I have an opportunity to aquire a 1973 Dodge 1 ton van. The price, FREE... Now here is the real problem. The thing has been sitting for a looong time. I think since 1997. The guy said it ran when parked but the trans was slipping. I'm thinking I should part it out but really it doesnt have much rust. A rare thing for these parts. I would imagine much of the rubber parts in the brake system would be toasted. I was thinking of making a Car hauler out of it. What do you guys think... too much work?
BTW, the drive train is 360 - 727 and a Dana 60. I would have to scrounge up some tires just to get it moved. It was an old passenger type van. None of this will take place any time soon as the weather has not been cooperating latley. It is raining/freezing right now. Plus there is still about 7 to 10 inches of snow/ice on the ground. The van is parked out in a field. Can you say "mud bog"? (my slant six power wagon aint that strong enough to pull it out I dont think) . Any way, hello to everyone. Hope everyone had a good holidays!!

 

Part it out. A friend thought this picture would be funny, so before we parted this one out we took a picture. (you gotta understand this guy's sense of humor is a little sick)

 

I would get it as long as the frame and body are in good shape. Have the tranny rebuilt with a good kit at a reputable shop, replace the rubber hoses and fluids, turn the engine over by hand after throwing some Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders and fire it up. Worse case scenario, you pull the motor, tranny and axle selling them off and scraping the body and frame.

 

Ok guys,I get the picture: I guess I'm leaning towards parting it out but might try some fun first. Let's see, what kind of evil scheme would be appropriate.....I need to visit youtube for research.......(old Red Green reruns to start with....hehehe)

 

Hahaha. My b/f's band calls their tour van Free Candy.

 

I bet that powerwagon pulls it out just fine, its all in the gears. please take some pics. Good luck!

 

The price is right for sure!!!! I check it out before I decided what to do. But you know you will get out of it what you have in it... Can't take that much to get it running enough to check it out... JMO

 

Do you know what you're going to do with it yet? I am interested in a few of those parts.

Is it a sliding side door or the 2 doors?

edit- But I would say repair it if you have the time.

But don't forget me if you don't

 

well, update: It just keeps snowing around here. the van has got a snow drift 1/2 up the driver side. The guy said dont worry, it wont be going anywhere.
Answer to the previous post, it has the swing doors. This thing has been sitting for a serious long time. There was a 5 gallon bucket sitting on the floor and while I was checking out the interior, I grgabbed the bucket to move it. The piece I grabbed just broke off like it was a corn chip or something. Thinking it was a fluke I tried it again, it did the same thing. Serious dryrot. Of course it needs tires, might have some from one of my buds for free (fingers crossed). Might borrow a trailer.

 

Saw the header for this thread.......thought it was about marriage, my bad.

 

LOL!!!