Got A Work Van On GovDeals Today!

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by BlackJohn

Who knew your new best friend would be a multimeter CB?
Congrats on gaining some confidence to use it when these gremlins appear.
How's that mower doing that had the clutch pto problem?
I helped you celebrate that victory from afar.
Tough day changing plugs and wires here on van. Both front wheels had to come off along with the doghouse inside. The it took 32" of extensions on my ratchet to get at them. Good motor but poor design on the 4.3L Vortec.

It really is nice to see you guys tackling some jobs you thought were otherwise beyond your knowledge levels.

Keep up the good work friend.

John

Thanks for all the help and encouragement along the way!

[oricha1984]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Thanks for all the help and encouragement along the way!

you got to share some pictures of your van with the trailer on your way to work.
should be nice set up!

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by oricha1984

you got to share some pictures of your van with the trailer on your way to work.
should be nice set up!

Funny you said that- I snapped this pic and sent to a friend yesterday while mowing his property.

[cadillackid]

what a great setup!! that short wheel-base van looks Near perfect for maneuvering that trailer around! short overhang behind the wheels so the weight distributes nicely!

-Christopher

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

what a great setup!! that short wheel-base van looks Near perfect for maneuvering that trailer around! short overhang behind the wheels so the weight distributes nicely!

-Christopher

The van really does pull nicely. For what I use it for, I couldn't have picked a better vehicle. The 6 cylinder does just fine, it doesn't seem to even notice if its towing or not. Since its gonna have this trailer on it 75% of the time, the 3 speed auto is just fine.

[Brewerbob]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

thats enough to write the trailer company and tell them what a POS their lights were.. as dangerous as it is to have no lights on a trailer. .esp in the rain at night.. one would think they would spend some money on that..
-Christopher

This!! A really nasty letter. They ain't supposed to fall apart.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Brewerbob

This!! A really nasty letter. They ain't supposed to fall apart.

So- they overnighted me another of the stock tail lights. Such a cheap POS. I wonder why they only sent one? I'll call and insist they send another of these "finely crafted lamps".
Then I'll give them away or set them out by the curb for the pickers.
Next time I need a trailer I'll go up to GA. They have a lot of nice trailer wholesale outlets up there. Triple Crown is not impressing me too much. Still way better trailer than the POS from Tractor Supply, though.

[oricha1984]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

what a great setup!! that short wheel-base van looks Near perfect for maneuvering that trailer
-Christopher

That was my first thought too.
Ty for sharing dude.
Now make sure it brings home the bacon.

Sent from my Life One X using Tapatalk

[dan-fox]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

So- they overnighted me another of the stock tail lights. Such a cheap POS. I wonder why they only sent one? I'll call and insist they send another of these "finely crafted lamps".
Then I'll give them away or set them out by the curb for the pickers.
Next time I need a trailer I'll go up to GA. They have a lot of nice trailer wholesale outlets up there. Triple Crown is not impressing me too much. Still way better trailer than the POS from Tractor Supply, though.

I bought one of those $300 4x8 cheapo folding flatbed trailers from Harbor Fright. (Yeah, I know. What'd I expect?) I spent a half a year chasing electrical gremlins out of that. Replaced every bit of the supplied pieces and pulled ground wires everywhere. 2 years later what do I get in the mail but a set of taillights from a class action settlement? O happy day.

[EastCoastCB]

Upon actually opening the box and looking at the replacement lights I must make a correction. They sent me a pair of LED tail lights. But one is cracked.

[cadillackid]

well that shows their quality... cant even stand the UPS man inside a box... let alone bouncing around on one of florida's fine back roads..
-Christopher

[Kubla]

I have a 4 by 8 harbor frieght folding trailer, been using it since 2003, only problem I have had with the electrical is me tearing the wires off moving it around in the yard, but since I only us it once or twice a year, not every day, makes a big difference

[EastCoastCB]

Didn't get any pics despite now having a decent camera for a change...
But I took off the driver's side rear wheel and wire brushed everything real well, then wiped it down with naphtha. Then I undercoated the hell out of that whole wheel well and frame section, since its been treated with Rust Reformer. That Rust Reformer is badass stuff!
while the undercoating was drying, I went over the less rusty parts on the underside with a spray bottle of Ospho.
Will do the other side's wheel well next weekend.
Van still needs the power steering pump replaced. I've got the part, so I may get into that tomorrow or tues. If not, definitely next weekend.

LOVING the van!!!

[oricha1984]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Didn't get any pics despite now having a decent camera for a change...
But I took off the driver's side rear wheel and wire brushed everything real well, then wiped it down with naphtha. Then I undercoated the hell out of that whole wheel well and frame section, since its been treated with Rust Reformer. That Rust Reformer is badass stuff!
while the undercoating was drying, I went over the less rusty parts on the underside with a spray bottle of Ospho.
Will do the other side's wheel well next weekend.
Van still needs the power steering pump replaced. I've got the part, so I may get into that tomorrow or tues. If not, definitely next weekend.

LOVING the van!!!

[EastCoastCB]

Did the power steering pump this morning/afternoon. Not too bad a job. Much easier than working on a Ford, that's for sure. Took a bit of finesse, and there was no manual I could find so I just had to wing it.
I noticed there was an extra o-ring that came with the new pump. there was a small one for the end of the high pressure line, but the box had another o-ring in it that was bigger, maybe the size of a dime or nickel. I couldn't figure out what it could have went to, so its going into my jar of extra bits and pieces from car, bus, and moped projects.
Was nice working on it today. It was eerily quiet today, IDK if the eclipse had anything to do with it. Just as I tightened the last bolt and buttoned everything back up it started raining pretty hard. Will fill the reservoir and give the system a good flush once I get a break in the weather.
Taking off the drivers side front wheel was a BIG help in getting to the pump. Had to do 75% of the job from below.


Hopefully this fixes the power steering. I've never actually had to do one of these before, but looking forward to easy steering and no loud, whiny steering noises at low speeds.

[EastCoastCB]

Man, this van is NICE!
Steering is working like new. No more loud whine and weak steering!

[Brewerbob]

Nice. Working Fords is NOT my favorite.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Brewerbob

Nice. Working Fords is NOT my favorite.

A friend's Ford E250 just had its starter go out. Its gonna require MASSIVE work to replace it.
I used to like Fords, but the more I work on stuff the more I hate to work on Ford products.
The Crown Vics are great though.

[cadillackid]

I added A/C to a ford Econoline (early 80s model).. ONCE.. never again am I taking on that project.. even with the doghouse off still couldnt get to anything.!
-Christopher

[EastCoastCB]

Dodge were nice enough to actually design a square spot in the rear of the roof for installing a roof vent! And its literally right next to a dome light. Thanks to my multimeter I was able to figure out which wire to hook the fan up to for power.
I may actually install this vent today. Who knows... maybe even paint the roof white too, then I'll not even notice the lack of AC!