got her working again good as new with only minimal cursing involved. Did not throw a single tool though, I'm getting better.
![[Linked Image]](https://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss15/wrcsixeight/doorhandlespring.jpg)
After this success, I installed some new prothane dust boots to replace 2 which prematurely split. One on a tie rod end, one on a 3 month old Moog draglink. A pitman arm puller made the job super easy. I also regreased all my zerks
Then I installed a new PCV valve grommett.
Not a bad day. Casa Dodge is happy.
What did you do to your Van today?
Went shopping for her....20-amp fuse blocks ,#4 butt connectors, blue tape to start the black out of the grill, sand paper for the trim....had a safety meeting to pause and think about the process of what Im about to do...yep good day
I could use some safety breaks now. All I got is a can of Bud, and a bottle of 2 buck chuck. Neither of which is very appetizing at the moment.
not a darn thing , to dang cold out .lol
Nice job on the repair!
Here is a little known fact. On the GMC rear doors there is no handle or lever to open the door from the inside.
Emergency exit not required!

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread...
You know how it goes, once ya start working on the van ya can't stop!
Today I installed a new set of Wagner ceramic brake pads. So I had to paint the calipers, dust shield and A arms.
Since the wheels were off might as well grease every fitting in the front end.
Can't put the wheels back on before you wash and wax them.
Also changed the cooling system mixture to around 75% antifreeze. Topped off all the fluids.
Replaced the (inline) fuel filter. So while I was under there, Why not put a fresh coat of paint on the diff cover.
Unt I did.
Dont I know that ...I think the engineer that thought that one up was riding shot gun during the whole test....never got in the back...or got out...it still at the bottom of the test lake...hence as fester says "fish tank"ed...needed to have a safety meeting over that one..
Freaking bean counters win again.
Meh, one less hole when fabricating door panels.
they could have had at least put a small lever...
That is why I put pop outs on the 92..pop the window and do the door handle....
Me, I parked the Chevy van and drove the Ford. What else can you do when nothing is broken at the moment?
Drove it like I Stole It.........
.........Wookee
Nothing, she's in storage until spring. After the new year I'll be ordering new stuff! Bumpers front and rear!!
got some new 255/70/15's mounted for all seasons Cruisin & campin.
g
Drove it like I Stole It.........
Dreamed of it coming home from the shop !!!!
Dreamed of it coming home from the shop !!!!
Well it must be Close, or you'd be having Nightmares that it would never get Finnished. Cruisin by Christms ?
Worked a little on my Ford.
Repaired an exhaust leak on the AIR tube to the cat converter.
Rearranged the wiring for the Sun gauges.
Left to finish:
Change the Aux battery over from relay to isolator and add an inside volt meter for the Aux circuit.
Redo the controls for the cooling fans to add monitoring lights (green LED for on, red for fail, etc.) and rework the driving lights and fog light controls.
And I'm gonna change out the condenser fans and grille while it's in the garage.
So the dash wiring and the under hood wiring is all over the place and I'm at that point where you say, "why the hell did I start this"?
But it'll be better when it's finished.
Didn't work on my own van, but drove down to my buddy Brian's to help him bleed all the new brake lines on his latest project. 67 A-108 winder van.
last weekend when i had time off,i took off the tube grill(so it wont get rusted out in Mi. winters)and put back in the stock grill

now she looks like like an ordinary 88 E250

Jeff
Well, I've finished rust proofing front and mid under section w/ rust inhibitor and rubber coating...about to run to advance auto for more rubber spray..pics commin when finshed..
Walked by her in the garage and sighed.
Oh and Dodge's don't have interior door handles either. At least mine never did.
Wonder what years Dodge started putting rear door interior openers. My '89 has one. Good thing too, otherwise I do not know how I would have opened the door when I removed the handle to refab the spring and the wind got a hold of the door and closed it.
I think I might install a Magnefine inline magnetic transmission filter today.
My 90 does or I wouldn't of been able to get out of it when I laid it on it's side.
my 81 has a hole big enough to stick your hand in and pull on a flat piece of metal inside the door to get it open , but still no handle .
hmm i covered it up , i may go back and cut a hole in the paneling i put on,
I opened the back doors and put some stuff in it for storage after cleaning out the neighbors shed [my overflow storage]. They're snowbirds from Mass and will be here next week until spring so I didn't want to impose while they're here.
I also hit the glow plugs for 8 seconds and cranked to her up for a little ride down the road to the beach access area and back
i put in a new stereo it needs more speakers now hehe
bought a new stereo , umm with new speakers to lol from Walmart for $85
Took her for a little spin, sprayed w-d40 on my wheels,put some stabil in the tank and put her away for awhile! Under

and key!!
I did complete detail inside and out on my Ford.Wash,polish wheels and other chrome,rinsed the undercarriage with a high pressure nozzle,vacuumed and polished interior wood.and drove my Dodge around the block 2 times.I also picked up some oil and a Napa filter but ran out of daylight.
I assume WD-40 to stop rust on the chrome?
I thought WD-40 attracted water and was not recommended for that?
I switched to another brand [the name escapes me right at the moment] to avoid any issues like that since I'm right here at the beach, which can be as bad or worse as the rust belt.
Drove it to church and was ridiculed for being a hippie.... WTF? Then cleaned it out cleaned the windows, ran the vacuum but still ain't washed it yet. Family road with comfort though.
WD stands for water displacement, it was the 40th formula they tried, and it worked so they got their name.
I've never had any luck with it preventing corrosion long term, almost the opposite. I'd make sure it never touched my tires. Petroleum distillates and rubber do not mix.
and it was originally made as a medicine.
PB Blaster? I use that for bolts and stuff but I always spray my bike with it as well for the winter. Keep in mind my bike and van are in a insulated building so its just overkill!!
Drove it back home from Richmond
Hmmm, interesting info. I've used it in the past on bicycle chains and go kart/dirt bike chains and noticed them wearing MUCH faster. Turns out WD-40 was not the proper type lubricant for these fast moving chains and other similar applications as it actually dissipated the other lubricants leaving the chains dry.
I also heard that it attracts water and can actually cause more rust and corrosion than if non treated. I'm certainly no expert and make no claims other than my personal experience but I quit buying it long ago based on info I had heard/read/experienced.
The stuff I use now is in a green spray can. It's not PB Blaster, I have that too but only for use on rusted bolts [and stuck glow plugs!]
Pictures will tell you what I am still up to.....
![[Linked Image]](https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m199/wookeesvan/89%20Chevy%20Big%20Red/morebrqakework033.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m199/wookeesvan/89%20Chevy%20Big%20Red/morebrqakework043.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m199/wookeesvan/89%20Chevy%20Big%20Red/morebrqakework025.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m199/wookeesvan/89%20Chevy%20Big%20Red/morebrqakework020.jpg)
Took the "Beast" for a ride to the local biker bar to pickup some pit beef sandwiches for lunch.There where a couple bikers checking out my van when I came out to leave.
That was a huge complament to me.To have these guys walk past some sweet bikes to look at my Van.
When I left I let the Flow Master twins do a little smack talk.5g 1st gear bark sounded good from where I was setting......
.......Wookee
Cool. I'd like to see more photos of that cowl hood if you have any more and/or details on how wide, if it tapers, how tall, etc...
I like that SS cowl type hood and it's inline with my ideas.
That is a Wookee creation........
there is a link to the tread when I built the hood a couple of years back
cowel hood I did this one in two pieces.I have another hood here i want to try to do one with just side filler pieces ......
..........Wookee
Looks great wookee!
I did some tinkering on mine. I found a guy on one the forums awhile back that had a 200 amp alternator to fit a late model Dodge Caravan. I had some bracket work and shimming to do to make it fit right, and also had to find the right pulley. I got that done today, and I started building the warning buzzer setup for the dual battery solenoid that Astro posted awhile back.
I think the van is happy to be getting worked on again.
Nice job on the repair!
Here is a little known fact. On the GMC rear doors there is no handle or lever to open the door from the inside.
Emergency exit not required!
I know that some of the 1978 Chevys had them.
Walked by her in the garage and sighed.
Oh and Dodge's don't have interior door handles either. At least mine never did.
I have a 1978 that has one and I'm sure my 1977 has as well.
![[Linked Image]](https://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa68/HoofBeats_78/1978%20Dodge%204x4%20Van/P1070682.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa68/HoofBeats_78/1978%20Dodge%204x4%20Van/P1070509.jpg)
I know for Ford at least up to 1979 that it was an option.The only Fords back then that had standard rear door latches were the School Bus vans.
It works for what I need. I store in a insulated building so the wd-40 will evaporate
but leaves enough on the wheel where moisture wont sit on the wheel.
The proper tool for the proper job job........
In this case the proper chemical for the job.
WD40 is a very good penetrating oil.
It IS NOT a good chemical to be used as a preservative type of spray
A good coat of wax/wadding polish on a set of wheels works allot better.......
......Wookee
It's also a good degreaser.
My GMC does not have an inside rear door release or even an inside lock for that matter.
My Ford has both.
Chevys put the door release down at the bottom of the left rear door........
.......Wookee
Chevys put the door release down at the bottom of the left rear door........
.......Wookee
That don't help the right rear.....
I guess Fords are just better....
The only interior latch for my 78 Dodge is like your picture Hoofbeats. But that is only for opening the left door. Does not help with getting out from the inside. Also agree on the GMC/Chevy release. It was on the bottom of the left door.
That don't help the right rear.....
I guess Fords are just better....
Just one of the few of there better ideas that did not turn to a huge PITA.......
I gueuss the designers figured the cargo does not need to get out from the inside.
Door locks and unlocks with a key just fine......
.......Wookee
The proper tool for the proper job job........
In this case the proper chemical for the job.
WD40 is a very good penetrating oil.
It IS NOT a good chemical to be used as a preservative type of spray
A good coat of wax/wadding polish on a set of wheels works allot better.......
......Wookee
I absolutley agree! That is what I normally do for my wheels. Works good on the bike motor because of the black etc. The only reason I did w-D was because I was struggling to get everything done before my hyrnia surgery this am and I figured better than nothing!!
I guess the designers figured the cargo does not need to get out from the inside.
Door locks and unlocks with a key just fine......
.......Wookee
I've sure been hosed by my 81 B250 Dodge conversion quite a few times when the rear door's blown shut or my Son's reached in for a tool and shut the doors out of habit. A few weeks ago I had to call him on my cell phone to get me back out! That was embarrassing.
I've cut the lock mechanism out of a donor van to cure this situation sometime, probably when I pull the doors to paint them. The odd thing is that my 79 B100 had the interior handle and plunger of the same type as the side cargo doors. Must have been an option?
I guess the designers figured the cargo does not need to get out from the inside.
Door locks and unlocks with a key just fine......
.......Wookee
I've sure been hosed by my 81 B250 Dodge conversion quite a few times when the rear door's blown shut or my Son's reached in for a tool and shut the doors out of habit. A few weeks ago I had to call him on my cell phone to get me back out! That was embarrassing.
I've already opened the popout window and reached out it to use the outside handle rather than crawl over everything inside to get to the front. I never really thought much about it either. weird... i guess it was just cheaper.
I gueuss the designers figured the cargo does not need to get out from the inside.
Door locks and unlocks with a key just fine......
.......Wookee
On that point, There is also no manual lever to lock/unlock the rear door. But it does work with the power locks switch.
bought a new stereo , umm with new speakers to lol from Walmart for $85
that's the one
Haven't done anything for the van lately...the brake work was enough for now.
But I did finish getting a new work bench situated and some track light wired and switched.
Nothing like plenty of elbow room when working.
![[Linked Image]](https://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/Dogshock57/odds%20and%20ends/1205112220b.jpg)
crappie camera angle...that bench is 8' long and 4.5' deep
I gueuss the designers figured the cargo does not need to get out from the inside.
Door locks and unlocks with a key just fine......
.......Wookee
On that point, There is also no manual lever to lock/unlock the rear door. But it does work with the power locks switch.
Not to contradict folks but having just installed electric locks on my back doors and also yrs of using manual there is a paddle handle inside the door panel to open the door from the inside and the lock can simply be slid up to unlock as well.
As for there being an actual handle on the door... there is not.
you're not contradicting man - you're saying what the other GM owners said...
i paneled over my back doors, but i plan to cut out the area to access the 'paddle' from the inside - and make a 'swinging' door to cover the hole...
Didn't do anything today, but did last week. The NightWatch back light illumination on my Cobra 200 dropped dead (as they are known for) so I finally decided to get it fixed. But because I do everything as custom as possible (I'm one of those wire hiding freaks), I had to pull the entire lower console and two knee bolsters off the van, then take the lower console out of the van to remove the radio that's bolted 6 studs into it reinforced by steel and wood on either side.
So that project took about an hour (you have no idea how much wiring I have behind my panels). Finally pulled the radio itself from the console and brought it into the shop, where I was promptly informed it couldn't be fixed and there were no manufacturer parts available! Woo hoo?
So at the moment, I have the lower console of the Venture in my basement, in pieces, the radio on my bench sitting there, waiting for me to decide whether or not to grab a used 200 or replace it with, maybe, a Galaxy 98VHP or Magnum S9175. If I go with the Galaxy, I have to pull my 10-gauge from the battery and re-run 8-gauge to the block. And it's December in New York.
So that's the project of the week.
Jeff
put a headlight in last night, got it back on the road the day after thanksgiving and it's been nice to have it back
Changed the steering column out, now I have tilt wheel and delay wipers.
r and r the fuel tank, rollover valve, and all the hoses. nothing like paying someone to do something and then end up doing it yourself. two new front fenders should be in for my 79 b200 by the end of the week. ordered three windows (34 3/4 by 24 3/4 two (2!!!!) months ago and still waiting for dcmco to come through. not real happy at the moment. found the water leak i had been looking for. had this same issue with the 78 i had. the left rear fender well had a gap where the had wrapped the metal up into the well. after taking a load of old van parts to the dump yesterday (this was the inside that i took out and all the mutilated flares/running boards), i noticed the van is running better than ever nowthat i have 800 miles on the engine.
Been working on mine nightly. Started fabbing up an aluminum fan shroud with built in led lights. One of the toughest things to do on the old Dodges is putting an electric fan in due to clearance issues with the water pump pulley. Between fabbing up spacers for the 200a alternator and reconfiguring the power steering pump mounts, I've been keeping my nights busy.
Dreamed of it coming home from the shop !!!!
Well it must be Close, or you'd be having Nightmares that it would never get Finnished. Cruisin by Christms ?
Still was Dreaming of my van done and in the driveway, but I don't know what happened. It has turned into having Nightmares!!!!! It won't be home for Christmas, it will only be in my dreams.
While I look at everyone working on their vans!! I have an empty spot. In my driveway.
So please everyone do something extra to your vans for me. So I have something more to read and look at to keep my mind occupied. They say it won't be into the booth for several more weeks. Due to Matt not being happy with the prepping.
Richard
I saw my van as my wife drove out of the driveway on the way to work,by time she gets home it will be dark,I'll have to wait 'till morning to see it again.
Dreamed of it coming home from the shop !!!!
Well it must be Close, or you'd be having Nightmares that it would never get Finnished. Cruisin by Christms ?
Still was Dreaming of my van done and in the driveway, but I don't know what happened. It has turned into having Nightmares!!!!! It won't be home for Christmas, it will only be in my dreams.
While I look at everyone working on their vans!! I have an empty spot. In my driveway.
So please everyone do something extra to your vans for me. So I have something more to read and look at to keep my mind occupied. They say it won't be into the booth for several more weeks. Due to Matt not being happy with the prepping.
Richard
I won't be back in the US until April.
Dont forget the P's
Proper
Prior
Planning
Prevents
Piss
Poor
Performance....
Properly
Picked
Patience
Personnel
Produces
Particularly
Perfect
Parts
Let's see what did I do to my van today? Oh yeah...I drove to work and then drove home from work.
Whew!
I went to get some u-joints and some sand paper & scotch brite pads...I hear the 92 calling gotta go....
Changed the steering column out, now I have tilt wheel and delay wipers.
I just found an 82' tilt column with pulse wipers, was the pulse just a plug in for you?
I busted out my table saw and sliding miter saw, and a piece of Oak and made a shroud for some 12 volt halogen lights.
I have a bunch of LED's but for some things, they are just not bright enough, and I am designing this light to be movable and on a long enough adjustable arm to be pointed anywhere in my Van.
I still have to recess the lights and make the frame to hold them in. It will be sanded, stained and polyurethaned, eventually.
![[Linked Image]](https://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss15/wrcsixeight/whiteoakhalogenshroud.jpg)
Went to the only salvage yard in Plano, Texas. Muddy, cold and I was escorted on my entire patrol by a small pitbull (he was kinda cool, just followed me around the whole time). Anyway, a big nada; lots of Chevys and Fords, very few Dodges and no Dodge mids.
Yep, the Dodges are still on the road...
;0)
Changed the steering column out, now I have tilt wheel and delay wipers.
I just found an 82' tilt column with pulse wipers, was the pulse just a plug in for you?
Yep, a box that plugs in between the column harness and chassis harness.
Got to drive my van today WOOO HOOOO!!!!!!nothing special just to the local bakery for fresh bread

then to the local Esso to fuel up 3cents off supreme on Thursdays $1.24.6 a litre.
Changed the steering column out, now I have tilt wheel and delay wipers.
I just found an 82' tilt column with pulse wipers, was the pulse just a plug in for you?
Yep, a box that plugs in between the column harness and chassis harness.
So the column came with the box? I thought I had a column, was going to drive there tomorrow and now they say they don't have it. I posted in the wanted section. I am still a newbie this isn't hijacking a thread is it?
Just drove around the area...bought some gas. Nice day, just a bit chilly(35-40). Happier than a pig in sh*t! Nothing else as far as maintenance or repairs to do until spring.I hope!

Just expect to go on some short hops (50-125 miles) out to Long Island during the winter..but that's all.
Went in the garage today and van was still there. Haven't drove that one in over 6 weeks and that was just to the auto parts store to buy a water pump for the other one.
I drive my van every Wednesday for 4 hours on my paper route. This week I swapped the stock radio for another one that had both channels working. AHHHHH that sweet stereo sound... Aaaaaand I tried (unsuccessfully at that) to fix a windshield leak. Yep, it's a Chevy alright. I can stick my finger in the hole I found. I guess I just need to administer more roof patch. More is better right?
washed it finally, 1080 miles and 18 quarts of oil blown through splattered all over the van, used an entire bottle of simple green diluted enough to be paint safe. Took the battery to auto zone to get charged up. I think the battery is on its last legs. Gotta hook up the trailer and get a washer/dryer tomorrow.
For my van nothing, I went to the Bone Yard for other vanners.....does that count?
For my van nothing, I went to the Bone Yard for other vanners.....does that count?
It sure ought to count for "Vanner of the Day"!
Got my fan shroud back from the powder coater and got it assembled:
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/Tattooingsc/my%2074/IMG_0143.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/Tattooingsc/my%2074/IMG_0144.jpg)
it's super slim, and has a row of LED lights on each side of the fan.
Got my fan shroud back from the powder coater and got it assembled:
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/Tattooingsc/my%2074/IMG_0143.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/Tattooingsc/my%2074/IMG_0144.jpg)
it's super slim, and has a row of LED lights on each side of the fan.
SWEEEEEEET!!!!!!
Changed the steering column out, now I have tilt wheel and delay wipers.
I just found an 82' tilt column with pulse wipers, was the pulse just a plug in for you?
Yep, a box that plugs in between the column harness and chassis harness.
So the column came with the box? I thought I had a column, was going to drive there tomorrow and now they say they don't have it. I posted in the wanted section. I am still a newbie this isn't hijacking a thread is it?

sent
Let there be light!
I made a faceplate yesterday. Practice. You can see it on left.
Made a thicker one today.
![[Linked Image]](https://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss15/wrcsixeight/facerouter.jpg)
I used an old clamp on spotlight with the adjusto arm hardware on a rusty old 1$ home depot clamp, and used a ciggy plug, for now.
![[Linked Image]](https://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss15/wrcsixeight/clamplight.jpg)
Superbrite spotlight I can easily reach and point anywhere in the Van from the roof, Or I can unclamp and relocate it.
A little final sanding, staining and polyurethane might occur in the near future, or it might not.
Here it is clamped on the tongs which hold my roof fans to the ceiling.
Thanks, It draws 1.1 amps, where as all my LED reading lights together do not draw that much.
But this thing is seriously bright, and makes an excellent tasklight, for anywhere in the Van.
Got it inspected for safety sticker, Got $40 worth of petrol, and took measurements for frt tires, need to get the Slots off before Too much more snow flies.
I DROVE IT AND RODE IT HARD....ALL THE WAY TO THE BONE YARD..GOT SOME GOODIES FOR ME AND GHOSTRYDER
Got materials for Insulating the back, its a COLD ride with none @ 20 deg.
Just looked at it longingly wishing it was summertime so we could go camping.
...Well I painted my rimz,,I'm pretty happy w/ the turn out ..
can see pics on the SHAGGON update thread on the rides forum..
washed it and took it to a meeting yesterday, didnt even look at it today, sat in the carport while we went to see family.
Did an oil change on Freedom.
6 quarts of Mobil and a Napa filter.
Nice job on the light. I used mine over the weekend to move the vista cruiser
Worked on my exhaust leak. Bolt broke so the manifold had to come off.
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/b158/CatFish1111/Various/get-attachmentaspx.jpg)
It's close in there!!
Now I gotta drill the rest of the bolt outta the head......
Worked on my exhaust leak. Bolt broke so the manifold had to come off.
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/b158/CatFish1111/Various/get-attachmentaspx.jpg)
It's close in there!!
Now I gotta drill the rest of the bolt outta the head......
is that blood all over your hand?
Wow, Catfish
sounds like that exhaust leak really gave you a hard time.Bloody knuckles and all.
put in my new window plugs , (thanks Tide) or plug on the drivers door , got it to work , but couldnt get the wires to go down inside the door right , then a couple wires came out of the plugs and tried to solder them and that wouldnt work . got so freakin pissed , should have walked away sooner , came in the house and busted my remote to my tv lol
Got the van running today after a good battery charge & replaces the gaskets around the four side marker lites(should of been done this past summer) topped off all the fluids then took it for a ride. Great day.
took it to new salem today to do some touristy stuff with the wife.
I DROVE IT ! Well, I drove the Astro today, and everyday. . . . . Wolf-Den, well I LOOKED at her, does that count?
used it to haul my drums and guitar to another garage were gonna play in....
Well after about a month of not seeing it I opened the garage door and looked at it for a few min. Mmmmmmm can't wait for spring!!!! Sure do miss cruising in her but she's safe and sound.....:)
Ran to the bone yard for jlcctsi to get some Vent windows & I found a set of pop outs for a Chevy ...today did some packing for the mail ....
Well I put up a kool lil chevy sign I made in the "VAGGON"
put in my new window plugs , (thanks Tide) or plug on the drivers door , got it to work , but couldnt get the wires to go down inside the door right , then a couple wires came out of the plugs and tried to solder them and that wouldnt work . got so freakin pissed , should have walked away sooner , came in the house and busted my remote to my tv lol
finally got the drivers side window switch in and working like its supposed to be .
Got all the dash back in, fired it up, adjusted the carb and filled the transmission, *pop* goes a brake line, typical GM, why did they run the lines in the bottom of the front crossmember where water can sit and eat away at them? Oh well, still closer than than before to getting on the road.
Man this is hard for me to read here. How you guys are working on your vans and those that aren't can at least go out and see them. And I read in another thread here that some vanners have Christmas lights in their garage for their vans. Too CoooooL!!!
Mine I got word was move to the other shop with an indoor paint booth and it is bigger. They couldn't spray the roof comfortably. Now I am waiting for all the samples of paint to be mixed and the final approval of all the graphics and designs. Can't wait.
It's fun to read all the post in this thread, you see how vans are so much part of are lives.
Richard
Man this is hard for me to read here. How you guys are working on your vans and those that aren't can at least go out and see them. And I read in another thread here that some vanners have Christmas lights in their garage for their vans. Too CoooooL!!!
Mine I got word was move to the other shop with an indoor paint booth and it is bigger. They couldn't spray the roof comfortably. Now I am waiting for all the samples of paint to be mixed and the final approval of all the graphics and designs. Can't wait.
It's fun to read all the post in this thread, you see how vans are so much part of are lives.
Richard

Very compelling stuff here, hell throughout the entire website really. I love the work people are doing the uniqueness of each being tailored to their very imaginations as far as they can go with all the custom work. one of these days though. I asked my sister if she'd like to get involved in interior so I've already got colors picked out for interior and exterior, seat designs and since I have a child I'll have to upgrade the second row captains chair with a shoulder belt, thinking doing leather for the captains and keep the cloth for the bench but same colors. not sure yet.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GUYS YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION!
Yeah Im at home... but I went out & slept in it last night anyway ...
a good looking piece of fabricated metal??? lol
ash tray cover for the dash....
No clue Boot, but nice work !
Those are going to look great. Makes it look more aggressive!!!
Richard
I'd like to see those wheels when they're coated. Ought ta look nice Pete!
I'm hoping so guys ...will see what the quote is to have them done...also the van will be dropped appr. 2" in the rear and 3 in the front & I'm going to try and put the 295-50-15 shown on the rear in the front and go with a 315-50-15 out back...will see..right now it's "buying Christmas presents and trying to pay the bills...lol
I didn't do much today but since I had the manifold off anyway I decided to plug the EGR while it was easy to do.
The tube will go on over the plug and I can get rid of all that black gunk in my intake.
Those rimz match the van much better,,,LOOKIN GOOD!!!
roof scoop Boot? or an induction device to make the hood scoop functional?
roof scoop Boot? or an induction device to make the hood scoop functional?
Both very good guesses, Chris, but not even close. Actually, it's something none of the manufacturers even thought of back then, but most everyone needs now.
I'll be posting more pics once I get it all smoothed out and ready for paint.
So I finally got the color scheme unfortunately it will be a long while til I can do it. BUT the interior (may be some time after tax return) I'm planning on doing a copper colored carpeting with maroon colored seats and maroon headliner and copper curtains and maybe real copper to replace the wood trim. For the exterior I'm looking at a copper color as well, bit more vibrant much like GM's sunburst orange color but mixed with some gold to make it look more vibrant, with black striping along the sides pretty much like the white and brown stripes are now. As for the wheels do them in same copper color too but with 3 inch wide white walls and shiny moon center hubs. here's a VERY rough idea I can't doodle on MS paint but you'll get the idea.
![[Linked Image]](https://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo341/aftoyboy/Vanpaintidea.jpg)
Good ahead laugh it up, I'm no artist!
its the recess for a inside rear door handle....
It's a wheel chock. Keeps Dodge's in the driveway and off the street.
It's a wheel chock. Keeps Dodge's in the driveway and off the street.
......
It's a wheel chock. Keeps Dodge's in the driveway and off the street.

that was MY first guess too !
maybe it is a hump to allow room for the T-65 Turbo he is gonna add to his engine ?
While it's true that Dodges do have to be restrained to stay in the driveway, over 90% of Chevys are still on the road today. The Dodges made it home.
While it's true that Dodges do have to be restrained to stay in the driveway, over 90% of Chevys are still on the road today. The Dodges made it home.
On a flat bed wrecker...
gavwe big red 10 gallons of hi test and a bottle of lucas feul treatment.
cheapest tune up ihave ever done.......LOL
huge differance for the better in how it is running today compaired to yeasterday.
Loaded her guts up with yard waste and went for a ride.
Tomorrow it will be a double dump run.
inoticed the high speed harmonic vibration went away.
New rear axel cured that.
full day of driving the old girl tomorrow.......
Daily drivers like to be driven.
Nice looking fab work Boot.......
Is that a custom gauge mount ?
.........Wookee
Trying to charge the battery

Stupid Delco Batteries.
Even Delco's wear out......
My factory Delcos lasted longer than any aftermarket battery though.
.......Wookee
Even Delco's wear out......
My factory Delcos lasted longer than any aftermarket battery though.
.......Wookee
....Must agree !
Well, I put some GAS in it after i run out bout 4:30 this mornin, good thing i had some in a can in the back. It was a u turn and back a couple miles to the station.Gotta fix that gauge for sure, didn't drive it last week and forgot to fill up, atleast it was only $65 or so compared to $100
+ in the 97.
wookee, good guess, and I suppose it would work well for the gauges, but I have other plans for those.
The real destination for this part is where the factory radio goes. here's the factory mount
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/Tattooingsc/junk/IMG_0175.jpg)
You can see this would never work for a large double din DVD/nav system, since they didn't have those back then.
Here's the test fit of the new mount
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/Tattooingsc/junk/IMG_0176.jpg)
I think it'll work well, and have no visible hardware. It'll be attached from the rear before the glove box goes back in.
Very nice job Boot.
I Know "Street Survivor" has a new engine in it now.
thats why I geussed a mount for the gauges.
..........Wookee
Hey aftoyboy, I thought that was a school bus drawing !
Even Delco's wear out......
My factory Delcos lasted longer than any aftermarket battery though.
.......Wookee
One thing I've had happen several times with original Delcos that I haven't had happen with any others, you can literally pull in, shut it off and then get back in 10 minutes later and the green eye is gone, dead and done. Good batteries though, almost always last longer than their warranty.
You can see this would never work for a large double din DVD/nav system, since they didn't have those back then.
You mean the size of the factory hole? I had a double DIN nav/dvd in my '77 in that location. I made a dummy factory AM face to fit in the factory bezel that flipped down on hinges. The double DIN slid out from that cavernous space behind the faceplate so it looked factory when closed. It worked well, but I eventually went to a KOS-V1000 with a KOS-L432 mounted in the overhead console. The van met its demise before I found another use for the space behind the faceplate.
Hey aftoyboy, I thought that was a school bus drawing !

the stripes aren't right, I thought the same thing they need to be more flared doing like a tail or come upwards at the end. As I said, I'm no artist and this is a VERY rough idea. Thanks for the input though, got any other ideas on the stripes though?
Wow that looks great Boot, going to a very clean looking head unit for sure. Nice job!
looks good Boot! good idea
Just got a price from the shop to do the powdercoat to the wheels...60 bucks each including the sandblasting . I'm going down next week to look at the color chips...he says he has a real nice bright argent silver
sparkle I might like or chrome , will see .....
hey GR dont be mean, its the holiday season !!!!!
wookee, good guess, and I suppose it would work well for the gauges, but I have other plans for those.
The real destination for this part is where the factory radio goes. here's the factory mount
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/Tattooingsc/junk/IMG_0175.jpg)
You can see this would never work for a large double din DVD/nav system, since they didn't have those back then.
Here's the test fit of the new mount
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/Tattooingsc/junk/IMG_0176.jpg)
I think it'll work well, and have no visible hardware. It'll be attached from the rear before the glove box goes back in.
Boot, I could use that Factory Radio piece, if its For Sale.
Just got a price from the shop to do the powdercoat to the wheels...60 bucks each including the sandblasting . I'm going down next week to look at the color chips...he says he has a real nice bright argent silver
sparkle I might like or chrome , will see .....
I've seen a couple bumpers powdercoated with the chrome, they looked good, from 20 ft you couldn't tell the difference. I'm not sure how it would look with all the texture between the fins tho'.
Just got a price from the shop to do the powdercoat to the wheels...60 bucks each including the sandblasting . I'm going down next week to look at the color chips...he says he has a real nice bright argent silver
sparkle I might like or chrome , will see .....
I've seen a couple bumpers powdercoated with the chrome, they looked good, from 20 ft you couldn't tell the difference. I'm not sure how it would look with all the texture between the fins tho'.
You think the bright argent silver might look better ? I'm experimenting here..and open to criticism ...
HighwayStar I personally like them the way they are. Maybe a light polish.
I remember my stock Rally wheels the center caps were argent silver and the rims were Plum Crazy and it looked great!!
So if you do powder coat maybe make the fins argent silver and in between the body or complimenting color to the base color.
Again I think a light polish and they will be great. Wouldn't hurt to try!! Just my two cents!!
Richard
"So if you do powder coat maybe make the fins argent silver and in between the body or complimenting color to the base color"
Highway ,
chrome fins , body color inbetween them .
Highway ,
chrome fins , body color in between them .

