Suggestions? What parts would you take?

Hey folks! This is just an opinion, so please let me know your thoughts. I was involved in a fairly bad accident with my 01 Ram Van. NO injuries to anyone, thank goodness. As I say as a joke, DODGE-1, FORD-0......Anyways, I picked up a 98 a while ago and decided to take all neccesary parts to fix my 01 since realizing it wasnt smart to fix it up too. Well I now have a 98 that bodywise is in poor shape(missing parts now) and a motor and transmission that work but are also abused by mileage (170k +). I drove it up to me stripping body parts. I been thinking for the past week what parts I should remove, either to recoop some money, to sell, or just to keep for future. The problem is no specifics come to mind. The accident required me to remove the entire passenger side body and front of van minus grill. Currently both taillights were broke from previous driver,cracked etc. The interior is there but also shows strong wear. Too bad power leather seats. My 01 is in much better shape. I pulled out the matching tv and vcr as it is identical to my 01. They are both conversions but of different makers so the little stuff doesn't match, like the lights etc. The 98 I am scrapping is ELK VAN. I swapped the batteries as the 01 would not hold a charge. But the question before I scrap it... what other things to take off? I was thinking of taking fender plus extension off driver side and driver side headlight/side marker. I do not have extra rims as these are the nice chromes. Can anyone please help me think. Also it is in central NJ. Anyone know a good place to scrap it for a few hundred bucks? Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.It is a 318 V8 if there is any known problem parts that fail that I should know about. Thank you!!!

You might be able to sell some parts (engine, trans, rear end etc.) on ebay or craigslist if you can find a place to take the chassis.

How much room do you have to store spare parts?

I'd take the starter, alternator, exhaust manifolds, fuel injectors, radiator, fan clutch.

Have you seen the price of ATC fuses lately?

I'd take all the interior lights, and as much wire that leads to them as you can get easily. The light switches.

The relays.

The captains chairs, the bases, armrests. Think seat cover.

The in tank fuel pump assembly.

I must have removed 40 pounds of red oak from my original conversion. I've used it for a multitude of other projects.

The power window motors and actuators.

The rear axle.

Parking brake cable.

The ECM!!

Battery cables.

Power steering pump.

Air pump and hoses. For the NJ nazi like dmv inspections.

The master cylinder and brake booster
Proportioning valve.

Calipers and flexible brake lines.

Trailer hitch?

It's basically worth it's weight in steel to you.

A junk yard can profit off all the above parts and many more not listed.

I would also get the steering column. If you have the room, get all you can.

If the headlamps are not discolors or hazed, take them.

Take the ignition coil.

Take the radio, OEM radios for Ram Van/trucks still get a good price on eBay and Craigs list.

If you got power door/window switches, grab them.

The ASD relay.

Any and all fuses.

Recently someone here needed a front bumper, but the cost to replace it was over $1,000.

The captain chairs and the rear fold sofa bench seat. Those too command a good price on eBay and Craigs List.

Seat belts with the mounting bolts to the frame as well. There are others out there with Cargo vans always looking to put a single seat or bench behind the front two seats and need the belts.

The HVAC control knobs. I know, I need all three if you have them. Drop me a PM or e-mail by clicking on my user ID here.

Horn if it's a good sounding one.

Alternator

Power Steering pump. My 2000 B1500 went through two of those.

Radiator if the setup in the 01 is like the 98. Thus, it will have less mileage on it.

Do you have enough room in your garage to store some of this stuff?

People have a better time selling/buying on Craigs List and word of mouth like these forums.

Just don't get in trouble for being a "chop shop."

Originally Posted by B-300

Just don't get in trouble for being a "chop shop."

As long as he has both titles he won't get into trouble.

BTW I could use a left side seat belt. One from a second or third row captains chair or bench seat would work fine. If only one available is the drivers I could still use it. Am looking for one with the shoulder strap. Color of my current belts are gray but in my van any color would do fine.

While not noting where you live, I would suggest keeping the entire van. I had a landlord once that demanded the yard kept clean. I have always been a car nut and have extra parts. I had parking for 3 there, one in the drive and 2 on the street. The extra van I had was a old dodge, like a 71 or 72 with the over powering slant six. I kept everything in it and it was a Sears parts or delivery truck at one time meaning no windows except in the two front doors. It was great portable storage. I wish I still had that old van. That was in Detroit and it rusted away years ago.

If your going to save the 3 HVAC control knobs for Stev, I would love to have the lights behind them that illuminate the HVAC contols at night. There are 2 lamps, and one of mine is burned out. I took it apart to replace the lamp last year, but it is a really funky set up with both lamps (LED's???) permanently mounted to a circuit board. I called around and no one had a listing for replacements.

Let me know if you want to sell that part.

Oh, also, to add to the above lists, keep the airbags. Very pricey items.

Pete

Ah, any news on this van being parted out and what was saved?

I usually depend on my email to advise when I have updates. Sorry it hasn't let me know sooner. I still have the van and did not part it out completely. I will get back to you all once I read through the replies. Sorry again.

No problem.

Hey, how are the headlamps assemblies? Are the lenses dull and glazed or clear and visible to the inside? Also, what about those metal tabs that hold them in place? I'm looking for the passenger side headlamp assembly.

Also, keep the grill if it's in great shape, those go for a good price too.

