Slash's Mopar Van: End of the Road

[Slash]

Oh let's see what's rollin' in my mind today.

Standing outside today, tinkering with a blown light on the Focus, I was eyeballing this pig, thinking what I can do to clean it up looks wise a little bit just for relevancy so I feel better about it and don't feel so bad about myself

Thinkin' about plasti-dipping the bottom half of the thing, all the way around to hide some of the under rust and sheet metal work we did, giving the thing a good wash and then maybe having the dip clear coated and/or rattle canned black. Just an idea but thinking about it, I might do it.


Also was tossing the idea of getting the headlights/tail lights lightly smoked to match the rest of the it. Just a subtle smoke, nothing crazy. Just need $$$.

Thoughts?

 

[JMoney]

Depending on how much of the bottom half you plan you cover you're probably looking at under $50 for the plasti-dip. I wouldn't smoke the headlights because it, in theory, would make them dimmer. The tails would look good though. It would certainly make it look more interesting.

 

[Slash]

Only the bottom half where the body line meets the top half of the bumpers (the line just above the trim on the side doors), as seen here:

I may do a tad higher up to the hatch handle on the back hatch just to cover the sheet metal work we did though. I'm not worried about cost but I don't want to spend a fortune.

As far the lights, not worried about brightness. My dad's an electrician, he can rig up something. That said, I was considering putting in a set of foglights in on my bumper, as it's different from the one on the picture here and has locations to mount them so that would more than make up for it as they'd be running full time.

Tailights would definitely look better though.

 

[Dagger311]

I voted Ranger. Wouldn't do Mustang, since they're not the year you're looking for, and you have a perfectly good 85 full size, just needs some tlc.

 

[JMoney]

Here's a crazy thought: How about plasti-dipping the roof as well? Not the columns or the tops of the doors, just the roof between the windshield and the back window.

 

[Slash]

I voted Ranger. Wouldn't do Mustang, since they're not the year you're looking for, and you have a perfectly good 85 full size, just needs some tlc.

True, but I do really like the Mustang II's the more I'm around them.

As far as the 85 full size, it's technically my dads and it's a gas pige. 6mpg on a good day. He blames the RV cam in that's in it

I would love another full size truk, and my sister wants one and that's going to cause problems with room. I don't know. I'm really torn. I've pretty much ruled out Fox bodies even though all my friends are telling me to get one of those.


@JMoney689

Which part are you refering to? I'm kinda confused. I wouldn't mind doing the whole thing as I hate white on this model but but I probably won't.

EDIT:

Oh wait, I think I know where....IDK on that. Probably not.

 

[Dagger311]

True, but I do really like the Mustang II's the more I'm around them.

As far as the 85 full size, it's technically my dads and it's a gas pige. 6mpg on a good day. He blames the RV cam in that's in it

I would love another full size truk, and my sister wants one and that's going to cause problems with room. I don't know. I'm really torn. I've pretty much ruled out Fox bodies even though all my friends are telling me to get one of those.


@JMoney689

Which part are you refering to? I'm kinda confused. I wouldn't mind doing the whole thing as I hate white on this model but but I probably won't.

EDIT:

Oh wait, I think I know where....IDK on that. Probably not.

I'd say still go for the Ranger. Better on gas than a full size would be, since that seems to be an issue (hence why you have no v8 stangs on the list), reliable, probably easy to work on, and wmall enough to be able to park in the driveway without taking up a lot of space.

 

[Slash]

I have no problems with Rangers, I'd love to have one, but I'd love to have the rest of them too

Gas isn't really the problem, if I get one of the jobs I'm looking at, I'll have no problem filling up a V8 gas hog AND ripping on it, I just want them to easily save money so when I do put a V8 in any one of them, I can go somewhat balls out on it and build it nicely, sometime in the future. It's not that I don't want one, I'm just being smart about it, for when I DO do it.


As fr as being easy to work on, heh, I've got experience with them. They aren't too awful bad but not anywhere as simple as the other options on the list. I question their reliability as well. Being in a shop for a while I had not one, not 2, but 3 of them with blown rear end gears. No thanks...

As it sits, it's seems the turck options are the popular votes so far

 

[Dagger311]

I have no problems with Rangers, I'd love to have one, but I'd love to have the rest of them too

Gas isn't really the problem, if I get one of the jobs I'm looking at, I'll have no problem filling up a V8 gas hog AND ripping on it, I just want them to easily save money so when I do put a V8 in any one of them, I can go somewhat balls out on it and build it nicely, sometime in the future. It's not that I don't want one, I'm just being smart about it, for when I DO do it.


As fr as being easy to work on, heh, I've got experience with them. They aren't too awful bad but not anywhere as simple as the other options on the list. I question their reliability as well. Being in a shop for a while I had not one, not 2, but 3 of them with blown rear end gears. No thanks...

My Dads' Ranger that his boss gave him as a work truck is a hunk of junk, but it's also old, with way too many miles on it.

Here's an alternative solution however:

Mid 80's Bronco with the Cologne v6.

 

[Slash]

That's a full size Bronco. I can get one with a 351W on propane that my buddy has if I wanted it. The smallest engine in the full size was the 4.9L I6. Followed by the 302 and 351.

