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Step Van
I'm currently trying to plan out the necessaries for a project that has a need of movable, reliable storage. I need either a double axle trailer or a box truck (I'd rather have a truck so I don't have to arrange/purchase a tow vehicle), which would hold what I have to store. The vehicle would most likely sit all but one or two days a week in an uncovered, safe, private lot. The lot is at the top of a sharp hill (200ft).
I also need to make sure that others can drive this (which makes me wary about a trailer option). And it needs to be as easy to maintain as possible. So I've looked around and I keep coming back to a step van/bread truck. Partly because the box trucks I've looked at are van fronts...and I've worked on those vans before....ugh.... Has anyone had any experience with these? Are they any easier to maintain/work on? This budget is tight, so every penny counts.
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Onus probandi incumbit ei qui dicit, non ei qui negat I recondition w123/w126/w124/w140/r107/r129/ steering boxes! 1984 300D "Elsa" odo reset 6/2011 147k 1983 300TD "Mitzi" ~268k OM603 powered 1995 E300 "Adelheid" 262k [Sold] |
#2
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If you don't require a pass through from the cargo area to the drivers area, I'd look for something like this:
Ford F 450 XL Standard Cab Pickup 2 Door | eBay The 7.3 is rock solid, the pickup front end is easy to work on as well.
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-Evan Benz Fleet: 1968 UNIMOG 404.114 1998 E300 2008 E63 Non-Benz Fleet: 1992 Aerostar 1993 MR2 2000 F250 |
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Lukewarm review for workhorse P-vans.
I say lukewarm as a cheap workhorse with a chevy drivetrain may work for your needs, but they are a bit cobbled together. If you look at one check for broken leaf springs, broken body mounts, worn kingpins, and overheat evidence on the transmissions, scorched fluid marks from the vent lines. The chevy drivetrains are reasonably reliable, but overworked. If my choice were a P van, id look for grumman, freightliners, or any diesel versions first. An option id consider though is a used school bus. These vehicles are typically well built, well maintained, and valueless after the fact comparatively. You could find one for 3 to 5 grand with a quality drivetrain, rip out the seats and black out the windows, and use it as mobile storage. I have a friend who bought one for a lengthy stay in the midwest and converted it to a half camper half storage, even installed a wood stove.
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Another resource you may consider is the GSA Auctions. The GOV tosses stepvans after xxx miles and they don't bring very much cash at the online auctions. I would post the link but..........that not happening anymore. Mr Google will probably point you to Government Services Administration.
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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif 15 VW Passat TDI 00 E420 98 E300 DT 97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME! 97 S500 97 E300D 86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D 86 300SDL (o\|/o) |
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Quote:
Quote:
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Onus probandi incumbit ei qui dicit, non ei qui negat I recondition w123/w126/w124/w140/r107/r129/ steering boxes! 1984 300D "Elsa" odo reset 6/2011 147k 1983 300TD "Mitzi" ~268k OM603 powered 1995 E300 "Adelheid" 262k [Sold] |
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i just bought a 2000 bluebird stubnose school bus.short wheel base has a 5.9 cummins and an allison trans.gave $2000 has 160k miles but had new crate motor at 120k .also had new tires about 6 months before it was taken out of service.and i'm 5'10 and can stand up in it with at least 4 to 5 inches of headroom.only problem is the wheelwells do take up alot of floorspace
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#7
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Quote:
EDIT - This is a question of cultural interest - just checking if I got it right - verifying if what I've been told is right or not...
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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver 1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone 1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy! 1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits! Last edited by Stretch; 10-03-2014 at 02:30 AM. |
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Service-wise, there's plenty of room thanks to the p'up nose.
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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15 '06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod) |
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Unfortunately you are correct. The smaller buses are typically used for kids with physical and intellectual disabilities.
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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15 '06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod) |
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I think from the replies I'm looking at a diesel (maybe non GM) or the E450 front box truck.
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Onus probandi incumbit ei qui dicit, non ei qui negat I recondition w123/w126/w124/w140/r107/r129/ steering boxes! 1984 300D "Elsa" odo reset 6/2011 147k 1983 300TD "Mitzi" ~268k OM603 powered 1995 E300 "Adelheid" 262k [Sold] |
#11
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Maybe a lift gate could be fitted?
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I've actually seen a few of each (step van/E450 box) with them fitted. However they also increase the price of the vehicle $2k. I think I'd be okay with just a ramp.
As a side note the best ad I've seen yet might have had a gate. It was for a 1987 GMC step van, and the entire ad minus the title was: -runs good -work or contruction truck -idraulic lift -aire condition Honestly the ad sounded like someone I lived near in NC shouting to the guy with the computer what he wanted the ad to contain. (and yes, in my mind it's in a backwoods southern drawl)
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Onus probandi incumbit ei qui dicit, non ei qui negat I recondition w123/w126/w124/w140/r107/r129/ steering boxes! 1984 300D "Elsa" odo reset 6/2011 147k 1983 300TD "Mitzi" ~268k OM603 powered 1995 E300 "Adelheid" 262k [Sold] |
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And the snub is directed towards those that are fully capable but choose to do things that would qualify them to ride the short bus not those that actually have disabilities. |
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Shortbus rider checking in!
If other people are driving it, get a gasser. Diesel will be a nightmare if you're not in control of it, and someone will fill it with gas eventually. They say a Chevy runs right for a short time, and wrong for a long time. Can you get a Chevy 2500 truck and slap on box on it? We have done terrible, terrible things to my dad's '98 Silverado 2500 and it still goes strong. Avoid the Ford Triton engines, their spark plugs weld into the head.
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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges $110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges No merc at the moment |
#15
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stubnose not snubnose.this is a 59 passenger full size school bus with a flat frontend.as the guy i got it from said"your always the first one to the accident"it has a short wheelbase.this thing could turn around in an intersection without backin up.
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