layton Posted February 9, 2004 Posted February 9, 2004 I want a van to live out of for the summer, but also to use around town and ice climbing in winter. I've seen sweet decked-out Astrovans that have 4wd and seem to get very good gas milage. Any other reccomendations or support for the Astrovan? What do you think about the Ford Econoline? I know they are tough and last, but price? gas milage? I'm not getting a VW so don't bother to tell me to get one. Quote
layton Posted February 9, 2004 Author Posted February 9, 2004 The cargo Astrovans, not the family ones. Quote
Plinko Posted February 9, 2004 Posted February 9, 2004 Ford Econoline with a Quigley or Salem Kroeger 4x4 conversion If it's pre-1993 look for the 300ci inline 6 cylinder...kinda gutless but that engine will run forever...if it's newer, look for the 5.4 liter Triton v-8...one of the better motors ford's ever made. For a difference of 2 or 3 mpg over an Astro you'll get heaps more space. I've owned an Astro, 2 E-series vans, an Aerostar, and more...4x4 vans kick ass Quote
rbw1966 Posted February 9, 2004 Posted February 9, 2004 Toyota makes an all-wheel drive van that a buddy of mine drove the wheels off of. It got pretty decent mileage. Quote
Winter Posted February 9, 2004 Posted February 9, 2004 I'm actually looking for a VW to live out of next summer, so if anyone knows of a good one in the NW let me know. I'm looking for a water-cooled van post-83 but would consider a bus in exxcellent condition from '77-'79. Â Quote
Dru Posted February 9, 2004 Posted February 9, 2004 Â or get a camper setup for a pickup truck and then when you drive around town u can leave the camper part behind and get better mileage. Quote
Fromage Posted February 9, 2004 Posted February 9, 2004 Reconsider your VW aversion. Â I hear they are coming out with a 5-cylinder diesel AWD Eurovan. That would be the ultimate climbing vehicle. A big investment up front, but close to free after that. Â Quote
layton Posted February 10, 2004 Author Posted February 10, 2004 My aversion to the VW is b/c of the price not the performance. Quote
skyclimb Posted February 10, 2004 Posted February 10, 2004 All i know about vans is that the astro kicks some serious ass. I have also seen the larger econos- but they seem too big to drive long distances comfortably. Find a web site specializing in trades ie. electricians,plumbers(be wary ) and you will most likely find a good deal. Most company vehicles are maintained well, and would be of a great cost benifit to purchase. Quote
lummox Posted February 10, 2004 Posted February 10, 2004 the astro kicks some serious ass. that is just wrong. Quote
Dru Posted February 10, 2004 Posted February 10, 2004 don't forget the all important paint job for your van! Â Quote
dylan_taylor Posted February 10, 2004 Posted February 10, 2004 Mike, Buy my POS '84 Westfalia. Maybe. Umm, do I really want to sell it? Hmmm. Those AWD previas are looking awfully attractive, though. Quote
jordop Posted February 10, 2004 Posted February 10, 2004 You would have no trouble adopting the image of a van owner there Mike Like a glove Quote
JoshK Posted February 10, 2004 Posted February 10, 2004 If price wasn't an issue the ultimate climbing rig is a westy synchro. syncrho was the term for VW's AWD at the time and they only made it with the westy for a few years, I think in the late 80s early 90s if I remember. The kicker is the guys who generally own these are fairly into them, and a fairly easy engine converstion is to put in a porsche 944 turbo engine, which is actually bought quite cheaply. Â now *that* would be a sweet climber vehicle...AWD, camper, and power. I think it would be esp. hilarious to be passing the big redneck trucks going up the passes in your normal looking VW van!! Quote
cj001f Posted February 10, 2004 Posted February 10, 2004 and a fairly easy engine converstion is to put in a porsche 944 turbo engine, Since when is substituting a turbo straight 4 for a flat 4 easy? Quote
JoshK Posted February 10, 2004 Posted February 10, 2004 I dunno, I've never done it, but apparently it isn't that hard due to the engine mounts, space in the bay, etc. My VW/Audi/Porsche car geek buddy/mechanic always talks about this swap. Maybe I have the porsche model wrong, but I swear he said 944 turbo. Quote
Winter Posted February 10, 2004 Posted February 10, 2004 Yo Mike, there was a pretty nice lookin '79 Chevy conversion van outfitted for camping advertised on craiglist.com. Go to the portland site, and check out autos for sale. It was put up in the last couple of days and sells for about $2k. Â As for the Sycro issue, I would love a Syncro camper, but they typically sell for about $15,000 minimum. Ouch! I checked out a pretty sweet burgundy camper (2wd) today out in Corbett - a 1990 and he wants $12k for it. Probably too steep, but it was in nice condition. Quote
layton Posted February 11, 2004 Author Posted February 11, 2004 I typed in your website Winter and I got lots of porn pop ups. what's the web address? Quote
JoshK Posted February 11, 2004 Posted February 11, 2004 Yo Mike, there was a pretty nice lookin '79 Chevy conversion van outfitted for camping advertised on craiglist.com. Go to the portland site, and check out autos for sale. It was put up in the last couple of days and sells for about $2k. As for the Sycro issue, I would love a Syncro camper, but they typically sell for about $15,000 minimum. Ouch! I checked out a pretty sweet burgundy camper (2wd) today out in Corbett - a 1990 and he wants $12k for it. Probably too steep, but it was in nice condition.  Yeah, it's amazing how much value they have held. Quote
Winter Posted February 11, 2004 Posted February 11, 2004 doh ... craigslist.com  try that one. seriously it will work. Quote
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