Slash's Mopar Van: End of the Road

[Kent]

The video was a one time ordeal and won't be replicated. Most of the time I drive like a grandpa But I never floored it or even went over half throttle in the video otherwise its a hella lot quicker.

Tell yourself whatever you want, even say it would be hellafast.
Regardless, you're in the middle of the road, trying to apex across both lanes, running wide on blind right handers, pushing tires on unsafe surfaces, and pushing throttle in places it need not be done (like towards the 9:40 mark where you've got maybe 100 yards to the stop sign but still hit the gas hard enough to force a downshift).

I'm not going to get into a big argument about this mostly because I've probably been driving the entire time you've been alive, but for the love of god please don't tell me how safe you were being and how much faster it could have been through that route.

At any rate, I'm glad that tire didn't give out in the middle of something like that video (say at a time like 8:30 when you more than likely would have risked serious injury or death for both yourself and that poor fella you pretend to share the road with).

 

[The87Dodge]

Will you change the rims on your Mopar van? The stock ones on now just look "eh".

 

[Slash]

Tell yourself whatever you want, even say it would be hellafast.
Regardless, you're in the middle of the road, trying to apex across both lanes, running wide on blind right handers, pushing tires on unsafe surfaces, and pushing throttle in places it need not be done (like towards the 9:40 mark where you've got maybe 100 yards to the stop sign but still hit the gas hard enough to force a downshift).

I'm not going to get into a big argument about this mostly because I've probably been driving the entire time you've been alive, but for the love of god please don't tell me how safe you were being and how much faster it could have been through that route.

At any rate, I'm glad that tire didn't give out in the middle of something like that video (say at a time like 8:30 when you more than likely would have risked serious injury or death for both yourself and that poor fella you pretend to share the road with).

Well it's no "fast" by any means I just never floored it it or even really got on it.

I could have gone a lot faster. Was I being safe? Not really but I could have been a hell of a lot more reckless.

But yes I was thinking that after it went out. It could have been a lot worse.

Will you change the rims on your Mopar van? The stock ones on now just look "eh".

No.

 

[The87Dodge]

Well it's no "fast" by any means I just never floored it it or even really got on it.

I could have gone a lot faster. Was I being safe? Not really but I could have been a hell of a lot more reckless.

But yes I was thinking that after it went out. It could have been a lot worse.


No.

That's unfortunate. American Racing Rims would look real nice on the Caravan.

 

[Slash]

That's unfortunate. American Racing Rims would look real nice on the Caravan.

I'm saving my money for another vehicle. I only spend money (other than a few spare cans of dip) on things that absolutely need replacing.

 

[The87Dodge]

I see. Anyway, I voted that you should get the 1985-2000 Ford Ranger, but I think you should get a 1998-2000 Ranger. Liked the final generation.

 

[Slash]

I see. Anyway, I voted that you should get the 1985-2000 Ford Ranger, but I think you should get a 1998-2000 Ranger. Liked the final generation.

I may not have to get another vehicle if this one stays in the shape it does now. It seems to be doing ok.


So most likely I will be getting the Stang.

 

[savage388]

I may not have to get another vehicle if this one stays in the shape it does now. It seems to be doing ok.


So most likely I will be getting the Stang.

5.0 fox body maybe? I know what 2500 gets and its definitely possible to pick one up for that price.

 

[Slash]

5.0 fox body maybe? I know what 2500 gets and its definitely possible to pick one up for that price.

It's something I've considered. The only issue I have with that is everyone has them. But I think it's going to come down to what appears first.

 

[savage388]

It's something I've considered. The only issue I have with that is everyone has them. But I think it's going to come down to what appears first.

Everybody has fox bodies but I'd argue very few are actually nicely done so that one way to stand out, the early 5.0 sn95 mustangs are also dangerously cheap anymore too, and the have modern amenities for the most part.

 

[Slash]

Everybody has fox bodies but I'd argue very few are actually nicely done so that one way to stand out, the early 5.0 sn95 mustangs are also dangerously cheap anymore too, and the have modern amenities for the most part.

True. I'm torn between two directions I'd want to go with an older car. Totally 70s street machine or budget corner carver :/

Not really an SN95 fan.

 

[Slash]

Took it in for inspection. AS expected, it passed with flying colors, other than a busted sway bar link that I think popped out of socket. Mechanic gave me a deal on that, took $30 off for me because he knew my dad haha. Put two new rear tires on it and dad just bought me some grommets/bushings for the front control arms to stop the clunking. Still have to put the new brake hose on, but it's driving absolutely fantastic other than a minor jolting when the power kicks in past the torque converter from a stop, but with 185,000 on the stock trans, I'm very happy with how it's driving. The jolt is not enough to throw a code so I'm not too overly concerned with that. If this keeps up, I could see another 100,000 out of it. With semi-hard, city and also very easy driving, I'm averaging about 21 mpg for all 3, better than I expected (I was expecting 18).

