Justaquestion
New member
Hi there, I've been reading a bunch of forums lately with my new van project in mind, but thought I would ask people opinion on a couple of specific vehicles.
Here's what I'm looking to do: Get a van that I will be traveling in on very extended trips, to the point that I will be in all intensive purposes, living in it. So space is important (which is the main thing to rule out converting an Astro van). It also needs to be 4x4 or at least AWD as it will be in the snow during a lot of the winter time as well as some time in Baja off the paved areas. Some major trips it will be doing at some point in its life would be driving up and back to Alaska and to central america and maybe even further south from there. So it needs to be reliable (I'm fairly familiar with older motors and feel pretty confident in fixing most things myself). But then parts need to be readily available in various parts of this country as well as others. Fuel efficiency does matter somewhat simply because I am not wealthy and that stuff ain't cheap these days. BUT, I know you can't have it all, I just want to explain all the things I've been thinking when looking at vehicles. It would just be one or two people, the van build out and our gear. Never towing anything, so I don't need a ton of power.
At some point I would probably be putting a fiberglass high-top on whatever vehicle I end up going with, as well as a small "vanagon style" kitchen and eventually fully powered by solar.
some vehicles I've considered:
- I would prefer a diesel for many reasons, but might just not be that practical, financially, so keeping in mind the possibility of putting a cummins diesel in something someday down the road.
-I think the 7.3 e350's are great. But just way too expensive with a 4x4 conversion, so they are kinda out at this point.
-Astro vans are cheap, very inconspicuous, due to how common they are. Have AWD and are easy to put a little lift on them. Those 4.3 v6 motors are awesome, very long lasting, and anything GM is just so available to find. BUT, I just don't think there is enough space for our long term needs. So they are kinda out for now.
-I loved the idea of putting one of those little subaru ej22 motors in a Vanagon Syncro, but space inside is a little limited, and I don't have an extra 30k dollars for a van in mediocre condition.
-I looked at an old 1981 e150 with an inline 300 and top loader manual tranny with a 4x4 conversion by advanced four wheel drive systems. It has less than 150k miles total. I love that old motor. A timing gear, cast iron heads and bottom end. Virtually bullet proof, and gets better mpg than the heavier vans due to being only a half ton and having that inline 6. Plus, someday if it ever blew up, I could put a cummins 5.9 in it. The cons: While it should be a fairly easy to work on, Ford just isn't as easy to find any old part for as GM, cause everything on a GM is the same as almost every other GM.
-Also looking at a 1976 gmc 1 ton van with an unknown 4x4 conversion, with leaf springs all the way around. New crate 350 motor from GM and a rebuilt 205 transfer case (indestructible). I love how easy these are to fix and how easy parts are for anything on them (very important when traveling through mexico and southern countries). BUT, that 350 in a 1 ton is gonna get 14-15 mpg on the freeway if I'm lucky. I know it's not too popular to say, but I've always kinda liked how practical GM's were compared to fords as far as fixing and parts availability. I've never owned a 1 ton. is it going to be too heavy for loose dirt? I don't need the power of that.
So, my take on these two vans are: they both have pretty bomb proof motors. the Ford has a big advantage on fuel savings. the GMC would be cheaper and more easily available parts and fixing, and has a little bit of a start on the camper conversion already. Not a big deal, but it just probably makes it even a little cheaper then.
What do any of you think about these two vehicles? How about any other ideas that maybe I haven't thought of? or other possible arising problems or issues with these vehicles or travels that I maybe haven't thought of.
I welcome ALL opinions. My thoughts here are not fact, just what I believe from my past experiences with my vehicles. I am open to be convinced otherwise by a more knowledgeable person.
Thanks a bunch in advance. Sorry for such a long post, I just wanted to give all the info I could.
Here's what I'm looking to do: Get a van that I will be traveling in on very extended trips, to the point that I will be in all intensive purposes, living in it. So space is important (which is the main thing to rule out converting an Astro van). It also needs to be 4x4 or at least AWD as it will be in the snow during a lot of the winter time as well as some time in Baja off the paved areas. Some major trips it will be doing at some point in its life would be driving up and back to Alaska and to central america and maybe even further south from there. So it needs to be reliable (I'm fairly familiar with older motors and feel pretty confident in fixing most things myself). But then parts need to be readily available in various parts of this country as well as others. Fuel efficiency does matter somewhat simply because I am not wealthy and that stuff ain't cheap these days. BUT, I know you can't have it all, I just want to explain all the things I've been thinking when looking at vehicles. It would just be one or two people, the van build out and our gear. Never towing anything, so I don't need a ton of power.
At some point I would probably be putting a fiberglass high-top on whatever vehicle I end up going with, as well as a small "vanagon style" kitchen and eventually fully powered by solar.
some vehicles I've considered:
- I would prefer a diesel for many reasons, but might just not be that practical, financially, so keeping in mind the possibility of putting a cummins diesel in something someday down the road.
-I think the 7.3 e350's are great. But just way too expensive with a 4x4 conversion, so they are kinda out at this point.
-Astro vans are cheap, very inconspicuous, due to how common they are. Have AWD and are easy to put a little lift on them. Those 4.3 v6 motors are awesome, very long lasting, and anything GM is just so available to find. BUT, I just don't think there is enough space for our long term needs. So they are kinda out for now.
-I loved the idea of putting one of those little subaru ej22 motors in a Vanagon Syncro, but space inside is a little limited, and I don't have an extra 30k dollars for a van in mediocre condition.
-I looked at an old 1981 e150 with an inline 300 and top loader manual tranny with a 4x4 conversion by advanced four wheel drive systems. It has less than 150k miles total. I love that old motor. A timing gear, cast iron heads and bottom end. Virtually bullet proof, and gets better mpg than the heavier vans due to being only a half ton and having that inline 6. Plus, someday if it ever blew up, I could put a cummins 5.9 in it. The cons: While it should be a fairly easy to work on, Ford just isn't as easy to find any old part for as GM, cause everything on a GM is the same as almost every other GM.
-Also looking at a 1976 gmc 1 ton van with an unknown 4x4 conversion, with leaf springs all the way around. New crate 350 motor from GM and a rebuilt 205 transfer case (indestructible). I love how easy these are to fix and how easy parts are for anything on them (very important when traveling through mexico and southern countries). BUT, that 350 in a 1 ton is gonna get 14-15 mpg on the freeway if I'm lucky. I know it's not too popular to say, but I've always kinda liked how practical GM's were compared to fords as far as fixing and parts availability. I've never owned a 1 ton. is it going to be too heavy for loose dirt? I don't need the power of that.
So, my take on these two vans are: they both have pretty bomb proof motors. the Ford has a big advantage on fuel savings. the GMC would be cheaper and more easily available parts and fixing, and has a little bit of a start on the camper conversion already. Not a big deal, but it just probably makes it even a little cheaper then.
What do any of you think about these two vehicles? How about any other ideas that maybe I haven't thought of? or other possible arising problems or issues with these vehicles or travels that I maybe haven't thought of.
I welcome ALL opinions. My thoughts here are not fact, just what I believe from my past experiences with my vehicles. I am open to be convinced otherwise by a more knowledgeable person.
Thanks a bunch in advance. Sorry for such a long post, I just wanted to give all the info I could.