The Bronco II had the 2.8L Cologne V6. That is not even being considered. I had one as a kid. Biggest pile of junk we have ever owned. I really don't want the V6 if I look for a II. I am NOT a fan of the Cologne engines. Period.

And while I do like the full size Broncos , at that point I might as well just get a real truck like Dad's.

BTW, the one pictured above has my dad's favoreite tires on it

 

[Dagger311]

That's a full size Bronco. I can get one with a 351W on propane that my buddy has if I wanted it. The smallest engine in the full size was the 4.9L I6. Followed by the 302 and 351.

The Bronco II had the 2.8L Cologne V6. That is not even being considered. I had one as a kid. Biggest pile of junk we have ever owned. I really don't want the V6 if I look for a II. I am NOT a fan of the Cologne engines. Period.

And while I do like the full size Broncos , at that point I might as well just get a real truck like Dad's.

BTW, the one pictured above has my dad's favoreite tires on it

Yeah, Bronco n00b here . And alright th3n,my suggestion remains the ranger.

I'd love to brainstorm more, but I have a headache, and it's one in the morning, and I'm sleepy.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

I see this thread has been bumped and you are interested in putting money into the van. Have you had any luck finding a job yet? Been a bit hard trying to follow your progress lately.

 

[Slash]

I see this thread has been bumped and you are interested in putting money into the van. Have you had any luck finding a job yet? Been a bit hard trying to follow your progress lately.

Well just enough to make it look presentable.

I haven't found one yet, but there's a few places I'm interested in applying to. We'll see what happens.

 

[JMoney]

Like this:

Now I'm thinking this might look good on my truck...

 

[Slash]

Like this:

View attachment 199775

Now I'm thinking this might look good on my truck...

Ah ok. Maybe in the future, but right now just the bottom half is my focus. It might look kind of strange on a minivan haha.

 

[Bopop4]

Don't spend a cent on anything cosmetic for the van. Save the money for when you have the car that you want.

 

[Slash]

Don't spend a cent on anything cosmetic for the van. Save the money for when you have the car that you want.

I'd rather not ride around in something that looks as bad as it does

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

I am also a bit confused with the poll in here. I thought you said you wanted a 70 Mustang. However it is not on the list to vote for. Also, somewhere in this forum, you said you don't like to drive. I just don't know how to respond anymore. Its like I am talking to 10 different people. Now you are spending money on cosmetic changes for your van. I am so confused.

Don't spend a cent on anything cosmetic for the van. Save the money for when you have the car that you want.

I agree.

I also agree about not smoking the headlights. It will just reduce visibility.

 

[Dagger311]

Do this, except with your Dodge.

 

[Slash]

I am also a bit confused with the poll in here. I thought you said you wanted a 70 Mustang. However it is not on the list to vote for. Also, somewhere in this forum, you said you don't like to drive. I just don't know how to respond anymore. Its like I am talking to 10 different people. Now you are spending money on cosmetic changes for your van. I am so confused.

I'll clear it up for you

I do want a '70 Mustang. And I'll get it, this next vehicle is just going to be a temporary thing as this turd is on it's last legs (even though feels fine for the most part, I just have that gut feeling). I'm just holding this thing long enough to make some money to get a car that's in the poll. Besides the fact my sister will be needing a vehicle here real soon and the way I see it is that I should be able to buy my own car at that point; my dad's only letting me use this until I can get my own vehicle. Once I get one of those vehicles, that'll be my daily as I start saving up for the '70, though other commitments outside of my car life might end up being prioritized. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to have that '70 Mustang, but it's not in the cards right now. In due time, my friend.

As far as the cosmetic changes for the van, that's mostly just so I feel better about driving it I don't really care for the act of driving in itself right now, but that might change when I get something I actually WANT to drive and can enjoy.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

I'll clear it up for you

I do want a '70 Mustang. And I'll get it, this next vehicle is just going to be a temporary thing as this turd is on it's last legs (even though feels fine for the most part, I just have that gut feeling). I'm just holding this thing long enough to make some money to get a car that's in the poll. Once I get one of those vehicles, that'll be my daily as I start saving up for the '70, though other commitments outside of my car life might end up being prioritized. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to have that '70 Mustang, but it's not in the cards right now. In due time, my friend.

As far as the cosmetic changes for the van, that's mostly just so I feel better about driving it I don't really care for the act of driving in itself right now, but that might change when I get something I actually WANT to drive and can enjoy.

Well in that case if you need a vote for a daily driver then lets be smart about this. You need something that's going to get you through winter so you really should get a 4x4 truck IMO. So that narrows the poll down to the Ranger or a Full size truck. I have owned large trucks and small trucks.

Between those 2 vehicles will be up to you. I wont count the full size truck you already have because you said you are not going to drive that in the winter. Plus I think its your dads. So we will ignore that truck.

If you are planning to go offroad and plan on beating the truck up a little then go with the full size truck because it can take the abuse. Plus it will have less electronics to deal with. On top of that it will usually be cheaper to purchase and easier to work on. I would honestly try to find a Ford F150 with the straight 6 300 engine. Best engine in the world IMO with little to no maintenance at all. You need something with no maintenance since you already have enough issues to deal with.