All being said and done, I think I've got maybe at most $1,000 into this thing over the last 2-3 years, including making it road legal, DMV and insurance fees and other various paperwork. Not bad, really. Now, to start saving for the 'Stang.

 

[Team THRT Drift]

185k not bad. I'm assuming miles? So around 300k km.

I've got 293k km registered on the odometer... however that's a lie, sort of.

The speedo kicks out every now and then during a drive and stays at 0 km/h, not registering any distance. This has been going on for two years now.

So in truth, Bella probably has 360k km, if not more.


*Bella is a 1996 Plymouth Voyager. First year of the round design + uni body.

 

[Slash]

185k not bad. I'm assuming miles? So around 300k km.

I've got 293k km registered on the odometer... however that's a lie, sort of.

The speedo kicks out every now and then during a drive and stays at 0 km/h, not registering any distance. This has been going on for two years now.

So in truth, Bella probably has 360k km, if not more.


*Bella is a 1996 Plymouth Voyager. First year of the round design + uni body.

Yeah 185k miles. In fact I just turned that last weekend. I think she'll be good for a while, but my dad thinks I need to baby it more. I don't think it's driving all that bad. No real slipping of the trans (its weak point) or anything.

Anyways, it's always something huh? No car is ever finished...seemingly there's a lot of small things I want to do to this but I can't or I'll never get the Stang haha.

 

[Team THRT Drift]

Yeah 185k miles. In fact I just turned that last weekend. I think she'll be good for a while, but my dad thinks I need to baby it more. I don't think it's driving all that bad. No real slipping of the trans (its weak point) or anything.

Anyways, it's always something huh? No car is ever finished...seemingly there's a lot of small things I want to do to this but I can't or I'll never get the Stang haha.

Don't worry about it. Bella has had her tires changed only twice in 11 years (still rockin' summer tires from 2010) the struts and shocks were replaced about 4 times in 11 years. Bella's still going strong - bought her in 2004 - only this year did the transmission start to slip.

Don't baby yours. They're mules.

 

[Slash]

So I hear! We'll find out hehe. May 6th is the opening night of "cruise night", which is a popular test/tune/street stock night with a car show at my local 1/8th mile strip that myself and lots of my friends frequent every year. I've already got a base line for performance; about 11-11.5 to 60, as expected, but having hard numbers will be nice. This makes me feel better about romping on it at the track.

 

[Slash]

At the shop last Saturday for inspection. Dads standing by the wheel.

I debated on posting this but meh. Really should fix that pipe. I hate how low it sits.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

So I hear! We'll find out hehe. May 6th is the opening night of "cruise night", which is a popular test/tune/street stock night with a car show at my local 1/8th mile strip that myself and lots of my friends frequent every year. I've already got a base line for performance; about 11-11.5 to 60, as expected, but having hard numbers will be nice. This makes me feel better about romping on it at the track.

You really think it is a great idea to beat up your daily driver van at the drag strip? You just barely got this van on the road after struggling financially for so long. Not to sound like a downer, just thought I would give some sound advice to prevent hard times again in case you break something at the drag strip.

 

[Slash]

You really think it is a great idea to beat up your daily driver van at the drag strip? You just barely got this van on the road after struggling financially for so long. Not to sound like a downer, just thought I would give some sound advice to prevent hard times again in case you break something at the drag strip.

To be honest before hand I would have agreed but if something happens I have at least 4 backup plans. I'm not too overly concerned now.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

To be honest before hand I would have agreed but if something happens I have at least 4 backup plans. I'm not too overly concerned now.

That's good to hear that things are going better. Its also nice to hear you have some backup plans in case the van breaks down.

Once you get your Mustang, that will be a lot more fun and a lot more enjoyable at the drag strip. It will also be able to take a lot more abuse.

 

[Slash]

That's good to hear that things are going better. Its also nice to hear you have some backup plans in case the van breaks down.

Once you get your Mustang, that will be a lot more fun and a lot more enjoyable at the drag strip. It will also be able to take a lot more abuse.

After the tire blew I made sure I had several back up plans just in case. Since I work with two of my best friends, I'm pretty much guaranteed a ride that way, my mom can't drive for a while so there's her car, 2 sets of grandparents and at the very worst I buy some Craigslist car and make payments on it.

I agree though, I can't wait till I get the Stang. Someday.


Also, to @Katiegan for buying me this snazzy GTP sticker

Shut up I know she needs a wash

 

[Katiegan]

Shut up I know she needs a wash

That's none of your business!



Oh, you meant the van. Yeah. She does.

 

[Slash]

Finally got around to putting the new hose on.

 

[Djustice]

This can be a real good sleeper, with an engine swap/engine mods

 

[Slash]

This can be a real good sleeper, with an engine swap/engine mods

You aren't the first person to mention that

 

[Slash]

Well, I went muddin'.


Made it 6 feet and buried it. Could have made it if I punched it though.

