Advice on Doge Vans

[John Kelly]

Hi All,
I know this is a forum for C-Bodies, but I also know that this group has a ton a expert mechanics and people with a lot of knowledge about Chrysler products in general. I am planning to purchase a doge van in the next couple of months, an older model, maybe late 90's up to mid early 2000's, and was curious if there are any high dollar mechanical issues to look for. Any known issues with transmissions, engine, drive train etc that are constant problems in vans of these years.
My plan is to convert it to a camping van with my daughters as a family project. I'd rather spend my money on building the interior as opposed to replacing a transmission or something.
Any advice is welcome.
John

 

[NWPT70]

John I too am looking for a late 90s/ early 2000s dodge ram van. I prefer a ram 1500 shorty. with or without side windows. I also want to make one into a camper rig.

 

[DCMC]

I've owned 4 Dodge Van's since the late 90's, the Daimler years you should stay away from as the front frame rails rot. Also the dash was moved back a foot making entry and exit more difficult.

 

[300rag]

Hi All,
I know this is a forum for C-Bodies, but I also know that this group has a ton a expert mechanics and people with a lot of knowledge about Chrysler products in general. I am planning to purchase a doge van in the next couple of months, an older model, maybe late 90's up to mid early 2000's, and was curious if there are any high dollar mechanical issues to look for. Any known issues with transmissions, engine, drive train etc that are constant problems in vans of these years.
My plan is to convert it to a camping van with my daughters as a family project. I'd rather spend my money on building the interior as opposed to replacing a transmission or something.
Any advice is welcome.
John

I had a '98 3500 for work service van. Drove it 160,000 miles. The only thing that was done to it aside from regular maintenance was brakes once, water pump. and an upper control arm (ball joint popped up through it). Guy that bought it used it as a painter's van for another 3 years before it met it's demise. For the use it got, it fared marginally better than the '90 it replaced.

 

[polara71]

I had a 97 2500 conversion van, 318, hightop. Loved it! Should have kept it, stupid me. I too had the water pump go on it, replaced the chain while there.
No other issues ever...

 

[polara71]

Also had a 93 conversion van, short wheel base 1500 6 cylinder. HATED it ! That van left me stranded plenty. It just wouldn't start , then an hour later, start right up....

 

[MoPar Maniac]

As with all the magnum LA based engines, intake plenum gaskets, timing chain tensioners (you had to add one) and the OD solenoid would come loose inside the transmission. Mechanics would say you needed a transmission when all that was needed was to tighten the screws on the solenoid.
Oh, yeah...the oil pump intermediate shaft has a tendency to wear out the bushing supporting it. Causes a shudder at speed then the trans kicks out of OD.

 

[BIGBARNEYCARS]

I just donated a '94 B250 Conversion van with 81K miles on it to church here in Wilmington, N. C. because I couldn't sell it for any amount of money to anyone. I found ONE SURFER "DUDE" who wanted it real bad but he couldn't scrape together the $ and his 6 surfer buddy's wouldn't or couldn't help 'cept for a couple bucks for gas now and then. Go figure?

 

[stubs300]

I drove a Dodge van at DHL in the mid/late 90's at they were starting to replace them with the Fords, I'm guessing it was a 90 model? I don't know what motor it had but it was a tank for a fleet vehicle, it never broke! I want to say a 360 was in it, it drove & shifted great, also had a am/fm stereo in it and the Fords just had am. I wanted to buy it off them but NO! I got no complaints about them, I would think a 360 w/a 727 behind it and whatever rear end is in it will be a good and reliable rig.
As Svengoolie USED to say, "BERWYN?" Good Luck

 

[sixpkrt]

Call me tonight when you have time.

 

[John Kelly]

This is a great start. Thanks everyone for your insights.
John

 

[John Kelly]

I've owned 4 Dodge Van's since the late 90's, the Daimler years you should stay away from as the front frame rails rot. Also the dash was moved back a foot making entry and exit more difficult.

1998 to 2007! That's 9 years of vans to avoid.

 

[LocuMob]

I drove a Dodge van at DHL in the mid/late 90's at they were starting to replace them with the Fords, I'm guessing it was a 90 model? I don't know what motor it had but it was a tank for a fleet vehicle, it never broke! I want to say a 360 was in it, it drove & shifted great, also had a am/fm stereo in it and the Fords just had am. I wanted to buy it off them but NO! I got no complaints about them, I would think a 360 w/a 727 behind it and whatever rear end is in it will be a good and reliable rig.
As Svengoolie USED to say, "BERWYN?" Good Luck

Damn! Wish I would have known, I miss my '89 conversion van.

 

[traintech55]

I had a 1987 B 1500 short wheelbase window van. Great vehicle.

 

[shooter65]

Not a van but I had a 98 Ram 1500 4x4 truck. It had the 360 w/ auto. I sold it with 200k miles on it. It did not use oil, started every time, absolutely no problems other than rust when I sold it. I had to get the rear end rebuilt about 130k miles. BTW, most 1998 vehicles were still built by Chrysler, 98 was mostly meetings to determine where/how the daimler owned vehicles would be built and how daimler was going to take over the "merged" company.

 

[300rag]

I much preferred my '98 over my '90. I liked the smaller doghouse.

 

[detmatt]

2001 1 ton 16 passenger here.

I've owned 4 Dodge Van's since the late 90's, the Daimler years you should stay away from as the front frame rails rot. Also the dash was moved back a foot making entry and exit more difficult.

You are spot on, the frame rails will rot and when that rot reaches the steering gear they’re instant scrap. I caught mine in time and keep it saturated with penetrol and various other corrosion protection products.
Let’s see, other than that I had to put a rear axle in it, upper control arm assemblies, water pump, radiator and the usual brake and exhaust work. Still under 100k on it and I will say that it was very poorly maintained by the baptist church in Detroit that owned it before me.

 

[Davea Lux]

The transmissions were the mechanical weak point on these era vans. Be sure to test drive any you are considering buying and be sure to check the transmission oil for signs of burnt foul smell. Transmission should shift smoothly and not slip.

Dave

 

[gregory cotten]

I parted two of the 99/2000 style Vans. Both rotten frames.
Currently have a 92 and like driving it a lot more and no frame trouble.
And as mentioned, much easier to get and out of than the later years.

 

[swisherred]

I know this doesnt apply, but I had a 73 shorty and never had any issues with it. 440/727, headers, side pipes, 15x8 and 15x10 cragars and a vista cruiser roof...loved it. The only issues I ever had were getting 12mpg and my gas foot getting hot because of the headers....