Newb member in Oklahoma...
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Norman, OK
Newb member in Oklahoma...
Hello, dere! (Those of us who're a b i t older can appreciate that bit of old humor!) I'm Chuck, and I live in Norman, OK. I'm a 53 y/o USAF DV ('77-'90) who is a pack rat at heart. I am an unemployed(able?) graphic designer (print), photographer, journalist and ad copywriter/editor. I like collecting (the 'pack rat' in me...) Petroliana, Route 66 stuff, books, old home audio gear, music (pref. Classic Rock & 'oldies' like True Oldies Channel dot com), old service station stuff, and pre-1973 Matchbox and Redline Hot Wheels stuff.y
I'm on the boards here as I'm the proud owner of a refurb-in-progress (though not by choice to start): a '92 Dodge D250 Marklll conversion van. It'd seen much better days, covered in our bright-red dirt, but I needed something to transport my mobility scooter, and that's what was available.
Mostly out of necessity (read: breakdowns), I've replaced the tires, transmission, cooling system (all but the engine) fuel system and gas tank. The 318 runs like a top, and I get a good 15 mpg in mixed driving, even with the heavy chair lift and scooter in back.
The 'refurb' is mainly because even though so much needs/needed done, the van's been a trooper. When the VA finally decided to give me a lift for my mobility chair, the other work became more imperative, as it's also the daily driver (my '68 Impala needs WAAAY too much work to work on now).
Owing to my love of HW toys, I hope to find a set of 15X8" five-spoke (Cragar S/S style) wheels to replace the current aluminum factory mags. I'd like to also be able to give it the look of a '70s van in it's stance by widening the track just a bit...maybe no more than 2", with a look like vans had when bias-ply tires were popular, so that the tires & wheels both fill the wheel wells and help counteract the high CG...like what the new 3/4-ton pickups and the Hummer H2 look like with their 'square-shouldered' look tire/wheel combo.
The goal is to use spacers found in JC Whitney to do that in the interim, if the width won't impinge on my fenders/the fiberglass crap hanging off the bottom of the van (OK, 'installed', but you know...) Has anyone done this using either a wider wheel/tire combo or the spacers? Any problems I should know about? I gotta keep this on the real-cheep, so all help is gratefully accepted!
Beyond that, I've got a lot planned to do still: new HD shocks, sway bar or load-leveler in rear, recharge R-12 a/c system (yes, it works, but is very low,and I can't afford conversion!), new audio system, new seats to replace the captain's chairs which are beaten to death (I'm thinking leather Silverado truck seats...), dyeing the putrid pepto-pink upholstery, improving the intake and exhaust systems (duals and an airraid filter system), repair/replace driver's side door latch and hinges (door sags), new carpet, dvd player and a satnav system. OH yeah...and I still need to find a spare-tire bracket and tire! I'm gonna be spending a LOT of time at the junkyard this summer...
Anyone who's worked on keeping one of these beasties alive and doing what I'm working on is most sincerely invited to contact me here or at my email addy to expand on ideas!
Thanks in advance, and I hope to both learn a bit more and maybe give a bit more back along the way!
Chuckster in Norman
I'm on the boards here as I'm the proud owner of a refurb-in-progress (though not by choice to start): a '92 Dodge D250 Marklll conversion van. It'd seen much better days, covered in our bright-red dirt, but I needed something to transport my mobility scooter, and that's what was available.
Mostly out of necessity (read: breakdowns), I've replaced the tires, transmission, cooling system (all but the engine) fuel system and gas tank. The 318 runs like a top, and I get a good 15 mpg in mixed driving, even with the heavy chair lift and scooter in back.
The 'refurb' is mainly because even though so much needs/needed done, the van's been a trooper. When the VA finally decided to give me a lift for my mobility chair, the other work became more imperative, as it's also the daily driver (my '68 Impala needs WAAAY too much work to work on now).
Owing to my love of HW toys, I hope to find a set of 15X8" five-spoke (Cragar S/S style) wheels to replace the current aluminum factory mags. I'd like to also be able to give it the look of a '70s van in it's stance by widening the track just a bit...maybe no more than 2", with a look like vans had when bias-ply tires were popular, so that the tires & wheels both fill the wheel wells and help counteract the high CG...like what the new 3/4-ton pickups and the Hummer H2 look like with their 'square-shouldered' look tire/wheel combo.
The goal is to use spacers found in JC Whitney to do that in the interim, if the width won't impinge on my fenders/the fiberglass crap hanging off the bottom of the van (OK, 'installed', but you know...) Has anyone done this using either a wider wheel/tire combo or the spacers? Any problems I should know about? I gotta keep this on the real-cheep, so all help is gratefully accepted!
Beyond that, I've got a lot planned to do still: new HD shocks, sway bar or load-leveler in rear, recharge R-12 a/c system (yes, it works, but is very low,and I can't afford conversion!), new audio system, new seats to replace the captain's chairs which are beaten to death (I'm thinking leather Silverado truck seats...), dyeing the putrid pepto-pink upholstery, improving the intake and exhaust systems (duals and an airraid filter system), repair/replace driver's side door latch and hinges (door sags), new carpet, dvd player and a satnav system. OH yeah...and I still need to find a spare-tire bracket and tire! I'm gonna be spending a LOT of time at the junkyard this summer...
Anyone who's worked on keeping one of these beasties alive and doing what I'm working on is most sincerely invited to contact me here or at my email addy to expand on ideas!
Thanks in advance, and I hope to both learn a bit more and maybe give a bit more back along the way!
Chuckster in Norman