I finally had time to take some parts from the van.

1. Got the control knobs ( 3 of them)

2. Took the assembly they were attached to, very small, for the LED light request. I checked them before taking them about, they work. But I do not feel comfortable taking them out myself. Since the unit is small, I will send you that if interested and you are free to take them or swap them internally.

3. The seatbelt was a little confusing. I do not have a 2nd row (gone before I bought) and don't know why there is none off the bench. I do have front captains in gray, and would like to know how to get them off, if so I will grab them for you.

I am not looking for $$ other than shipping since we are all in this together. They were easy to get off and hoping that one day the favor is returned. If the 3 posters are still interestred, let me know and would appreciate just the shipping from my house, zip code 07735. FOR THE SEATBELTS, please send me a message as I truly never needed to take apart one. It may be easy or hard but never played with them. I will add insurance and tracking only if you desire. Other than that I reveiwed everyones post of things to keep and did what I could. I appreciate everyones input. The problem I seen was so many parts were in bad shape or I would have stripped it to nothing. But I think I went well. Sorry for the delay to get back to you guys. Was out of state and had to get a new roof at home. But I will be checking back often to see if these parts are still needed.

Originally Posted by nj2pa

3. The seatbelt was a little confusing. I do not have a 2nd row (gone before I bought) and don't know why there is none off the bench. I do have front captains in gray, and would like to know how to get them off, if so I will grab them for you.

FOR THE SEATBELTS, please send me a message as I truly never needed to take apart one. It may be easy or hard but never played with them.

Yes I still want the drivers side seatbelt. The instructions are from my 97 factory service manual.

To remove the buckle:
1) Disconnect the wire harness connector for the restraint system warning light, located under the left front seat.
2) Disengage the cover from the seat belt buckle anchor bolt.
3) Remove the buckle anchor bolt and anti-rattle washer from seat riser.
4) Separate the buckle from the seat riser.

To remove the -Shoulder belt/retractor:
1) Disconnect battery negative cable and isolate the cable end.
2) If necessary, move the front seat all the way forward for improved access to the anchor bolts.
3) Remove the upper anchor bolt cover.
4) Remove the upper anchor bolt, turning loop and anti-rattle washer.
5) Remove the push-in fastener from seat belt retractor cover.
6) Separate cover from B-pillar. (May have to peel it down and off of the mounting bolt)
7) Remove the seat belt retractor anchor bolt from the B-pillar.
8) Separate the seat belt retractor assembly from the vehicle.
9) Disconnect the wire harness connector for the set belt retractor.
10) Remove the shoulder belt and retractor from the vehicle.

I will send you a PM with my address.
Thanks
97B2500CCV

Stev, the headlight assemblies were in poor shape but I needed them for the new van. The grill is usable, something good to use if somebody didnt have one, but not in prestine shape. As I first mentioned, the van (DONOR) was inpoor shape but had what I needed to make it drivable. I can immediately tell the loss of light through them compared to before the accident.
97B2500, I will try to do it this weekend. Today was my first day off in a long time and tried to get everything done. But I will try my hardest this weekend. I got your PM. If I have troubles getting it off, I will first contact you to see if you have any input. But it doesnt sound hard to do.
VAN NUT, I also pulled the small light with wire behind the other switches as well. It is one small lightbulb assmbly that illuminates the rear fan as well. Figured if you have it ripped apart you may change it.
Anyways, except 97B2500, let me know if you still want this stuff. I will work on those seatbelts this weekend. Talk to you soon!
Ed

You have my PM.

nj2pa -

Thanks! Yep, I'm still interested, as well. For the illumination behind the 3 knob HVAC controls, I believe there are 2 lamps, attached to some kind of circuit board, if I remember correctly. If they both still work, it would probably just be easier to swap out the circuit board assy., and save my old one with one good lamp for a future spare. My van is a cargo van, and has no controls for any rear heat or AC.

The easiest way to get ahold of me is my email - reesdenver "at" msn "dot" com

Thanks again!

Pete

I need the star bit for the seatbelts. (Biggest one I have ever seen)Tried with flathead with no success.I will see my boss tomorrow, he should be able to get me one. If so I can get them off, God willing. Then I will get the parts sent out and let you all know from there. Probably lookinh to ship mid week or late week at worst case scenario.

Originally Posted by nj2pa

I need the star bit for the seatbelts. (Biggest one I have ever seen)

BTW, they are torqued in around 26 ft/lbs.

Most seat belt bolts are 7/16" SAE fine thread 1½" long grade per FMVSS. Or 11.1125mm. 11mm may work.

Hey buddy. Thanks for the info. The bad news is your guess is not correct. It is not a bolt where any socket can turn it. The easiest way to describe, it is like a screw with a torx end (like a T-50). More bad news, my boss does not have one that big. The GOOD NEWS, I am on the F.O.P. with a member that is also a Dodge mechanic. He needs the back door so he will be by noon this upcoming Saturday to grab the door and to also get it off for me. He said he will bring the tools. Otherwise he said it was like 25$ and to me not worth it to both of us. He will get that off, no worries.
FOR THE REST OF THE GUYS, I will have them ready for shipment Monday and we can figure out how to make it work. I did not check the PM's yet as I didnt want them to auto erase. I appreciate the patience from you all.
Ed