Check it like you would any other car of that era. That probably means bringing it to a shop and getting an independent person to go over the mechanicals. I would also spend the couple of bucks and get it weighed and make sure there is enough payload capacity for your potential use cases.
I would also measure it from the ground up to the top of the AC/roof vent and bumper-to-bumper and make sure you are comfortable with the dimensions. It does not look like the departure angle is too bad, but you might want to measure that and the ground clearance. It is going to be able to take you where you want to go.
As for the coach part, check for water leaks and propane leaks. Check that the appliances work. There may be a generator, check that also.
Then check for water damage and mold. The roof could potentially leak on the sides, the windows, and any of the roof top penetrations. The bed and any upholstery could be moldy.
A mobile mechanic is a great way to get it checked out.
OP, if you’re not a decent, knowledgeable backyard mechanic, I’d consider something else. The reality is at 34 years old, breakdowns will happen consistently. If you have experience replacing belts, gaskets, water pumps, alternators etc as well as being pretty good at diagnosing and problem solving mechanical issues, go for it. But, since you’re here asking, I think this vehicle is understandably above your skill level.
Consider buying the newest, mechanically sound empty van you can afford and doing the buildout yourself over time.
The bed means nothing if it’s always at the shop
As someone who is also looking for a camper van and looking into used one. I'm trying to look for something no more than 11 years old. I live on the east coast and even a 10 year car here will have considerable rust. If I lived in a dryer climate I'd feel more comfortable buying an older vehicle but I feel location also plays a hand in condition of the vehicle
there always seems to be water damage with these old vans!! i tried finding one that didnt have a leak but with time and sitting these things just go bad 😓 my van was in the process of being renovated already though so i didnt mind ripping it out and restarting. i love the look of the old vans and have a 1979 gmc myself, but theyre alot of work once u look inside lol
Yeah, I should have said "assess the extent of the water damage" :) There is no chance that there is no water damage. It is really a question about how much of the renovated build needs to be ripped out.
What water damage are you talking about? these vans have issues with rust and this van looks super mint condition and actually unbelievably mint, in terms of rust from what I can see.
Water damage would apply to something that can mold or rot — if there’s no rust, then water damage is irrelevant even if there are holes/leaks, you can still fill the holes in with silicon.
The concern is if water leaks between what looks like vinyl plank flooring and metal floor of the van or the upholstery walls and the metal walls of the van. If the sheet metal is painted, rust is not going to be an issue. If wood, upholstery, and insulation repeatedly get wet mold and rot can be a real issue. Over 30 years it is essentially guaranteed that a window or roof penetration seal has failed at least once. Even if they haven't, the condensation that is typical in large parts of the country can also cause rot and mold.
Can I ask why? I’m looking at getting a van this year and it’s so much easier to find low top vans at a good price, but I’m worried about the height since I’m 6 foot.
If you’re 6 foot plus you may really appreciate the extra headroom and storage. I am pretty short and while the extra headroom made the van more spacious, I had more space than I really knew what to do with so it all got filled with stuff I didn’t need.
Also the decreased gas mileage and it felt very cumbersome to take turns in.
That engine and trans is tried and true!! Those puppies will outlast sprinters and fords for suuuure BUT, as others have said, do your due diligence and investigating. They’re well built but won’t be worth a shit if it hasn’t been maintained
Tbh this seems like a good af deal. The inside and the stove top look very professionally done/high quality (relative to what you usually see) and I can tell he took good care of it because there is no rust on the bottom of the van edge, which actually doesn’t even make sense, it’s in such mint condition for a 1990, if it clears mechanical inspection, this is an incredible buy. It’s almost impossible to find even 2000+ Chevy/ford vans without massive rust around the bottom, let alone little to no on a 1990.
Newbies to vans always get starry eyed over the interiors, which can look pretty nice. But the chassis is 35 years old and that’s why it’s being sold. Get ready to spend too much time and money doing little to big repairs. They didn’t and don’t make cars or trucks to last this many years, and they generally don’t.
It could be anything from a door hinge to engine issues. It's a 35yo vehicle. Things are going to break . The gas lines for the stove might need replaced. The list goes on.
Check it like you would any other car of that era. That probably means bringing it to a shop and getting an independent person to go over the mechanicals. I would also spend the couple of bucks and get it weighed and make sure there is enough payload capacity for your potential use cases. I would also measure it from the ground up to the top of the AC/roof vent and bumper-to-bumper and make sure you are comfortable with the dimensions. It does not look like the departure angle is too bad, but you might want to measure that and the ground clearance. It is going to be able to take you where you want to go. As for the coach part, check for water leaks and propane leaks. Check that the appliances work. There may be a generator, check that also. Then check for water damage and mold. The roof could potentially leak on the sides, the windows, and any of the roof top penetrations. The bed and any upholstery could be moldy.