I think that would look real sweet
Very interesting guys....so if I have them blasted and chrome powder coated and didn't like them, I can always paint {body color}over the powdercoat on the insides with chrome fins for the retro look...
Nice sunny day started and pulled van out to let it run .I got the ich to take it on the road but salt stopped me .
Powder coating,just like chome plating will high light and and all inperfections in the finish of the wheels.
To the point you really have to watch how hard you sand blast them because the pits from the sand blasting will show up.........
...........Wookee
Powder coating,just like chome plating will high light and and all inperfections in the finish of the wheels.
To the point you really have to watch how hard you sand blast them because the pits from the sand blasting will show up.........
...........Wookee
thanks for the info Wookee..will bring this up at the powder coating shop and see what he says...I don't want to ruin these wheels.
I had a manifold bolt twist off in the head while I was removing the passenger side exhaust manifold the other day.
But...today I had better luck...
wow catfish that has gotta feel good, i got the upper ball joints done 2day
Going to the beach so my van can see Bikini's...
Today I put on my vintage 70's prism plate that says GMC van on the front and on the back I put on my license frame that reads "Girls Wanted" Inquire Within" The van is in storage until spring but it was nice to see her!!
OK rub it in. At least lostinthe70eees you can open a door and see your van. All I have are pics of it going through cosmetic surgery. I could drive the 50 min. drive to see her.
Looks like I picked the wrong week for sniffin glue!!
All you hard core 2% vanners; Say hello and be nice to your van/s every waking day. Drive your vans often, because you don't know when they may go!!
Man separation anxiety sucks.
I want my van back. I can even look at pics of it. Just doesn't help. This may sound weird, but she is a part of me.
Hopefully I will have her back by the next outing here in L.A.Hopefully.
Richard
OK rub it in. At least lostinthe70eees you can open a door and see your van. All I have are pics of it going through cosmetic surgery. I could drive the 50 min. drive to see her.
Looks like I picked the wrong week for sniffin glue!!
All you hard core 2% vanners; Say hello and be nice to your van/s every waking day. Drive your vans often, because you don't know when they may go!!
Man separation anxiety sucks.
I want my van back. I can even look at pics of it. Just doesn't help. This may sound weird, but she is a part of me.
Hopefully I will have her back by the next outing here in L.A.Hopefully.
Richard
I feel the same, you get attached and it does become a part of you. One thing you need is a vintage Dodge van plate on the front. PS I have one.
lostinthe70eees; I was thinking of that, but Calif. has a two plate law, but that was because of the Red Light Cameras. Now they are supposed to be going, gone kaput. To me they were a waist of money. Intersection collisions were down, but rear end collisions were UP!!!
So maybe the two plate law will change or not be enforced. Yet with all the financial difficulties Calif. is having, I wouldn't bet on it!!!
Thanks for the offer all the same. Who knows I may hit you up later!
Richard
Very interesting guys....so if I have them blasted and chrome powder coated and didn't like them, I can always paint {body color}over the powdercoat on the insides with chrome fins for the retro look...
I would for sure inquire whether they will use sand or glass beads. Sand will stick and stay in the aluminum because of the porosity of the aluminum, it is more aggressive and depending on the grit, can take more air pressure to blast with it. I am sure they want to rough up the wheels to get a good surface for the powder to adhere to. The body color would look good, probably better than just argent. Since they will be blasting them back clean anyway, you can take two of them, tape off the fins, spray one argent and the other gold, use a scotchbrite to shine up the fins a little and slip them up on the van and see what you think. They would also look good with a cast iron gray between the spokes. It's extra work but sometimes the best way to decide is just try it.
Just got a price from the shop to do the powdercoat to the wheels...60 bucks each including the sandblasting . I'm going down next week to look at the color chips...he says he has a real nice bright argent silver
sparkle I might like or chrome , will see .....
I've seen a couple bumpers powdercoated with the chrome, they looked good, from 20 ft you couldn't tell the difference. I'm not sure how it would look with all the texture between the fins tho'.
You think the bright argent silver might look better ? I'm experimenting here..and open to criticism ...
Hard to tell from photos but we sandblasted these wheels on Jerry's 72 then wet sanded the fin tops and outer portions of the wheel then used a small air grinder with buffing wheel attached to polish them to a nice shine. We used the hammered Rustoleum black for the inner portion of the wheels and a cast aluminum on the back side. They are holding up great on their second year. I can get you some close ups if needed.
![[Linked Image]](https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b230/roiboi65/Jerry%2072/45625_425790189554_715984554_4645468_7684830_n.jpg)
To me I'd think that Argent would be more forgiving then chrome for imperfections. And the color powder coat will conceal minor pits and divots.
You might want to ask what their medium is sand, glass, walnut shells, plastic pellets and so on. you'd want the one that does the best job with the least damage. So when they tell you post it or look it up to see if it is what you want.
These rims and this van fell into the right hands. It's going to look great!!!!!
Keep us posted!! And don't forget pics.
Richard
Started pulling the front end apart getting ready to yank the motor
Had to clean the snow off it.
put on some much needed mirrors
Very interesting guys....so if I have them blasted and chrome powder coated and didn't like them, I can always paint {body color}over the powdercoat on the insides with chrome fins for the retro look...
I would for sure inquire whether they will use sand or glass beads. Sand will stick and stay in the aluminum because of the porosity of the aluminum, it is more aggressive and depending on the grit, can
take more air pressure to blast with it. I am sure they want to rough up the wheels to get a good surface for the powder to adhere to. The body color would look good, probably better than just argent. Since they will be blasting them back clean
anyway, you can take two of them, tape off the fins, spray one argent and the other gold, use a scotchbrite to shine up the fins a little and slip them up on the van and see what you think. They would also look good with a cast iron gray between the spokes. It's extra work but sometimes the best way to decide is just try it.
Thanks for all the info Bullet...Im looking for a brighter look and It's hard not to just go with S/S Cragars....but I keep thinkin I can do something with these rims I'll like...
To me I'd think that Argent would be more forgiving then chrome for imperfections. And the color powder coat will conceal minor pits and divots.
You might want to ask what their medium is sand, glass, walnut shells, plastic pellets and so on. you'd want the one that does the best job with the least damage. So when they tell you post it or look it up to see if it is what you want.
These rims and this van fell into the right hands. It's going to look great!!!!!
Keep us posted!! And don't forget pics.
Richard
Richard..thanks for the positive remarks and advice ..will see how it all works out..
I had a manifold bolt twist off in the head while I was removing the passenger side exhaust manifold the other day.
But...today I had better luck...
We've all been there CatFish, and that's a beautiful sight !!
I snapped off a stud changing the thermostat in my 90 chevy last night. I PB Blastered it, I tapped on it while trying to turn it with a vice grip, I ground flats on the stump and heated the manifold with a torch and tried tapping and vicegripping and PBing it again.... all no good. I finally hauled out the welder and welded a giant blob on top of it and then welded a nut on top of that. The heat from the welding and having a nice new "head" it came right out just like butta. Total job time = 4.5 hours. Bleah. Then I got a nice 2 hours of sleep till I had to get up for my paper route. At least I have some crankin' heat now.

Is it naptime yet?
Dang Josh, that certainly qualifies as having done something "TO" your van...
-Glad it wasn't me!
Stay awake out there!
OMG I love those wheels, I'd like that on my mid.
I've bout an HEI distributor for my 73 E-100, have yet to bring it home, need to do several things before I can make it into a daily driver, rather than occasional, which is rough getting behind the wheel as is. I've been driving my 99 like a raped ape, I need to back off before I break it. LoL Between 2 vans, one is impossible to do engine maint/repairs and has serios wheelchair lift mechanical issues, and the other has everything within reach, a basic ride right down to the lift, just needs rearranged. The lift in the 99 is rather easy to get back to functioning as long as you have a BFH nearby.
It's cold out, when spring comes I'll get back onto working on the van, rewiring the lift, replacing all of the switches, gonna try avoiding stuff for now.
Finished my exhaust work and tune-up yesterday on the Ford and went for a little ride in the foothills today.
Unloaded some supplies i got for insulating it about 2 weeks ago, then put some arm rests and sunvisors in. Its been rainy and too cold to do much else.
I replaced the fuel filler hose and put a few gal of gas in it...cranked it up...and found an exhaust leak..lol!
Fueled it up and checked the oil was down a litre.
First really cold day today, So I took her out to get the juices flowing and...
Dove it like I stole it !!
The van ran great! Pinned the speedo @ 2,300 rpm, smooth as glass
![[Linked Image]](https://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr106/GMCVAN/A%20Van%20Gathering/100_2391.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr106/GMCVAN/A%20Van%20Gathering/100_2398.jpg)
Not exactly today...but over the weekend. I affixed my new registration stickers after the van being expired for over a year!! I would crank it and drive around the block and do this and that to it, but this time got it out on the freeway.

May have to work out some flat spots on the tires. I replaced the dash a few months ago and during the drive the speedo was clicky and bouncy...gotta check that out. Also noticed it's running a little on the warm side and I need to troubleshoot that. Slowly getting her back on the road.
Also...attempted to reseal the roof vent. Did it a few years ago and noticed it's leaking again.

Now my paneling near the vent is warped and wrinkled.
Well, today I did the following:
Wolf Den: Looked at her and SMILED because she is is all tucked in for her winters nap.
Astro: BROKE HER !

Now I have to figure out what is wrong with her! grrrr
She ALMOST over heated today while sitting and idling , did not over heat, but did hit the YELLOW section of her factory temp gauge, Shut her down and let her cool off. Went out and drove her, she is stumbling and has no power to speak of until about 3500 or so (guess, no tack), then she smoothes out some. I have checked her over and found ONE plug wire kind of singed, NO milk shake in oil or radiator. No sweet smells from tail pipe. . . . . . thinking the coil might be pissed off and dying as it is the factory one with 200K miles on it.

* * EDIT * *
I THINK I found the problem with the Astro, The drivers side front plug wire was/is burned through, arcing out bad, and the coil is 200 K Miles old, so in the AM I am going to go to Advance Auto Parts and warranty out the plug wire, and purchase a new coil ( just to be safe) . pretty sure that will fix her.
drove it to work, had a light snow here yesterday, as i pulled in the parking lot at work onto the fresh snow i floored it and got her drifting sideways for a bit and clocked in for the day, snow was gone in a few hours
Replaced the battery. Darn cold weather cranking killed it.
Hooked up a loose hose on the air smog pump. Put some gas in it and ran it for about 30 min around a field..gotta get tag and insurance in a week or two!
the 93 got a steering gear box and a right tie rod end installed...
top off all fluids get it ready for Road Trip...
the 92 got the balance of the stereo stuff for the install..butt connectors in line fuse and 3 20 amp fuse blocks it will get done while Im in Redondo Beach on Sunday...
replaced the bad plug wire and added a new coil, runs great again. It does have a slight hesitation off the line, like a miss still, but I think the # plug may have fouled out with the bad wire. I am going to give it a day or two and see f it clears up on its own. If not, new plug soon, and of course it is the HARDEST ONE TO REACH ! GRRRRR
Got the starter, fuel pump, intake, exhaust, and torque converter bolts all taken apart, labeled and bagged. Now i need to get my floor jack and tall stands to get it in the air to pull the motor out.
I drove mine today--lots of sun and nearly 60 degrees!
Beautiful day here in New Jersey, and a balmy 53 degrees.
So the van got a bath this afternoon.
![[Linked Image]](https://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr106/GMCVAN/Galaxy%20Cruiser/IMAG0002-1.jpg)
Then went to meet my buddy in the park for a safety meeting
Bet you were cold after the bath...your shaking when you took this one...before or after the meeting?
Today I washed Freedom.If I get back early enough from the poultry show tomorrow I will be putting on a little wax and packing a few things for Vanners for Vanners next weekend.
It was well over due but the battery rack was a mess and needed to get redone.No biggie...but got it done.
Do ya think ???
![[Linked Image]](https://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/Dogshock57/Body%20work/0106121520.jpg)
baking soda wash and wire wheel with 5 application coats of rust jell.
![[Linked Image]](https://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/Dogshock57/Body%20work/0106121611.jpg)
Undercoat and more blackout of engine compartment.
![[Linked Image]](https://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/Dogshock57/Body%20work/0106121636.jpg)
2 primer coats.
![[Linked Image]](https://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/Dogshock57/Body%20work/0106121651.jpg)
2 finish with Epoxy high temp.
![[Linked Image]](https://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/Dogshock57/Body%20work/0106121956.jpg)
goes back in tomorrow with new battery.
![[Linked Image]](https://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/Dogshock57/Body%20work/0106121621a.jpg)
maybe by then the acid and metal taste will be out of my mouth.
a dust mask never hurts to curb that taste...
Topped off fluids, drove to court but turned around to atty office. Vacuumed interior picked up trash straightened out tools in back not bath yet. Worked on finding/fabricating stereo mounts but no luck yet. Still trying to figure what to do with the trim for a good clean look as well. Stumped.
Decided we ARE selling the Astro this spring. . . . will decide on a price soon and post it up, as well as some pix of it inside and out. . . .
did my monthly start up that do with all my summer vehicles during the winter months.
took into a mechanic that said I need new exhaust, front end bushings and springs, gear box, and drive shaft needs balancing. So to cheer myself up I installed my new sounds system
Found out that I have a ground....went to start it and nothing.....
Ran the vin on fords vin look up thing, ran it for about 30 min, made the crack in my front windshield worse by cleaning it..lol!
Finished putting the rack and battery back in and burned off 1/4 tank of gas taking it for a ride. Boy did I get a dirty look when I ask for the gas card 2 days in a row.

Oh well
Finished putting the rack and battery back in and burned off 1/4 tank of gas taking it for a ride. Boy did I get a dirty look when I ask for the gas card 2 days in a row.

Oh well
from the boss or the wife ? or both lol
Took it for a short shakedown ride. Need to adjust the TV cable and the choke but otherwise everything is working as it should.
It was 60 degrees yesterday so I washed and waxed the Dodge
It was 80 deg today so I drove it to LA for a van run...
It was 80 deg today so I drove it to LA for a van run...
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/LA012.jpg)
GREAT picture!!! Any other pictures of the run?
took into a mechanic that said I need new exhaust, front end bushings and springs, gear box, and drive shaft needs balancing. So to cheer myself up I installed my new sounds system
sorry about the bad news, but that looks a lot like my "sound system" lol. got one behind the drivers seat and one under the passengers seat
I got the engine running for the first time since I brought it home! Going to drop the tank and add new fuel lines. Put new fuel pump in today.
It was 80 deg today so I drove it to LA for a van run...
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/LA012.jpg)
GREAT picture!!! Any other pictures of the run?
they will be in SoCal Slow Ride - Palos Verdes Cruise- 1/08/2012
here is a tease...2 miles long... I believe 30 vans...
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/LA013.jpg)
Cool pics Thanks for sharing
My camera died or I would post more...
Still waiting on mine. They said they want everything to be just right. So do I. That's why I pop in here to see what's going on. Right now I envy the ones who can see, touch, sit in, drive, fix or even know it is close by. So keep up the great work here and soon I will be adding more then just this.
I didn't know being so long with out my van would be so depressing!!
Richard
fixed a tranny line leak, gonna use it today to move drum cymbals and guitars over to a friends to jam for a few hours
Nothing, Im sick not going out at all....
Beautiful day here in New Jersey, and a balmy 53 degrees.
So the van got a bath this afternoon.
Bet you were cold after the bath...your shaking when you took this one.

No, I wasn't
shaking It's my cheap camera, you got to hold it like you are taking a long range rifle shot
Thanks for the pics,it looks you guys had some fun in the sun.

Here it sunny but cold -12c -22c windchill,so any pics from a warm climax helps with the winter blahs.
I gave my van the week off. Delivered papers in the car. Not as fun tho...
Drove to work again and pulled a nail out of the rear tire. Luckily didn't pierce the belts.
workerd on my Early '69 and my '76 good day!!!!
Kicked it
Drove it to the post office to mail Money orders for my pre reg for Wild in the woods and Van promo cards.....
I sat in it and let it run for ten min! She's in storage but damn it felt great to sit in it, 3 more months to go!!!
Wow! 3 more months ...I couldnt go that long without them touching the road....
Wow! 3 more months ...I couldnt go that long without them touching the road....
Yeah sucks being in WI, last time I drove her was Thanksgiving day, been lucky this year as no snow yet. Hit 50 today which is super rare, although we are supposed to get about 5 inches of snow tomorrow. Nothing on the ground yet so it's been a nice few months but man I miss the van!!! This is the time of year when I start ordering stuff for spring though!
dropped a steel running board off at the local steel fabricator to have a new set bent up for the 89 GMC.
Plan on sporting "summer trim" this summer.....
they will be in SoCal Slow Ride - Palos Verdes Cruise- 1/08/2012
Ok, enlighten this east coast Vanner.
Is somebody locally publishing your pictures???
.......Wookee
they will be in SoCal Slow Ride - Palos Verdes Cruise- 1/08/2012
Ok, enlighten this east coast Vanner.
Is somebody locally publishing your pictures???
.......Wookee
No I just posted a couple pic's in "What did you do to your van today" and the rest are in this thread...
https://www.vanning.com/threads/ubbthreads.php/topics/528478/1.htmlfrom there you can see the other people that took pic's
nice looking turn out!!!!!!!!!
Way to go !!!!!!
........Wookee!
Steel running boards

..I'd like to see that. I've wanted running boards but not stock. Be interested in something a little beefier.

Look forward to seeing what what you come up with wookie.
woops..4got to hit quote. I'm commenting on previous post...sorry
Just came back from the shop.
Had a new radiator put in. $245.00. Cheap I thought. $123.64 for radiator, $23.96 antifreeze, $84.00 labor.
He's done a lot of work for me and everything always works and he never marks up the parts.
Drove my wife to work in a snow storm.
Dropped the fuel tank and took out the sending unit.
Took beef jerky to tip my postman & mechanic...2nd bag almost gone....
Started wiring in new stereo in the 74. Has all insulated slide connectors for easy and quick removal. Next is new speakers
Drove it to school and to attorney's then home then back to school... such an eventful day!
nothin, snowed today. I looked at it ans shook my head.
Sadly I think just about everyone is having some bad weather. We are getting hit with a wintery mix...so I went over to my vans shelter lodge, took a peek in just to make sure that darn cat didn't climb up again with it's muddy paws... where it sits patiently waiting for it's trip dowm to Ft Lauderdale in 2 weeks where I will start the long overdue mural work and transform the slick black into killer Dragons. Afterall my PA plate came in DRGNLRD --Dragonlord. I look forward to seeing my venner friends next spring.
I'm about to go out and brush the snow off it.
Went out and kissed it...waited 1/2 hour for someone to get some warm water so I could unstick my tongue from the hood......Started it up to warm it up....stepped out of the van and fell on the ice ....noticed I had an antifreeze leak as I got out from under the van where I ended up......Swept the snow off the hood and opened it..........A squirrel flew out from underneath it as I released the secondary latch, and once again fell on the ice.....hmmm funny wear on the right front tire....... tried to open the door and found I locked the keys inside it........went to the rear of the van and fell on the ice again, which was ok as I had to reach under the trailer hitch to retrieve the spare key...noticed the temporal spare , cable and holder is missing ...... funny when I tried to get it off it would not budge........glad I had a full size spare on the rack......hit it with my hand and it was flat........opened up the door, and got the scraper, and only fell twice on the ice doing that.....opened the door up, shut the van off and went back to bed....
Thats either hilarious or Im feeling bad for you.....which is it?
Nobody can have that much bad luck at one time & I know you are stickler about the upkeep of your van...
Sadly I think just about everyone is having some bad weather. We are getting hit with a wintery mix...so I went over to my vans shelter lodge, took a peek in just to make sure that darn cat didn't climb up again with it's muddy paws... where it sits patiently waiting for it's trip dowm to Ft Lauderdale in 2 weeks where I will start the long overdue mural work and transform the slick black into killer Dragons. Afterall my PA plate came in DRGNLRD --Dragonlord. I look forward to seeing my venner friends next spring.
Looking forward to it also!
Nice to hear from you again.
Doc--how many beers are left in the cooler?
And how did you type all that with that many
beers in you?
Picked up the '92 from the stereo and electric install shop....my God its loud...already had the cops called on me....
Got my vanning.com sticker put on as soon as the '92 got home....
Niiiiice sticker! I gotta get one for the econoline.
Went out and kissed it...waited 1/2 hour for someone to get some warm water so I could unstick my tongue from the hood......Started it up to warm it up....stepped out of the van and fell on the ice ....noticed I had an antifreeze leak as I got out from under the van where I ended up......Swept the snow off the hood and opened it..........A squirrel flew out from underneath it as I released the secondary latch, and once again fell on the ice.....hmmm funny wear on the right front tire....... tried to open the door and found I locked the keys inside it........went to the rear of the van and fell on the ice again, which was ok as I had to reach under the trailer hitch to retrieve the spare key...noticed the temporal spare , cable and holder is missing ...... funny when I tried to get it off it would not budge........glad I had a full size spare on the rack......hit it with my hand and it was flat........opened up the door, and got the scraper, and only fell twice on the ice doing that.....opened the door up, shut the van off and went back to bed....
You need to go get a blessings done for yourself and perhaps submit this popst to the Guiness book of records for the most mishaps to a person with a routien check of a vehicle in under 5 minutes...wishing you better luck next check on your Van
Went out and kissed it...waited 1/2 hour for someone to get some warm water so I could unstick my tongue from the hood......Started it up to warm it up....stepped out of the van and fell on the ice ....noticed I had an antifreeze leak as I got out from under the van where I ended up......Swept the snow off the hood and opened it..........A squirrel flew out from underneath it as I released the secondary latch, and once again fell on the ice.....hmmm funny wear on the right front tire....... tried to open the door and found I locked the keys inside it........went to the rear of the van and fell on the ice again, which was ok as I had to reach under the trailer hitch to retrieve the spare key...noticed the temporal spare , cable and holder is missing ...... funny when I tried to get it off it would not budge........glad I had a full size spare on the rack......hit it with my hand and it was flat........opened up the door, and got the scraper, and only fell twice on the ice doing that.....opened the door up, shut the van off and went back to bed....
You need to go get a blessings done for yourself and perhaps submit this popst to the Guiness book of records for the most mishaps to a person with a routien check of a vehicle in under 5 minutes...wishing you better luck next check on your Van
RATFLMAO
Thats either hilarious or Im feeling bad for you.....which is it?
Nobody can have that much bad luck at one time & I know you are stickler about the upkeep of your van...
Cold weather got to my brain....and my body

, but this was the actual sequence of eVANts.....
.Front wheel , pot hole damage probably
Temporal spare...who cares....
Recently mounted spare tire on aluminum rim whick apparently leaked...back to steel one for now...Aluminum rims up here take offense to plus 12 - minus 12 ( C ) mood swings by Mother Nature....The rim treatment does not cure right when the tire is mounted as a spare as it does not get to heat up..
put in a new air filter , crank case filter , adjusted the timing and throttle screw ,added some oil and fresh anti freeze, then gave Sanitarium a bath and vacumm.
runs a lot better .
Thats either hilarious or Im feeling bad for you.....which is it?
Nobody can have that much bad luck at one time & I know you are stickler about the upkeep of your van...
Cold weather got to my brain....and my body

