Hey guys here is an interesting van on ebay.I was wondering why the passenger side has a short little window between the front door,ad the slider,and why the slider isn't just up close to the front door like on my company van,and any other van I have seen?Check it out.I like the van,and it appeas to be in good overall shape.
That's where it was extended, now they add the length after the slider/side door or after the rear wheels.
stev
09-09-2007, 10:29 PM
I've never seen the extra little window behind the passenger door before, but then again, I've not seen many Dodge Ram Vans prior to 1978.
That van is a rare find and it seems to be in good shape.
The only thing that would drive me nuts in that van are the front seats. The seat backs are really too short for any long period of driving.
One other thing to notice is that the van has the suicide front lap seat belts. My Dad almost died in a head on 35mph accident due to front lap belts since the impact force can raise and lift you out of the lap belt and into the steering wheel and then the windshield. He needed 240 stitches in his head and for years kept picking glass fragments out of his skull and skin. Oh yes, that van doesn't have the best safety glass in that day either. :(
Years ago big rig trucks had only lapbelts, but were outlawed for use in the mid-70's as drivers were dying in accidents. Volvo trucks with the front flip forward cabs were the worse. These Ram Vans with the shorty hoods are similar. So, replace the seat and the lapbelt with a three-point belt system. Nate has some links in these forums about on-line places to order them from.
BTW, that's also the same AM radio Chrysler used in many of it's vehicles in the hayday. I had two vehicles with that radio. It's simple to change out and replace with a modern unit.
Dodgevanman
09-10-2007, 11:58 AM
71-77 Long wheelbase Dodges (127" WB) had the extension right behind the front doors. Window vans had the extra window whereas cargo vans just had a blank panel there. What was neat is that the passenger seat did not extend into the cargo area because of that. You'll notice the passenger seats are usually mounted further back than the drivers seat...this was done so that the passenger had more foot room.
In 78, when Dodge did the first redesign, the cargo doors were moved forward, hence the disappearance of the extension panel, but the length was added beyond the cargo doors for the LWB vans.
My 72 only has lap belts, but I did add captains chairs for greater comfort since it had the same seat as that 76 in the Ebay ad. I do plan on adding 3-point belts if I don't sell the van first.
Mazdax605
09-10-2007, 03:35 PM
So would this van be the equivalent to a maxi van now with the long extension up front behind the doors instead of beyond the rear wheels,or is this a normal length van like my 2001 8 passenger 2500? I really like the simplicity of this van,and I wish I didn't have a hang up about having my primary daily driver be such an old vehicle. My toy vehicles are 79,and 74 models so the age doesn't so much scare me,but when I go on a camping trip I want to have the piece of mind of a newer vehicle towing my camper. I guess it is a stupid reason,but this van really intruiges me,and the price seems right.What do you think this thing could tow safely?Do you think it has front disk brakes?Vented brakes?Does the price seem fair for it as it sits? Thanks for all the input on this,I really like the van,and the one you are selling dodgevanman,but I don't want a maxiwagon.
Chris
Dodgevanman
09-10-2007, 06:52 PM
No this isn't a maxiwagon but the normal length just like your 2001. It's just the location of the doors that's all.
Being that it's a 76 it will have disc brakes that are vented and probably either 10" or 11" rear drums. It looks to be in very good shape and it's a Royal which was top of the line back then. The really good thing about this van is that it looks like it hasn't been "messed" with too much. Looks like the headliner (just cardboard) and rear carpet need some TLC, but that's minor. Oh and it looks like it has factory cruise control as well.
The price is extremely fair as this could easily be a $2000 van.
As far as towing..my grandfather used to have a 77 Dodge van that he towed a 32' Layton with and never had one bit of trouble. He did have electric brakes on the trailer however.
Mazdax605
09-10-2007, 07:11 PM
Is there anyway to tell if this is a 1/2,3/4,1-ton van? How hard are these to work on? The hood looks significantly smaller than my 01,and that one isn't the easiest van to work on either? Is there more stuff accesible through the doghouse than on my 01? I love the sideways brake master/booster,and the e-brake looks like a simple setup like it a japanese pickup from the 60's through the 90's but on the other side of the wheel. I really like this van. How is the 360 for performance? Gas mileage is pretty bad I would think. Are there parts still available for a van of his vintage? I would assume so as it is an american vehicle,and there seems to be way more available than say my 74 Mazda pickup.Thanks for the input.