If you just want a smaller truck to get you around from point A to point B and still have 4x4 then go with the ranger.

 

[Slash]

Well in that case if you need a vote for a daily driver then lets be smart about this. You need something that's going to get you through winter so you really should get a 4x4 truck IMO. So that narrows the poll down to the Ranger or a Full size truck. I have owned large trucks and small trucks.

Between those 2 vehicles will be up to you. I wont count the full size truck you already have because you said you are not going to drive that in the winter. Plus I think its your dads. So we will ignore that truck.

Yes, the '85 F-250 we have is dad's. That truck, when restored, I refuse to let be driven in the snow.

Any of the Mustangs listed may be winter parked. Probably a bad idea right now.

If you are planning to go offroad and plan on beating the truck up a little then go with the full size truck because it can take the abuse. Plus it will have less electronics to deal with. On top of that it will usually be cheaper to purchase and easier to work on.

If you just want a smaller truck to get you around from point A to point B and still have 4x4 then go with the ranger.

It's going to entirely depend on my future budget and condition of the truck I'd be looking at. If it's in decent shape, I might restore it, or at least clean it up, but if it's a total beater, I'm going to romp the 🤬 out of it. It all depends. The truck will definitely be a 4x4, I won't buy a truck unless it's four wheel drive.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

Yes, the '85 F-250 we have is dad's. That truck, when restored, I refuse to let be driven in the snow.

Any of the Mustangs listed may be winter parked. Probably a bad idea right now.



It's going to entirely depend on my future budget and condition of the truck I'd be looking at. If it's in decent shape, I might restore it, or at least clean it up, but if it's a total beater, I'm going to romp the 🤬 out of it. It all depends. The truck will definitely be a 4x4, I won't buy a truck unless it's four wheel drive.

I would try to find some sort of 4x4 F150 with the I6 300 engine. IMO it is THE best engine ever made and will require little to no maintenance. Plus as you know those trucks are everywhere, very reliable, and very affordable. With as much as you have going on, you don't want to have to worry about a truck. I would get one with the 300 engine for sure.

 

[Slash]

I would try to find some sort of 4x4 F150 with the I6 300 engine. IMO it is THE best engine ever made and will require little to no maintenance. With as much as you have going on, you don't want to have to worry about a truck. I would get one with the 300 engine for sure.

That's exactly why I would be looking for one with a 300. Best engine ever made in my opinion. I know how good they are, my dad's '85 came with one originally; that was the first engine ever in it. I love the V8's, but all in due time.

Definitely not looking for light duty F-150 though. I do not like the Twin-I beam front suspension on those, I might prefer the leaf sprung front ends of the F-250s and up. I'd look for those first.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

That's exactly why I would be looking for one with a 300. Best engine ever made in my opinion. I know how good they are, my dad's '85 came with one originally; that was the first engine ever in it. I love the V8's, but all in due time.

Definitely not looking for light duty F-150 though. I do not like the Twin-I beam front suspension on those, I might prefer the leaf sprung front ends of the F-250s and up. I'd look for those first.

Ah ok I wasn't sure which Ford trucks had the 300 engine in them. So yeah if the 250 truck has the 300 engine then get that for sure. 👍

 

[Slash]

Ah ok I wasn't sure which Ford trucks had the 300 engine in them. So yeah if the 250 truck has the 300 engine then get that for sure. 👍

They put 300's in everything from F100's to Dump Trucks. I know a few performance tricks for them too

But yeah, that's why I made mention of the 4.9L in the poll. That's the infamous 300. You can't kill those damn things.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

They put 300's in everything from F100's to Dump Trucks. I know a few performance tricks for them too

But yeah, that's why I made mention of the 4.9L in the poll. That's the infamous 300. You can't kill those damn things.

I didn't even realize the 4.9 was the 300 engine or we could have skipped this conversation a long time ago. haha
Yes that gets my vote for sure. I seen the 4.9 and thought it was a V8. Sheesh this poll is a no brainer at this point IMO. 4.9 300 BEST ENGINE EVER!!!

 

[Slash]

Nope, while the 302 is technically a 4.9L, it was labeled the 5.0 to distinguish the two engines.

I like how they sound like V8's under 3,000 RPM's too

Totally agreed though, I can't think of an engine that is better than it.

 

[Ibonibo]

Quick Sand, bondo the surface a bit flat where rust bubbles and the like are, then plastidip the whole car. It will look more than presentable, cost are very overviewable, plus you gain some time on the rust, as it will slow it down a bit as it seals shut.

 

[Slash]

Rust rust is very minimal everywhere but the tailgate, which my father and I redneck fixed That sheet metal is too flimsy to hold bondo without it cracking, so we left it for the time being.

I don't know if I want to plasti-dip the entire thing though, as I feel that might be a bit overkill. The rust on the undercarriage where the pinch welds are is what's got me worried right now though. The plasti-dip was just going to cover where it shows elsewhere, and hopefully ward it off for a bit.