, but this was the actual sequence of eVANts.....
.Front wheel , pot hole damage probably
Temporal spare...who cares....
Recently mounted spare tire on aluminum rim whick apparently leaked...back to steel one for now...Aluminum rims up here take offense to plus 12 - minus 12 ( C ) mood swings by Mother Nature....The rim treatment does not cure right when the tire is mounted as a spare as it does not get to heat up..
OK I feel bad for ya!...are you a real "Doc" or "Van Doc"? cause I think you might need both of them.....
Timin chain an gears an all da crap that goes wit it.....
well,,changed the life blood (oil)..winter blend 10-30w w/a shot of lucas oil treament...may give it a bath in the morning before we head out to the monthly car show I like to goto at a local flea mrkt..
Went down to see my van. Looking better then the pics showed, but in the same shape as last reported.
Did make headwind on the color, colors of the graphics, and the graphics themselves. Matt is going to make up a detailed drawing (We did a rough sketch) and then paint up a panel to see if all the colors, the colors of the graphics and the graphics themselves will mesh together and look right. So hope by next we I will know and see the results. Can't wait!!
Richard
Worked on my 69 Chebby,been 2 months since i did work on her,hooked up battery,started up and did interior work, great day!!!
off to get two new rear tires today on my 76 Chebby,2 flats on friday
meeting w/WNYVANSINC @ 1PM
OK I feel bad for ya!...are you a real "Doc" or "Van Doc"? cause I think you might need both of them.....
Well I have been accused of diagnosing and operating on vans for some decades now.....
As far as a real Doc goes, my secondary MOS was medic, and I currently hold First Responder first aid certificates so I can do more than some first aiders can...... You have to obtain your own pharmaceuticals though as I am not a dispensing Physician
Prepped Big Red for the instillation of a pair of Flow Master "Twins"......
Can't wait to hear them talk a little smack.......
......Wookee
Friday eve...Battery light came on while out running errands,brought van home and grabbed the wifes car to finish errands- Saturday morn-Van would not start..Battery was shot,jumped van and Altenator was screaming,...replaced Alt,Battery,and serpintine belt...$325.04 in parts...20 degree weather...Priceless...lol...let's go vannin!!!!
I need a new air vent grill for my dash. Mine got broken from some crazy wheelies I did last fall. It fell out and I accidentally stepped on it. Getting ready for Autorama. Thanks.
Moved it forward 20 feet to put some stuff in the shed and then moved it back 20 feet. Would love to drive it, but need $ to renew the registration.
In the last 3 weeks, I have lost what little heat I had (found a completely burnt cell in the blower motor). Had the throttle linkage snap on the way home from ordering the part for that one. Converted my mechanical linkage to cable from a '95 and had the brackets bend so I sill only haad 25% throttle at best.
Lost my headlights that night, but found a jury rigged way to get more throttle.
So far, I have replaced the gas pedal, cable, brackets, blower motor, resistor, headlight switch, and dimmer switch, and have just today recieved my heater switch/cable and dash vents.
I now have headlights again, and can throttle up around town, but still blow fuses every three minutes for the heat. I'm thinking it's in my fuse block, but no time or light after work to test/try..
Let's see what tomorrow brings....
reasearched the possibility of running a TBI unit form a caddy on my 68 chevy 6
Welcome to the site Please introduce your self....again welcome...
Finally fired Big Red up......
The Flow Master Twins sound nice.
Now drop the tank and install a new fuel pump, filter, sender unit, and O2 sensor.......
........Wookee
after a trip to Hendersonville NC, i found oil blown all over the engine compartment and the dipstick blown out about 3/4 inch. guess that is what you call blow by on an engine with 1000 miles on it. out the door shortly to get another engine. good thing i love my dodge. she probably hates me for having a half wit work on her. "soon my baby soon" we will be chasing the sun.lol
after a trip to Hendersonville NC, i found oil blown all over the engine compartment and the dipstick blown out about 3/4 inch. guess that is what you call blow by on an engine with 1000 miles on it. out the door shortly to get another engine. good thing i love my dodge. she probably hates me for having a half wit work on her. "soon my baby soon" we will be chasing the sun.lol
Check to see if the PCV valve is plugged first
Ran it for a while,cleaned my battery terminals,cleaned out the cargo area and put some air in my back left tire. I am very ready to get this beast back on the road!
Washed the van today,it really needed it after that last snow.Got lucky it rained last night and this morning so it cleaned most of the salt off.It is overcast 5c warm enough to wash it in the driveway.
Changed the oil and filter last night. Will be changing the belts tonight and changing out hoses tomorrow night.
One step at a time......
Beautiful afternoon here in NJ. Took the van out for a ride and got some fuel.
$50.00 = 15 gallons
Well over the weekend I built a billet aluminum cabinet to hide my spare tire. No pictures yet until finished though. Thinking about getting it anodized in what else but orange!
Sucked to have to shovel out a place just to work.........LOL
![[Linked Image]](https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m199/wookeesvan/89%20Chevy%20Big%20Red/frostyworkarea.jpg)
........Wookee
Replaced my 2 House/ Auxiliary batteries with 2 Crown True Deep Cycle 12v batteries. Group 27, 115 amp hours each. If I had the Height in my battery box, I'd be using 6 volt golf cart batteries in series, as they are even burlier deep cycle batteries.
Not Cheap at 105$ each before tax, but they are true deep cycle 12 volt batteries.
http://www.solar-electric.com/repoba12vo11.html Most batteries which say deep cycle/rv/marine are dual purpose batteries. Wally world everstarts dual purpose batts could be had for 82$ per battery in my area. Better than a starting battery for deep cycle use but 8 to 12 pounds lighter than the Deep Cycle Crowns of equal size.
My engine starting battery is almost 5 years old now and is just about done too. But the New Deep cycles together have about twice the required CCA to start my engine.
Decided to put a stereo in the Astro before the sale of it. . . . .
Took my 94 van in last Friday to the shop that put the transmission in. They sent me a coupon for an oil change and a "72-point" inspection.
Came back that I needed a new drag link and upper ball joints. That explains the loose steering feeling I've been having lately. Ball joints? Crap..I had new ones put in 6 years ago. I'll check them myself when I put the drag link in this weekend. Went with Moog brand.
Just turned over 186,000 miles. All that steering stuff under there is original!
Took "Big Red" for a ride today.looks like all the work turned out pretty good.
The "Flow Master Twins" sound better than the stock set up.
A couple more small things to knock out and I should be on the road for Florida next Thursday morning.....WOO HOO
.......Wookee
I have that same thing in the plans for the back of my 89.
A local street rod shop used the spray on stuff(comes with its own gun) on the underside and all of the interior metal on allot of the street rods they built.The stuff is as tough as nails and actually sound deadens the metal and seals out moisture very well.....
........Wookee
Drove it to the store and went to the beach and grilled a Rib eye....
I cleaned the ground cable connections on my 500 amp Shunt.
![[Linked Image]](http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/wind-sun_2191_36274777.jpg)
Those bolts have 9/16" heads. The 2 smaller flat head screws are for the sense wires which goto my battery monitor, which counts ALL amperage into and out of my batteries.
![[Linked Image]](https://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss15/wrcsixeight/IMG_1044.jpg)
I also added another 4 awg cable from the Shunt to the House batteries. This in theory should allow more alternator current to make it into the house batteries when they are low, and the engine is turning the alternator fast enough.
Drove it to the store and went to the beach and grilled a Rib eye....
i think he put that in there to rub it in, just a little, cause it sounds nice, I went to boneyard nuthin special just checkin it out bought whole set rechargeable tools at pawn shop so i can cut junkyard vans floor for my 84 Chevy's apart now i need the rechargeable grinder, yesterday, oogah horn for the 93 gmc sounds like a sick dog i need to wire in the relay and replace it with my air horn
Installed a new drag link. Steering is much better now!
Put my passenger side mirror back on and tried a can of 3M Rubber undercoating in a wheel well..To early to tell if its gonna hold up good.
yesterday , took a road trip and bought two cabinets.
yesterday , took a road trip and bought two cabinets.
Were they chrome ?
Attempted to install tunes into Big Red......
........Wookee
Yup....Id say there ready to be replaced Lukester...good move man....
yesterday , took a road trip and bought two cabinets.
Were they chrome ?

umm no
Today I attempted to fix the tentionor pully from squeaking sprayed lots of wd40 on it but no luck started finishing up the stereo install as well and ran into a snag, I've got it mounted in there nicely with the help of some plumbers tape but the I started trimming the surround trim for it and I cut a little at a time and fit it but it's not fitting properly. Looks like it'll have to stay open until I can find someone to fab one up for me out of fiberglass. But I did put $50 bucks in it brought to full tank. YAY I love having a full tank.
Drove the Astro some today, looked at Wolf-Den and came up with a few ideas for her too. . . . got to figure out how to fix/remove the two long pieces of glass in the vista roof and eliminate the remaining holes where they where. Should be a interesting look when done. I want it to look SOMETHING like this :
![[Linked Image]](https://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt14/Unc_Fester/Wolf%20Den%20van/Screenshot2010-05-15at115235PM.png)
***EDIT***
The wife is trying to convince me to paint Wolf-Den
THIS COLOR what do you think? We have not decided if we are taking the side windows out or not. . . .but the two long windows in the vista are gone, soon I hope.
That's close to the color I'm going to have on my dash. It's pretty loud for outside. I'd say photoshop that one as a test run for sure! See if she likes it then.
(-And if you do too!)
;0)
I dig the purple Unc, That will look real clean with all the clear spots removed and without the graphics. I say Do it!
Me and my helper(my 7 year old, Shelby) pulled the head off the motor today, some terrible carbon and burnt antifreeze? build up on the pistons. the motor is so loose at this stage that Shelby was able to grab the balancer and spin it herself! Yikes!
That's close to the color I'm going to have on my dash. It's pretty loud for outside. I'd say photoshop that one as a test run for sure! See if she likes it then.
(-And if you do too!)
;0)
I put up a photochop request in VAN ART section, I hope someone has some skills and will help.
Tag & Insurance taken care of...Im on the road! Just gotta get that fuel pump taken care of so im not on the SIDE of the road..lol!
finished pulling the bottom end as far as i plan to, the rest is for the machine shop to do. Now i got to figure out how to get the block and head in the trunk of the car to take it to the shop thursday. im tired of working on greasy mechanical work already, im ready for warm weather so i can finish my interior and some of the stuff i want to get done to the outside.
For the last day in January it sure was like a spring day here in New Jersey. Sunny and 53 degrees. So Since I didn't have any work lined up I decided to play with my van. I did a complete wash and wax on the van, and then went out for a long ride through the reservation. I'll tell ya, what a great way to cure a case of cabin fever. The van was running perfect and sounded great growling over the twisting mountain roads. The day culminated with a safety meeting at a club members house.
![[Linked Image]](https://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr106/GMCVAN/for%20show/IMAG00012.jpg)
One final wipe down and on the road just in time for a sunset van ride home...... Nice

Eat my Dust...I'm gone! (no way that ford is catching me)
I'm on the road! Just gotta get that fuel pump taken care of so im not on the SIDE of the road..lol!
LOL - A very important distinction!
;0)
Took out the seized thermostat, and stripped a bolt hole in the intake. Dammit
That sucks Boot, on that brand new motor at that?
Took the van out for a spin around town running errants.
Sunny,perfect Januarty day
The "Flow Master Twins" sounded pretty good. The Cragers look good in the store fronts as I rolled past them.
Got new tunes installed.
Set out tomorrow morning in the AM for my exalent adventure to Florida.....
........Wookee
Took out the seized thermostat, and stripped a bolt hole in the intake. Dammit
Heli-Coil
Monday I replaced a 2.5 year old muffler that fell off last Saturday, and the day before I replaced a 3 mo old battery. Today, I hope to finish wiring in my solenoid so I can give myself a jump from the second battery if I ever have a problem again. Maybe figure out why my stereo sound so much quieter than it did before the battery replacement.
Mufflers are overrated. Mine doesn't have a bottom half on it.... sounds just like a cherry bomb.
Took out the seized thermostat, and stripped a bolt hole in the intake. Dammit
Heli-Coil
Been their done dat! :O)
If ya cant find the right one...maybe mock up a Bow Tie exhaust tip as a vent with louvers and trim in...
Junk yard run today...picked up a few things and here are some pics of other things I'm working on.
Leather wheel cover out of a Jag..free.

I like free.
![[Linked Image]](https://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/Dogshock57/Upholstery%20and%20Interior/0203121604.jpg)
Headboard I'm gonna break down and use some of the pieces for my bed headboard...w/marble inlays in the posts which I may use as a port way into the bed area.
![[Linked Image]](https://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/Dogshock57/Upholstery%20and%20Interior/012512185001.jpg)
I picked up some wooden door panels to copy and will be mounting my window switches and made these leather door pulls.
And I was able to find an original bicentennial (76) flag and put it on my headliner. Weird but I'm really happy with that. It finishes the space between the 2 wooden strips I put on.
![[Linked Image]](https://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/Dogshock57/Upholstery%20and%20Interior/0203121605.jpg)
it for now.
Junk yard run today...picked up a few things and here are some pics of other things I'm working on.
Leather wheel cover out of a Jag..free.

I like free.
![[Linked Image]](https://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/Dogshock57/Upholstery%20and%20Interior/0203121604.jpg)
Headboard I'm gonna break down and use some of the pieces for my bed headboard...w/marble inlays in the posts which I may use as a port way into the bed area.
![[Linked Image]](https://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/Dogshock57/Upholstery%20and%20Interior/012512185001.jpg)
I picked up some wooded door panels to copy and will be mounting my window switches and made these leather door pulls.
And I was able to find an original bicentennial (76) flag and put it on my headliner. Weird but I'm really happy with that. It finishes the space between the 2 wooden strips I put on.
![[Linked Image]](https://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/Dogshock57/Upholstery%20and%20Interior/0203121605.jpg)
it for now.
...looks like a great score ....
My smog pump pully was wobbling like mad so i tightened the pulley bolts...If it keeps giving me problems i am going to put an idler pulley on it,if i can find one for a 94 econoline. I'll do it! Im crazy! ARRGURGUHHHH!
Finished hooking up my stereo, put the southwestern print curtain up between the cab area and cargo area to keep heat up front, tags and insurance, I am now van mobile... FINALLY!
Nothing, I dont have a van .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................Yet
I took the rear brackets off that lock the doors in place when you shut them they are being chromed as well as the bolts. Also jacked the front end up off the ground, tires went flat since being in storage since Nov. Getting new wheels anyways and tires, otherwise I'll take these off and have them redone and keep them or sell them.
Yesterday I twisted up 25 feet of 8 awg cable for my Solar charging circuit. Should allow higher voltages to make it to my MPPT charge controller and thus more amps into my Batteries.
Went to the jy today got power locks, rear pop out glass, a tire carrier, and stuff...
![[Linked Image]](https://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii389/vegas_nokia/IMG_0359.jpg)
got the tire mounted (its coming back off, I dont like it there) and got one rear pop out window in
![[Linked Image]](https://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii389/vegas_nokia/IMG_0357.jpg)
The dash got a bit of a face lift too,
Wood cup holder, 3 outlet 12v plug in, and chrome radio knobs from a caddy
(oh and my 2 lil driving buddys)
I dropped the tank (AGAIN) and put in a new sending unit (AGAIN).....still having issues!!!!!!!
i like the tire carrier on there new, been toying around with whether or not i want to put mine back on or not. Wish i could find some pop outs for mine too!
Astro, I thought the tire carrier would be a good idea, but I kinda heat it out there, my biggest problem with it is my 16" tire is too big for the back door, It hits the tail light and only opens part way. as for the pop outs way easy to put in, i was kinda freaking out cus I had to drill holes lol
I dropped the tank (AGAIN) and put in a new sending unit (AGAIN).....still having issues!!!!!!!
Lee, are you doing the work yourself or having someone do it? I need to put in two sending units. Have them here but the quotes to do the work seem over the top.
I bought another all weather, rubber backed 3'x5' carpet at Home Depot. I cut it to fit nicely around my captain's chair bases. It is pretty easy to remove and clean. It also works well at keeping spills from getting into the seams of my wood laminate floor.
I am going to power wash my older one and cut it to fit around the drivers seat and doghouse.
Also Bought some electrical goodies for the plan to move my Solar charge controller closer to the batteries, over thicker cabling.
I dropped the tank (AGAIN) and put in a new sending unit (AGAIN).....still having issues!!!!!!!
Lee, are you doing the work yourself or having someone do it? I need to put in two sending units. Have them here but the quotes to do the work seem over the top.
My friend and I are doing it. Its not too bad....empty the tank...disconnect the filler hose and overflow hose, disconnect the fuel line and the hose to the rollover valve....loosen the two bolts on the straps and drop it out!!!
Just frustrated because I have an issue I can't track down yet that even with the new unit it still reads empty. You have two tanks?
Just went out and opened all the windows to air the stink of the previous owner out. Sprayed vanilla Febreeze everywhere. Finished packing the shower turned closet with important belongings I want to take with me when the sheriff finally comes to kick me out of my house. Currently contemplating whether I'm going to undertake doing an oil change and looking for someplace that can repair/ replace the screen I had to bust the other day when I locked myself out of the darned thing.
Made some progress removing the 3M undercoating (asphalt based) i used in my drivers side rear wheel well...That stuffs a mess! I used a ton of wd40, a putty knife and a pressure washer, its 90% gone now..Im almost ready to do the POR treatment.
Pulled the codes and everything checked out ok but the fuel pump is still on the way out. Gonna change that in a few days.
nice , and i see your got your wheels put on to ,do i see a chevy pickup in the back ground ?
sweet , i didnt see the pics earlier , what would make that worth even more , is if it was an original Napco? 4x4.
I had her loaded on a transport truck so she could go for a ride to come live in Ra Cha Cha.
OK..decided to start cleaning her up some...started at the top..rub out and a good coat of wax ..paint is thin and original but she's shining up well for 34 years old....
I wish ya warned me Pete, I could've put my shades on
OK..decided to start cleaning her up some...started at the top..rub out and a good coat of wax ..paint is thin and original but she's shining up well for 34 years old....
I wish ya warned me Pete, I could've put my shades on
...........
Pete,your van is looking real good.
Prepped the manifold for the new edelbrock + carb

It was easier than I thought it would be
![[Linked Image]](https://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd502/honky-time/engine%20work/P1050835.jpg)
sweet , i didnt see the pics earlier , what would make that worth even more , is if it was an original Napco? 4x4.
true maybe GR...but it wouldn't ride like this one and go down the highway at 60 mph doin 1800 rpm's...I was very amazed at this truck while it was here .
Pete,your van is looking real good.
Thanks lukester...means a lot coming from you....I been wondering were you been lately , maybe I just missed some of your post tho...did you see the thread I started on VW buses...I was thinkin about you, vid was kinda cool....
true maybe GR...but it wouldn't ride like this one and go down the highway at 60 mph doin 1800 rpm's...I was very amazed at this truck while it was here .

[/quote]
Do you have to test drive everything you detail??
sweet , i didnt see the pics earlier , what would make that worth even more , is if it was an original Napco? 4x4.
true maybe GR...but it wouldn't ride like this one and go down the highway at 60 mph doin 1800 rpm's...I was very amazed at this truck while it was here .
thats true .
Picked up a set of seats at the PAP today. There was a newer van that just came in that had 4 captains chairs and a fold down bed in EXCELLENT condition. I grabbed the front two seats (the drivers seat is all electric). I will post pics shortly.
They are two tone and really nice....look brand new.....$25 a piece....whoooo hoooo!!!!
I wasn't looking for seats (but need them) and just happened to come across this van that had just come in.
true maybe GR...but it wouldn't ride like this one and go down the highway at 60 mph doin 1800 rpm's...I was very amazed at this truck while it was here .
Do you have to test drive everything you detail??

[/quote]
When there cool,, you bet brother !
Setting up to re-stain the wood trim from the front doors and dash. Tomorrow - oil change!
true maybe GR...but it wouldn't ride like this one and go down the highway at 60 mph doin 1800 rpm's...I was very amazed at this truck while it was here .
Why not.1800 RPMs for a Chevy is not all that bad.......
......Wookee
It is mild here today so we washed the van in the driveway saved the $10.00,got all the salt and crap off it just in time for it to snow on Saturday and get all that salt and crap back on again.
Man, I love doing stain as opposed to painting. So much less work and clean up.

Now I just need to be able to remember where all the bits came from since these are just the passenger and driver door trim. Heh.
That's a lot of trim for one door! I hope that you left the driver's door assembled to use as a guide... I'd need a road map, instructional dvd and a cooler of beer to figure that out
That's a lot of trim for one door! I hope that you left the driver's door assembled to use as a guide... I'd need a road map, instructional dvd and a cooler of beer to figure that out
Those are both the driver and passenger door trim. I haven't pulled the trim off the two side or two back doors yet. Let alone all the wood trim still on the dash and inside. I swear Starcraft used an entire tree to outfit my van.
There are also several pieces on the doors I couldn't get off for one reason or another yet.
Starcraft used a lot of good quality wood trim in there Conversion Vans......
Took the Beast of Burden II out to run errands today.The road trip to Florida was better than a tune up.The old girl is running much better than before we left for the road trip.....
.........Wookee
I sat in my van and smiled
true maybe GR...but it wouldn't ride like this one and go down the highway at 60 mph doin 1800 rpm's...I was very amazed at this truck while it was here .
Why not.1800 RPMs for a Chevy is not all that bad.......
......Wookee
That's what I meant Wookee...she was just under 1800 at 60 mph...perfect !
I sat in my van and smiled
I bet you did !
I finished up the retrofit to a standard Chrysler electronic ignition in my 1987 Dodge B150.
I recently bought this well-used van for $400. After freshening the engine and rebuilding the carb, I still had a terrible bog upon hard acceleration, and my timing was bouncing around. It had the spark control computer, but not the lean burn carb, so the change-over wasn't bad at all. Being an electrician helped. Used stock parts for a 1983 Dodge D150 from Advanced Auto, costing me maybe $100.
The timing mark is now rock steady. By the time I got it done, I only had time to take it down the street, but no more bog!
My brother owns a NAPCO 4x4 , 59 Apache, and that thing is wrapped out at 3500-4000 at 60mph ! Freakin 5.14 gears in it ! Good thing he has a sweet 383 stroker in it. . .
My brother owns a NAPCO 4x4 , 59 Apache, and that thing is wrapped out at 3500-4000 at 60mph ! Freakin 5.14 gears in it ! Good thing he has a sweet 383 stroker in it. . .
Yup...bad azz truck I'm sure !
This is the only picture I have of it, but yeah, ONE BAD AZZ TRUCK !
Now, back to our regularly scheduled program. . . . . today, as with everyday, I put another 100 miles on the poor Astro.
I drove the '92 to go get safety equipment....
This is the only picture I have of it, but yeah, ONE BAD AZZ TRUCK !
That is beautiful Uncle_Fester....thanks for sharing man !.....
Yeah, he is pretty proud of it ! Only one thing that sucks about the truck, it was bought with his sons life insurance when he was killed while in the Marines. . . . . RIP Robert Tyler Austin Semper Fi !
This is the only picture I have of it, but yeah, ONE BAD AZZ TRUCK !
That is beautiful Uncle_Fester....thanks for sharing man !.....
sorry everyone , i have one more question about NAPCO 4x4's , didnt they buy these from chevrolet after they was built then convert them to 4x4's?
Yeah, he is pretty proud of it ! Only one thing that sucks about the truck, it was bought with his sons life insurance when he was killed while in the Marines. . . . . RIP Robert Tyler Austin Semper Fi !
..very sorry to her that UF..
Drove it around because it;s sat for two days without running. Frankly, I'm not sure how often I really need to worry about it not running but I try to get it out every two or three days if I don't have anywhere to go. Once it was driven and well warmed I reinstalled the wood trim I stained and started taking out the four bajillion trim parts that make up the side doors for sanding and re-staining.
I waved at the grey ghost when I went out to start the work truck this morning :-)
put it in the shop today and had then heater core put in , didnt feel like messing with it , its so nice to have heat now .
Got the old Ford out Sunday and went loaferin' for a few. Needed to charge up the auxiliary power and test out the battery separator anyway.
When we got home we had a Thank You note from OPEC!!
Put new belts on and worked on ripping out the interior.
Cleaned Rat/mouse nest off motor top. Pics under Dodge forum.
Had headlight go out last nite, changed that. {what fun, screws have never been out. Heat and Blaster.}
Tightened up Battery turnamels.
DROVE IT!
Fired my 87 4x4 Ford up and drove it around the yard a couple of times to check for anything odd in the drive line. Put it in 4x4 and locked the hubs... nice and tight! Nothing other than some tire rub from the 33s at full lock. Plates and inspection this week...sweet.
Then proceeded to the shop, had a safety meeting and stared at the 77 Dodge for an hour wondering where to start/ where to go from here....... totally at a loss.
Stood inside it staring at the stuff everywhere then went back inside for some herbal remedy. Tomorrow I plan to unpack it to reorganize everything and decide what sort of TV I'm putting in.
A new squeak developed from under somewhere.
Today I found it to be coming from my fairly recently installed lower control arm bushings.
I should have re torqued them at some point after install. I guess the teeth on the new bushing flattened out, or dug in, but I got nearly 7/8 more of a turn on both of the fine threaded bolts.
SQUEAKICUS ENDICUS!
Oh, here is what my previous LCA bushings looked like when I replaced them
![[Linked Image]](https://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss15/wrcsixeight/LCAbushings.jpg)
BTW, Cherry, buy a newer 12 volt TV. Using an inverter to power a tv in not only less efficient, it causes a lot of inteference and many of the inbetween stations will be knocked out.
Fought with my TPS screws, i think ford used locktite on em or they are just rusted in..gonna cut a decent flat head slot with the dremel tomorrow...Almost finished removing the old chipped paint from my wheel wells with aircraft remover..cant wait to finish em.
Drilled my wiper cowl to put the wipers back on,
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/Tattooingsc/my%2074/IMG_0370.jpg)
And now that the motor is broken in and my leaks have been resolved, I put the engine cover back on and built a new drink tray. The engine cover was smoothed and the ashtray shaved.
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/Tattooingsc/my%2074/IMG_0394.jpg)
The dash is done, except for the new radio mount. That'll come later.
Also put a new shifter handle on.
I investigated why my High beams no longer functioned.
When I disconnected the Dimmer switch, I knew I was onto something.
![[Linked Image]](https://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss15/wrcsixeight/011copy.jpg)
All fixed now.
Also installed a new ignition switch.
Boot, your van stirs up inappropriate feelings toward it. That thing is gorgeous!
Boot, that sweety gets better and better every time I see it ! WOW does not begin to cover it !
Drilled my wiper cowl to put the wipers back on,
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/Tattooingsc/my%2074/IMG_0370.jpg)
And now that the motor is broken in and my leaks have been resolved, I put the engine cover back on and built a new drink tray. The engine cover was smoothed and the ashtray shaved.
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/Tattooingsc/my%2074/IMG_0394.jpg)
The dash is done, except for the new radio mount. That'll come later.
Also put a new shifter handle on.
I just looked at all your photos of your van. wow what a super job ! one of the nicest trucks I've seen very simplistic and CLEAN looking, Kudos to you. Wow again !
To put the wipers back on huh?
I hate to say I told you so, but......
Unfortunately nothing. Getting ready to drop $999 on the Mule (my 96 Villager) to get it back on the road (AC compressor was dead). That'll eat up my potential toy budget for a while.
To put the wipers back on huh?
I hate to say I told you so, but......
It was an extreme struggle for me. I still feel I screwed up the whole look of the van by putting them back on, but I suppose it beats sitting under bridges waiting for a storm to pass.
Cleaned snow off the Dodge
To put the wipers back on huh?
I hate to say I told you so, but......
It was an extreme struggle for me. I still feel I screwed up the whole look of the van by putting them back on, but I suppose it beats sitting under bridges waiting for a storm to pass.
Look at it this way Boot:
If a Playboy Bunny's wearing glasses do ya kick her outta bed?
Cleaned snow off the Dodge
Gee I you just made my day,it has been sunny and warm here,thanks for keeping the snow down your way.
Cleaned snow off the Dodge
Gee I you just made my day,it has been sunny and warm here,thanks for keeping the snow down your way.
If that's all we get this winter,I can deal with it.
To put the wipers back on huh?I hate to say I told you so, but......
It was an extreme struggle for me. I still feel I screwed up the whole look of the van by putting them back on, but I suppose it beats sitting under bridges waiting for a storm to pass.
Look at it this way Boot:
If a Playboy Bunny's wearing glasses do ya kick her outta bed?
If playboy bunny is wearing glasses are you look at her glasses?
Were having a heat wave so I'm building my new consol
Well i am getting my engine and body parts back on my van. Now comes the headaches. I am taking my van from a street custom to full custom. I can't say much on what is being done but i hope to have it all done for Spring Thaw. If not then i will have it at the Ford Nationals in Carlisle, Pa in early june.
Tumbleweed
Nova Vans
Free Spirit
Spirit In The Wind
Southeast Van Council
I worked on the driveline vibration some, pinion nut loose again, driveshaft not Right yet. Also dropped the Excess Alcoa stuff from between the wheel openings.
Been cleaning. Getting ready for Detroit Autorama. Move in Thursday night. Ready to party. See ya.
chop done now at the body shop pic coming
I'm missing my 73 somethin awful but not rushing anything, too cold for me to mess with it, I wanna throw things at the 99, it ain't getting upgrades, would love to trade it for a regular size van, ext is too big for a daily driver.
Hurry up spring.
Put Wolf-Den up for sale, starting to rethink that one, we'll see. . . .
Drove 200 miles in the Astro and never left OKC, and it is not that big of a city. . . . WTF? lol Got to do a oil change this week on the Astro, and start trying to figure out her budget for the next few months. . . .
I drooled on mine, and that froze to it. Then it melted off, and refroze hours later. Time will come when ot will be warm enough. I do have my oak running boards in house being sanded and re-cleared.
cut an additional 5 inches out of window openings and installed new vented windows. one step closer to doing the inside. i can finally take the towels out of the inside that caught the rain. now if i can only figure out the insulation dilemma--spray glue or no glue--use silver tape to hold reflexit--use the pink in addition or not. at least the windows are in for the georgia run
To put the wipers back on huh?
I hate to say I told you so, but......
It was an extreme struggle for me. I still feel I screwed up the whole look of the van by putting them back on, but I suppose it beats sitting under bridges waiting for a storm to pass.
This may be too little too late, but i used rain -x for years on my safari with no wipers and it worked great in all but a full on deluge.
To put the wipers back on huh?
I hate to say I told you so, but......
It was an extreme struggle for me. I still feel I screwed up the whole look of the van by putting them back on, but I suppose it beats sitting under bridges waiting for a storm to pass.
Look at it this way Boot:
If a Playboy Bunny's wearing glasses do ya kick her outta bed?
Why would you kick her out Catfish? Glasses are just a target

Im kind of expecting that one to get removed
Got my two brand new Ansen slots for the front 15x8's and tried one on to make sure it fits! Then drove 30 miles to
www.ocontometal.com to get them highly polished like chrome! These look awesome and I'll finally have center caps on the front!

