I am currently looking for a project van to convert into a camper and found this for $1500 - has 170k miles, doesn’t have any immediate issues but I am definitely planning on replacing many parts and following suggested maintenance. However I know the transmission on these things has a bad rep. I don’t see myself putting more than 15k miles on this before I would sell it, and am curious how much of a risk I’d be running at this high of mileage of a transmission failure? Should I wait to find something with lower mileage? Thanks!

 

170K isn't too bad.... if it has been taken care of.... Does it have the O/D trans in it?? If not, look for something newer.

 

That is a difficult question to answer. Maintenance of the vehicle during its life is crucial. Coincidentally, my son and I have recently got an 89 Dodge van running. It only had 84000 miles, but needed everything, including transmission.

 

Gostby88, if you're interested in an 89 van, the van my son bought is for sale. He got it to convert it into a camping van, but has lost interest. It had been neglected, maintenance wise, when he bought. Now it is mechanically great! We replaced so many items I can't begin to list them all. It has a rebuilt transmission and a new torque converter. Tires are new as well. This van is very dependable. We drove it from Indiana to Yellowstone NP with no problems. The body is 99% rust free. It is gutted. All it needs is to be finished on the inside.

 

I realize no harm, no foul, was intended, but please take this to private messages. Selling or offering anything for sale in open forums is a TOS violation and can get you permanently booted from here.