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Replacing the back plugs on that van is a pain. I found this from a quick online search, perhaps this information is useful to you?
http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2139104/1999-dodge-caravan-changing-the-rear-plugs
http://www.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_change_the_rear_spark_plugs_in_your_2000_Dodge_Grand_Caravan
Well the initial intent in purchasing the old truck was for it to be a project I could learn from, as well as having a secondary vehicle if my primary (at the time, a 96 GMC Yukon) was in the shop or something.
So, I bought the truck, did a few things (sprayed WD40 into the cylinders, turned the engine, did that some more, etc) new spark plugs, changed oil, coolant, put new gas in. replaced starter, and fixed some wiring issues, etc. and the truck started and ran ok.
That’s about as far as I got with my slow-paced project, because my Yukon decided to die a painful death. The rear end failed as I was leaving work and took the transmission with it. That has got to be the most awful noise I have ever heard from a car.
At this point I needed something to drive, and rather than putting $3-4K into the Yukon to fix that I paid a friend of a friend who did some mechanical stuff to do lots of work on the old truck. Lots of brake work, plug wires, distributor, fix wiring issues, driveshaft carrier bearing, etc. just stuff that needed to be repaired.
I drove the old truck (it’s actually a C20, not a C30 as per the listing) got it smogged and registered, and it kind of became my daily driver. I did spend $800 in new tires which I kind of regret doing, because now, a few months later, I’m selling it.
I was hoping the old truck would end up being reliable enough as a daily driver just until my financial situation became a bit better, but it never got to that point. Something was always wrong with it, and I could never trust that I was going to get where I was going. I’m sure if I paid somebody to completely go through it and make everything perfect, rebuild the carb, etc. it could be a decent truck, but I just didn’t want to dump that much money into something so old.
Now I financed an 07 Chevy Colorado and am selling the 1983 C20. I don’t think I’m ever going to get the money back that I lost on it, but you know what? At the end of the day I had something I could drive for a month until I was able to come up with the down payment on something newer, get the financing sorted out, etc.
What did amaze me is the 83 didn’t leak or burn anything, and it passed smog on the first try. They certainly don’t build them like that anymore!
Here’s a few pics, as you can see the C20 did clean up quite well, and it’s not very rusty. Sure, it’s not restoration-level clean but it’s not unsafe either. If anybody wants to buy the old truck, I am asking $2K. I think that’s a reasonable price given the $800 in new tires, lots of brake work, and it passed CA smog.
Well, I guess I should update everybody. The only way this was going to work was to go for something a bit older. I ended up with an 07 Colorado. It’s certainly different having an underpowered 4-cylinder instead of a big V8 but it gets much better gas mileage and I’m hoping it’s going to be reliable moving forward!
Uh, bummer. I didn’t realize that. I can get one $3-4K cheaper if I don’t mind it being a rental car.
https://www.hertzcarsales.com/vehicle/details/14273389Wow, that’s a wealth of information. Thank you!
What do you mean by: “a hose will split or the float will stick open (something to be extremely aware of)”??
Will definitely make sure to have an air filter on there… wouldn’t want my project to turn into a fireball!
How long is too long for it to be sitting? I guess I shouldn’t worry so much about the electrical, but I have just read too many horror stores of wiring problems, mouse chewing, etc. on cars/trucks sitting for years and ruining the electrical.
If coolant and other fluids look OK do I need to replace them immediately, or can I leave them in there to at least get it started? i’d do flushes before using it as a daily driver, of course, and I would definitely do the oil change right away because that’s the most critical… but if I’m buying an old truck I should probably just try to get it running before dumping expensive fluids into it.
Thanks,
MichaelWell just to not leave y’all hanging – probably won’t be buying a crown vic anytime soon. Probably getting a 97 Chevy Suburban tomorrow though.
Well just to not leave y’all hanging – probably won’t be buying a crown vic anytime soon. Probably getting a 97 Chevy Suburban tomorrow though.