Should be done in two weeks, I'll post pics in spring once she's out of storage!
Got my two brand new Ansen slots for the front 15x8's and tried one on to make sure it fits! Then drove 30 miles to
www.ocontometal.com to get them highly polished like chrome! These look awesome and I'll finally have center caps on the front!

Should be done in two weeks, I'll post pics in spring once she's out of storage!
What's the cost to polish those?
Oh, installed a new Performer intake one my 4.wheeeeee
Yelled and called it really bad names when it wouldn't start this morning so I could unload it and get ready to go pick up materials at the lumber yard.
Neighbors already think I'm crazy anyway so yelling at a van at 3 AM probably wont make a difference.
On the other hand the yelling worked , got it started and unloaded. I'll see in about 3 hours if it will start again when the store opens.
The van just needs to make it to the store.. as the tow truck wont mind and charges the same for the tow with material inside.
Been there done that,yelled at my vans for over 30 years,then of course patted it on the dash and said come on darlin' don't do this to me.

Here the sun is shining a blue sky I'm going out to wash the van,weather network says it is snowing.Now that is my kind of snow.
Got my two brand new Ansen slots for the front 15x8's and tried one on to make sure it fits! Then drove 30 miles to
www.ocontometal.com to get them highly polished like chrome! These look awesome and I'll finally have center caps on the front!

Should be done in two weeks, I'll post pics in spring once she's out of storage!
What's the cost to polish those?
Oh, installed a new Performer intake one my 4.wheeeeee
Costing me 50 bucks a piece.
Back inside and the van is all washed, nice in clean.
Shorten my windshield wiper arms 6 inches
Pulled the rest of the interior out and removed about a mile of wiring!!!!
I unhooked the battery terminal
Which van? hehe my 96 ford i ordered front end parts, my 76 gmc detailed the motor, my 69 early chevy worked on airdamn in front of dog house,because Bert"WNYVA" said it will keep the temp. down
Installed a new JVC deck in the van and have all new all terrain tires on it. went with LT235-75r15's. Up from the 225's it did have.
gave Sanitarium a bath , then cruised around town to blow dry it .
Striped off covering on console.
Ordered wall covering today.
I looked at pics in the picture file!!! Someday soon it will be back.
Richard
![[Linked Image]](https://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd502/honky-time/engine%20work/P1050972.jpg)
Put on my sparkplug wire separators!! Thanks to Ryan at
TuffRides!! Can anyone tell me how to go about shortening plug wires?
Just wet dreams for now.lol
block sanded my 69 chebby early
Just gave it a Bum's bath on the way home from work yesterday. Went lookin for the wife a nother Ride, no time for anything else this week, will be back on the road at4am.
Started pulling out the 1987 once maroon but now yellow carpeting only to find, to my dismay, that the driver's side was wet from last nights rain. No idea why since none of the windows were down. I got as far as doing the front third and came in for some tea and a safety meeting.
Still haven't picked new flooring.
At 5:30 this morning cleaning the

snow off of it.
Changed the fuel pump,straps and connector. Aside from dealing with the rusted on bolts it wasn't as bad as i thought.
Went down to Brian's so he could weld the exhaust up on my 94. The doggone tailpipe slipped out of the muffler again. I even had the correct clamp on there. Oh well..he welded it up.
I also pulled the 85 out and got the side doors aligned almost perfectly. Now the gaps are pretty much even all the way around.
![[Linked Image]](https://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e88/nbreece/120302_0002.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e88/nbreece/120302_0000.jpg)
What is up with the early ass end?? I hope that was cut off and put there!!
I ordered new side pipes today
Considering it's been months since I washed and waxed Walter (my van), I decided to bring out the turtle wax and give ol' wally a bath and a good wax. Then later on in the day I decided to get off my butt and go to the home depot and grab some grinding discs and spray paint and attend to the horrid frame rust and corrosion that is starting to take over on Walter.
Tomorrow I am going to be jacking up the rear end and pulling out the axle shafts to replace those 16 year old axle bearings and seals. Rear end has been getting a little bumpy and figured to replace the bearings and take a look at the differential and whatnot! But hopefully it won't turn out to be an expensive repair, already put thousands in parts and hours in labor into walter.
I also am going to try to bleed the rear brakes tomorrow. Couple weeks ago I took the wheels off to check the axle shafts play and one of the brake drum bars was bent so I took a hammer to it and flattened it out, now my brakes need to be bleed again. But hey better then crashing!
I will also do a little more rust removal, I have so much more to do it's not funny.
Picked up the Luann for my front ceiling.
I did what was planned and replaced the rear axle bearings and seals. Thankfully the axle shafts are in perfect condition so my worries are over. I also bleed the rear brakes, pedal isn't that spongy anymore!
I didn't get to test drive it cause the tank is on E and so is the wallet! LOL
Oh yea and did some more rust removal, it's coming along. Slowly but surely!
drove it to get a haircut and get some treats for my dog , and when i came out side , caught some idiot urinating beside it .
drove it to get a haircut and get some treats for my dog , and when i came out side , caught some idiot urinating beside it .
RU kidding me ??
Gave the van a tune up today. New plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, pcv valve and ordered a new vacuum switch which should be in tomorrow morning. I also ripped all the carpet off the doghouse . Still trying to find the leak on the driver side

This was, by the way, this van's first ever tune up from the looks of what came off and the fact that it only has 43k miles.
This body style van has a very common leak around the windshield, hard to find, best I might suggest is take it to a windshield shop , have the chrome removed and have them reseal the windshield. Good luck and good to see you on here again.
Oh, as for what I did today, took the van to go grocery shopping, and then tonight took it to cruise Route 66 here in town (regular Saturday night cruise).
Gave the van a tune up today. New plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, pcv valve and ordered a new vacuum switch which should be in tomorrow morning. I also ripped all the carpet off the doghouse . Still trying to find the leak on the driver side

This was, by the way, this van's first ever tune up from the looks of what came off and the fact that it only has 43k miles.
Good deal Cherry!
Best way to find leaks in my opinion is for you to sit in the van while someone squirts down the outside with a garden hose. That way you can see where the water is coming in. I vote windshield gasket or front door gasket.
Naw...it's just the arse end hanging there. That's where the garden hose is kept! LOL!
Will just replacing the windshield do it if it's a leak there or do I need to ask them to check something specific. It has two cracks in the windshield that I was just going to fill but if it will fix the leak I'll just replace it.
Put the new vacuum switch in today and a new breather filter - which I didn't even know existed until yesterday when I was wondering what that black dripping thing in my air filter pan was.
Today I'm also considering ordering new gas tanks and straps. I'm running out of time on getting this thing trip worthy. I have a month before I'm supposed to be on the road.
**Edit - Nevermind I just read closer and saw you said to ask them to reseal it.
Can anyone tell me how to go about shortening plug wires?
you can buy wire sets that you can cut to length and put ends on, should be able to pick them at any parts store that sells performance stuff.
drove it to get a haircut and get some treats for my dog , and when i came out side , caught some idiot urinating beside it .
No one shouldn't have to put up with sh!thead like that.
Where was your Gun. That's a shootable offense.
What did I do with them today?
Well with Wolf-Den I took her winter blanket off ( also called a large tarp ), and at a friends suggestion used CONTACT PAPER to cover the cracks/holes in the two long pieces vista cruiser glass. This way I can keep the tarp off and keep the rain out of her too ! WIN WIN ! Now it will be easier to get in and out of her to work on her, so maybe I can get some work done this year !
I took the astro out for a drive to run some errands and took a few pics of the vans.
Wolf-Den looking good:
![[Linked Image]](https://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt14/Unc_Fester/Wolf%20Den%20van/Screenshot2012-03-04at70412PM.png)
the pair together:
I installed a visor on this one.
![[Linked Image]](https://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w66/harleykid77/vanvisor007.jpg)
I had exhaust installed. 1in 2 out drivers side before the back tire. Cut off cat and put on a flow master. The 2 coming out are angled. Looks good and sounds like it should.
Are you trying to make U.F. cry ?
I installed a visor on this one.
![[Linked Image]](https://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w66/harleykid77/vanvisor007.jpg)
Looking good Paul
drove it to get a haircut and get some treats for my dog , and when i came out side , caught some idiot urinating beside it .
At least he was'nt pissing on it
drove it to get a haircut and get some treats for my dog , and when i came out side , caught some idiot urinating beside it .
At least he was'nt pissing on it
LMAO
Just ordered a new windshield - should be here between 1 - 4. Got a decent price (compared to the 6 places I called) from Glass America - no hidden fees to come install at the house I'm staying in
A couple days ago I adjust my TV cable, trans shifts a little bit better. I also managed to bleed the brakes and change the axle bearings, the ride feels alot better aside from the driveshaft run out. I also gave walter a wash and a wax cleaned and polished the rims everything and someone drove by and asked me if I wanted to sell my van... (Nope not for sale

)
Walter is coming along!
Re ordered wall covering. Glued console face plates in place.
I installed a visor on this one.
![[Linked Image]](https://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w66/harleykid77/vanvisor007.jpg)
Paul, THAT LOOKS HOT ! We will have to talk about next years taxes and buying that van then. . . . so don't do to much to it or I will not be able to afford it !
As for the guy peeing on/next to the van, should have walked up next to him, whipped it out and aimed at him. . . . . he would have gotten the idea real fast, and if not, let her rip !
drove it to get a haircut and get some treats for my dog , and when i came out side , caught some idiot urinating beside it .
At least he was'nt pissing on it

oh trust me , he would have had to find another way to eat burrito's lol
Finally got on my new Ansen 15x8's and new Cooper Cobra 235-60-15 tires on front of my van. Damn it's looks stunning and finally I have center caps! The 235s filled in the fender area nicely compared to my 225s. Will get pics in spring, still in storage but trust me it looks awesome!
On the 2 in my garage "Paint,Paint" Uggg!!!! great day" the 69 early and my 76 Gmc
Finally got on my new Ansen 15x8's and new Cooper Cobra 235-60-15 tires on front of my van. Damn it's looks stunning and finally I have center caps! The 235s filled in the fender area nicely compared to my 225s. Will get pics in spring, still in storage but trust me it looks awesome!

even if it is still winter up there lol
Well it wasn't today but this past weekend we got the fuel injected motor in the early fired and running!!!! First time a motor has been running in it for over 20 years. See other post for pics, video and sound.
I did what was planned and replaced the rear axle bearings and seals. Thankfully the axle shafts are in perfect condition so my worries are over. I also bleed the rear brakes, pedal isn't that spongy anymore!
I didn't get to test drive it cause the tank is on E and so is the wallet! LOL
Oh yea and did some more rust removal, it's coming along. Slowly but surely!
Ramvan, any leads on how to replace the rear axle bearings and seals, and bleed the brakes? Could you link me to a good website that shows how to do stuff like this? Seems like Walter and my misses (no name yet, might turn out to be a boy :)) have a lot in common, she's kinda rusty and (1994) older too...
Although on second glance, compared to the average van-age on here she's actually like in her twenties
Are you trying to make U.F. cry ?
I installed a visor on this one.
![[Linked Image]](https://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w66/harleykid77/vanvisor007.jpg)
No!! Did you see the ride he is flaunting im my face just before my post????

Look at him do you even think he knows how to cry??
I installed a visor on this one.
![[Linked Image]](https://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w66/harleykid77/vanvisor007.jpg)
Paul, THAT LOOKS HOT ! We will have to talk about next years taxes and buying that van then. . . . so don't do to much to it or I will not be able to afford it !
Thanks Fester! I will try to get those other pics you asked for. Had my camera out but didn't get that far as you can see
Looking good Paul

Thanks HONEY!

<Wow that was good!!
Today:
Got rid of the stock radio finally. $99 and free shipping from Crutchfield. I love the ability to stream audio from phone to car system. I may buy a couple more for my other cars. I'm still trying to muster up the courage to change the dash speakers
Finished framing console, installed radio, changed plugs.
Ready for trip to pickup seats tomorrow.
Installed my new grill I traded for with X-MAN...........
Installed my new grill I traded for with X-MAN...........
wow, finally went outside and took pics of the new van lol , grille looks great buddy lol,
oh and the wheels to
Installed my new grill I traded for with X-MAN...........
wow, finally went outside and took pics of the new van lol , grille looks great buddy lol,
oh and the wheels to
_______Thanks David {GR} !.....
Your vans looking real sweet Pete.Nice to see it out of the garage.
Drove my van to work today..did you get that..
to work.

First time in over 6 months. Not much but had to do something to pay for break work and fuel lines that's gotta get done. Killed the tax return getting caught up. It's only gonna be a weeks worth and now my over 00 legs, arms, shoulders and a>> are killing me. Hi Ho Hi Ho.
Installed my new grill I traded for with X-MAN...........
wow, finally went outside and took pics of the new van lol , grille looks great buddy lol,
oh and the wheels to
_______Thanks David {GR} !.....
All

Now we gotta get a visor on it. Stay tuned.
Started mod on gauge pod '74 Dodge.Got some masks to make to cover exposed corners there, and a decision to make about oil pressure gauge. Have a big Autometer mech on the column but may go mech or electric in that pod upper left position.
![[Linked Image]](https://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee515/Altosax100/pod2.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee515/Altosax100/pod1.jpg)
These are Sunpro brand I hacked out of the cases. Temp has a tube, I think it's accurate.
picked up my new motor/trans!
Sold my old boat and used the cash to put in new transmission
and buy 20 square yards of purple shag carpet! (not that i'm even close to ready for the carpet)
Installed my new grill I traded for with X-MAN...........
Pete thats looking beeyouteefull
Just driving the wheels off. Checking the mileage with the new 500 Performer carb and intake, looking like it's been a good investment so far.
Highway, your DODGE is looking sweet. With that color, tubines or slots would be the only "permissable" wheel and they look great.
Your vans looking real sweet Pete.Nice to see it out of the garage.
Thanks Luke...the weather is finally turning to spring even tho we have had a mild winter, I'll be getting my plates and insurance on her by the first of May...my son and I got it running and drove it around the farm for the first time since all Reed's
help in getting the super-6 running again...and the 4-speed is just cool ! Need to find out why the horn doesn't work and I need to find a turn signal switch..there like 50 bucks ...so I'm looking for a better deal..but I'm sure it will all come together ........
Installed my new grill I traded for with X-MAN...........
wow, finally went outside and took pics of the new van lol , grille looks great buddy lol,
oh and the wheels to
_______Thanks David {GR} !.....
All

Now we gotta get a visor on
it. Stay tuned.
Yup ..still lookin around for one ...but I will stay tune also Leonard thanks !.....
Installed my new grill I traded for with X-MAN...........
Pete thats looking beeyouteefull
Thank You Rick......I still want to end up with Cragar SS wheels ..I guess I just like the old chrome spoke look, or maybe it's because when I was a teenager I wanted them and couldn't afford them....next : visor and chin spoiler and we'll be gettin there , then we can start on the interior !
Thanks Chuck...
"bout time I got
goin on her !
Woooo Hooooo sharp lookin' Dodge there Highway.
Nice to see it out pete. Lookin good. I like that color.
Thanks you guys........
Thanks you guys........
I gotta put on my shades for your bottom pic Pete
Two of friends, Hippieluke and Bryce.Put my tilt sterring column. I want to thanks.
Your vans looking real sweet Pete.Nice to see it out of the garage.

Yep its to nice to be couped up. Cool rims!!!!!
Richard
Took a little trip and met with madmaxivan and got my captain chairs.
Drove the van to my new job I started this week and answered a lot of questions about it. Started installing my green led underglow...
This weekend will finish my underglow, wire in my solenoid for self-jumpstarts, and work towards replacing headliner...
been collecting stuff since the Mi.winter hit(if u want to call it a winter) as of now i got...
headlight covers
EBC front brake pads(need rotors first)
front side vent windows/track L&R (THNX frickel1)
slider assembly for slidin door(THNX VanPLan)
now all i got to do is wait for it to get alittle warmer out
Jeff
been collecting stuff since the Mi.winter hit(if u want to call it a winter) as of now i got...
front side vent windows/track L&R (THNX fricke1)
now all i got to do is wait for it to get alittle warmer out
Jeff
Welcome ....if there is any thing else I can keep an eye out for you know where I am....
[quote=jlcctsi] been collecting stuff since the Mi.winter hit(if u want to call it a winter)
slider assembly for slidin door(THNX VanPLan)
So that is where that was going! Leonard probly told me who was getting it that day when he was pulling it all off but I was running around pulling chrome trim whith his little flatbar like a prisoner's first day out on crack in a whore house!!!
Got to drive to town and back felt good to be toolin' down the highway the sun high in the blue sky and tunes cranked up on the radio.
Friskel1- as soon as i can think of anything i need, I will let you know.. Luv those CALI parts!!!
vanfun- thnx for givin VanPLan a hand.i the same way about PAP places.. OHH!! look at that over there,i need that. Hard findin parts for the "three" 80s rides i drive..
lol
Jeff
pulled the remainder of the /6 transmission and crap, went to the jy and sourced the motor mounts i need, along with a few other little bs items i might want.
Chris, send me a list of what you need. I pulled a set of motor mounts out of the attic in case you needed them. Let me know what else you need, I may have it.
Cruised down to Montana to help Kim, AborBust, move. Nice to be cruising down the open road.
After months of storage backed her out in the sun and polished the back wheels. Put in my new wooden steering wheel that I sanded and re stained and put in my new rug for the fire place. Also gently wiped the dust off, pics tomorrow!
After months of storage back her out in the sun and polished the back wheels. Put in my new wooden steering wheel that I sanded and re stained and put in my new rug for the fire place. Also gently wiped the dust off, pics tomorrow!
Cool ....looking forward to pics
Cruised down to Montana to help Kim, AborBust, move. Nice to be cruising down the open road.
yes it is , took about a 220 mile road trip today to get some paneling for the van , 5 sheets for $40
Cruised down to Montana to help Kim, AborBust, move. Nice to be cruising down the open road.
yes it is , took about a 220 mile road trip today to get some paneling for the van , 5 sheets for $40
............

...lets see what that stuff looks like David....
here ya go ,Highway ,pete right ?
this is from the pic that the lady had , it was laying on a concrete floor , its still dusty, and had some cobwebs but ill get better pics tomarrow.
gonna use it for the walls

buddy 5 sheets.
Well i wanted to go North to pick up the Ram van, but it Snowed again last nite, has for the last 3 weekends. Looks like another week or 2 in the B van.
here ya go ,Highway ,pete right ?
this is from the pic that the lady had , it was laying on a concrete floor , its still dusty, and had some cobwebs but ill get better pics tomarrow.
gonna use it for the walls

buddy 5 sheets.
NICE...........
Really nice looking panels. Good score.
Richard
what did I do to my van today?.....I BOUGHT IT!!!!! YEEE and most definitely HAAAAAWWWWWW!!!!!!
what did I do to my van today?.....I BOUGHT IT!!!!! YEEE and most definitely HAAAAAWWWWWW!!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Way to go Captain ! Now, where are the pics?
After months of storage back her out in the sun and polished the back wheels. Put in my new wooden steering wheel that I sanded and re stained and put in my new rug for the fire place. Also gently wiped the dust off, pics tomorrow!
Cool ....looking forward to pics
New pics in the Readers Rides section.
got the trans mount reinstalled and the engine is in the proper position, just hung up on the oil pan, gotta source a new one and get that installed then we should be jammin.
Yesterday I bought it. Today I washed it.
Yesterday I bought it. Today I washed it.
![[Linked Image]](https://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd28/Captain-Earl/Shenandoah/100_5351.jpg)
VERY NICE!
Captain, That is one SWEET VAN !
Captain, That is one SWEET VAN !

What else can be said.
Thanks ya'll. Hey Starwars another Vanginian huh? I wonder how many of us there are on here.
Nice van Captain. I just drove back from Montana, 4 hr drive, tunes cranked. Van drove great even with a 30- 40 mile an hour cross wind.

so where are the pics?
we had a guy at work do that to a oil filter on a big deisel sewage pump truck , then tightened it all the way up , then suddenly became sick for two days .
it appears I BROKE the Astro today. . . . grrrr ! So now to decide what to do with it.
In the last 8 days,
I repainted my fiberglass roof
I added 68 more watts of thin film solar to my roof, almost making 200 total
I ran 20 feet of 8awg and 20 feet of 10 awg cabling to the solar charge controller from the panels
I relocated the solar charge controller closer to the batteries.
I re wired, re routed re organized and ran some new wiring all in my electrical cabinet to accommodate the numerous electrical upgrades installed in the last 4.5 years.
Today I flipped on my solar circuit breaker around noon. This is what my battery monitor indicated.
![[Linked Image]](https://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss15/wrcsixeight/115amps-Copy.jpg)
It went as high as 12.4 amps when the thin high clouds parted.
Makes for happy batteries, and ice cold beer cooled by the sun.
Mmmmmmm Beer.
Gurgle gurgle
Mmmmm.....solar!
I'd like to do solar but I've got to wait till we can travel and live in a van enough to make it cost effective. Right now, except for overnights and sleep stops, we just stay at campgrounds or truckins that have power/water.
After retirement we plan to travel and boondock/dry camp some to save $$$$$. I understand it's something people should try first before jumping in.
Nothing to exciting here. But I'm taking a 200 mile trip up to Rhode Island tomorrow. The forecast is for rain, So I installed a new set of windshield wipers.
WooHoo
That solar power does sound interesting,something to look into down the road,I like that idea solar powered COLD BEER!
Had to clear snow off the van this morning.
Finally found a name for the van. Pita Ford the C.U.N.T mobile.
Made new fuel lines, put em on, started it,gave it some gas and held the rpms for a while. No leaks now! (crimp on clamps are a PITA to remove!)
Mmmmm.....solar!
I'd like to do solar but I've got to wait till we can travel and live in a van enough to make it cost effective. Right now, except for overnights and sleep stops, we just stay at campgrounds or truckins that have power/water.
After retirement we plan to travel and boondock/dry camp some to save $$$$$. I understand it's something people should try first before jumping in.
Or research quite a bit. I've spent the last 8 months cramming as much information as I could into my brain about van dwelling. I have a feeling I'll enjoy it quite a bit.
Drove it for a couple hours, then began the polishing for the car show tomorrow.
Went down to Brian's help him figure out what was loose in the steering on his "king cab" pickup. He thought tie rods, but it turns out the steering box bolts were loose!!! Yikes. We took them out, put a little lock-tite on threads, and torqued them down. No more loosey goosey hopefully.
![[Linked Image]](https://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e88/nbreece/kingcab.jpg)
His master cyl was leaking too, but he'll put that on during the week.
Started putting the seats in yesterday but rain today so just a big safety meeting today.
Showed it off a bit today. When we got to the show, there was tons of room
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/Tattooingsc/Car%20show%202012/IMG_004517.jpg)
After two hours, not so much
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/Tattooingsc/Car%20show%202012/IMG_0060.jpg)
Over 3000 cars today. The show field goes all the way back to those tall buildings in the distance. There is even more expected tomorrow, so we're rolling in at 5 AM
That's a huge show.

Thank you for getting out there and showing off your van.
Thanks Lukester. This is one of the biggest shows on the East Coast. It has been going on for 24 years. Street Survivor got a ton of great feedback and had a huge crowd around her all day. I met a guy from Georgia with a beautiful early Ford. He said he was a registered member here but doesnt come here much. The 2 of us were the only custom vans there, and we were both slammed with crowds all day.
sweet deal! looks like great weather.
got all the wall paneling put up , but the back drivers side corner , and started on the cabinet im putting in , looks good , if i must say so lol will have pics tomarrow on , My 81 G20 readers ride thread .
Well,Bert from WNYVA helped me changed my Rad. tranny lines. thanx Bro.
workin on my 69 chebby,
got all the wall paneling put up , but the back drivers side corner , and started on the cabinet im putting in , looks good , if i must say so lol will have pics tomarrow on , My 81 G20 readers ride thread .
I look forward to your
I drove mine... again
Did the walls today. Vents and ceiling is next
On Friday I replaced the JVC deck in the van with a new Sony. Now I need to see if I have some room for a small sub.
On Friday I replaced the JVC deck in the van with a new Sony. Now I need to see if I have some room for a small sub.
I use a Rockford Fosgate R300-12 in my Late model, i'll be buying another soon for the Bvan, its Perfect for me and on sale at SonicElectronics.com for $229.
Forgot, finally made it up to retrieve the 97 from winter storage, it felt Good to drive it after almost 5 months. Will put the Bvan on layup for improvements, at 10 mpg it'll be a nice break to get 14.7 MPG.
got all the wall paneling put up , but the back drivers side corner , and started on the cabinet im putting in , looks good , if i must say so lol will have pics tomarrow on , My 81 G20 readers ride thread .
I look forward to your
go check out my 81 g20 thread lukester.
valve cover gaskets on 84 G20 today, cut floor panels, welded door pin on and installed wood steering wheel yesterday,yeah we were in the 80s on St. Patrick's day in northern IL
fiddled with the oil pan today and ruined a perfectly good gasket. round 2 tomorrow
I attempted to tint my windows and wind wasn't in my side today. Another day I guess.
Got my new back bumper put on, looks freaking awesome!!
Got the Astro out of impound this AM, gonna hide out for a while now, get some sleep.
Packed the van some more for The Cove in 10 days for 10 days...
Tinted the windows 20%
Only driver side done in pic
Got the Astro out of impound this AM, gonna hide out for a while now, get some sleep.
impound?
Got the Astro out of impound this AM, gonna hide out for a while now, get some sleep.
impound?
A Ford cop saw him driving a Chevy....
Drove it in the St Patrick's Day Parade Saturday....over an hour wait in line and 2 hours & twenty minutes in the parade,route was a little longer & there were a lot of entrants & spectators...I think the good weather(only cloudy) & it being a Saturday brought a lot of people out.
Drove it in the St Patrick's Day Parade Saturday....over an hour wait in line and 2 hours & twenty minutes in the parade,route was a little longer & there were a lot of entrants & spectators...I think the good weather(only cloudy) & it being a Saturday brought a lot of people out.
Wish I coulda seen it!
Worked with a claybar on removing a lot of years worth of abuse from the graphics.
Had Grandson Sand on roof.
Drove it in the St Patrick's Day Parade Saturday....over an hour wait in line and 2 hours & twenty minutes in the parade,route was a little longer & there were a lot of entrants & spectators...I think the good weather(only cloudy) & it being a Saturday brought a lot of people out.
Cool Israel..........
Took 2 get front alinement an he said it needed Idler arm!

went to auto store an got 1,had few dollars so got cap,rotor,wires,plugs,an air filter,have a few fuel filters,only took about 2 hours for all so.....gettin alinement next week me guess...Its BEER:30
Grandson finished sanding roof, I worked more on interior.
drank a beer and looked at it before i came up to the house and had another beer....
drank a beer and looked at it before i came up to the house and had another beer....
Ha ha ha
__________
POR-15 and primed my wheel wells..Need to find a good rubberized undercoating for them and im done with that part at least.
Packed the van for The Cove today...Staying till Easter
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/parts062.jpg)
And I still have 4 feet...
Took this for a beer run etc....

