well I have recently inherited my dad's aging but hearty 1983 b150 van. Although it has "250 Custom" emblems on the dash and doors.to be blunt this used to be a nice van until a few years of constant abuse of being a daily driver, the family van, and a work van plus dad's tearing it apart didn't help.

I am only 17 and this van has been a part of the family and though i'd be better off buying a car I just can't let this van fall apart in the yard. so dad just gave it too me a few days back and since I've have a busy bird putting in an average 4 hours after school on it.

Something unique about this monster is that the odometer stopped ticking at 410k+ miles 2 years ago and the van probably has another 50k on it since then on the original engine! And it still runs strong, only issues are minor such as the fuel lines need replacement and the driver's side exhaust manifold has a crack.

It's hard to find any info anywhere so i figured go to a place where the experts are. For one when I'm looking at parts would this van be the "sportsman" or the base model?
Also, I have to replace the steering column from the steering wheel to the p/s pump and I don't know how to disconnect it from the rod that connects the trans to the column for shifting.

I'd apreciate response (:, if you need any info feel free to ask

thanks

 

I can help you with the odometer part, anyway...

http://www.carradio.com/speedometer_gears.html

It's the second gear down on the page. Pretty easy to replace; I had to do it on my '90 B250.



The little green gear in the pic is the one you'll be replacing, though mine was black.




This is how my '90 comes apart; I don't know how different the '83 will be.

 

You can find out more about Dodge B vans at http://www.allpar.com/trucks/b-vans.html. A Sportsman van has windows all around the van, from the factory and has two or more bench-type seats, while the other B van is considered more of a cargo van and from the factory has only the two front seats with no side windows in the back. The latter is also the one generally used for customizing. The B150 is a half-ton, the B250 is three-quarter ton and the B350 is one ton. Hope this helps....

 

thanks guys, the odo link was a great help, now i can go ahead and do that. I have the dash apart now and have been grinding away at the steering column but from either end i don't know how to take it out w/o damaging the shift transfer rod (i guess that's it's name) but either way i've included some pics of the van itself which i now know is most definitely a sportsman and it has to be the 127" wheelbase.

 

the steering column issue

 

all of the things i couldn't save i did manage to keep the bench seat in good shape

 

You have to push, pull, and pry the linkage apart, but lube it with something first to help make it easier.

 

The custom windows in the back panel says your van is a customized cargo van, not a Sportsman. The linkage has a ball at its end that snaps into the nylon holder. You just have to pry it out of the nylon holder.

 

ok so i'd just be buying base model parts vs. "sportsman" part when given the choice? the whole custom part of the van makes finding parts a pita. well I'm gonna get the column out today. thanks

edit: the column is out, i can't believe i wasted so much time over something so effortless. One ank off the crow bar and it was out.

 

Thanks for the info!
Weird coincidence, but I'm an 18 year old who received a 1983 b150 from my dad this winter also. Mine's at about 188k after at least 15 years as a family car. Its almost exactly the same, but the back windows on either side of the bench seat/bed are larger and all of the seats have metal pieces on the arms with the words "Good Times" embossed on the sides.
I have never seen the same exact van as mine (very custom, I guess) and have had trouble finding refrence that applies to it on the internet-
Just wanted to thank you guys for the helpful information.
Taylor