Well, it died on me at an intersection, about a week after spending $300 to get the power steering pump and lines replaced. Left it for the weekend, got it towed home. Drove it to work no problem.
Bought the TFI and was going to put it in. Decided to check the oil on my way out of O’reilly Auto Parts parking lot because i thought sounded a bit funny.
Well, there’s a mass of white goo all over the dipstick and it smells awful. Guess the head gasket failed or the head cracked. Borrowing some money from my uncle to buy another car. Looking at a 97 Tahoe with 150K miles as a replacement for $2500. Really big bummer because the van has such a straight body. I won’t miss the noisy interior though.
I’m going to try some Blue Devil “Pour and go” head gasket sealant on Friday. While that probably won’t help it’s worth a shot – it might just live another week thanks to the sealant. As soon as I buy something else the van is getting put on CL for just a tiny bit more than the junkyard offers me. If nobody wants it within a short period of time it will take its final trip. I do hope somebody wants it for parts or to rebuild the engine though because I have heard the 4.9L straight 6 is a solid engine. Not like that matters after 26 years, 230K miles, and a handful of owners that probably didn’t maintain it.
Anyway any opinions about this Tahoe?
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4845584459.htmlWell, it died on me at an intersection, about a week after spending $300 to get the power steering pump and lines replaced. Left it for the weekend, got it towed home. Drove it to work no problem.
Bought the TFI and was going to put it in. Decided to check the oil on my way out of O’reilly Auto Parts parking lot because i thought sounded a bit funny.
Well, there’s a mass of white goo all over the dipstick and it smells awful. Guess the head gasket failed or the head cracked. Borrowing some money from my uncle to buy another car. Looking at a 97 Tahoe with 150K miles as a replacement for $2500. Really big bummer because the van has such a straight body. I won’t miss the noisy interior though.
I’m going to try some Blue Devil “Pour and go” head gasket sealant on Friday. While that probably won’t help it’s worth a shot – it might just live another week thanks to the sealant. As soon as I buy something else the van is getting put on CL for just a tiny bit more than the junkyard offers me. If nobody wants it within a short period of time it will take its final trip. I do hope somebody wants it for parts or to rebuild the engine though because I have heard the 4.9L straight 6 is a solid engine. Not like that matters after 26 years, 230K miles, and a handful of owners that probably didn’t maintain it.
Anyway any opinions about this Tahoe?
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4845584459.htmlWhat makes them better? Just trying to figure out the pros and cons of the different years.
And I really should find a black one they look better…
What makes them better? Just trying to figure out the pros and cons of the different years.
And I really should find a black one they look better…
What do you think of the older model ones like this one?
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4821438645.htmlI read that the 2004 or newer has a better transmission but the source is dubious (random kid on YouTube) I also read that in 2003 they did some improvements that make them more desirable so I’d probably pass on the 99…
What do you think of the older model ones like this one?
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4821438645.htmlI read that the 2004 or newer has a better transmission but the source is dubious (random kid on YouTube) I also read that in 2003 they did some improvements that make them more desirable so I’d probably pass on the 99…
Eh, good point. Anything specific to check on these cars before buying one? In addition to the usual of course… Is this engine the same as the 4.6L V8 entry level engine on Ford’s trucks and vans for many years? If so are there any particular problems known with this engine that manifest themselves in the milage range this cheap one has.
Here’s the thing – it’s a big car that I would feel safe driving, it’s got double the fuel economy of my van, it’s cheap, and it’s new. That’s a tough combination to find 🙂 I just wish it wasn’t so damn ugly. LOL!
Eh, good point. Anything specific to check on these cars before buying one? In addition to the usual of course… Is this engine the same as the 4.6L V8 entry level engine on Ford’s trucks and vans for many years? If so are there any particular problems known with this engine that manifest themselves in the milage range this cheap one has.
Here’s the thing – it’s a big car that I would feel safe driving, it’s got double the fuel economy of my van, it’s cheap, and it’s new. That’s a tough combination to find 🙂 I just wish it wasn’t so damn ugly. LOL!