Started preparing the Travel Trailer for the Easter Weakend BSCA Custom Meeting. Checking the batteries for liquid-level, reglued a peace of stripwood under the rear cushion, and filled the water-buckets with cleaning-solution as well the water-system.
The Highway-Bully is still in winterstorage and I plan to get it relicenced for the season on april 2nd.
drank a beer and looked at it before i came up to the house and had another beer....
Haha Me too!! i took the day off
Looks awesome Mark
that bumpers bent .
jk mark lol
that bumpers bent .
jk mark lol
Does look like it

but must just be the pic....
Just the way it looks, if it was bent none of the holes would have lined up for the bolts.
Looks nice and shiny.
After a long winter nap I finally fired the "Beast" up and took her for a spin around the block.
Manually shifted the trans so the Flow Master Twins could talk some smack.
Time to start getting her ready for the trip to Wisconsin.
As soon as I get the new motor mounts in I plan on driving her more this summer........
........Wookee
holy glitter gods that thing is sparkly!!!! Looks good and clean.
Always nice to get them out.
Driving my 93 to the Cove today for a fornot...
Removed the drive shaft and dropped it off for repairs and to get rebalanced.
Hopefully this will get rid of the vibrations!
What did I do to my van today... I moved it from one side of the driveway to the other and topped it off with fluids but haven't driven it in few days as it's out of gas and I'm out of moneys. So it's been sitting for a while.
Finished my rear wheel wells...awwwwww yeah
Added these
![[Linked Image]](https://i1173.photobucket.com/albums/r583/Ruffner15/JeffsiPhone003.jpg)
Also replace tranny mount and a rotor.
painted my sunvisor,got new rims and tires on my .76 chebby lookin good!!!!!!! Happy Camper
Ruff those wheels look sharp on there.
Ruff those wheels look sharp on there.
Amen!
Ruff those wheels look sharp on there.
___look good !
______Cool Jim_____

_____

Me either Jim Had to work
blank Blank Blank
Ditto Ditto Ditto
Ummm I tried to see how fast I could burn through $20 of premium, (> 5 gal btw). I may be broke by the time I get 600 miles on this Hogg of a 460 engine.....lots of backyard camping in my future...lol
Ummm I tried to see how fast I could burn through $20 of premium, (> 5 gal btw). I may be broke by the time I get 600 miles on this Hogg of a 460 engine.....lots of backyard camping in my future...lol
____backyard camping can be fun too........
Lol...I sure hope so....no hook up fees either
Lol...I sure hope so....no hook up fees either
____
That's right ! ___
drove it to work as always , then came home and had to take my dog to the vet , shes been limping on her left front leg , they said she just may have "wrenched" her shoulder , and should be ok .
Did some more 'glassin on the front flares and spoiler.
Haven't even had mine out of the garage since October. Going to be a nice day so I'm going to back it out and polish up the rims. That should take about a 6 pack. Then I'm going to drive it on Saturday to "Action Vans" party....WOO WOO.
Painted and reinstalled my repaired drive shaft.
Waiting for the thunderstorms to pass so I can go out for a test drive!
Drove it to work,then watched as my wife drove off with it.
Changed my MAP sensor,checked fluids and drove it.
put a quart of oil in it then drove 100 miles to and from work like every day, man i need to fix that front seal
[quote=Hoagie]put a quart of oil in it then drove 100 miles to and from work like every day
100 total 50 there 50 back
Took it on a Beer run
Took it on a Beer run
---------
well i should have gone straight home from work , went to sonic and and backed into a car

didnt do shit to the van though .
well i should have gone straight home from work , went to sonic and and backed into a car

didnt do shit to the van though .
Well at least if there's no pics it never happen !
Not a friggin' thing was to tired after work.
-Watched it get doused by several thunderstorms, which of course lined up to come to town due to my intention of working underneath on some of the transmission linkage and power steering hoses!
There was a bright side to it; it washed off the evidence of all the Starling's recent return from the south!
And the UPS guy brought in my 3rd solar panel and new charge controller!
Parked it back in the garage before it started raining....
Just thought of it all week while i been on the road. Gona pimp it out some more this weekend. Just dont know how yet. I go home, look at her and it goes from there. Kinda like sex huh. Lol
Bin a little busy with it and catching up with posts.
What I did today. Reworked the exhaust and installed a 3"in/3"out Thrush muffler. The flowmaster finally gave out on me with a split seam. No pics of install but nothing special. turn down in front of rear tire.
What I've bin doing...Finely got some paint on the side and put molding back on. Roller coat and of course not my first choice. Money money money.

gonna let it go for a few weeks, re-sand and blend it better w/ a second coat. 20 yrd rule stands.
![[Linked Image]](https://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/Dogshock57/Body%20work/0912111600a.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/Dogshock57/odds%20and%20ends/0330120839a.jpg)
cleaned up engine some and did wires, rotor cap, filters etc. and painted the air clearer. again nothing special.
![[Linked Image]](https://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/Dogshock57/odds%20and%20ends/0304121045.jpg)
also rewired some switches and moved the light I installed under the cup holder and added "kill" switches for the amp and the light tubes. These will be matched and going into the overhead next time I pull the dash and replace the old switch plate with a piece of wood. Thinking about putting a small digital clock in place of the old switches.
Next up and this has got to get done sooon..replace fuel and break lines. Putting that off b/c the weather can't decide what it wants to do. Also need to replace the slider hardware and get the door to line up better. Maybe even a no winder.
Well that's not all but it for now.
Bin a little busy with it and catching up with posts.
What I did today. Reworked the exhaust and installed a 3"in/3"out Thrush muffler. The flowmaster finally gave out on me with a split seam. No pics of install but nothing special. turn down in front of rear tire.
What I've bin doing...Finely got some paint on the side and put molding back on. Roller coat and of course not my first choice. Money money money.

gonna let it go for a few weeks, re-sand and blend it better w/ a second coat. 20 yrd rule stands.
![[Linked Image]](https://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/Dogshock57/Body%20work/0912111600a.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/Dogshock57/odds%20and%20ends/0330120839a.jpg)
cleaned up engine some and did wires, rotor cap, filters etc. and painted the air clearer. again nothing special.
![[Linked Image]](https://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j323/Dogshock57/odds%20and%20ends/0304121045.jpg)
also rewired some switches and moved the light I installed under the cup holder and added "kill" switches for the amp and the light tubes. These will be matched and going into the overhead next time I pull the dash and replace the old switch plate with a piece of wood. Thinking about putting a small digital clock in place of the old switches.
Next up and this has got to get done sooon..replace fuel and break lines. Putting that off b/c the weather can't decide what it wants to do. Also need to replace the slider hardware and get the door to line up better. Maybe even a no winder.
Well that's not all but it for now.
Cool..like the no winder part !
Dropped of some stuff for chrome back in Feb and finally got it back and on the van today! Had the hood prop rod chromed as well as the rear brackets and bolts that lock the door in place when you close it. Also polished the wheels for the hell of it. And today I ordered a ton of new chrome for the engine!
Dropped of some stuff for chrome back in Feb and finally got it back and on the van today! Had the hood prop rod chromed as well as the rear brackets and bolts that lock the door in place when you close it. Also polished the wheels for the hell of it. And today I ordered a ton of new chrome for the engine!
Didnt know they had chrome for smart car engines
well i replaced the timing chain cover and timing chain and gears yesterday, it was leaking bad, changed oil,filter and welded some floor pans today, not the prettiest but the holes are smaller than a breadbox now,so far so good on that front oil pan seal
Dropped of some stuff for chrome back in Feb and finally got it back and on the van today! Had the hood prop rod chromed as well as the rear brackets and bolts that lock the door in place when you close it. Also polished the wheels for the hell of it. And today I ordered a ton of new chrome for the engine!
orrrr played a aprils fools joke on everyone saying i sold the van for a smartcar lol
Yesterday I re-colored (spray painted with
Simply Spray Upholstery Fabric Paint) what little carpet I left under the dinette and around the toilet. Today (since it looks like we may actually get some sun) I need to set out the vinyl flooring to soften so I can cut it down and hopefully get it installed.
That piece of non-molded but was supposed to be molded vinyl flooring I purchased is about 4 feet too wide and the doghouse cut out is 2 feet too small. On the plus side I'll be able to run it down under the step plates negating the problem of piecing vinyl into those spaces. I just have to cut it all down to make it fit.
Put it out of the garage for the first time since last november, drove over to my workplace and than walked over for the local DOT-office, where I reregistered it for the upcoming season.
On thursday evening, I will drive over to a washing-spot, clean the outside, buy a new fill lpg for an empty bottle for the travel-trailer, and on friday will drive over to Belgium for the Wild West Easter Fest 2012 to start the 2012 season.
-Finally got underneath and promptly got a generous helping of that first good van dirt of the year in my eyes, LOL!
After a trip inside to retrieve my safety glasses, I managed to install the Magnefine filter in the return line of my power steering. It's got the one I already installed in the transmission fluid cooler line last summer to keep it company.
Don't they make just the most charming pair ever? ;0)
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_7173.jpg)
The Ty-wraps are to damp out any tendency for them to start fluttering around in the airstream, which is pretty strong down there! I *thought* I had some black ones...
BTW, I've gradually been shifting all my hose clamps over to fuel injection type hose clamps, which appear to seal better and cause considerably less trauma to the hoses. Eventually I'll migrate over to stainless ones, but for now I've been using what they sell at the local O'Reilley's, which appear to be galvanized.
1. Changed the brakes
2. Added fluids
3. fixed break light issues
Good day for my van.
Mounted a JY bumper and grill, painted it last week.
changed the oil pan gasket, top line Fel-Pro one piece 4 my 1972 350 almost bought the wrong one (1984 G20) dipstick tube is on my side, man i will never go cheap on gaskets or bearings, intake and carb 2morrow
Did a full detail on the van this morning....
![[Linked Image]](https://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr106/GMCVAN/Galaxy%20Cruiser/IMAG0005-1.jpg)
Then took the van down to the street races tonight. Pissed on a Civic and a Neon,
Should have quit while I was ahead!
Got my ass handed to me by a WRX

But made up for it in the parking lot with a light show!
The van looked great shining under the almost full moon.
Had a good crowd hanging out diggin' on the van
Thought of it, also looked at pics!!!!!!!
One day it will be back in the drive!!!!
Richard
Hey Richard, Always like the look of your van - and those orange foglights too - what's the story on those? Glass,plastic current production??
Hey Richard, Always like the look of your van - and those orange foglights too - what's the story on those? Glass,plastic current production??
Thanks for the comment!!!
They are the famous 70's Sears Quartz-Halogen auxiliary fog lights. As they describe them. They are thick glass and are heavy. Probably built better than any now a days. I have another set and may not use them. If so I will put them up for sell here.
![[Linked Image]](https://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f180/ejajm1/IMG_7434.jpg)
Richard
Spent 12 days at The Cove camping...just drove 350 miles back home
I finished the console between the seats. Got some speakers mounted and connected. Finished the night stand beside the bed and installed the wiring, conduit and outlets for the 120v. Working on a new cup holder for the doghouse.
Still gotta rework the closet and finish the panel work and doors.
Stopping it off for now to pack for next weekend.
Between the tree sap and the pollen, the van looks like it's been abandoned. I think I'll just spray it off at the car wash.....she ain't made to show, she's made to show up.
Washed the "Beast"and took her out for a short ride.
Got to whip up on an Tuner while I was out.
Even got a thumbs up from a county cop working radar.
I have a list of things I need to get done to get her ready for the trip to the "Nationals".
.......Wookee
Been Trying to get The Machine van rolling.
I installed a 'new' steering wheel this week! Check these pictures out!
[img:left]
![[Linked Image]](https://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg218/shawnzo591/1978%20Nomad/DSCN2373.jpg)
[/img]
[img:left]
![[Linked Image]](https://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg218/shawnzo591/1978%20Nomad/DSCN2371.jpg)
[/img]
[img:left]
![[Linked Image]](https://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg218/shawnzo591/1978%20Nomad/DSCN2369.jpg)
[/img]
Looks good Shawnzo! I have a similar wheel on my 85.
With that wood dash kit and that wheel together they are a perfect match and they both look like they BELONG there. Lookin real good Shawnzo!!
I had the same wheel on my 69 Cutlass. Nice and hope all is well buddy!
I finished pulling the wiring for lights, ect. Insulated and installed the subwall on the right side. I figured that I would learn on the short wall.
Installed 1 of 2 Roof vents.
Took a nice cruise in it! All of my chrome is here now for the engine, last time it was redone was back in 2000 so time to freshen it up again with all new chrome etc. Should be done in the next month or so! Will post before and after pics.
Emptied the '93 after 12 days at The Cove...gave it a bath..put a blanket on her and tucked her away for the night...
HAD to add something , post count was at 666 ! So, anyway, I drove it to the car wash and gave her a MUCH needed bath !
Did nothing to the Highway, but made an appointment for friday 20 with my garage to get the duannual technical approval, some servicing, some planned repairs and to get a new problem fixed.
On my trip to and back from the Wild West Easter Fest last weekend I experienced some bad noise from the back of the van, and after some thinking over, I think it's one of the velocity joints on the right short drive-shaft form the transmission to the wheel.
After posting this suggestion on a german Vanagon-Forum, I got answers, who confirm this, and the garage says the same.
So, next week friday they will check it, and than I have to order the new joints.
used van to go to Home Depot.
Had to replace water filter housings and repair water leak.
Housing R suppose to be replaced every 3 or 4 years, mine have been in since 94.
Recharged my A/C and found out i have a leak, Put new wiper blades on then took it for a quick ride around the block. Starting to plan out my console
Went to The Bone Yard for Lionvan & Reed ...while I was there I found a steel tube grille a little dirty but for $26 who can complain...
Well Not just today...but spent the last week or so rebuilding the front end w/ CPP Drop spindles, Energy suspension / moog components and Wilwood rotors & D52 Calipers. Yea She still going together.
Wow! nice lookin front end.
Today i actually got something done. I got the rest of the nasty old exhaust cut out, re-installed the starter, and re-installed the spare tire carrier and tire.
Well Not just today...but spent the last week or so rebuilding the front end w/ CPP Drop spindles, Energy suspension / moog components and Wilwood rotors & D52 Calipers. Yea She still going together.
Very cool!! I wished I had used the CPP spindles. I wouldn't be having the wheel/tire fitment issues I have now.
BTW..I'll be glad to loan ya a set of jack stands!!
Well Not just today...but spent the last week or so rebuilding the front end w/ CPP Drop spindles, Energy suspension / moog components and Wilwood rotors & D52 Calipers. Yea She still going together.
Very cool!! I wished I had used the CPP spindles. I wouldn't be having the wheel/tire fitment issues I have now.
BTW..I'll be glad to loan ya a set of jack stands!!
Ok CatFish : There are jack-stands there but..... your gonna shamed me into buying the taller models I see. I just couldn't get her high enough to work on. And we all know better than to use the inverted cinder block technique don't we !!!!
Well Not just today...but spent the last week or so rebuilding the front end w/ CPP Drop spindles, Energy suspension / moog components and Wilwood rotors & D52 Calipers. Yea She still going together.
Nice job so far, the front end looks great!
Working on fabricating some new headlight covers today. I couldn't decide on what color I liked better, so I'm making a couple sets. I'll post up some pics when I'm finished and let the general consensus decide.
Had Grandson take off studded snow tires and put on summer tires.
Put it in the garage before the sleet/rain hit...
Replaced the heater control valve..grrrr. Not b/c it's all that hard to do but a PIA to get at.
Am working on finishing up the flooring for the back - but took a bunch of pictures of the now packed up van. Getting ready to hit the road as soon as I get this floor in. I have pics of that process but haven't uploaded them yet (hopefully tonight sometime). The others can be found on my blog
http://cherrywanders.blogspot.com/
Cherry R U coming up to lost weekend, Memorial weekend?
in Greenwich NY. One hell of a Show, Weekend.
When are you planning to hit the road cherry?
Looks like I'm on the road today as soon as I finish up the flooring (just added some pics of that to my blog)
Bob - I may. Right now I'm probably going to head up to Atlantic City to poke around since I've never been there. Going to NY in May isn't that much of a stretch. I'm hanging around the NE US until July when I have a festival here to go to then I'll be off to who knows where.
Sanded Drivers side. Hope to prime this weekend.
Put a tach in that a friend gave me.
Brand new and free is a good thing.
Don't ya just love when a five minute job turns into a three hour chore?
I needed to replace a burnt out bulb in one of the driving lights, no biggie right. Well all the screws holding the housing together were completely rusted. Oh course, I stripped one trying to get it out. Okay no big deal, get the EZ Out. Got the housing open and find that all the wire connectors are rusted together, Doh! Replace all the connections and installed the new light bulb. It don't work! Okay now pull the dash apart to check the inline fuse to the switch. Turns out the rusted wire connector popped the fuse. Success! Put everything back together and looked at the clock, Three hours had passed!
Don't ya just love when a five minute job turns into a three hour chore?
I needed to replace a burnt out bulb in one of the driving lights, no biggie right. Well all the screws holding the housing together were completely rusted. Oh course, I stripped one trying to get it out. Okay no big deal, get the EZ Out. Got the housing open and find that all the wire connectors are rusted together, Doh! Replace all the connections and installed the new light bulb. It don't work! Okay now pull the dash apart to check the inline fuse to the switch. Turns out the rusted wire connector popped the fuse. Success! Put everything back together and looked at the clock, Three hours had passed!
__________

...sounds like everything I touch also....
Put a tach in that a friend gave me.
Brand new and free is a good thing.
_________Nice !
__________

...sounds like everything I touch also....
We love our OLD vans

Meh, was nice day to be outside drinking beer and working on the van.
Put it in the garage before the sleet/rain hit...

love your dog there , Highway
i spent the morning getting to know my new '71 g20 van. had her 2 weeks now, and driven almost 300 miles, but had only pulled the doghouse long enough to check the tranny fluid. other than my old jeep project, i've always owned toyotas and nissans, and this is my first v8 (just in time for high gas prices). i cleaned up a bunch of wiring that was just laying all over the intake manifold, found and fixed a heat shield rattle, checked out the points, cap, rotor (need to replace), plug wires (old 7 mm ac delco) air cleaner (need to replace, that all helps explain my 12 mpg), checked the choke, which doesn't work at all (two small barrels (primaries?) -choke always open. two larger ones -choke always closed, rochchester quadrajet). comparing what i saw in the haynes manual to my carb confused the heck out of me, so i made a list, put it all back together and took the dogs for a ride...
Put it in the garage before the sleet/rain hit...

love your dog there , Highway
--Made me laugh the first time I saw it GR so I thought I would throw it on there for shitz and giggles...
Today, since it was about 77 degrees, I gave my van a wash. First of the spring, even though we had a relatively mild winter it was a bit grimy and gritty. Cleaned up nice. Now that the weather seems to be turning warmer I get to do the the regular maintenance, oil change, plugs, dist cap, lubing front end and spraying leaf springs. Before that I have to replace the push rod-value lifter cover gasket on the side my 4.9L 6. It's still the original and finally is just leaking too much that tightening it just wouldn't do. I bought one from Green Sales, so I have no excuse! Besides that....that's all, unless I dream of other projects to start!
Took my mag-lite out of it, and put in fresh batteries and an LED bulb upgrade.
Otherwise, not much other than start it up a couple times a month.
At least my son has a job now, Operation 'Give him the beast' is under way.
I buffed and waxed a section of the roof of the hightop..
what a pain in the a$$!!!pics in the paint and body section..
Took it out on a small tour into the city,drove my daughter home.Nice sunny day it felt great to just drive down the highway.

After rolling out of Detroit and making it all the way to Toledo (2 weeks ago) ;) (not a van problem, seeing an old long lost friend) ....I decided to polish the van. It hasn't been done since 1982 I'm sure and between gel-glossing the fiberglass topper and using turtle wax heavy duty rubbing compound.....I am exhausted (yes I am nuts enough to do it all by hand). One morning for the topper, 3 days for the van. It was crazy because someone spray bombed something blue in the same space...the whole van was covered in fine freckles!!
Now it's been nice enough to rain on it so I will be washing it one more time and then waxing it....it has been a labour of love and paid itself off by catching the eyes of two bikers from Kansas who were riding by and a young kid who popped in to tell me he loved it.
Pics soon when I get my new camera to do it justice
Pulled out the circa 79 paneling and insulation. Tomorrow begins operation new interior.New floor,walls ceiling.Ill post pix as I go.Stay tuned..
repaired driver door lock mechanicals,and started insulating the ceiling..one section installed and rain stopped me from going any further..miss my garage..always another day!
Finally got out to start working on the my 4x4 E350. This weekend consisted of:
- Full wall to wall gut of the van
- Cleaned up some surface rust on the floor, temp fix until I can Por 15/bed liner it.
- New subfloor and Jute padding cut and installed
- Installed a better set of front doors
- New Deluxe E-line doghouse
- Refinished some wood trim
- Bolted in 2 seat bases and captains chairs w/shoulder belts.
- Took it out for a quick half mile jaunt
Living like a vanner, feeling like a winner.....
washed it, pulled it back into the carport with the olds, filled it with oil and hooked up the starter wires. Got to get a new battery and see if she will fire up now and take the accelerator rod to the shop and cut it down.
Today I started on the new stereo system in the Astro, mounted a Clairion 1/2 dim EQ in the glove box on the doghouse, will post a pic or two in the afternoon.
I plan to go I-Pod feeding the EQ, then on to the amp, then to the speakers. . . No AM/FM, no cassette, no cd, just the I-Pod for tunes. I have over 100gig of music on my I-Tunes, what do I need am/fm, cass, or cd for ?
Got the rear seats in today....
I got a line on 2 astos a 88 and a 95 both fore $500
Staightened out my stereo system a bit. Installed a new Sony deck with usb and auxillary input. Picked up a Rockford Fosgate punch 12" sub in an enclosure for $60 and installed it along with my Alpine 6x9's in the doors and 6" rear speakers. Have this all powered by a 5 channel Clarion amp. Sounds good to me, not to overly bassy and very clean sounding.
Just saw a post on here about a car show I want to attend tomorrow night.
Better get out and detail the van today!
Brought the Highway over to the garage, where they will check tomorrow early morning for the reason of the bad noise, I experienced during the easter-weekend.
Also, some major maintanance work has to be done, and the two-chear-technical safety checkup, so that I will get the stamp on the licence plate for the next two years.

I wish that's all the wifie said when I was paying the tow.

I wish that's all the wifie said when I was paying the tow.
no doubt
Don't ya love it?
What happened?
finished the full size bed pedistal...
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/vans006.jpg)
insulated the under side......got the water tank fill tube in place...kinda
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/vans007.jpg)
..thinking of gray tile & oak trim...
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/vans011.jpg)
and all this is behind the seat in this pic...
finished the full size bed pedistal...
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/vans006.jpg)
insulated the under side......got the water tank fill tube in place...kinda
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/vans007.jpg)
..thinking of gray tile & oak trim...
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/vans011.jpg)
and all this is behind the seat in this pic...
Hooked up the tranny cooler lines, poured some gas in the tank so it would run on its own, test fitted all the rad. hoses i have laying around, couldnt find the right one. Off to the Zone tomorrow for a lower rad hose. Also found out that i have to buy/make a new power steering line. The speedo cable isnt even close to the same so im not sure how to navigate around that one. Maybe a cable for a V8 van would work? Sure would be nice to know what trans is in this thing.
Way to go guys, Keep up the good work.
We need more vans out at the shows!
finished the full size bed pedistal...
and all this is behind the seat in this pic...
What kind of bench is that, does it make a bed, if so, I could use one of those, to give me a bed and seat, the fold down in my van is a bitch, and not comfortable at all, sleeping will result in a back ache.
Worked on rust by side door.
There were at least two sizes of speedometer cable threaded ends, and if the end at the speedometer is colored, like pink, you need to know which color to get it absolutely correct.
Did your van have cruise control? That would have an additional cable, which may have had a different size end...
There are a number of places which still make up cables to your specs. They would ask the correct questions to put together something for you.
This might help you ID your transmission:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/Scratch/MoparTransmissions_trans02_z.jpg)
I did MORE sanding!
Thanks for the chart and info, I always wondered about the dimensions. Kind of ironic, I broke my brother’s speedometer cable last week in his A100 and need to replace it.
thanks ram! that helps a bunch!
finished the full size bed pedistal...
and all this is behind the seat in this pic...
What kind of bench is that, does it make a bed, if so, I could use one of those, to give me a bed and seat, the fold down in my van is a bitch, and not comfortable at all, sleeping will result in a back ache.
It is a rear seat that I moved forward and built the bed behind it....no it doesnt fold...
Put a new RF caliper on it , bleed the brakes and then started..

....oh well tomorrow's another day....
Well shit, that sucks. . . . is it fixed now or ? ? ?
Well shit, that sucks. . . . is it fixed now or ? ? ?
Yes I hope Found a leaking fuel line.
[quote=frscke1]finished the full size bed pedistal...
and all this is behind the seat in this pic...
Bin wanting to say how nice that looks now that it is all coming together. I remember seeing it on the garage floor with your "helpers" getting it ready for finish coats.
Grandson sanded more on roof.
I installed a airhorn on the roof. Installed new carpet in the front. Reinstalled and lowered front seats and painted the dashboard.
Sent the hubby to the garage--I'll be surprised later!!
Packed a few things Getin ready for Thaw
Took the van to Home Deport for wood to build the drawers for under the bed pedestal...
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/vans006.jpg)
[/quote]VanPLan ... Bin wanting to say how nice that looks now that it is all coming together. I remember seeing it on the garage floor with your "helpers" getting it ready for finish coats. [/quote]
Thank you, Thank you
Got her blessed today , thanks Borderline
a few days ago, she just decided to stop idling. i got in there today, and replaced plugs, points, cap, etc...and found a bad vaacuum leak in pcv line...man does she run better, and somehow the choke even started working!
I am gonna like this! No more floppy turn sig lever + broken cancel cams. This item has been around since the 20's - very rugged, cast metal, made in USA.
I didn't use their strap around mounting system. put studs in their threaded lugs and mounted w/ nylock nuts.
$22. + shipping. Wiring works for all, I checked that out yesterday.
http://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/r...al-Switch-Universal/erm/productDetail.doThis one is the 900 - seven wire, easy to hook up, once I resorted to the directions.
Changed Batteries And did some welding.
Its to be 85 & sunny today SOOOOOO....Take the van to the park to watch NASCAR & attend as many Safety Meetings as I can....
rode my schwinn to the Zone and bought a radiator hose, missed the end of the race. Day 2 of giving up cigarettes. Time for a safety meeting myself.
Ran some sea foam through it,tested codes for the first time after repairs and inspected my fuel line work for leaks..All seems fine for now. Gotta get that tire thing taken care of asap.
Climbed into it at 6:30 am and drove to work in the rain,climbed into it at 3:00 pm and drove home in the sunshine.Total running time 20 minutes.That seems to be all I can afford to do.
Finally got it back from the garage this afternoon after fixing some problems and major maintanance.
Was good to drive it back home.
Now I have to put the (illegal) steering wheel back in, and it's ready for the next event.
fried the front channel in my amp , still have the subwoofer but no 6x9's.
Dusted all the pollen off today, that is all.
Saving every drop of fuel to go truckin this weekend!

Where did you get those nice,shiny parts.
Got my throttle linkage hooked up, starter switch wired up, and driveshaft yoke swapped out. Pretty good day i'd say.
I told them good job and to take the day off....
got tiered of looking at the haze on my factory paint job on big red.
According to somebody on these forums this should only be done by a professional........BS
![[Linked Image]](https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m199/wookeesvan/89%20Chevy%20Big%20Red/buffjob007.jpg)
A harbor freight "El Cheapo" buffer
![[Linked Image]](https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m199/wookeesvan/89%20Chevy%20Big%20Red/buffjob010.jpg)
Some white polishing compound.... 1.50....instant shine......
Now about that safety meeting.......LOL
.......Wookee
Looking good for sure....going threw this with my 83 chevy half ton pick-up..........
Sorry would not even bother to buff a pick up....
......Wookee
i got the same buffer wookee, looks good. When is the rest getting painted to match?
Sorry would not even bother to buff a pick up....
......Wookee
I wax and buff my trailer I am sure gonna make sure my pickup looks the same!

Your van turned out great! You gonna have it with you this weekend?
Installed the ceiling insulation...hope to buy the materials for the ceiling panels to complete it. Need to pickup a interior domelight also.
i got the same buffer wookee, looks good. When is the rest getting painted to match?
As I do different things to it I will pant then to match the rest of the van. The paint is really cleaning up nice
I wax and buff my trailer I am sure gonna make sure my pickup looks the same!

Your van turned out great! You gonna have it with you this weekend?
yes Big Reg is going to Spring Thaw.
Looks like rain tomorrow.Might not get the rest of it buffed out now.....
Got to pack on Friday.
.......Wookee
Hate to say it Wookee, I think he is hinting at you buffing HIS van this weekend. . . . .
got tiered of looking at the haze on my factory paint job on big red.
According to somebody on these forums this should only be done by a professional........BS
![[Linked Image]](https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m199/wookeesvan/89%20Chevy%20Big%20Red/buffjob007.jpg)
A harbor freight "El Cheapo" buffer
![[Linked Image]](https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m199/wookeesvan/89%20Chevy%20Big%20Red/buffjob010.jpg)
Some white polishing compound.... 1.50....instant shine......
Now about that safety meeting.......LOL
.......Wookee
harbor freight "El Cheapo" buffer $24.95
Some white polishing compound.... 1.50.
instant shine......
having a safety meeting while polishing your own van..............priceless
Sorry would not even bother to buff a pick up....
......Wookee
Seriously ....
I have owned a couple nice pick ups over the years.
![[Linked Image]](https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m199/wookeesvan/vannincompics/oldtonew-1.jpg)
I like to keep them clean and let them age,patina on there own.It just gives a pick up it's own personality.
I sold the fully loaded 95 GMC in the picture and bought Big Red.
Over 100,00 miles on it it was getting ready to need some engine work and the paint was showing it's age.I figured if I had to do work to it.Might as well find a van and kill two birds with one stone.There is nothing that I hauled in the pick up I have not been able to haul in the van......
......Wookee
I have owned a couple nice pick ups over the years.......Wookee
Im sorry....
Good job with the buffer wook, The old girl shined up nice!
Washed it getting ready for Thaw

except my wash came from a thunderstorm.

