Help needed.
#1
09-30-2010, 04:06 PM
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Help needed.
Alright I'm 16 and just got a '85 Dodge Ram Van for free. Its my first car and I'm looking to make it gnarly as hell. I was looking to get a rear spoiler for it, but don't know the first thing about cars. If anyone could help on a reliable place to look for products it would be greatly appriciated. 
#2
09-30-2010, 04:12 PM
Have you done all of the preventative maintainance first?
Its more important to change the spark plugs/wires, oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, and make sure the vehicle is in good running order before adding spoilers and decals and what not.
You don't want your gnarly vehicle breaking down because you were more concerned with a spoiler would you?
Its more important to change the spark plugs/wires, oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, and make sure the vehicle is in good running order before adding spoilers and decals and what not.
You don't want your gnarly vehicle breaking down because you were more concerned with a spoiler would you?
#3
09-30-2010, 05:34 PM
+1 A gnarly van is no good sitting in a mechanical bay because it overheated by lack of maintenance. Nothing is free.
But at sixteen, you just ignored that whole sentence with an eyeroll.
A good place to find parts and such:
http://www.vannin.com/threads/ubbthr...m_summary.html
But at sixteen, you just ignored that whole sentence with an eyeroll.
A good place to find parts and such:
http://www.vannin.com/threads/ubbthr...m_summary.html
#5
09-30-2010, 11:51 PM
Start buying a good set of tools and tool box.
Buy a Haynes manual for your van.
Look in the phone book for JUNK YARDS, that is going to be your second home.
Start replacing all the easy parts and doing a few repairs like oil change, spark plugs etc etc
You can and will find some pretty new parts in the junk yard, when you find them buy them.
Wait on the spoiler, save your money.
Buy a Haynes manual for your van.
Look in the phone book for JUNK YARDS, that is going to be your second home.
Start replacing all the easy parts and doing a few repairs like oil change, spark plugs etc etc
You can and will find some pretty new parts in the junk yard, when you find them buy them.
Wait on the spoiler, save your money.
#6
10-01-2010, 01:39 AM
The best 15 dollars you will ever spend related to your 1985 Dodge Van.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1985-...#ht_1480wt_543
Haynes and Chiltons are vague in comparison.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1985-...#ht_1480wt_543
Haynes and Chiltons are vague in comparison.
#7
10-01-2010, 09:37 PM
Welcome!
From the old to young here in the forums, get a good tune up is the best advise possible.
For beginners to keep the performance of the van in shape ...
- cap-n-rotor ... make sure these are copper/brass contact type. Pay the extra $3-$5 over the cheap aluminum contact type that will leave you stranded with a no start condition.
- Get Autolite AP65 Single Platinum for the V8 or Autolite AP26 Single Platinum for the L6.
- Air filter, get a high flow type. Fram is alright, but there are better ones.
- Since the weather is cooler now, 5W30 is ideal to use for oil now for better fuel economy and free moving engine. Use 10W30 for the summer hot times.
- Clean or replace the PVC.
- Check the engine belt.
- Check radiator coolant color. Is it brown? Is it a dark tarnish? is there nasties floating in it? The do a cooling flush. Refill with 50/50 pre-mix or better with concentrate and DISTILLED WATER. Tap water will ruin the cooling system. Also, the long life coolants will not work well with our vans. Stick with the old fashion GREEN stuff.
- Is the battery maintenance free? If not, top off the fluid with DISTILLED WATER.
- Does the van shift smoothly? If not, siphon out through the dip stick with the hand pump or do the messy job and drop the tranny pan. Refill with ATF+4 ONLY, no substitutes!
- For the rear axle, use a synthetic oil. Siphon the old fluid with a hand siphon and put the new stuff in. 75W90 is ideal with a friction modifier.
- A 185 T-stat will keep the engine nice and cool and help with Hp.
- If you can afford it, get a 2-1/2" high flow exhaust with a high flow CAT (catalytic converter). This will add Hp and save on fuel some.
- If the van has lots of windows, get them tinted. It saves on AC, gives you privacy on the inside and looks great from the outside.
- Is this a conversion van? If so, polish those chrome rims, if not there are some nice rims out there. Just look for deals or find a conversion in a scrap yard with rims. The Dodge Ram Van 5-lug chrome rims are sweet.
- As for a sound system, build a box to fit under the rear seat. A pair of 10" may just fit under there at the proper angle along with some tweeters for sound balance. Allow the box to turn to face the rear, open the tail gate and then have a party.
If the van isn't a conversion type, you can always install LED lighting where needed.
From the old to young here in the forums, get a good tune up is the best advise possible.
For beginners to keep the performance of the van in shape ...
- cap-n-rotor ... make sure these are copper/brass contact type. Pay the extra $3-$5 over the cheap aluminum contact type that will leave you stranded with a no start condition.
- Get Autolite AP65 Single Platinum for the V8 or Autolite AP26 Single Platinum for the L6.
- Air filter, get a high flow type. Fram is alright, but there are better ones.
- Since the weather is cooler now, 5W30 is ideal to use for oil now for better fuel economy and free moving engine. Use 10W30 for the summer hot times.
- Clean or replace the PVC.
- Check the engine belt.
- Check radiator coolant color. Is it brown? Is it a dark tarnish? is there nasties floating in it? The do a cooling flush. Refill with 50/50 pre-mix or better with concentrate and DISTILLED WATER. Tap water will ruin the cooling system. Also, the long life coolants will not work well with our vans. Stick with the old fashion GREEN stuff.
- Is the battery maintenance free? If not, top off the fluid with DISTILLED WATER.
- Does the van shift smoothly? If not, siphon out through the dip stick with the hand pump or do the messy job and drop the tranny pan. Refill with ATF+4 ONLY, no substitutes!
- For the rear axle, use a synthetic oil. Siphon the old fluid with a hand siphon and put the new stuff in. 75W90 is ideal with a friction modifier.
- A 185 T-stat will keep the engine nice and cool and help with Hp.
- If you can afford it, get a 2-1/2" high flow exhaust with a high flow CAT (catalytic converter). This will add Hp and save on fuel some.
- If the van has lots of windows, get them tinted. It saves on AC, gives you privacy on the inside and looks great from the outside.
- Is this a conversion van? If so, polish those chrome rims, if not there are some nice rims out there. Just look for deals or find a conversion in a scrap yard with rims. The Dodge Ram Van 5-lug chrome rims are sweet.
- As for a sound system, build a box to fit under the rear seat. A pair of 10" may just fit under there at the proper angle along with some tweeters for sound balance. Allow the box to turn to face the rear, open the tail gate and then have a party.
If the van isn't a conversion type, you can always install LED lighting where needed.
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#8
10-02-2010, 04:40 PM
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