Had two trucks come, my buds Dodge 1500 4x4 with a 318 and my friends dads GMC Sierra with a 5.3L 4x4. Had a third, a Cummins mud truck if needed. Destroyed the dip on my wheels again and finally somehow busted my headlight all the way. Gonna get a new one soon anyway.

Now the real tory. Took a friend out for an evening. As I was backing out making a tight 3 point my front end ended up in the field and buried it. I could have made it if I tried to go faster but no. Huge rain storm yesterday should have let me know better.

 

[Slash]

Plan on topping off my fluids this upcoming week and doing an oil change as its been two years since I did it and I've put 3,000 miles on it since last month. My coolant is pretty dang low (and really dirty...I might flush the system) and I'm still trying to chase down a very subtle brake leak. I think it may be at the master cylinder return line inlet as it was wet but it may be because of me spilling it as I topped it off. I can't figure out for the life of me where it's going. It's very slow, not enough to cause concern but every fitting and hose connection is dry! Hmm. I also noticed my rear shock housings are rotted out. I haven't detected a massive ride quality decrease yet so I don't think they are leaking but it's slowly depleting on the rougher stuff. I did end up buying some aftermarket Gabriel's (my favorite shock brand) for it though. Figure for $45 for the cheapest ones they had (nitrogen charged with a chrome piston rod and 9 way valving, the OE shocks which are likely replacements being 16 years old have none of this) might as well grab them while I'm at the store and since these ones are slowly on their way out now would probably be a good time. I dig that these are the red ones too! I've had good luck with Gabriel shocks, my dad and I ran light truck Gas Ryder VSTs for years on the pickup and loved them.

 

[Ronald6]

"and doing an oil change as its been two years since I did it"

This made me cringe.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

Plan on topping off my fluids this upcoming week and doing an oil change as its been two years since I did it and I've put 3,000 miles on it since last month. My coolant is pretty dang low (and really dirty...I might flush the system) and I'm still trying to chase down a very subtle brake leak. I think it may be at the master cylinder return line inlet as it was wet but it may be because of me spilling it as I topped it off. I can't figure out for the life of me where it's going. It's very slow, not enough to cause concern but every fitting and hose connection is dry! Hmm. I also noticed my rear shock housings are rotted out. I haven't detected a massive ride quality decrease yet so I don't think they are leaking but it's slowly depleting on the rougher stuff. I did end up buying some aftermarket Gabriel's (my favorite shock brand) for it though. Figure for $45 for the cheapest ones they had (nitrogen charged with a chrome piston rod and 9 way valving, the OE shocks which are likely replacements being 16 years old have none of this) might as well grab them while I'm at the store and since these ones are slowly on their way out now would probably be a good time. I dig that these are the red ones too! I've had good luck with Gabriel shocks, my dad and I ran light truck Gas Ryder VSTs for years on the pickup and loved them.
View attachment 352536

If you cant find the brake fluid leak its very common for the wheel cylinders to "see" slow enough that you don't ever see the actual leak. I would check the rear drums and see if they smell funny or are wet.

To clean off the master cylinder after you spill, just spray it with brake parts cleaner and wipe off with a rag. In fact just hit everything you see with the brake parts cleaner. Then after a few days / week if its wet again, you know where the leak is.

"and doing an oil change as its been two years since I did it"

This made me cringe.

I hear ya. Coolant being low and dark also isn't good. If that coolant is rusty it will probably result in radiator or water pump failure from the rust. But as he said before, he already has other vehicles lined up in case this van breaks.

 

[Slash]

"and doing an oil change as its been two years since I did it"

This made me cringe.

It has not moved since I put fresh oil in it until last month.

If you cant find the brake fluid leak its very common for the wheel cylinders to "see" slow enough that you don't ever see the actual leak. I would check the rear drums and see if they smell funny or are wet.

To clean off the master cylinder after you spill, just spray it with brake parts cleaner and wipe off with a rag. In fact just hit everything you see with the brake parts cleaner. Then after a few days / week if its wet again, you know where the leak is.

I hear ya. Coolant being low and dark also isn't good. If that coolant is rusty it will probably result in radiator or water pump failure from the rust. But as he said before, he already has other vehicles lined up in case this van breaks.

I'm going to pull the rear drums when I get a chance. My boss have me the clear to work on my car after work in the shops anytime I want so that's cool.

Coolant being low might be because it wasn't on level ground when I check it. I'll keep an eye on it. My dad said it looked fine to him but I couldn't see very well.


Going to grind/sand the rear axle and springs next week and prep them for paint. Bought rust primer and metallic spray paint to clean it up and then install the new shocks and do an oil change. Also today got a universal tach and driving lights that if something were to happen I can use these on something else which was the plan anyways. Also going to fix the exhaust pipe and put a custom twin dual outs over the axle. One of the guys at work is going to put stripes on it for me (dip) as well. Hash and good stripes. He offered. Why not. Might as well have some fun with it. My buds also going to fix the crack in the grille and I'm going to fix the left headlight. Also got some driving lights and a tach.