Finished packing the van and did the pre-flight checks. Next stop Spring Thaw!
Nah, don't feel like a four hour ride in the rain. I decided to head out early tomorrow morning.
Time for a

and some keyboard vannin'
I have owned a couple nice pick ups over the years.
![[Linked Image]](https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m199/wookeesvan/vannincompics/oldtonew-1.jpg)
I like to keep them clean and let them age,patina on there own.It just gives a pick up it's own personality.
I sold the fully loaded 95 GMC in the picture and bought Big Red.
Over 100,00 miles on it it was getting ready to need some engine work and the paint was showing it's age.I figured if I had to do work to it.Might as well find a van and kill two birds with one stone.There is nothing that I hauled in the pick up I have not been able to haul in the van......
......Wookee
____cool pic ! I have a tubbed 83 Chevy C-10 shorty with a 406 small block my buddy has been coming over after work wet sanding and rubbing out the paint and we cant believe how nice it is coming out...
Don't be.They served there purpose.Daily drivers to keep the miles wear and tear down on the vans.
......Wookee
Don't be.They served there purpose.Daily drivers to keep the miles wear and tear down on the vans.Not a bad average.In the past 32 years I have only been with out a van for maybe 6 months
Packing the van up tomorrow give it one more bath.As soon as my Pap Pap duties are done.I will be on the road north
......Wookee
Paint on Big Red looks pretty darn good Joe.
Thanks Nate,no better way to find all of the spots that need some help than to buff the old paint out.
.......Wookee
ooooooh It's Shiny!!!
I swapped carbs twice, then built one out of parts from both of them. Tonight is tun up night! VROOOM!
hooked up the remaining heater hoses, and drove all over frickin town looking for a damn temp sending unit. finally found one. Installed it.
Today thanked them for there service and gave them the day off...
Packing it up for a Truck-IN!!
WOO HOOO!
me too Suzie.give her one more bath vacuum out the inside and pack her guts full of Truck in supplies and goodies.....
KERPLUNK....that is the sound of my key board hitting my desk very shortly.
From key board vanner to 2%vanner.....
Life is Good......
....Wookee
Got my vintage 70's license frame in the mail today from Ebay, took the plate off and also picked up my new sticker tag for 2013. Will put it back on the van tomorrow, love it!!! Grass, gas, or ass....No body rides for free!
Thanks Bikertrash00, I've been looking the last few years for a vintage one and it's in super super nice shape! Can't wait to see it on the van, oh loving your updates on your van too. It's looking bad ass.
Thanks, of course it looks real good in a picture and looks good from 20 feet! Works real good for me! Good score again!
Got my vintage 70's license frame in the mail today from Ebay, took the plate off and also picked up my new sticker tag for 2013. Will put it back on the van tomorrow, love it!!! Grass, gas, or ass....No body rides for free!
Simply awesome !

Or as we say here in New Brunswick "RATE COOL MAN"
Well, today turned out to be a great day, so what a better way to spend time workin' on the van!
I had a pushrod-valve lifter cover that has been leaking a bit, so I ordered a new gasket and spent today taking off the cover (which was the original) and replace the gasket. With the help of one of my sons it went pretty good. Down below are a few pics.
![[Linked Image]](https://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z446/SweetSpot2/SidePanel.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z446/SweetSpot2/Panel_2.jpg)
Spent the last 2 days cleaning and finishing up small stuff.
All ready for Doc& dees.
Not to much,had to work this morning,as I was leaving I noticed left rear tire was low,got fuel needed a litre of oil $8.39 ouch!That's what I get for buying it at a convenience store.
Put new bushings on the wiper linkage and got them working...put another coat of filler on the front spoiler and started cutting in the quads!!!! (Pictures under readers rides "My new 77 Dodge project")
Got the shifter linkage sorted out!!! Figured out the problem was dumbass itis
Drove "Big Red" home from Spring Thaw like I stole her.
Changed the interior back to daily driver set up.
I still feel like vans have soles.
They run there best when they are cleaned up and looking good.
or in "Big Red"s case almost looking better....
.........Wookee
Drove it home from Spring Thaw and upacked it
Started Packing for weekend.
I disassembled my converter to drag my stupid cat out from behind it and then I blocked off the hole she used to get there.
I abused the Astro for three days moving all my crap to the new place....... Glad that's over....Now that I have everything out of it Millie and Chiquita wants me to remove the bed and put carpeting in there...Nippy is staying quiet on the matter ;)
I disassembled my converter to drag my stupid cat out from behind it and then I blocked off the hole she used to get there.
By blocking it off you didnt cut off the air flow ? it will overheat if it doesnt have a air flow...
Nah, I taped cardboard over the hole inside the dinette - there's still plenty of flow - at least more than there was when the cat was sitting in there for 4 days. The hole is over a wheel and the exhaust pipe for the toilet (I think) is also run there. They just cut the cabinets out in a huge rectangle to go over the wheel and the exhaust pipe. I neatened that up with the cardboard.
Nah, I taped cardboard over the hole inside the dinette - there's still plenty of flow - at least more than there was when the cat was sitting in there for 4 days. The hole is over a wheel and the exhaust pipe for the toilet (I think) is also run there. They just cut the cabinets out in a huge rectangle to go over the wheel and the exhaust pipe. I neatened that up with the cardboard.
Steel screen made out of expanded metal would be better
Today I did an oil change w/filter. Greased and lubed up the suspension. Even though it was drizzling a bit I felt ambitious!
Went to see Mother. Then went shopping for weekend. Iced doen beer and mixer. Loaded up Liqueur Cabinet. Gassed Van. Ready to leave in morning for Docs.
measured once, twice, three times for the driveshaft. only want to cut it once.
Getting them cleaned out & washed for the show tomorrow..
Just took off the wheels, inspected and cleaned the brakes, rotated the tires, and did some wire-brushing and painting on the chassis and under carriage.... not much!
Changed Trans filter, replaced Trans cooling lines to find out 3rd gear is gone.
Changed Trans filter, replaced Trans cooling lines to find out 3rd gear is gone.
OK, I give up....where did it go?????
Well, I walked out with a beer in hand.....sipped the beer, looked the van, thought about what I wanted to do to it, sipped said beer, opened the side door, looked inside, closed door, sipped beer, went back inside.
Well, I walked out with a beer in hand.....sipped the beer, looked the van, thought about what I wanted to do to it, sipped said beer, opened the side door, looked inside, closed door, sipped beer, went back inside.
That's what I do most of the time, I even do that without the beer. But it's not as much fun......
________
Rode her to my grand kids for dinner
gave it a good bath and vacumed the inside
That's a shame.....Isn't there any way you can get a spare frame, at least the front section and join it up (either by welding or bolting)??
There must be some vanners in your area that could give some advise.
deb, a replacement subframe can be had for her at the jy, its a little work to swap everything out, but your van CAN be saved!
Threw a huge tarp over it since I woke up this morning with a wet bed

I found the leak coming in through one of the built in window shade screws. Not sure how to fix it but I'm going to start by putting silicone along the joint where the fiberglass top meets the van body. Fingers crossed that works.
Just took the interior window trim off and found these two huge holes in the metal *sigh* now I know where the water is coming in, I just gotta find it on the outside of the van so I can seal it.
dropped off my driveshaft to be cut down, found/remarked/installed all my dipsticks and picked up some wiring connectors for my alternator wire.
Good luck a wet bed is no fun
Depends on why/how it got wet!
Depends on why/how it got wet!
Heh, there was no fun in my bed getting wet today.
ive been there, but in my house. definitely sucked
Cherry, this is a place where fiberglass reinforced body filler will work very well to take tare of a hole like that.
You can buy it in quart sized cans.Along with squeegees to apply it.
A piece of duct tape over hole will help to hold the filler in place until it hardens.
......Wookee
One of my tires finally quit today (i was out on the farm so no biggie)..Time to shop fer some new ones.
removed the bed with 10 screws so I could load my new couch in for the new digs
worked on the drawers for the rear under the bed pedestal...
installed LEDs around the headlights and parking lights.Painted the dashboard. Started the interior.
Well, took a picture of it and made this snazzy little SIG. picture, repeated yesterdays process of beer, etc.....thats it...
Went to get the AC recharged, they had a loose fitting...so done with that and went to close the windows and they dont go up...WTF...so got it home and pulled the pass door panel and installed new window switches.....Damn its cold in here !!!
some body did a JP weld job on the switch...
Went to get the AC recharged, they had a loose fitting...so done with that and went to close the windows and they dont go up...WTF...so got it home and pulled the pass door panel and installed new window switches.....Damn its cold in here !!!
some body did a JP weld job on the switch...
Just have to be easier on them switches...
Pulled Transmission from the 96
the JB weld job cracked and the switch was floating in the door...lucky I have a set from the Bone Yard....A $5 repair..
The girl was grabbing the door while getting boinked...
The girl was grabbing the door while getting boinked...
________

...you need to talk nicer to them....
Im lucky she didnt break the window or rip the door off the hindges....
Red hot Banshie...damn near melted the dash....
Drove the "Beast" to the Sonic.Backed into the Gimpy spot. Watched normal people drive by.
Being PROUD TO A VANNER.....
.....Wookee
Checked the oil and it was perfect. Also got more stuff for the engine, within the next month it should be painted with all new chrome on it.
The girl was grabbing the door while getting boinked...
Grabbing it, or trying to escape
Re-installed the power steering pump, started sanding the wing, waiting for the lil lady to come home so i can run out and get some 2-part epoxy and paint.
Drove the "Beast" to the Sonic.Backed into the Gimpy spot. Watched normal people drive by.
Being PROUD TO A VANNER.....
.....Wookee
That's how to do it
The girl was grabbing the door while getting boinked...
Grabbing it, or trying to escape
trying to escape the one eyed wrinkle neck trouser trout....lol
Pulled transmission from 90
didnt want to, but borrowed some money to buy a small 4x4 jimmy from my boss and had to use my van as calatteral.
mounted my new chrome 15x10 wagon wheels on new 295-50-15 tires..
didnt want to, but borrowed some money to buy a small 4x4 jimmy from my boss and had to use my van as calatteral.
What ya going to do with it...got any pics ?
didnt want to, but borrowed some money to buy a small 4x4 jimmy from my boss and had to use my van as calatteral.
What ya going to do with it...got any pics ?
havent picked it up yet , his son has it , going later to get it .
didnt want to, but borrowed some money to buy a small 4x4 jimmy from my boss and had to use my van as calatteral.
What ya going to do with it...got any pics ?
havent picked it up yet , his son has it , going later to get it .
What RU thinkin...daily driver instead of your van ?
Opened the hood, sat my coffee on the battery....took a piss beside the van, got my coffee, closed the hood, walked off...

I did a full detail on the van this afternoon. And then took it to a car show. It was a total bust! It was a very 'clicky' show. I don't think it was the van so much as... long hair freaky people need not apply
Should have read the fine print "Long Hair"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1Q7cP3ij5g 
I did a full detail on the van this afternoon. And then took it to a car show. It was a total bust! It was a very 'clicky' show. I don't think it was the van so much as... long hair freaky people need not apply
That SUCKS....feel for you man ! I hate &$$*@#$% big time......
Should have read the fine print "Long Hair"
So I tucked my hair up under my hat, and I went in to ask them why?...
Should have read the fine print "Long Hair"
So I tucked my hair up under my hat, and I went in to ask them why?...
________
Should have read the fine print "Long Hair"
So I tucked my hair up under my hat, and I went in to ask them why?...
Wish I would have thought of this sooner.
I could have went back in my Camaro and tested the theory.
Hey you [censored], How you like me now!?
didnt want to, but borrowed some money to buy a small 4x4 jimmy from my boss and had to use my van as calatteral.
What ya going to do with it...got any pics ?
havent picked it up yet , his son has it , going later to get it .
What RU thinkin...daily driver instead of your van ?
yes
Should have read the fine print "Long Hair"
So I tucked my hair up under my hat, and I went in to ask them why?...
________
thats a good song , love Tesla
oh, also borrowed a heat gun from a co worker to finally strip my dash for paint .
Just Thought about it, as i've been on the road all week, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois. Headed home tommorrow, its waiting patiently in my wharehouse for my return.
Helped Brian bleed the brakes on one of his A-100's, then went to put the new upper ball joints in my 94. Got the wheels off, got the ball joint popped from the driver side spindle, put the socket on the ball joint, and then realized we didn't have a 1" drive ratchet.

Oh well...I'll get an adapter and do it next week.
Put about 30 miles on running for parts for the chop and a few select beverages!
Very sorry to hear of your loss Deb,sure looks like it was a sweet van.
mounted my new chrome 15x10 wagon wheels on new 295-50-15 tires..
Why would you even tell us this with out
mounted my new chrome 15x10 wagon wheels on new 295-50-15 tires..
Why would you even tell us this with out
LMAO.....will go take a pic now lukester....
Damn, look at the shine on those wheel...
Man those are SWEET.....
Damn, look at the shine on those wheel...
Man those are SWEET.....
Thanks ...
Got the exhaust welded up so no more slippage at the cat joint, vacuumed and cleaned the interior, reinstalled the bed, and tomorrow repack for the vanning season...
Treat her to an oil change tomorrow, and a nice grease job, a can of Seafoam, and awaywego !!!
Great man, did you get her rolling again?
Drove around in the driveway and yard
Sweet wheels and tires Pete
started pealing the vynal off the lower part of the dash to repaint it , man its not as easy as i thought it was going to be even using a heat gun.
Need to get Tranny fluid. It does move but I'm not burning another tranny. I'll wait to road test it.
Drove to work this evening a seven minute drive and the check gauges light came on,the temp was almost 260.I crawled under saw nothing leaking,rad looked clean.On the way home temp stayed ok until I headed towards town(my wife was also working tonight),then began to climb again got the van home called my brother in law who's a mechanic said he is going to drop by tomorrow.Don't think it is anything serious but I ain't takin' any chances.
Sweet wheels and tires Pete
Thanks Wizard........
Found my origanal bow tie and put chrome grill,bumper,and push bar back on. Need to replace oil pan gasket.
Looking good Pete, tires are coopers ? what are the sizes you went with. I like the multi spoke wheels, my fav.
Took the Long way home last nite, Jammin the new sound stage. Stopped at Mc D's for coffee, a couple Old guys (my age) said she looked pretty good.
Looking good Pete, tires are coopers ? what are the sizes you went with. I like the multi spoke wheels, my fav.
295-50-15 on 15x10.... yes Coopers , I have run Coopers on my 1 ton dump trucks and cars and vans and have great luck with them even tho I hear people say they don't like em ?....
Yeah Rick ,my favorite wheel is the good old Cragar SS but there 179 bucks each ...chrome wagon wheels are still period correct and 15x10's are only 89 bucks each so I thought I would give this a try !!
Found my origanal bow tie and put chrome grill,bumper,and push bar back on. Need to replace oil pan gasket.
Nice Craig , I think about your van often ...wish I had the bucks to buy it ...
I started trying to pull of that old crappy fat striping...man is it on there! looks like work for a razor and some thinner
I started trying to pull of that old crappy fat striping...man is it on there! looks like work for a razor and some thinner
go get you an eraser wheel . goes in a drill, a whole lot easier .
I started trying to pull of that old crappy fat striping...man is it on there! looks like work for a razor and some thinner
go get you an eraser wheel . goes in a drill, a whole lot easier .
>>>>>>>>>>

there awesome !
Wheels look great Pete!
Dr. Bob...make sure you buy ATF +4 fluid for that trans.
The front wheels bearings are worn out on my conversion van (they are original with close to 200K on them!) although I have cleaned and repacked them a few times in 10 years of owning the van. So I ordered up new bearings & seals and also a set of new MOOG U-joints from Rock Auto. Next weekend's project before I hit the road for Lost.
Picked up the power steering line for the Dodge... Wrong fitting on the steering box side, and went and picked up my new FORD!
Picked up the power steering line for the Dodge... Wrong fitting on the steering box side, and went and picked up my new FORD!
Wheels look great Pete!
Dr. Bob...make sure you buy ATF +4 fluid for that trans.
That's why it's so expensive.
Didn't actually do anything to my van, but did do something for it. I grabbed a bigger (3.75" dia. vs. 2.5" stocker) driveshaft (free-from '73 C-class motorhome) for the rear axle swap (8 3/4 from '73 Maxi to replace JJ's puny 8 3/8").
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/vandude/MotorhomePropshaft.jpg)
Might have been a waste of time since it still needs to be shortened, but stripped the rust off and shot some satin black on it.
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/vandude/MHU-JointMeas.jpg)
I expected tiny 7260 u-joints on JJ, and wasn't real surprised to find them on the Maxi, but considering the size of the driveshaft and 7,500 rear axle (Dana 70) rating, I was shocked to find them on the motorhome.
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/vandude/U-JointID.png)
At least I'll save a little cash on that part of the swap...
I took my seats out and steam cleaned the carpet.
drove it some, It now has 406 miles ! I gotta stop all the Cruising.
drove it some, It now has 406 miles ! I gotta stop all the Cruising.
you better quit playin f-around! get out there I make the wheels go round & round.
I've put 12k on mine since I bought it last July.. doubled the odometer!
Bad day!!! My friend and I were putting new brake pads on the front, pretty much all done and was looking at the engine when she shifted and fell off the stand landing on the rotors. The only thing that happened was the hood slammed shut and the prop rod went to the outside putting a small ding on the side of the hood and chipping off some paint on the top side area. Thank god nothing else happened below!! I shit my pants. After getting it up and the wheels back on everything is okay. So now I'm either repainting the hood or getting a fiberglass one with a scoop. Found a 70's hood with the scoop and working on a price as we speak and ordered the flake I need. Lesson learned, watch out for soft black top in the sun and always have the stands resting on the frame, I had mine about an inch from it with the jack stand below holding it. Yeah yeah I know stupid. At least we weren't underneath it and my lower spoiler didn't get ruined. I guess I'll have to make it bad ass now with a scoop!!
Should of had a safety meeting first!!!!!!
Always remember..."Safety First" (rule 6)
That sucks about your hood but we learn by the dumbest ways! (at least I do!) Good luck with getting it fixed!!
Wouldn't be too bad but it's all in metal flake, the only thing I can do is get a bitchin hood and make it look better than it was!
i say get the hood , its badass already , just make it a little better .
Washed Grease fingers off van
Talk about dumb, here I is.... 2 days ago, I had my panel out for the first time in a couple of weeks. Was just a quick stop at the gas station, (460s love fuel). As I was leaving, I felt a bumping and heard a thumping. After a few minutes of looking underneath I realized the critical nature of the lowly cotter pin. Knowing I had installed one, I realized I had not properly bent it in place. The castle nut on my driver's side upper ball joint had backed off, causing it to lift up and was riding on the inner lip of my rim. Fortunately nothing was ruined but my wife's morning. I was able to jack it up and reinstall a new castle nut.......and properly install the cotter pin....could've been ugly at 80 mph!
Update, talked to the guy that owns this vintage fiberglass hood and we worked out a price. I'm sending out the money order tomorrow, he's also a vanner on my facebook. Hopefully within the next month she'll be on Mother's Nightmare!
Spent about 2 beers under my hood.
Took Mom out to dinner...
switched wheels between the Dodge and Ford. dropped the Dodge off the jack on myself. Good thing i have ninja like reflexes and got out before it smooshed me, just scraped my elbow on the bottom of the bumper. Spent 2.5 hours and half a bottle of rum scrubbing the shit off the roof and washing the whole van. Took my lovely wife out for mothers day and had a great day.
Thanks Nate !!!
This is something I've been wanting for a while, a rear LED monitor / TV so I spent the last week hooking this up then put in one of Wizzards DVD's and man this video is awesome!! This TV runs off the front head unit but I think I will also install a high definition devise of some kind because the TV is HD. I also installed an inverter to plug this TV into and I bought a converter (didn't install yet) so I can have 110, run my electronics and charge my batteries off the converter. Here are 2 photos 1 of the install and 1 of the finished job. I welded up a bracket and mounted it right over the upper amp using the same mounting screws with spacers and bolts behind the amp plate to hold the extra weight.
[img:center]
![[Linked Image]](https://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac277/Munzvan/P1050588.jpg)
[/img]
![[Linked Image]](https://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac277/Munzvan/TVmounted.jpg)
While I was in there I installed a box for outlets on the left side so I can switch the plug from inverter to 110 and also installed another box to access all the inputs and outputs of the stereo inside the wall............Outta Sight.
Today,well actually friday I finally ordered the rocker panel rear lower corners rockers,should be in by friday or saturday...cant wait to get the body work done..
Wow Munz, looks like a good job!
We went loaferin'.
Drove up to the hills.
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/b158/CatFish1111/Loafering/2012-05-12_16-33-05_451.jpg)
Penny just loves chargin' into the twisties....

![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/b158/CatFish1111/Loafering/2012-05-12_16-01-30_692.jpg)
Ran over back roads where "show" vans fear to tread:
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/b158/CatFish1111/Loafering/2012-05-12_15-58-55_768.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/b158/CatFish1111/Loafering/2012-05-12_15-47-24_504.jpg)
Saw some pretty mountain streams:
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/b158/CatFish1111/Loafering/2012-05-12_15-45-01_825.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/b158/CatFish1111/Loafering/2012-05-12_15-44-33_593.jpg)
A great old barn that you won't see from the paved road:
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/b158/CatFish1111/Loafering/2012-05-12_15-43-55_592.jpg)
And an old work horse:
![[Linked Image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/b158/CatFish1111/Loafering/2012-05-12_17-40-13_493.jpg)
And another one on Sunday:
Nice drive,Beautiful area,Thats why I love spending time in the Adirondacks
Cool pics CatFish thanks for sharin....
Nice cruise Catfish. Thanks for taking us along too!
I am in middle doing my heatcore,cleaing up all old wires.cleaing all dust under the dash.
Wheels look great Pete!
Dr. Bob...make sure you buy ATF +4 fluid for that trans.
The front wheels bearings are worn out on my conversion van (they are original with close to 200K on them!) although I have cleaned and repacked them a few times in 10 years of owning the van. So I ordered up new bearings & seals and also a set of new MOOG U-joints from Rock Auto. Next weekend's project before I hit the road for Lost.
Ordered up my parts online. Advance Auto wanted almost $100.00 for these parts! Got the same from Rock Auto for around $63.00 shipped to my door. That's for National bearings/seals and Moog u-joints. Crazy.
Just walked passed both of mine this morning on my way to work
Just walked passed both of mine this morning on my way to work
You walk to work ? that's cool on the MPG Wiz...
No I walked pass them to get to the Explorer my mini Van
Put tranny treatment and tranny fluid in and took it on test run
Got touch ups to do this weekend.
Crawled around it this morning before work,this afternoon after work and this evening to find out why it would not start at 6:25 this morning.Turns out it is in the tilt steering harness,my brother in law had tried everything then by accident moved the wheel and bingo it started.So it is something to fix in the near future.Yesterday Sunday afternoon cleaned it inside and out,then opened a beer

and admired my work.
Catfish excellent pics,some beautiful scenery you got there.
Hey great old Dodge there you found.
Well it was actually yesterday, but got a good portion of the flooring down:
![[Linked Image]](https://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z430/bootsy900/van/floor1.jpg)
Drove it to go pick up my oldest, cleaned the carpet, and put the door panel back on.
Actually, last week I had to bring the Highway again to the garage.
The exhaust-header wasn't tight anymore, so I let installed a used and planed header and they found out, that one of the staybolds was broken.
Yesterday, I refueld (was lucky, got Diesel for 1.409 Euro per Liter) the Hihgway and washed it.
So, now I'm ready for the 12e Int. Van & Custom Van Meeting in the Netherlands from thursday to sunday.
Left to get good meds and had it towed into garage. There working on it now.
I drove by it at the shop to sitting in the same spot it has been for 4 weeks!!!! This 4x4 rebuild is taking forever, finding parts is a bitch and now I find out I have to have the tie rod sleeves custom made ($400 WTF). I wont be getting it back until at least Monday now.
Looks like its red doors and no stereo for LOST (baring any other further hold ups that would totally screw my plans). No paint, no interior, no carpet.... I never dreamed it would take this long to get this F%$%ing thing sorted out. totally coming unprepared for class........
Got Van back. Broken wire by gas tank.$235 Later.
Battery was dead for some reason yesterday, only 3 years old. Anyways charged it over night and got it back in today. Starts right up. Found a body man to paint the 70s fiberglass hood I have coming with the scoop, he's also gonna repaint my stock hood too.
The flooring lookin'
Used my A/C for the first time yesterday. Spent buku bucks last year getting it fixed and it was worth every penny. Ahhhhhhhhhh.
About to go outside to adjust the timing and hunt down some vacuum leaks...
Nothing yet,At work
Out to the Bone Yard for some more rippin...
Cleaned shop so I can get to it
fixed the pcv hose and air box. Need to find my zip ties...
Wheels look great Pete!
Dr. Bob...make sure you buy ATF +4 fluid for that trans.
The front wheels bearings are worn out on my conversion van (they are original with close to 200K on them!) although I have cleaned and repacked them a few times in 10 years of owning the van. So I ordered up new bearings & seals and also a set of new MOOG U-joints from Rock Auto. Next weekend's project before I hit the road for Lost.
Ordered up my parts online. Advance Auto wanted almost $100.00 for these parts! Got the same from Rock Auto for around $63.00 shipped to my door. That's for National bearings/seals and Moog u-joints. Crazy.
Got my parts today. I'm disappointed in Federal-Mogul right now.
The u-joints are made in the USA, but the grease seals are made in Mexico, and the bearings are made in China.
Drove to Funeral, No problems, Ran great.
If I cant say anything nice, I wont say anything at all...
Sry Nat you are part of a multi nation company now....
Drove to work this morning and drove home this afternoon,no problems with either the overheating or starting.
Timing adjusted. New plugs, new wires. Running like a CHAMP!
I may miss the backfiring a little bit (kidding)... It was sort of fun in the parking structures in town, though. Loved watching people shit themselves...
Drove her to Summit Racing ordered my front carpet. 5-7 days
Added a small bit of LED lighting to her. . . . . more to come !
![[Linked Image]](https://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt14/Unc_Fester/the%20Astro/Astrogrill2.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt14/Unc_Fester/the%20Astro/Astrogrill1.jpg)
LED underbody kit will be added some. . . . all blue . I also plan to paint the headlight buckets white and TRY to find some clear running/turn signal housings as well as paint behind the grill silver/aluminum to make the LED lighting show up better.
I'm part of a multi-nation company?
I'm part of a multi-nation company? company?
I would say Multi Nation CONFUSION myself ! lol
Added a small bit of LED lighting to her. . . . . more to come !
![[Linked Image]](https://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt14/Unc_Fester/the%20Astro/Astrogrill2.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt14/Unc_Fester/the%20Astro/Astrogrill1.jpg)
LED underbody kit will be added some. . . . all blue . I also plan to paint the headlight buckets white and TRY to find some clear running/turn signal housings as well as paint behind the grill silver/aluminum to make the LED lighting show up better.
ebay for clear corners UF. Ive bought quite a few sets for my old Astros from there.
I'm part of a multi-nation company?
Dodge is....Italian's own it and China makes there parts...
I'm part of a multi-nation company?
Dodge is....Italian's own it and China makes there parts...
Easy now.. it's all of the Big Three, not just Chrysler. Just go to your local dealership & look at some boxes in the parts department. You will be shocked!
Went to town for LP gas. Found out my tranny pan is leaking. will change tomorrow.
Lost my bowl someplace in yard.
I'm part of a multi-nation company?
Dodge is....Italian's own it and China makes there parts...
My Dodges were built in Canada.
That Astro is looking good,love the blue lights
Added a small bit of LED lighting to her. . . . . more to come !
![[Linked Image]](https://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt14/Unc_Fester/the%20Astro/Astrogrill2.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt14/Unc_Fester/the%20Astro/Astrogrill1.jpg)
LED underbody kit will be added some. . . . all blue . I also plan to paint the headlight buckets white and TRY to find some clear running/turn signal housings as well as paint behind the grill silver/aluminum to make the LED lighting show up better.
The lights look great! And I agree, the headlight buckets would look better painted white.
Spent about 2 beers under my hood.
Cleaned up real nice! Did you use a special kind of paint on the washer fluid bottle? Or just spray paint?
I used painter's touch by rustolium on the rad overflow jug also. Been 3 years and still looks freshly painted.
went shopping for lost. found and fixed tranny link
Im still on the road. Hope to get home this weekend and fittle with mine a bit.
I parked in the Bar lot across the street because some idjiot, at 4 oclock on a the Friday of a long weekend drilled down through a gas main, making me homeless !!!! On the other hand I may get to sleep in there tonight with Millie, Chiquita and Nippy !
Has this ever happened to you....I went to open the pass door and the thumb button just kept on going ...pushed all the way thru....
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/parts088.jpg)
So off came the door panel....
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/parts091.jpg)
Damn the door handle cracked...the pc that holds the clip in place...
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/parts089.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/Untitled.jpg)
And of coarse the socket dropped in the door....sssoooooo I put a permanent magnet on a stick and fished it out twice...
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/parts096.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/parts095.jpg)
Sooo off to the Bone Yard and got another....
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/bone%20yard/parts102.jpg)
So $5 and 3hrs later(including the trip to the yard) all is well..
I parked in the Bar lot across the street because some idjiot, at 4 oclock on a the Friday of a long weekend drilled down through a gas main, making me homeless !!!! On the other hand I may get to sleep in there tonight with Millie, Chiquita and Nippy !
Keep your hotel receipts & turn them into the co that put out of your house...
I parked in the Bar lot across the street because some idjiot, at 4 oclock on a the Friday of a long weekend drilled down through a gas main, making me homeless !!!! On the other hand I may get to sleep in there tonight with Millie, Chiquita and Nippy !
Keep your hotel receipts & turn them into the co that put out of your house...
Hotels are cheap !!!!! Bars are expensive up here !!!
Has this ever happened to you....I went to open the pass door and the thumb button just kept on going ...pushed all the way thru....
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/parts088.jpg)
So off came the door panel....
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/parts091.jpg)
Damn the door handle cracked...the pc that holds the clip in place...
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/parts089.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/Untitled.jpg)
And of coarse the socket dropped in the door....sssoooooo I put a permanent magnet on a stick and fished it out twice...
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/parts096.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/parts095.jpg)
Sooo off to the Bone Yard and got another....
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/bone%20yard/parts102.jpg)
So $5 and 3hrs later(including the trip to the yard) all is well..
Typical Chevy owners have three or four spares lol
Today I removed my Fridge, treated the rust which formed on the bottom where the door seal mates to the box .
Also sterilized the door seals and all surrounding areas.
Now Waiting for the epoxy appliance paint to dry before re installing and filling with beer and food.
Having 2 or 3 yards around my house is kinda like having spares lying around....
put a battery charger on it , havent driven it or done anything to it in a week , since i bought my new little project.
Hey fellow vanners, been a minute since i been on here(still lurkn tho lol).
just luv wat everybody does to there vans.
Just been busy with work and keepin 3 rides runnin.
Want to thank Fricke1 and VanPLan for the parts they took the time to remove and send to me