Since it's a B200, it's a 3/4 ton van. More than likely around the same GVW as your 2001 B1500. Dodge raised GVW's up through the years. Yes the hood is very short, leaving most of the engine in the passenger compartment under the dog house. My 72 is the same way and it's pretty simple to work on. It's a bit tight under there with the huge A/C compressor, but liveable. One thing to consider that since this is a 76, it won't require smog testing in most states and the technology on this van is so simple, there's less that can go wrong. Parts for these are so readily available it's not funny. I was able to get stuff for my 72 quite easily and inexpensively.
The 360 is a 2bbl. most likely (360's of this era were rare to have 4bbl. carburetors) and the performance isnt' bad and the fuel mileage is well probably not as good as your 2001 van. Just remember it's a 76 and not as refined as your 2001.
My opinion is this. If you like the van, buy it.
van-nut
09-11-2007, 12:18 PM
Chris -That van looks really nice. Have you actually talked to the seller yet? I bought my van on Ebay. I'm in Denver and the seller was in South Carolina. While the auction was still in progress, I emailed him and expressed that I was VERY interested and asked if he wouldn't mind giving me his phone # so we could talk. He had no problem with that. I called him, so there was no money out of his pocket for the call. We actually talked 4 or 5 times. I asked about a zillion questions and he sounded like a trustworthy guy and had good feedback. He had a "Buy it Now" price, and he came down a few hunderd from that - which was already a very good deal. The thing that really cinched the deal was when he said that if I came to pick it up and test drove and inspected it - if I wasn't 100% happy with it I could just walk away from the deal. As it turned out, his description was absolutely accurate and I have been very happy with that purchase - to this very day.
Not saying that all deals go perfectly like mine did. Ask lots of questions and if possible talk to the seller.
Good luck with whatever you do. Let us know how it turns out.
Pete
Mad Joe
09-11-2007, 07:09 PM
You asked about Maxie vans. I've had 3 of them and I can tell you that they got longer sometime in the lates 70s or early 80s. My 1975 maxie was shorter by about 9-12 inches than my '81 and '86 maxies. The extra length was added on the the rear of the van.
I have had 2 two 318s and one 360 in my maxies. The 360 had a 2 barrel and one of the 318s had a 4 barrel. The gas mileage in the 360 was terrible, but it was a 1 ton and had 4:10 rear gears (not good for mileage). I doubt that the van you are looking at would have 4:10 gears. I would guess gas mileage on the van you are looking at would be 10-12 mpg. If it did have 4:10s, count on 8mpg in town and 10 on the highway.
Mazdax605
09-11-2007, 07:28 PM
I think I am going to pass on the van,but not because I don't like it. I just don't need another car right now,and I have only had the van a few months. I wished I had looked more closely at the older vans when I was looking at gettibg one a few months back. I love my older vehicles,and I don't have any trouble working on them either. I guess I jus thave this hang up about driving a vehicle that old for towing my camper. The price is way better on that old van compared to the one I bought,and I bet I would enjoy owning an oldiw like that more than this run of the mill 01 2500 people mover.Thanks for your help,and I hope that van goes to a nice owner,as it looks really good for its age.
stev
09-11-2007, 08:48 PM
The 2001 B2500 people mover isn't that bad really. It has more power and better fuel mileage overall. The seats are very comforatable in the upgraded cloth versions. The 2001 has many of the finished touchs that the pre-1998 vans don't have. The list is very long over at autos.com and cars.com. I've saved that list someplace on the computer here and it's a substantial improvement on many things.
I'll take a 1998+ any day with the safety features over the older vans unless those are upgraded with the right equipment.
I do agree with Nate though on the ease of repair for the older vans. Even the little /6-225 in the B150's worked and averaged better fuel economy, but really lacked the get up and go. The newer vans' aren't that bad to work on really.