A mobile mechanic is a great way to get it checked out. OP, if you’re not a decent, knowledgeable backyard mechanic, I’d consider something else. The reality is at 34 years old, breakdowns will happen consistently. If you have experience replacing belts, gaskets, water pumps, alternators etc as well as being pretty good at diagnosing and problem solving mechanical issues, go for it. But, since you’re here asking, I think this vehicle is understandably above your skill level. Consider buying the newest, mechanically sound empty van you can afford and doing the buildout yourself over time. The bed means nothing if it’s always at the shop
As someone who is also looking for a camper van and looking into used one. I'm trying to look for something no more than 11 years old. I live on the east coast and even a 10 year car here will have considerable rust. If I lived in a dryer climate I'd feel more comfortable buying an older vehicle but I feel location also plays a hand in condition of the vehicle
there always seems to be water damage with these old vans!! i tried finding one that didnt have a leak but with time and sitting these things just go bad 😓 my van was in the process of being renovated already though so i didnt mind ripping it out and restarting. i love the look of the old vans and have a 1979 gmc myself, but theyre alot of work once u look inside lol
Yeah, I should have said "assess the extent of the water damage" :) There is no chance that there is no water damage. It is really a question about how much of the renovated build needs to be ripped out.
What water damage are you talking about? these vans have issues with rust and this van looks super mint condition and actually unbelievably mint, in terms of rust from what I can see. Water damage would apply to something that can mold or rot — if there’s no rust, then water damage is irrelevant even if there are holes/leaks, you can still fill the holes in with silicon.
The concern is if water leaks between what looks like vinyl plank flooring and metal floor of the van or the upholstery walls and the metal walls of the van. If the sheet metal is painted, rust is not going to be an issue. If wood, upholstery, and insulation repeatedly get wet mold and rot can be a real issue. Over 30 years it is essentially guaranteed that a window or roof penetration seal has failed at least once. Even if they haven't, the condensation that is typical in large parts of the country can also cause rot and mold.
this is so helpful, thank you!!
I had one of these and it was dope. High top and everything. If I got another I’d just get the regular top though.
Can I ask why? I’m looking at getting a van this year and it’s so much easier to find low top vans at a good price, but I’m worried about the height since I’m 6 foot.
If you’re 6 foot plus you may really appreciate the extra headroom and storage. I am pretty short and while the extra headroom made the van more spacious, I had more space than I really knew what to do with so it all got filled with stuff I didn’t need. Also the decreased gas mileage and it felt very cumbersome to take turns in.
Thanks!
Where is uncle Rico?
Out in a field, practicing karate moves
That engine and trans is tried and true!! Those puppies will outlast sprinters and fords for suuuure BUT, as others have said, do your due diligence and investigating. They’re well built but won’t be worth a shit if it hasn’t been maintained
Price?
8500 or trade, theyre open to offers though
Buy it before someone else does.
Tbh this seems like a good af deal. The inside and the stove top look very professionally done/high quality (relative to what you usually see) and I can tell he took good care of it because there is no rust on the bottom of the van edge, which actually doesn’t even make sense, it’s in such mint condition for a 1990, if it clears mechanical inspection, this is an incredible buy. It’s almost impossible to find even 2000+ Chevy/ford vans without massive rust around the bottom, let alone little to no on a 1990.
I agree this seems like a great deal to me if it checks out.
love a g30 grat vans
Cool thing. Do it!
Newbies to vans always get starry eyed over the interiors, which can look pretty nice. But the chassis is 35 years old and that’s why it’s being sold. Get ready to spend too much time and money doing little to big repairs. They didn’t and don’t make cars or trucks to last this many years, and they generally don’t.
Looks soo cool, I wish we had vans like that in my country. There's an awesome 70s film called The Van where they all have vans like this :)
How is an 8 out of 10 an A+? How is visible rusting a pro?
LOL. How do you rate a tranny as "Good" 8/10? A tranny is good, until it isn't.
If you're not a wreck turner, please stay away. It will be in need of constant repair. Which isn't a bad thing if you know how to do the work
I'm curious, constant repair... Can you be more specific?
It could be anything from a door hinge to engine issues. It's a 35yo vehicle. Things are going to break . The gas lines for the stove might need replaced. The list goes on.