Anyone with full size mopar vans out there??????

[frankendart]

I can't beleive that no one has jumped in on this site yet. There are tons of dodge vans out there, where is everybody?
You know, until 1983 Plymouth Voyager was a full size van ,too.
Lets here from you.

[TheMan5952]

we have a 1978 Dodge B200 Tradesman. Big Block 400, 3spd auto, Dana 60 w/SureGrip. Metallic blue, Chin spoiler, slight suspension rake, sun roofs, Custom interior.

[frankendart]

Good to hear from you. Big block, huh? You're not kiddin' about being the man! Put any Chevys in their place with that van? I like the body style of the 70's vans better than the 80's and 90's vans. I read an article that stated the 72 through 78 (I think) were more aerodynamic than the later models. I think that was done by accident.

Presently I have an 86 B150 window van, 318/999, etc., I bought it new in 86 and it now has 301,000 miles on it. The body is perfect, no dents or rust. The interior is nearly perfect except for the drivers seat. It shows the 300,000 miles. I'm having it redone.
I'm also looking at a 360 and a 727 or maybe a 518 trans. The time table here is about about 90 days.

Before this van I had a 76 B200 tradesman. It was a 440/727 and a Dana. I put the Dana in my self. I took it out a a 69 440 GTX. I bought this one new also, and had that van until it was stolen in 1985.
Needless to say the 86 is no match for the 76, but I enjoy the hell out of it. I'm planning to make it a "Muscle Van" for the hell of it.

As you can tell from my screen name I also have a 72 Dodge Dart under construction. But, that's anouther story.

[stickrad]

I've got an 89 Dodge B150 with alot of steering play. After checking all the linkages underneath i've determined most of it is coming from what I'm told is the "rag joint". Unfortunately this joint looks nothing like a rag joint I'm familiar with(with the fiber/rubber disks). This joint is just above the steering gearbox on the steering shaft in the engine compartment. Any idea of what I'm refering to? Can this part alone be replaced? If so can you point me in the direction of where to get it and how to replace it.

[razookelly]

Stickrad, I had this problem with an '86 B150. I fixed it by replacing the steering coupling in the steering shaft. It's inside of a telescoping cup just under the battery.

The kit included 2 H shaped pieces, a dowel pin, a couple of rubber pieces. I paid about $10.00 for it at an auto parts store. The Dodge dealer wanted $19.95 plus tax for the same kit.

It took about an hour to install, and it was very easy. I couldn't believe the improvement in the steering!

[Cascadeur]

I own a '76 Tradesman B200.

Bought it for little money.
They are pretty rare overhere in Europe.
So are the parts.

I'm not sure if it's any better in the states?

Litlle to none can be found over here
Technical parts are not so difficult but bodywork....

The previous owner had put some kind of foam in the doors causing major (rust) holes.

The rear doors I can fix. A bit of welding left and right.
But the side doors are crap.

Do you guys kwow where to get some decent doors?
Don't need to be new. I do have 2 right hands.

Concerning the interior...What can I do better?
Use the old interior stuff as a guidline to cut it out of new carpet?
Or should I order a new set of carpet?

I have manny more questions to come but let's see if you can help me with these first

Grtz from the city of sin: Amsterdam

[Cascadeur]

This it my baby

[450HPviper]

Hell yes, kick some chevy ass with that van.

[99' Z-28]

Hell yes, kick some chevy ass with that van.

i'm not too crazy about that. It is ok to see a dodge van beat a chevy van, but not a ford van beating a chevy.

[badassgremlin]

Originally posted by 450HPviper
Hell yes, kick some chevy ass with that van.

DIE CHEVY DIE!!!!!!

[frankendart]

Originally Posted by badassgremlin

DIE CHEVY DIE!!!!!!

Hey Gremlin, tell us how you really feel!!!

[badassgremlin]

if i did that well, lets just say i'd get banned

[icudive]

Originally Posted by frankendart

I can't beleive that no one has jumped in on this site yet. There are tons of dodge vans out there, where is everybody?
You know, until 1983 Plymouth Voyager was a full size van ,too.
Lets here from you.

Alright. So don't laugh, but I have a 1997 Dodge b2500 van. Unfortunately it has a 3.9 with a 2 barrel throtle body injecter on it. A couple places I've called said there was no way to upgrade the van. Outside of buying a new motor or van, I would like to get some extra power ouf of the thing. It starts to have trouble at about 7000 feet . I think it mainly needs a little more air, but I'm not sure. I pull a small camper with it and would like to top hills at little more than 15 mph in first gear.

Thanks,

Fishy

[frankendart]

You know that most mods and pieces that work for the 5.2L V8 will work with the 3.9L V6. If you're looking for more power (more air) have you given any thought to a superchsrger? You can easily and reliably pull another 50+ horses out of a 3.9L

There are centrifigal superchargers that don't require a manifold change. For a van you might have to fab up some brackets, but I have seen blowers on "B" vans before.

Take a look at Paxton, Procharger, and some of the other blower manufacturers. I think you'll find a few things that'll work.

You can also look at some other, less costly mods, like a larger throttle body, and high output injectors. An RV cam will help the engine breathe a little better. A computer chip, or a reprogrammer are still other options that will boost hp in a 3.9L V6.


Hope this helps.

Frank

[icudive]

Originally Posted by frankendart

You know that most mods and pieces that work for the 5.2L V8 will work with the 3.9L V6. If you're looking for more power (more air) have you given any thought to a superchsrger? You can easily and reliably pull another 50+ horses out of a 3.9L

There are centrifigal superchargers that don't require a manifold change. For a van you might have to fab up some brackets, but I have seen blowers on "B" vans before.

Take a look at Paxton, Procharger, and some of the other blower manufacturers. I think you'll find a few things that'll work.

You can also look at some other, less costly mods, like a larger throttle body, and high output injectors. An RV cam will help the engine breathe a little better. A computer chip, or a reprogrammer are still other options that will boost hp in a 3.9L V6.


Hope this helps.

Frank

Fantastic!! Thanks for the infor. I have a buddy who has a Lightening with a supercharger on it. He told me that at high altitudes it wouldn't help much. I had initially thought of putting a supercharger on it.

Fishy