Well, I have done it again. First dodge Van was a '77. Then a succession of them. I think I'm on the 5th now. All slant 6's (225) except the '96; and now as of yesterday, a small 5.2 V8.

Two weeks ago, the '96 B2500 SWB made it home from the flea market, but when I backed out of the yard Monday AM, the bugger would not steer.
Sadly, that van is dead. The frame rotted completely at the steering box. Can't steer. Fatal. Too bad: 97K miles, 6cyl, recently rebuilt tranny. Rusted out. Massachusetts with its heavy road salt.

Yesterday I visited a 2002 for sale (got it for $900, 174K) It needs some work. Good body, little rust. Owner had blown out the computer, got a refurb, but the alternator had seized up in the meantime. That blew the serpentine belt, and the radiator leaks. So the van cannot be driven, I will have to fix it on the spot. The guy is 50 miles away, in New Hampshire.

So I have to go up there with tools, unless I want to get it towed here. replace the alternator, serpentine belt, replace the radiator. The good thing is that the seller wants to help me get it on the road, and if we fail, well maybe I'll get my money back.

Meanwhile, here are my concerns and where I need HELP:

Nowhere does it have a body nameplate that says "B2500" or "B3500"---so I don't know which it is. He says it's a B2500, but when I saw it, the wheels are 16" and have 8 lug nuts. The door post has the Gross Weight at 7800lbs. Front 3880, Rear 4670 lbs.

I want to positivly identify it but do not (yet) have a shop manual. I will see what's available on line. Amazon!

Second, I want to rule out certain things: Water pump problems, fan clutch issues, A/C compressor and the like. Easier to repair before the radiator goes in. Also--it is not too late to back off the purchase. I'm out $50 at the worst.

And.....(wince) Head gasket and timing chain failures. Cracked block...

Please comment on checking for these problems. I am going to put water in it (it is dry at this time) I don't know why I did not do this yesterday.

I will have to replace the alternator; it is completely seized. And get a serpentine belt on it to learn anything. It's a 5.2/318, with A/C. Even if the radiator leaks, I should be able to confirm water pump and fan stuff; noisy idlers and all. My '96 had an end-of-life perpetual squeal that I never figured out.

On the bright side; the engine started up. The battery was not dead. I do not know when he took it off the road. There is little rust.

I need to get 2 years out of this baby--then I'll be 70, hope to not need it.
I guess I'll junk both the '85 B150 AND the '96 B2500 when the other van gets on the road and settles down. So whadda ya need?

 

For something like $85 a year you can have AAA with 100 miles of towing. Get the membership, go up to NH with your plates, slap them on the van, and then call them to tow you home.

 

As for what make it is....Get the VIN number and call a Dodge dealer. They can tell from the VIN what it is...

Good Luck...I'd take a few parts but my van is a picky '93.

 

...from two readers. But I'll leave the "new" 2002 at the seller's for a bit. Read on.

I DO have AAA. And they did tow the dead '96 van across town. I wonder if there is a limit to what AAA can do? You can't call them every week, no?

They gave me a hard time towing the B2500 last week. "Too heavy" The service is for cars only, etc, etc. Eventually a second tow truck came out and did the job, but it was rough for a time. I had to pull the retired Geezer card on them.

But this advice will be kept in mind.

I WILL call a dealer. Fortunately I took a picture of the door post label so I have the VIN number.

The benefit of doing some of this work on the seller's premises is the ability to walk away from something like a cracked block. I don't know whether he refilled the leaky radiator with plain water. Those NH winters are COLD!!

 

Personally...to me it sounds like too much work just to possibly get it to run. And then you're dealing with issues like overheated lifters, o-rings...Other stuff that might not show up right away. So even with the $900 price tag...along with the highish miles for an 02...I would be a bit skeptical.

I would maybe look around for a 96 with a solid frame and all that. Then at least you'd have parts for it
Good Luck again. We got out 93, 2 years ago. Paid $1300 for it and other than tires and a battery and tune-ups/oil changes, (all normal wear and tear) have only had to put a new windshield (hubby and his quick temper), fuel pump and now a transmission.

But the engine is sound and the frame still nicely welded together (complete with beer can between frame and exhaust)...

As for calling AAA every week...For a while my mother-in-law was calling them every day or every other day for a station wagon she had. It had what we think were bad battery cables...Not sure as she sold it after a week of it letting her sit all the time...

 

Sounds like you found a B2500 with Heavy Duty suspension. If so and the engine is good then you may have a bargain.

Though the radiator leaks what color is the fluid? Can you try to start it up and run it before putting the new radiator and such into it? I know you will need to install the alternator and new belt but after that I would try the motor and see how well it runs. That will be the best indication whether to proceed or not.

Do understand that it may need some things after you buy it. Some of the Magnum engine parts (like pump, fan) will interchange with the 96 you had or may still have at the moment.

 

Mobile Auto and Momma!! Heavy duty suspension. Well, what is it that defines the B3500? from the B2500? Payload isn't it? I still have yet to chat with the dealer re the VIN number de-coding.

Thanks for the good words. The darn thing RUNS!! (Briefly of course, with no cooling system) Back and forth in the yard.

I'm gone to Colorado for the weekend (Mountainfilm festival, Telluride)

I guess the radiator leak keeps me from seeing if there is antifreeze in the block. (I sure hope there is some, and not plain water) And when I get the serpentine belt on there, after the alternator gets mounted, I'll run some plain water in and see what comes out and where it comes from.

I wonder if I have to remove the grille,. etc. to replace the radiator. There is also an air conditioner condenser in front. I did not look for a transmission fluid cooler underneath.

Of course, the seller says it was "in good running order" before the computer kakked out.....

 

I think on that van you pull the fan shroud back, remove the two radiator to fire wall braces and then pull the radiator out the top. You do not remove the grill or ac condenser.

 

Not sure what the pay load of a 1 ton for that year is. My 97 B2500 Light Duty suspension has a GW of 6400lbs. The 99 B1500 at the shop I also work at (newer front end like the one you are looking at buying) has GW of 6400lbs. The 98 and newer do have more load carrying capability then the 97 and older vans.