RAM 2500 Van of awesomeness

I have always thought that vans are excellent for a time-share ownership. I can't use a van full-time, but if I split the cost with 10 other people, I could use it occasionally.

+1 for 4x4 full size vans = awesome.

Also, FAST ugly disgusting beaters are the best.

I don't enjoy driving the MX6 more than the Miata, but i enjoy driving the MX6 more than the Miata, if that makes sense.

First van I had was a 62 Econoline. One of those old style where the front seats were on top of the front wheels. Had several of the 70's Econoline versions all with the big 6 engine.

Then for some reason I got away from vans untill my latest purchase.

I wish you could get those Transit Connects with the seats still in the back. Why don't they sell them with the seats in the back? That is how they are shipped,right?

-C

In reply to Mazdax605:

Probably because Ford isn't sure they'd sell enough to cover the costs of the passenger car emissions and crash test certifications.

They're available with 2nd row seats. There's more than one available at my local Ford dealer.

Marty! wrote: I've always had a thing for the Quigley 4WD conversions. That's hawt

The Disastro is only a placeholder for for a 4x4 E250. Oh future van, I look forward to you.

Mazdax605 wrote: I wish you could get those Transit Connects with the seats still in the back. Why don't they sell them with the seats in the back?

They do sell them with seats in the back.

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote:

gamby wrote: Dajiban!!!

Out of all the goofy Japanese car subcultures. This is the coolest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU0RAj-1gxQ

And my love for Japan has just increased.

okay van guys....seriously how hard are they to work on? I've wanted a fullsize 4x4 van for awhile now, but everytime I look under the hood of one I get a sick feeling. Makes working on my 944 turbo look easy, then again maybe it's not as bad as it looks.

Meet Lamont my personal Beater.

Snow chains and all.

My secret desire is to have a van with a U-joint conversion to 4wd

http://ujointoffroad.com/

Full size vans aren't the only ones at this party...

Minivan, Mega Fun

Cotton wrote: okay van guys....seriously how hard are they to work on? I've wanted a fullsize 4x4 van for awhile now, but everytime I look under the hood of one I get a sick feeling. Makes working on my 944 turbo look easy, then again maybe it's not as bad as it looks.

i had a 4.3l chevy so maybe my experience is a little different (than a V8). removing the doghouse cover between the front seats gives you surprisingly good access to certain things. I had no problem doing plugs, wires, cap and rotor because it was all right there. Airfilter was easy to change with the doghouse off. I had to replace the starter on mine at least twice, that was a 5 minute job under the van. The alternator was a bit tricky, had a friend help me because it was hard to reach from the front of the van, and also hard to reach from inside the van.....I was a lot less mechanically inclined in those days and I assume I could do that myself now. But I would also say that it was more of a pain in the ass to do an alternator on the wife's 2003 ford focus.

Other than that, I drove mine completely trouble free for 100k miles. up to 176k miles before I got rid of it. So the question might be, how often do you really need to worry about working on it anyways?

In reply to failboat:

I agree. On my '90 E150 with a 5.0, some things were easier than others. With the dog house off, because of the mounting angle, the driver's side plugs were very easy, but on the passenger side a couple were a merely a pain and a couple had to be done blindly by feel. Because Ford has more of the "hood" than some vans, the engine is a bit more forward. While this increases front foot well space a bit, it also results in half the engine being under the dash/fire wall. Being so, some things were interesting to work on, the throttle body assembly, for example. Doing anything on the front/top of the engine required removing the air filter assembly.

But all things considered, I wouldn't consider it more difficult to access than any of my other cars (MINI's, TDI, E30, the Cummins that replaced it, etc). Just different. There's more logic to the assembly than my E30, for example, which when working on it feels like it was a designed as a series of German afterthoughts...

What's the real world MPG numbers for the Transit? I was kinda hoping they'd hit 30mpg highway with the Focus engine.

agreed vans are gearhead sleepers and ultimate hauler/tow pigs. 1 ton chassis and turbo diesel power with virtually all the same big power adder mods as any turbo diesel truck? yes please!

In reply to xflowgolf:

Picture is full of win. Would x1000 for "Free Candy" on the side.

PHeller wrote: What's the real world MPG numbers for the Transit? I was kinda hoping they'd hit 30mpg highway with the Focus engine.

Don't think you are going to get that high due to the 4.XX final drive ratio.

I haven't done any long highway runs in mine yet. But I get ~24mpg on mixed runs or all city runs. Seems to be stuck in the 24 range no matter where I drive.

DuctTape&Bondo wrote: In reply to xflowgolf: Picture is full of win. Would x1000 for "Free Candy" on the side.

Done. you're welcome.

I love me some full-sized vans! I bought my first one for $500 and it moved my ex and I to Colorado from IL. Drove it around for a few years and gave it to a rock and roll band.

The second was a 15 passenger Ford (Super Happy Fun Bus) which was formerly owned by a day camp. It had "Summer Fun Day Camp" in dayglow letters across the side. That one moved me from CO to FL loaded with all my stuff and towing a Mk1 Scirocco. That one was costly though.....paid $1K for it, and sold it for $800 a year later.

Here's my current beast. Bought from a board member, this one has a couch/ bed, sink, 2-burner stove and .........a toilet! All for the princely sum of $500. I do believe I'll take it out for a night on the town tonight! Just in case I have the urge to poop and cook a grilled cheese sandwich at the same time!

Joe Gearin wrote: I do believe I'll take it out for a night on the town tonight! Just in case I have the urge to poop and cook a grilled cheese sandwich at the same time!

I knew this food truck craze had jumped the shark.

totally needs a GRM sticker

Joe Gearin wrote:

Want.

Uncle Rico would be proud.

I absolutely LOVE my RamVan. Vans are extremely versatile beasts. We use ours as a DD, a tow vehicle, camper, parts hauler, party wagon.