They installd and work great. THNX again.
other stuff dun...
headlight covers
painted rims
found cupholder thingy
frnt pads
installd tube grille 4 summer
E3 plugs and MSD stuff
but the bad thing is wen i took off the dog house i found this..
![[Linked Image]](https://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc512/80zridezs/th_pics1023-1.jpg)
2 broke bolts
BUMMER
everybody keep up the GREAT work and i'll get more pics of wat i been doin
Sory so long
later,Jeff
put a battery charger on it , havent driven it or done anything to it in a week , since i bought my new little project.
Hey now....don't be
messin with that Blazer and not your van man.....
put a battery charger on it , havent driven it or done anything to it in a week , since i bought my new little project.
Hey now....don't be
messin with that Blazer and not your van man.....
(hangs head down and says , sorry ) lol
Replaced the upper balljoints and front wheel bearings in my 94
Just on pic of me starting on the driver side.
didnt do a damn thing today but work on some side work.
Had Grandson clean and pack for LOST.
Cruised in it last night and this morning washed it!
Sunny here so my wife has IMFORMED me that we will be washing and waxing the van,I'll try to keep you updated.
went to the jail to see my daughter, On friday she decided she needed a new car without paying....she is facing 5 felonies....who suffers the kids 2 boys...they tel me her bail is $75,000
Want to thank Frscke1 for the parts
Your very welcome & if there is any thing else I can do for you ....
Spending the day cleaning and packing things away so I can start driving north.
went to the jail to see my daughter, On friday she decided she needed a new car without paying....she is facing 5 felonies....who suffers the kids 2 boys...they tel me her bail is $75,000
That's terrible. Sorry that happened man.
It was her choice...at least she didnt steal a van...
Do the crime ...do the time
I hate to see good people make bad decisions. Good luck to you and your family. Don't cheap out on a lawyer.
Replacing vacuum lines, a faulty tps and whatever else i get motivated to do.
Admired my half-finished graphics-removal job... and wondered when I'm going to find time to finish it before LOST.
Promised update still SUNNY

here just finished washing now waxing!Taking plenty of pics.
went to the jail to see my daughter, On friday she decided she needed a new car without paying....she is facing 5 felonies....who suffers the kids 2 boys...they tel me her bail is $75,000
Man sorry to here that ....don't know how I would act if this happen to me....hope it gets better for you...
It doesnt bother me, she made her choice...I hope it gets better for her....Im all about tough love...
Want to thank Frscke1 for the parts
if there is any thing else I can do for you ....
if you EVER run across 1 of those fiberglass hoods with a scoop.. let me know think she would look mean as hell..lol
Jeff
so there was this really loud clunking sound in my passenger door. i pulled the panel to see what all the noise was about and found this big (lighter for scale) bracket thing laying in the bottom of the door. not sure what it is or why it was there, but nothing is missing from inside my door. check 1 noise off the list...
Changed the oil and filter. Checked all the other fluids and the pressure in the tires. Pre-flight check done! Loaded up my bicycle and all my camping gear.
"and I can't wait to get on the road again"
Got my A/C blowing cold. Will have to see how long it lasts.
Put about 20 miles on it, used it to deliver. Discovered a massive oil leak. Time to crawl under it and find out where.
i believe thats the inside bracket for the mirror
Dropped off the fiberglass hood I got from a vanner on here and now she's at a local body shop. They are gonna go over it etc fix the cracks and soon she'll be painted and on the van.
Woo Hoo

Can't wait to see it on
Dropped off the fiberglass hood I got from a vanner on here and now she's at a local body shop. They are gonna go over it etc fix the cracks and soon she'll be painted and on the van.
BADAZZ!!!...going to make that van even better lookin...."
If that was possible"....
Dropped off the fiberglass hood I got from a vanner on here and now she's at a local body shop. They are gonna go over it etc fix the cracks and soon she'll be painted and on the van.
BADAZZ!!!...going to make that van even better lookin...."
If that was possible"....
Thanks guys, may be a few weeks. I think I'm going with a screen for the front area. I may even repaint the front clip of the van and get a new bumper. Cash is tight now, spending money that I wasn't planning. Still have a box of chrome here for the engine but that will have to wait until this is done. I've always wanted a hood like this on my van, can't wait to see it all done.
Well, the A/C in the Astro stopped blowing through the upper vents. The wife told me I had to fix it today, or she was no longer gonna drive it. I did a bit of troubleshooting and discovered the terrible shape of the vacuum lines...8 dollars worth of lines, 3 hours worth of labor. Fixed the issue
They look cool!! Waist not, want not.
Richard
All shined up and no place to go
Rubbed out and Colinite Insulator wax
![[Linked Image]](https://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc446/Oneeyedwhitemonster/shiney2.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc446/Oneeyedwhitemonster/shiney1.jpg)
Fixed the drivers side wiper, washed & cleaned.....taking it to a car/truck show today...even cleaned the tires & white letters...lol
Happy memorial Day to all the Vets...past & present.....
The "Soundman"
Took some of my House of Kolor F17 gold flake and mixed a portion with some clear. Took a small brush and touched up some spots on the van, looks perfect! Also ordered a brand new front bumper and bumper bolts on Ebay.
Started work in the bedroom. just getting ideas....dont like it going to start over...the mattress is off a brand new daybed & it needs to be trimmed about 3"...I laid gray tile under the mattress....also working on the drawers for under the bed pedestal, the drawers have slide trays....still have to set the tracks...make draw faces and trim it all in red oak and alder......
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/vans017.jpg)
The bed lookin'
Gonna make the ft frame taller to hold a matt & a pc of 4" foam....so the ft frame needs to be 4" taller..that board was a JY pc out of a conversion (just there to get ideas)...
Universal joints, greased the wheel bearings, adjusted the rear brakes, added a touch of gear oil. Installed a yellow/ gold metal flake steering wheel.
FILLED UP THE WINDSHIELD WASHER!
well, i havent driven it in two weeks , was kind of thinking about selling it ,got it out today , took a little road trip and bought a nice tv cabinet , was nice to have the cool air blowing by , and to have cruise control , while jamming to Metallica , gonna go rinse it off tomarrow and vacumn it . Made a 40some mile round trip and only used an 1/8th of a tank of gas.
Major surgery!
Funny that the only anesthetics involved made their way into me, LOL!
;0)
It's actually been more than just *today*, but over the last few especially busy days I tore the front off the Van and engine to Helicoil several bolt holes in the block and timing chain cover which had damaged threads, and to replace the timing chain oiler tab. After seeing how the paint had deteriorated over the last 5-6 years, I decided to powder coat all the various brackets and the timing chain cover.
I even pulled the bumper off for the first time ever:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_7330.jpg)
For Helicoils it's pretty critical to drill the holes really straight, so I modified a 1-2-3 block to act as a drill guide for the 25/64" size drill needed for the 3/8" Helicoils.
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_0001.jpg)
This is why I replaced the chain oiler tab - the original timing chain I replaced 6 years ago had eaten part of the tab:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_0012.jpg)
At the time I'd gotten the standard "you can't have it" answer when I tried to obtain them from the Dodge dealer, so I'd left the damaged one in place. I had better results at obtaining one this time, thanks to
www.wholesalemoparparts.comI sandblasted the parts to be powdercoated:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_0026.jpg)
This is how the timing chain cover turned out:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_0032.jpg)
I had masked it with high temperature tape and Aluminum foil, which worked great.
Some of the brackets are matte black powdercoat:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_0028.jpg)
These brackets have the mirror silver base coat for the candy color which is going on in the next day or so:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_0033.jpg)
Oh, I also began filling in the side cargo door windows with metal:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_7354.jpg)
One down, one to go!
After two mid-week raids on a salvage yard I just discovered, things are looking up considerably:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_7352.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_7357.jpg)
I feel much better now... And so does the owner of the salvage yard!
;0)
Hey Nate, what do you think of this oddball double-snorkle air cleaner:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_7363.jpg)
It was in a 1987 Dodge B2L12 "Country Cruzzer" with a 4-barrel carb on a 360 engine. There was no linkage attached to the 2nd snorkle, and it is lightly spring-loaded in the closed position. I'd mentioned discovering and wanting the dual vacuum motor snorkles before, and actually got one last fall from a Jeep Grand Wagoneer for me to use on my van, but this dual-snorkle unit is almost certainly going to find it's way onto my engine, as soon as I turn down a 4-barrel to 2-barrel adapter on my lathe.
My busy week seems like it will keep going for a ways yet...
Washed the Dodge and took a cruise
Major surgery!
Funny that the only anesthetics involved made their way into me, LOL!
;0)
It's actually been more than just *today*, but over the last few especially busy days I tore the front off the Van and engine to Helicoil several bolt holes in the block and timing chain cover which had damaged threads, and to replace the timing chain oiler tab. After seeing how the paint had deteriorated over the last 5-6 years, I decided to powder coat all the various brackets and the timing chain cover.
I even pulled the bumper off for the first time ever:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_7330.jpg)
For Helicoils it's pretty critical to drill the holes really straight, so I modified a 1-2-3 block to act as a drill guide for the 25/64" size drill needed for the 3/8" Helicoils.
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_0001.jpg)
This is why I replaced the chain oiler tab - the original timing chain I replaced 6 years ago had eaten part of the tab:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_0012.jpg)
At the time I'd gotten the standard "you can't have it" answer when I tried to obtain them from the Dodge dealer, so I'd left the damaged one in place. I had better results at obtaining one this time, thanks to
www.wholesalemoparparts.comI sandblasted the parts to be powdercoated:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_0026.jpg)
This is how the timing chain cover turned out:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_0032.jpg)
I had masked it with high temperature tape and Aluminum foil, which worked great.
Some of the brackets are matte black powdercoat:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_0028.jpg)
These brackets have the mirror silver base coat for the candy color which is going on in the next day or so:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_0033.jpg)
Oh, I also began filling in the side cargo door windows with metal:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_7354.jpg)
One down, one to go!
After two mid-week raids on a salvage yard I just discovered, things are looking up considerably:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_7352.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_7357.jpg)
I feel much better now... And so does the owner of the salvage yard!
;0)
Hey Nate, what do you think of this oddball double-snorkle air cleaner:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_7363.jpg)
It was in a 1987 Dodge B2L12 "Country Cruzzer" with a 4-barrel carb on a 360 engine. There was no linkage attached to the 2nd snorkle, and it is lightly spring-loaded in the closed position. I'd mentioned discovering and wanting the dual vacuum motor snorkles before, and actually got one last fall from a Jeep Grand Wagoneer for me to use on my van, but this dual-snorkle unit is almost certainly going to find it's way onto my engine, as soon as I turn down a 4-barrel to 2-barrel adapter on my lathe.
My busy week seems like it will keep going for a ways yet...
Looking good,Who's your lil helper?
Looking good everybody,keep on workin
well, i havent driven it in two weeks , was kind of thinking about selling it ,got it out today , took a little road trip and bought a nice tv cabinet , was nice to have the cool air blowing by , and to have cruise control , while jamming to Metallica , gonna go rinse it off tomarrow and vacumn it . Made a 40some mile round trip and only used an 1/8th of a tank of gas.
What do you mean you were thinking of selling it? Don't let that GMC Jimmy replace your sweet van.
well, i havent driven it in two weeks , was kind of thinking about selling it ,got it out today , took a little road trip and bought a nice tv cabinet , was nice to have the cool air blowing by , and to have cruise control , while jamming to Metallica , gonna go rinse it off tomarrow and vacumn it . Made a 40some mile round trip and only used an 1/8th of a tank of gas.
Thinkin' about sellin' it? Don't be talkin' dirty now!!!!!!!!
sanded more wood trim, thats about all i was motivated to do.
[quote=GhostRyder]well, i havent driven it in two weeks , was kind of thinking about selling it ,got it out today , took a little road trip and bought a nice tv cabinet , was nice to have the cool air blowing by , and to have cruise control , while jamming to Metallica , gonna go rinse it off tomarrow and vacumn it . Made a 40some mile round trip and only used an 1/8th of a tank of gas.
What do you mean you were thinking of selling it? Don't let that GMC Jimmy replace your sweet van.
yea, now thinking of keeping it and making it a tow , trail rig
Dragged it out of the garage, (literally) and put in a new battery and started it up.
Hasn't been outside since 1999
man, that is nice...
All shined up and no place to go
Rubbed out and Colinite Insulator wax
![[Linked Image]](https://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc446/Oneeyedwhitemonster/shiney2.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc446/Oneeyedwhitemonster/shiney1.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc446/Oneeyedwhitemonster/shiney3.jpg)
Thanks
You only live a block away
You only live a block away

How many gas stops did you make?
towed my illegal camper home from lost haha now researching a new rear end thats mandatory before we make the trip to wisconsin. wish me luck
LOST
is
only five minutes from home as well
Ehh, not good, not good. I too have a similar thing going on, severe front end and rear end rust. My front end rust isn't too severe, it is still salvageable. My rear end is pretty bad but even if it rusts away I can still fix it, would need to make a new frame and weld it up and do a fish tail support.
Move to Michigan, rust is not an issue.
Oh, we still have rust, it's just not an issue for getting plates.
Well the Captain Kurk (custom van) did some work on the running board lights on my van.
So I had to show them off today!
(I know, blurry pics. Best ya can do with cheap camera)
But ya get the idea, No bulbs out!
![[Linked Image]](https://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr106/GMCVAN/light%20show/IMAG00062.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr106/GMCVAN/light%20show/IMAG00072.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr106/GMCVAN/light%20show/IMAG0011.jpg)
lookin good Galaxy!
I put a 2nd, and 3rd coat of poly on my dash piece. Then thats it im done with it.
I got in more sandblasting and powdercoating before it rained.
I took a picture in the sunlight of the parts I had finished powdercoating. I'm pretty happy with how they turned out so far:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_7443.jpg)
The reddish purple candy is somewhat similar to the color I intend to use on my fiberglass dash when I build and paint it, only it will contain colored flake.
I finished up the sandblasting and powdercoating on my core supports:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_7449.jpg)
I also pulled out my cruise control servo brackets and hood latch, and blasted and coated them too. The hood latch will require several passes yet due to it's having such a complex shape with integral parts which can occupy several positions.
This powdercoat is really some pretty tough stuff; I accidentally had laid down an excessive thickness on one area of the driver side core support (it's a bit difficult to estimate the thickness of matte black) so it trapped some air and bubbled a bit in the oven. I took my random orbital sander to it to smooth it out, and was favorably impressed at just how tough it is; it took some genuine effort to remove the bubbles with 180 grit, and the adjacent areas practically laughed at my efforts. -Definitely should withstand insect and pebble strikes! It also smoothed right out and flowed together seamlessly where I did the sanding and touch up.
I can see where powdercoating could get to be a habit...
Now I'm debating on whether I should clean up the surface rust on my tube grille and powdercoat it with clear, or powdercoat it black, like I'd been planning all along...
I also checked into a set of turbine rims, but they were the wrong bolt pattern. Bummer! First set I ever had a realistic chance at.
Looks great Ram! I'd love to have a home powdercoating system

Looks fantastic!
Went to the beach to get some benefits from a friend.....
beach bunnies are hopping all over the place here....
I finished assembling the headlights and custom grille for may e150 today. THe headlights are off a mid 90s grand prix/cutlass and they fit behind the custom grille very well. It kind of reminds me of the hot wheels from the 60s where the grille went all the way across.
Also got the wheels and tires mounted after refinishing the old cyclones. They turned out pretty nice I think. I also mounted up the NOS set of J&J flares I found on CL. I still need to mount the chin spoiler but that will have to wait. Next on the list is mounting the side pipes and getting them hooked up.
before grille
![[Linked Image]](https://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww252/motorjunkie_bucket/017-3.jpg)
Mocked up before assembly
![[Linked Image]](https://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww252/motorjunkie_bucket/Pro-Lite/014.jpg)
fully assembled
![[Linked Image]](https://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww252/motorjunkie_bucket/021.jpg)
The lower valence is pulled out because I am contemplating frenching the hood and fenders out around the grille. I just have not decided the best way yet.
![[Linked Image]](https://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww252/motorjunkie_bucket/020-2.jpg)
Motorjunkie: That Econoline is lookin' mean!
Ram4ever: That powder coating is the cat's a$$. Lovin the Purples and blues, hard to believe anyone can get results like that from home with a spare oven, some patience, and a media blaster.
Me, Im just enjoying driving my Ford everyday since I got it back last week. Jammin' to the new stereo I put in and using the van to make cash....which I then plan to spend on it.....its a vicious cycle vanners.
Vicious cycle indeed.
Good to see that the big ol' Econoline's running nice.
And great to meet you last week. I hope you guy's recovered from Ashlie's drinks.
That grill looks awesome
Lookin sharp. Nice lookin lil falcon in the background to. Is it a61?
thx all, for the compliments.
You are real close on the falcon, it is an early 62. (lates have the square c pillar)
I finished assembling the headlights and custom grille for may e150 today. THe headlights are off a mid 90s grand prix/cutlass and they fit behind the custom grille very well. It kind of reminds me of the hot wheels from the 60s where the grille went all the way across.
Also got the wheels and tires mounted after refinishing the old cyclones. They turned out pretty nice I think. I also mounted up the NOS set of J&J flares I found on CL. I still need to mount the chin spoiler but that will have to wait. Next on the list is mounting the side pipes and getting them hooked up.
Lovin the grille and flares! Love to see another Econoline gettin fancied up!
before grille
![[Linked Image]](https://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww252/motorjunkie_bucket/017-3.jpg)
Mocked up before assembly
![[Linked Image]](https://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww252/motorjunkie_bucket/Pro-Lite/014.jpg)
fully assembled
![[Linked Image]](https://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww252/motorjunkie_bucket/021.jpg)
The lower valence is pulled out because I am contemplating frenching the hood and fenders out around the grille. I just have not decided the best way yet.
![[Linked Image]](https://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww252/motorjunkie_bucket/020-2.jpg)
Washed the Highway and traveltrailer and than drove over to my workplace, where we had a photos-session.
First the new paramedic-cars, and than a special session for the Hihgway with trailer to get good pictures for the Custom Vanner Magazine.
After the seesion went over for refueling and now it's resting in the garage again. On thursday, the last custom-weekend before I will fly over to Denver.
Drove 160 mile. Picked up Gull-wing doors, Visor & Ice box.
Went camping over the weekend and blew out the right front tire today coming home at 70 mph.Thankful to be Alive
Sorry to hear that. Do you think it had lost pressure and got hot or was it just a freak defect? It looked like it was a pretty good tire. It was a futura Super sport from Pep Boys right?
Ohhhhh Shart! any body damage, I see you had a spare tire, but did you have clean underwear.....cuz im sure you pooped on yourself!
Glad your OK Wiz, what do ya think happen ? I guess it's hard to to tell
lookin at that tire man...
Thanks,Yea I don't have a clue,It just shredded at 70 mph
and I was in the left lane and made it to the right shoulder
as quick as I could trying to slow it down and not flip it
there was a time when tire actually started to "look" worn before they gave you problems.
Now a days tires that are showing little to no wear just come a part........
.....Wookee
well today i put the front end up on jack stands, removed the wheels, took apart the brakes to clean them and to de-glaze the pads and rotors. then put everything back together. i can tell you i have one hell of a headache from the sun. but yep just checked the brakes, van doesn't brake well and it's pissing me off. and the dam van is so sensitive to road imperfections but of course all my bushings are all cracking and I can't replace anything because the hardware is all frozen and if i remove it then snap so until i get some dough to fix it im going to have to settle for a crappy drive.
Glad to hear you're ok Wizard, Is the van ok?
Spent the day over at Darrin (Vanatic05)'s house with the van up on the lift replacing the oil pump, and pan gasket and a fresh oil change. Felt so good to blast some Foghat and nail it on the interstate back. Love it!
did you replace the rear main seal while you were under there?
Glad to hear you're ok Wizard, Is the van ok?
Thanks,Seems to be it took a little chunck out of the running board and ripped the inner flap off,But never going to find a wheel to match,I'll be calling State Farm first thing in the morning
Sorry to hear that. Do you think it had lost pressure and got hot or was it just a freak defect? It looked like it was a pretty good tire. It was a futura Super sport from Pep Boys right?
We had stopped for gas about a 1/2 hour before everything seemed fine then,I liked those Futura's but now I'm not sure
did you replace the rear main seal while you were under there?
nah, wasnt leaking. Leave well enough alone. She's leak free now.
Sorry to hear that. Do you think it had lost pressure and got hot or was it just a freak defect? It looked like it was a pretty good tire. It was a futura Super sport from Pep Boys right?
We had stopped for gas about a 1/2 hour before everything seemed fine then,I liked those Futura's but now I'm not sure
im running those futura's. Ruh roh! There are places that can repair a billet rim like that. May not be junk.... Hope thc onsurance company takes care of ya!
I hope I can find somebody to fix it or match,Sure don't have the money to replace all 4 right now.The back side shredded as bad as the front but didn't hurt the back side
if i come across the name of the place in orlando that i used to work next to. You'd have to ship it to them though.
ahh. i guess im to much into preventative maintaince.
Drove her 41 miles to a custom body shop, 2200 to get the front clip repainted and repaint the fiberglass hood I got from a vanner on here. After ten years she's got some small cracks on the lower front spoiler and left front flare. Can't wait to get that hood on with the scoop!! Looks like August before he can get to it. Drove her back and detailed her then put it away for the day.
ahh. i guess im to much into preventative maintaince.
No such thing as too much preventative maintenance, but there is such thing as too little budget.
ahh. i guess im to much into preventative maintaince.
No such thing as too much preventative maintenance, but there is such thing as too little budget.
.........
I hope I can find somebody to fix it or match,Sure don't have the money to replace all 4 right now.The back side shredded as bad as the front but didn't hurt the back side
I had a damaged custom wheel from an accident and the company paid to replace all four because they knew I could not match it.
I hope I can find somebody to fix it or match,Sure don't have the money to replace all 4 right now.The back side shredded as bad as the front but didn't hurt the back side
I had a damaged custom wheel from an accident and the company paid to replace all four because they knew I could not match it.
I was wondering about that,Thanks for the info
Glad to hear that y'all are OK. How old was the tire Ricky?
I've got tires (295/50s) on the rear of the GMC that I don't trust any longer. They were made in April of '04. They look good at about, maybe, 65-70% tread left but they're too old for me.
Again, very happy that you had things under control.
Glad to hear that y'all are OK. How old was the tire Ricky?
I've got tires (295/50s) on the rear of the GMC that I don't trust any longer. They were made in April of '04. They look good at about, maybe, 65-70% tread left but they're too old for me.
Again, very happy that you had things under control.
Thanks Buddy,they are maybe 3 0r 4 years old.No dry rot and Great tread,But they will be gone now
We hadn't driven the old Ford in a long time. So we decided to take it and wash it off. You ever had a vehicle so dirty that, at the vend-a-wash, you feel like you're painting??

Anyway, it's was pretty dirty.
After spraying the crud off we decided to run out that tank of gas. So, we went loaferin'! We went back roadin' and found a nice place to eat. Eased around for about 120 miles total.
The old Ford, as always, seemed to enjoy it as much as we did!!
It was a good Sunday.
Glad everybody is OK Rickie. That is a credit to your driving skills. I hope everything works out for you and so sorry it happened.
Well of course that, but rear main seal is like 15 bucks? But hey if you ever replaced it recently then no worries.
I pulled the left subwall back out, did a little more trimmimg around the wheel well. It fits much better. I pulled one more power wire for an accessary that I may add later. Then it got re-installed.
Today I removed the dog house to just check everything after I had it sitting for a month. Checked air filter, throttle body, intake manifold, distributor cap and rotor, double checked the wireset to make sure that the wires are routed in accordance to the firing order. I checked fuel pressure a steady 43 PSI running, checked oil pressure 40 PSI at idle hot,80 PSI at idle cold. Checked vacuum and it's perfect, checked PCV valve and breather filter both ok, checked the vacuum of the breather and there is steady vacuum which is good. Checked refrigerant and needs refrigerant but not going to add until I rebuild A/C system. Checked coolant overflow and it was overfilled and had some rust colour on the bottom so I emptied, cleaned, and put some coolant mix in the overflow container. The oil pressure sending unit will need to be replaced as it reacts slowly. I also need to replace some vacuum lines as I currently don't have cruise control. Everything else is A OK! And tomorrow my driveshaft comes so excited about that so tomorrow I will be replacing some seals and the pinion yoke for the new shaft. I will be taking pictures (maybe) of the process incase someone on here has to replace a seal or yoke.
Glad everybody is OK Rickie. That is a credit to your driving skills. I hope everything works out for you and so sorry it happened.
Thanks Captain,I'm not perfect but I try to drive good.I know the Good Lord helped me too.Anything to save the Van and us
final coat of shiny on the drink tray, hosed the leaves and dirt from under the hood and door jambs. Took it to a local guy here wanted $250 to replace the donut gaskets... no thanks. So, ill get in it and drive it to work tonight.

