It’s been a week since that initial post, and I’ve got a lot more information to go on now.
But first, Bill (Florida Van Man) and Mike posted their video of their trip to look at and acquire the van.
Despite being in what is apparently excellent condition for these older vans, it was not without a list of issues;
What they think is a turbo leak turns out to simply be a single split (apparently 7 inches!) hose. A quick swap and that is done!
The broken ignition key was going to be a more pressing issue. Bill and I had discussed grafting in a more modern ignition system, one with a transponder reader and a simple big “START” button that wouldn’t function without the transponder being close enough; but he managed to take an ignition core from parts he had laying around and got it properly rekeyed and installed. Off the list! (Note to self; get some new keys made, don’t trust the old worn keys for too long.)
You’ll see in the video the tools jammed down in the bottom of the driver’s side window – the regulator is shot and this is the only way the window is staying up. Another reasonably quick fix with some spare parts Bill has laying around.
The instrument cluster was shot – and again, Bill has a spare.
All of this is adding up a bit; nothing unexpected.
I’ve got travel and lodging booked for next weekend! I’ll spend one day with Bill and Mike, going over the van, getting eyes and fingers on it, learning the ins and outs. I requested that some of the routine maintenance tasks be delayed until I’m there; I want to learn these things, how to do them myself. I’ve always learned best by doing things.
I’ll spend another day in the immediate area, just… driving around. Despite my confidence in the van’s condition, I’m a worrier – so I’ve allocated a full day to knock around the immediate area, not straying too far, in case something does go “pop” – I’d much rather that happen with rescue close-by than a few hours up the highway.
And then, it’s time to start the three-day slog back home.
Once I’ve got the van back in Colorado, I’ll have plenty of tasks ahead of me. The bulkhead will be gone, but all the shelving/racks in the cabin will still be there; those will come out first. Lots of cleanup to do. I’m 95% sure I’m going to uninstall that rear A/C system; it’s way overkill for my needs, and it’s also something that should a part fail, it would be very tough to source a replacement. (I hope I can find folks who have this same system who need parts, and I can recoup some funds and help someone else out at the same time!)
Plus, the front A/C system is currently inoperable, and it appears to be as simple as extracting the existing compressor and replacing it with new; not a huge expense. But to hear Mike tell it, the rear A/C system components make getting at the front A/C compressor a huge PITA, so uninstalling it will likely make that fix a lot easier.
As far as I can recall from my many textual conversations with Bill and Mike, that should cover the current issues.
In the meantime, I’m getting my ducks in a row as far as my future build. Randomly, yesterday, a woman who lives ten minutes from me posted a used Dometic dual-zone fridge for sale for a good price, and I managed to be the first over there and I scooped it up! I also plan to install a pair of windows in the rear cabin; one in the sliding door, and one opposite directly behind the driver’s door. I found some suitable windows online, but shipping would have added about 20% to the total. A Facebook post to a Colorado van group and some messaging later and I’ve got a guy willing to order these windows and sell them to me for the same price, and I can just roll down and pick them up. Another random post response and I’m going down to Denver to pick up a whole mess of random electrical wiring with connectors, stuffed into a pair of garbage bags, that I’m assuming came out of a build tear-out. I’ll test every damn wire and get them sorted – I expect I would be able to use a fair bit of that wiring, and save myself a fair bit of funds right there!
It’s been a good couple of days.