State Farm said they would fix or replace everything but the tire,I told them good luck finding a wheel
I know the Good Lord helped me too.Anything to save the Van and us
amen

State Farm said they would fix or replace everything but the tire,I told them good luck finding a wheel
Hell, the tires the cheap part!
Opened the end of a Sealy Posture pedic mattress lopped off 3" rewired it & resewed it shut...
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/vans017-1.jpg)
I finally began reassembling my engine today.
Since I want to install my new Mopar Performance water pump, I had felt spurred to be adventurous a day back and popped out the front two freeze plugs and found some amazingly nasty looking debris inside:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_7464.jpg)
Not sure what it was, but it was hard like sand, and nearly white in color.
I took my pressure washer and rammed it inside the openings for the water pump and freeze plugs and blasted away. The results were pretty epic! All sorts of debris came out initially, and I was still getting colored water out after nearly 4 minutes! By 5 minutes it cleared up. And keep in mind my engine had been running nice and cool!
BTW, this might be of interest to all you Mopar owners - I finally talked to a Machinist with a great reputation for building up race engines, and discussed the bolts which penetrate the water jacket on the 318 engine with him. He told me he uses Aviation Permatex on them as thread sealer.
Well, just by coincidence, I happen to have a bottle of it on hand, courtesy of my Dad! He was an aircraft Mechanic during World War 2, working on P-38 fighters and B-17 bombers, then after the war on B-47 bombers. In other words, my bottle has a pedigree...
;0)
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_7473.jpg)
I remember seeing this bottle in his tool chest from way back when I was a little tyke in the 60's. It's still in perfect shape, and didn't really require any stirring, though I tried anyway just to be certain.
I decided to perform yet another live experiment, so I sandblasted and powder coated most of the large bolts.
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_7468.jpg)
I don't for sure how it will hold up, but it almost has to do better than the engine paint I used previously, which became pretty unsightly within a year or so.
After inspecting all the bolts, I decided to buy several new long bolts, so for now I pinned the timing chain cover in place to set the gaskets:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_7474.jpg)
Some of those long bolts are really odd sizes, like 5.25" and 3.75" long. I may just have to cut longer bolts down a bit. I know the originals no longer available from Mopar; I'd checked several years ago and only found 2 of the sizes still in stock, and they weren't the longest ones. At least I have lots of hardware stores nearby! McMaster Carr may provide a few options as well.
Another option with genuine potential is that I found a shop which sells high-strength stainless steel bolts (and even complete V-8 engine kits), including the original style cap bolts with the indented hex heads, and polished 6-point and 12-point bolts with the wide flange in both coarse and fine threads. They even have stainless hose barbs, Zerk fittings, and carburetor linkage hairpin clips!
http://www.totallystainless.com/If the powder coating on my bolts doesn't work out to my liking, I may well try going that route.
Here's another Mopar tidbit; a standard 318 water pump and a Mopar Performance 318 water pump side by side for your viewing pleasure:
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_7475.jpg)
The Mopar performance water pump has more fins, and they're longer too.
The supervisor thinks it should work just fine!
![[Linked Image]](https://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z207/Ram4ever/81%20Dodge%20B250%20Ram%20van/IMG_7476.jpg)
Close supervision is essential to the success of such an extensive restoration!
;0)
very nice, detailed work! I hope to see it in person one day!
Got the SEM ColorCoat in the mail today wich I'm using to paint my very scruffy doghouse. Since I couldn't really tell on the computer screen what color I needed I got two; Dark Tan and Light Oak. I got the advised prep and bonding set as well.
![[Linked Image]](https://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w12/tikibus1/IMAG1196.jpg)
The wife was still at work, the kids were in front of the TV, and the sun was still shining so I gave it a go. Grey Scotchbrite scuffing, cleaning with cloth and water, plastic prep and adhesion promotor all went on.
![[Linked Image]](https://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w12/tikibus1/IMAG1195.jpg)
After color testing the best match was the light oak, color was actually pretty close, but the one spray can didn't cover the doghouse entirely, so what should I do ? Order another one or bring in the other can ? Right, I have little patience and used the other color
This was the first time that I had a glance at my engine as well ! Still looks pretty stock to me, even some thingies I've never seen before, lotsa wires and cables too..

![[Linked Image]](https://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w12/tikibus1/IMAG1197.jpg)
Anyway; the second spray can covered the doghouse nicely but I could tell the color was way off...after dinner the thing was dry and I put it back, COLOR MISMATCH OF THE MONTH !
![[Linked Image]](https://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w12/tikibus1/IMAG1203.jpg)
But I think I just tell people I wanted it this way, custom !
![[Linked Image]](https://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w12/tikibus1/IMAG1202.jpg)
While I'm taking a second look at the pics it kinda looks like a port-a-potty
Looks good. A nice little airbrush mural there and a wood console, it would be sweet.!
ram4ever....Looking good, did you happen to price a stainless bolt kit for a 318...oh and I use that aviation sealer on vw parts, but I can remember what....
reinstalled my cup holders, dash is done now!
Man that dash is friggin'

lookin'
hey thanks buddy! I kinda like the wood working. Its sorta relaxing.
Pulled the last of the dents, body filled & sanded Ready for primer when weather changes.
Well today I install my new custom made dynotech driveshaft, but had to do a little extra to get there. First I had to remove the old shaft from the old pinion yoke, then remove the old pinion yoke which took only a couple minutes. Then I removed the old pinion oil seal. Then I compared the old oil seal to the new oil seal, the new oil seals flange was to wide, so I sent my mother out to pick me up 2 quarts of valvoline durablen 85W140 gear oil and a different seal, the seal she brought back wasn't the correct one either (not her fault, I gave her wrong part number), so then I had to go back to the autostore to return the wrong seal and buy back the seal I had her return, then I took the new seal and used an angle grinder and some hand files to shrink the circumference so the oil slinger on the new pinion yoke wouldn't come in contact with the flange of the oil seal. So then I installed the new oil seal with some permatex RTV black then installed the new pinion yoke, a victory performance forged 1350 pinion yoke made for the chrysler 8 3/4 axle (fits 9 1/4 as well). then got that all installed and torqued down then put the axle on jack stands, took the wheels and drums off, checked preload by feeling by hand. then put wheels and drums back on, lowered vehicle. then removed old driveshaft from the extension housing. then removed the transmission extension housing yoke seal and installed a new one. the old seal was actually only 6 months old but I decided to replace it for the sake of being thorough and because my old slip yoke had a dent in it which might of damaged the seal.
then the fedex man arrived with the new driveshaft, i open the box took the shaft out, looked at the invoice inspected everything took measurements to make sure it fits, then took the dynotech stickers i asked for and put a sticker on my bumped.
then i put the new driveshaft in which is perfect fit, perfect fit. the shaft is 4" X .083" X 60.93" DOM steel 4140 it weighs 26 lbs came complete with forged solid body spicer 1350 u-joints, forged spicer tube yokes, cast spicer slip yoke for the 727 same as the dodge viper yoke, and the driveshaft as an assembly was balanced between 5000-8000 RPM. then installed the drive shaft and tightened the yoke u-bolts down 20 ft-lbs guess by hand. then filled the axle with valvoline gear oil and took it for a test drive down the street. vibrations are all gone and the ride feels so much better.
PHOTOS ARE HERE FOR PUBLIC VIEW:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...000860743365&type=1&l=0b84ff8c46
Ah man! Frank it's upside down! Didn't you see the label??

Looks great! Don't ya just love new parts? Those people do a good job with drive shafts there's no doubt about it!
I love new parts, I just don't love rust! Yes Dynotech does an amazing job with driveshafts which is exactly why I picked them, I did my research all over the web and couldn't find one single complaint about that company and there reputation in the racing industry speaks all for itself. But I am happy as a fat kid with a cupcake right now.
The label looks upside down cause I took the picture from the passenger side.
So yea, I'm very happy. No vibrations from the driveshaft unlike the old one, I can drive on the highway again. It's just amazing piece of art. And it goes good with the new transmission too!
While driving home from work,dreaming about toolin' down the road to an eVANt,then sipping on a few cold ones

with a some of my new van buddies.
Ah man! Frank it's upside down! Didn't you see the label??

Looks great! Don't ya just love new parts? Those people do a good job with drive shafts there's no doubt about it!
Hey Catfish, love the new sig pic, how bout some better shots of that Ford!
Went shopping then
Started installing Gull-wings
gull wing doors on a van should be sweet. post pictures
Packed it for Vanfest, what it was made for !!!!!
Went to the Bone Yard ....found some headlight bulb visors
Went to the Bone Yard ....found some headlight bulb visors
Sweet find don't see those much anymore
the Whole grille will be for sale, including the bezels, exhaust tip & bow ties....couldnt see them go the the crusher...look at what the Border Patrol did to this van....
http://s1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/bone%20yard/
I see somebody else had a blow out
Border Patrol cut all the tires to look for something...even the spare..
Many years ago, my van was painted with a brush, poorly.
As I neither have the funds, nor the location or tools to make it look proper, I have been stuck with this hand painted method.
I've also been battling roof gutter rust, and most recently, bottom of the door rust.
So my third door is usually stuffed with fan belts, hoses and a bunch of other crap, and when I took it all out and stick a shop vac down there, it just kept getting uglier.
I evetually dug out and removed all the loose rust and treated it with several dousings of Ospho and started getting some layers of rustoluem yacht enamel over it, but there was still this hole in the bottom of the door.
I had some extra epoxy mixed from repairing a surfboard, and decided not to waste it. So I saturated a 4x12 inch piece of thick carbon fiber and slapped it over the hole. The brown is epoxy I mixed wood flour into to make a thixotropic paste like bondo. Not pretty but it should allow any moisture to drain out the vents and keep stuff from falling out the hole in the door, perhaps even slow the rust enough so I don;t have to look at it for another 5 years.
![[Linked Image]](https://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss15/wrcsixeight/002copy.jpg)
I am nearly done with the paint job. I Started with the back doors back in November and now all that is left is the front two quarter panels, the hood and that section under the grille.
Looks okay from a distance. Like a washed sneaker. Anyway the Rustoleum yacht enamel can be waxed so it should be easier to keep clean.
![[Linked Image]](https://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss15/wrcsixeight/005copy-1.jpg)
Better anyway. Man, do I hate painting.
congrats DrBob

We need to see!
Went to the Wal-Mart to have my wheels balanced and rotated. I bought wrangler radials from them less than 1 year ago installed, balanced, and everything. Well lately I have been getting some low speed vibrations and knew from experience that the wheels went out of balance and well sure enough they were, all 4 completely out of balance. So they balanced and rotated them for free because I got lifetime balance and rotation when I purchased the tires. The head tech said he had trouble getting the wheel nuts off because they were on very tight (manufacture specs calls or 135 ft-lbs), and so I knew from that there would be more problems such as a stripped wheel stud and sure enough when I went home to fix one of the center caps I found a stud to be completely stripped so I just came back from autozone after purchasing a new stud and nut but it's raining and won't be able to replace until tomorrow. Now I'm worried that I have other studs that need to be replaced and I just don't have the damn money.
If they stripped them they should replace them.
One hell of a lawsuit if you loose a wheel and hurt somebody.
Well they make you sign a wavier that doesn't hold them liable for any damages.
Normally when I remove and install wheels I do everything with hand tools not air guns or anything like that. But hey it was one lug nut one stud and I do have a habit myself of over tightening the nuts but I have never stripped one doing it...
For the sake of it I'm going to go and remove and install one nut at a time to check to see if any others are stripped so I can get the headache over with now instead of on the road when I drive up north in a couple weeks. Hate to have a wheel come off doing 70!
I'm still at awe how all 4 wheels went out of balance, and they were way out of balance.
I had the bearings packed earlier this week. Today a bath and quickie-wax. Then I decided to try to get the radio out. Now I'm headed to the radio forum to ask questions about how to do that!
I'm jealous, your top is more aerodynamic then mine
It was pretty standard issue in the early nineties. I need to do some work on it. My van suffers from 18 years of love from my father, the original Jim-wacker. Still undoing a lot of "repairs". What kind of top do you have? Mines a Mark III conversion. I've seen almost the exact same top on Dodges and Fords.
I think the newer ones look more "tacked-on" than the classics.
Sherry Designs from 1995. I have a photo, I have plenty of photos before I started to really work on Walter. I have to wax Walter and upload some new photos. But my top is so un-aerodynamic in terms of efficiency and speed but it does create a good downforce. My last van was a Sherry Discovery from 2003 ish era and that thing was so aerodynamic, but that 5.9L killed.
The 5.9L was a sweet motor, but it did love its gasoline! I'd like to see it. The Big Green has been in my family since new, so I've not had another conversion. If I were rich I'd probably have a yard full

! Just something about 'em I've always loved. Our church van is a '93 Dodge with a 5.9. Still working on how to sell it to the wife when they get ready to upgrade

. I'm headed to bed, but I'll catch you later.
Chris
Yea I want to get another van one with a top though, the top can be a pain sometimes. I also want a dodge ram pickup 3500 and a dodge ram 1500 with a 5.2l and a durango 5.2l
anyways yea the 5.9L does love that fuel. i didn't see the point in the 5.9L because I hear people who have a 5.9L now and they say "oh good MPG when towing" I was towing a 32' travel trailer with my 5.2l van and was getting about 12-13MPG.
Love the 5.2L, my top engine I think. But yea catch you on the rebound. I will probably have some photos to share with you and everyone else, been hesitant about sharing because I'm so conscience about the hi top (clear coat and stuff)... I'm gonna be going sleep soon too, have to get up early.
Mines a daily driver so havent done much to her lately. Just cruising back and forth to work blasting the tunes. Is all good though. I do like the van The Big Green, looks nice.
Helped my buddy get his 67 Dodge A-van up and running. Turned out to be a bad coil. I thought the condenser went bad. No biggie so now he has a brand new set of points AND a new coil.
Went out early before the rain came so I could replace the stripped wheel stud, went to remove the wheel and there was another stripped stud so had to go out to the auto part store get another stud and nut. Finally was able to replace those two studs and nuts. Torqued them down to 110 ft-lbs and went back to each wheel loosened the nuts and torqued to 110 ft-lbs. All is well now, finally. And yes I did reseat the bearings 20 ft-lbs then back off then finger tighten and new cotter pin.
Put a new (ie, old one I had laying around) radio. Now I get clear sound, but only on the left side. Got REAL nice and shiny, gonna make a run to Junaluska in NC on Sunday. Course, since its shiny, I expect a downpour in Asheville. Changed the oil.
Not a damn ting damn it.
Watched Dave silicone my roof vent, heh.
Sittin in san antonio Tx. Wishin i was home cruisin but yet im sittin in my sleeper drinkin the weekend away. Lol
drove it, jammed some tunes and grin like a fool with a new box of crayons!
waxed one side of walter and his hood. removed about a gallon of coolant from the radiator and displaced with distilled water (anti-freeze to water concentration was too high). then checked pH and then checked the specific gravity using a hydrometer. then remove one of the old broken vacuum lines for the cruise control so I could measure for replacement and then removed dog housing to fix a broken vacuum line for the EGR. and now on vannin
Finished Console, Installed floor, built front/w doors for under bed. Good day for rain.
Primed 3/4 of van and ran out of reducer, will finish tomorrow.
Got back to it after being on the road all week, drove home cranked the tunes and gave it a Bum's bath. Too hot to do much, but will clean out the b van after dinner.
Replaced a old vacuum line for the cruise control module and vacuum reservoir. Now my cruise control should work, going to be going on a long trip and I need that cruise control.
A Vanners Dream...
I was in a good sleep dreaming about camping at a lake and a Lady came up to me and asked if I had an aspirin. I said "Yes I do". I walked around the back of my '92 van opened the back door open the top right drawer and got an bottle of aspirin. Walked back around and handed her the bottle. As soon as I did I woke up sat straight up in bed. Confused I Wrote down "Hi boy" on a pc of paper. When I woke up, a Hi boy dresser sits at the foot of my bed, still confused I look over and see the paper. Looked over looked down looked over and yep Im putting a Hi boy in the back of the '92 van, trimmed in Oak & Alder.
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/vans079.jpg)
This wknd I finished staining a magazine rack..
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/vans081.jpg)
Door pull handles, light panels, door & window trim..
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/vans082.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/vans083.jpg)
Took a break & went to the park for fresh air showed a copy of Custom Vanner Mag and he stated to drool & wouldnt put it down....
![[Linked Image]](https://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa335/frscke1/vans088.jpg)
ha ha! Cool. I like the hi boy dresser idea. Too bad ya woke up, never know what that aspirin woulda got ya
Finished Priming, Installed 4way Sony speakers in rear.
After I returned from the 5. American Car & Bike Days yesterday afternoon, I smelled Diesel-fume from the motor.
Checked and found, that one of the injection-pipes has a small hole and was blowing of diesel on the motor.
Because I will fly over to the US on thursday for 5.5 weeks, I had planned to unregister my Van to safe some money (it cost me less than I have to pay for one month street-tax to deregister and reregister the Van, not to count the insurance), so I removed the licence-tags and put it in the garage for a rest.
When I return (perhaps still from the US) I will order a complete set of injection-pipes to replace all 4 of them, so I will have no problems when I drive the long trip to the next van-meeting in Dahme, eastern see in august.
i have been drivin' it like crazy since i got it back on the road last day of may, this photo was taken by Johnny (arctic) when we was on our way to a Ozzy consert!
had some trouble with the ignition, but got it figured out and fixed yesterday, this is this seasons daily driver

(69 108 G-20 TMWADPIDSOB Van)
Decided on Rusto Satin for the dash + cluster and sprayed. Tried out several rattle can choices, but liked the finish and went with it.
Still assembling cluster. Got a 3315 Autometer fuel gauge to match my Mopar sender off eBay for $5 + shipping! So in it goes, no more 5volt limiter, other gauges are modded Sunpro mechanicals - except volts of course. This is a cheap solution that fits in the pod 71-77 Dodge bVan.
![[Linked Image]](https://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee515/Altosax100/dash1.jpg)
Painted interior with rust encapsulator
Unpacked it from VanFest and started repacking it for Provantity !
This:
Was throwing a code 32 on the Dodge yesterday so today I went to autozone bought a EGR valve and just finished replacing it. I'm upset because that was 69.99 of hard earned money and now flush.
I sold my old wore out '91 Ram W150, now maybe I can get back on the van.
put the new regristration sticker on it , thinking about selling it .
Why you gonna sell it, after all that work?
Decided on Rusto Satin for the dash + cluster and sprayed. Tried out several rattle can choices, but liked the finish and went with it.
Still assembling cluster. Got a 3315 Autometer fuel gauge to match my Mopar sender off eBay for $5 + shipping! So in it goes, no more 5volt limiter, other gauges are modded Sunpro mechanicals - except volts of course. This is a cheap solution that fits in the pod 71-77 Dodge bVan.
![[Linked Image]](https://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee515/Altosax100/dash1.jpg)
Looking good
I think that GMC Jimmy you got has clouded you thinking.

I really like your van and enjoyed the seeing the updates.
I think that GMC Jimmy you got has clouded you thinking.

I really like your van and enjoyed the seeing the updates.
..........
Pulled off the rear differential cover (was leaking badly). Cleaned it up real good and painted it. Will put the new gasket on tomorrow and put it back together.
Sat here wishing i had it back. Argued with the exhaust guy on the phone about what muffler to use. Goin with a glasspack and 2 into 1.
The '93 passed smog today with no adjustments or parts...
Finally was able to get the van up to 100MPH, went to the junk yard to get window regulators to fix my customers Jeep. I am going to have to bring the van back to get the wheels rebalanced again, they went out of balance again... Cheap wal-mart tires. I also am going to have to replace my leafs as the rear of the van is now sagging

What the hect is next.
vans are an expensive hobby for sure buddy.
Got the call, van is done. $200 over quoted price... Getting tired of being screwed by mechanics. Guess i'll be doing everything else myself from now on.
Did you get a call that it would be over the quote?
Finally was able to get the van up to 100MPH, went to the junk yard to get window regulators to fix my customers Jeep. I am going to have to bring the van back to get the wheels rebalanced again, they went out of balance again... Cheap wal-mart tires. I also am going to have to replace my leafs as the rear of the van is now sagging

What the hect is next.
I added to leafs to mine to bring them back up
Did you get a call that it would be over the quote?
i called him over the course of 3 days. He wouldnt give me a quote til it was done, so needless to say i will not be visiting him for my exhaust needs ever again.
They cant quote one price and do the work then call you with a higher price if you want your van back....that's illegal
And whats the solution to that? I need the van back, like yesterday. I realy dont want the law involved if i dont have to... Pay him and take it to court?
Yea I was thinking of the add a leaf at one point but I tow a very heavy trailer.(in terms of tongue)
The tongue is over 700 lbs and the springs I have are just 1800#. I contacted stangel bros in PA and they make them for my van for like 165 each and they offer them in 3 weights 1750, 2300, and 2500 so I figured I will just get 2300# because that will not only give me an extra 1000# of capacity but it won't change the handling as much as say 2500#. Besides the extra 400# I can make up with a weight distribution. But yea I was at the junk yard parking lot looking at my van, and the back is down and front is up (face palm) shit...
It's very annoying driving fast or when it's windy the front end just goes all over the place.
But the springs will probably be my next project, so I have to save up. I been fixing cars around town for a few dollars here and there and I have made about 100 bucks after all my personal expenses gas and stuff like that. Gas is expensive, I would mind if gas was back to 1.25 like it was 10 years ago or so. Hell back then the van could take us from NJ to FL and back to NJ for about 175 dollars give some of course. Now round trip is about 370-400 bucks fuel, it's crazy man.
The tongue is to heavy...Is the load equally balanced over the center of the trailer axle ??
Kicked it several times after falling off a ladder while trying to tarp it because it's leaking - AGAIN.
Kicked it several times after falling off a ladder while trying to tarp it because it's leaking - AGAIN.
......

Just kidding

sorry to hear of your leaking roof issues
They make a "Snow Cap"...that insulates the roof and seals it
Kicked it several times after falling off a ladder while trying to tarp it because it's leaking - AGAIN.
......

![[Linked Image]](https://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l103/hfnikki/Smileys/6b30d92b.gif)
Heh, no one was around to take pics otherwise I would have had someone holding the ladder.
We may have figured out the leak issue - looks like it was coming in from the old TV antenna fin.
I don't have a weight distribution, it's around 700lbs dead tongue weight. It's not too much because the vehicles rating is for 800. The back of the van didn't go down too much when I put the trailer on it, but there wasn't much farther it could of gone before it would hit the load spring.
I want to get a weight distribution so bad but they're expensive.
I prepped my sorry chromed plastic mirror bezels, and painted them black with appliance epoxy.
Gotsta go rattle another layer on them now
Fished working on the van, finally got rid of that Code 32. The connector has some loose wires causing the EGR transducer to go on off on off. Checked operation in both cruise control on, off and it's all good no codes.
Lost wheel balance again, just had wheels balanced a week ago. I probably have defective tires, checked rim radial and lateral run out and it's good.
replaced fuel pump gaskets both the pump and block had layers of dried up gasket layered with silicone, yeah it took awhile to clean up, so far so dry... i hope

:30 at last
I don't have a weight distribution, it's around 700lbs dead tongue weight. It's not too much because the vehicles rating is for 800. The back of the van didn't go down too much when I put the trailer on it, but there wasn't much farther it could of gone before it would hit the load spring.
I want to get a weight distribution so bad but they're expensive.
For a trailer your size with a 700# tongue weight you absolutely MUST run a weight distribution set up and a sway control. Even with trailer brakes the load is so far to the back that in a panic stop you would be through the back seat of the car in front of you, hopefully not mine! Ive towed alot of weight alot of miles, talk to any trucker or seasoned RV'er. Please look into getting one ASAP. Too bad i just sole a 1400# bar setup with a brand new sway control for 45 bucks not a year ago!
Actually the trailer only weighs about 4700 Lbs and it's a dual axle but they put the axles so to the rear of the trailer which is why it has such an excessive tonque, but with the trailer brakes it stopped WELL! I mean really well, but yes I do understand the importance actually the requirement of a weight distribution but like I said I just don't have the dang money. Thankfully I'm only going to be towing about 25 Miles this time and at speeds of about 45-55MPH and it's not on a highway or anything like that. But I have to get new leaf's because mine are riding on the overload spring and this is not towing! They're shot to hect, and everytime I hit a bump I feel like my bumper is going to touch the ground, and I have new shocks which helped so much compared to before.
The rearend of the van is just so heavy because of how Chrysler positioned the drivetrain and powertrain. But they were smart about it, more weight in the back to prevent roll over.
But 700# I put that on my van and wow my van went down!
More sanding and priming. Finding the small dents now.
Loaded the van to go to a van run...
Then unloaded the van cuz I couldn't go.

Went out for a rip with the van tonight. Passed through a local car show and paraded down the center row. One of the attendees yelled out "Looks great, but does it go?"
So I slowly cruised to the gate... Then gave them full throttle and brake!
Took the van back to wal-mart this morning tried to get them to replace the tires and like usual NO! So they rebalanced them again and they were all out of balance. I love it, they need a reason to replace the tires, basically the guy is like why are they defective. I said because I haven't put more than 5000 miles on the tires and you have rebalanced them 3 tires, one weeks ago from today he balance them and today he balanced them and they keep going out of balance and I have a bad vibration at 60 MPH and goes up which is most likely a lateral run out. Of course the little machine they balance the wheels on never gets close to 60 MPH, they spin them until they reach maybe 35-45 MPH depending on if it's a dynamic or static balance. Well they balanced them and like clock work they stripped out another stud and nut so I went to my local advance auto and they didn't have them in stock so I drove over to the advance auto in the town next to me and got them, then I go home and positioned the van so I have more room to work right in front of the garage. Then I go take the rotor off and the inner bearing I replaced about 1 year ago fell apart during the rotor removal because the cone was seized to the spindle, so I was able to remove the cone from the spindle by taking a chisel and a hammer and popped it right off, then I had to get a bearing and the only car was in the garage so I had to wiggle the car out of the garage then I went to the autozone because I still had the receipt for the old bearing and the warranty had just expired about 1 month ago and the Autozone could only get me another bearing by tomorrow as non in stock at the store. So I drove over to the advance and bought a new bearing, seal, and brake parts cleaner. I then proceeded home, replaced the stripped wheel stud, then deglazed the rotors, then cleaned the hubs of the rotor where there was casting sand on them, I then greased everything and assembled them. And mounted the wheels, I tell you what a God damned day! And the balancing still hasn't gotten rid of my vibration that occurs at 60MPH and up, I think the tires are defective, I know it's not a driveshaft vibration because that would occur in the 50 MPH range based on previous experience and my axle ratio vs. rolling radius of wheel. But I got the van up to 100MPH it's top speed the other day and that was the day I started to get 60+MPH vibrations was after I got the van to 100MPH, and mind you the tires I have are only rated to 112MPH! So I kind of warped out the tires. That or my vibration is coming from the brake drums which are rusted to hell all over and who knows how old they are, probably the originals.
But 3 days ago I had 150 dollars and now I have maybe 15 dollars left due to vehicle operating cost (gas sucking bastard), and repairs I have had to done recently.
I crawled inside my electrical cabinet, unscrewed the floor hatch over my 2 flooded group 27 Deep Cycle Crown 12v batteries, checked the specific gravity of all the cells, then topped them up with water.
All cells were above 1.280, some were 1.305. Tomorrow I'll disconnect all electronics from the house batteries and program my solar charge controller to take them up to ~15.8 volts for a few hours to equalize the cells. If the sun is out. I need about 10 amps to get the batteries up that high and my solar can do about 12.5 to 13 depending on temperature and sky clarity.
They took about 1/3 a gallon of distilled water. It's been about 4 months since I last checked them.
No corrosion on the cables, batteries performing well.
Also cleaned the 40 mm low CFM, low amp draw computer muffin fan which blows cool air on the cooling fins of my compressor fridge 24/7. Lots of dust on the blades. A clean fan is an efficient fan.
Nothin....yet. Goin in an hour or so to pick up the Ford. New exhaust pictures coming shortly.
Took the van back to wal-mart
After you get them rotated & balanced do you take it easy for the 1st day or do you jump on it & spin them....romping on it will cause it to move the tire on the rim and that will put them out of balance
my solar charge controller
Great information where did you get your solar components, Panel & controller ?
I got most of my components from Arizona Wind and Sun, 5 years ago.
http://www.solar-electric.com/sobomp25ampc.htmlThere are many other options, many with better pricing. A few months ago I added a thin film 68 watt Unisolar panel(epvl-68) that I bought from Amazon.
Blue Sky 2512i controller( wish I bought the ix model)
Blue Sky IPN pro remote ( battery monitor and voltage adjuster)
Deltec 500 amp shunt.
Kyocera 130 TM panel.
I bought the 8 awg cabling from panel to controller from
http://genuinedealz.com/The Kyocera has a junction box. The unisolar uses Mc3 cables. I bought a 50 foot 10 awg MC3 extension cord, from Amazon.
To power a small 12v compressor fridge indefinitely, 60 watts in a sunny environment will do it. Using an inverter on a residential fridge, make that 80 or more watts.
Oh no I take it very easy on the van, I'm starting to think that maybe my drums are out of balance. I do need some suspension work however most of the vibrations seem to come from the rear end and mostly the driver side more so then the passenger.
I certainly refrain from trying to spin the tires because I don't want to spin the outer race of the overrunning clutch in the transmission.
3 days ago I had 150 dollars and now I have maybe 15 dollars left due to vehicle operating cost (gas sucking bastard), and repairs I have had to done recently.
Responsibility sucks....Or as Dennis Leary says, life sucks get a fu@king helmet.
Not so much responsibility, but how over inflated everything is and how underpaying jobs are, I mean I make around 60 bucks an hour but that's only when I am called in, which rarely happens.
But it's a part of life.
Still tire shopping..Thinking about painting the stock rims flat black and i have been looking into solar systems for further down the road. I really need to plan out my arm rest/console!!
Not so much responsibility, but how over inflated everything is and how underpaying jobs are, I mean I make around 60 bucks an hour but that's only when I am called in, which rarely happens.
But it's a part of life.
Iwould think that lowers your per hour to min wage then
Nothing yet,Still at work
Nothing yet,Still at work
have you decided on the new wheels & tires for the Dodge yet?
I know what I want

Going to order them next week
Picked the van up from the exhaust shop today, messed around with fixing some rust holes and picked up an awesome hex shaped end table to be my entertainment center. Also got a package from Frske today in the mail. My table base and post! Think im going to have to extend it a little and make it a little taller, but its exactly what i need!