Older Class B info requested

[Ballenxj]

Hi folks, I have found an early eighties B based on a Dodge chassis. It has a 440 backed up with an auto trans. The biggest drawback I see here is that it has the old school 16.5 tires.
Anybody have any tips about what to look for, and what to watch out for on these old vans? Thanks in advance.

[goreds2]

Ballenxj wrote:

stan909 wrote:
That is not a van. That is a cutaway chassis and techically a Class C (a common mistake ) . You will get about 8mpg. The same year Van with a 360 would do a couple mpg better. My suggestion would be to pass on this unit and look for a early to mid 90's Dodge with fuel injection and overdrive. You will be much happier.

Thank you. I may do just that. 🙂

That is what I did. I had a 1976 Dodge Class C. I moved up to a 1989 fuel injection Class B and it has been great.

[Ballenxj]

stan909 wrote:
That is not a van. That is a cutaway chassis and techically a Class C (a common mistake ) . You will get about 8mpg. The same year Van with a 360 would do a couple mpg better. My suggestion would be to pass on this unit and look for a early to mid 90's Dodge with fuel injection and overdrive. You will be much happier.

Thank you. I may do just that. 🙂

[stan909]

That is not a van. That is a cutaway chassis and techically a Class C (a common mistake ) . You will get about 8mpg. The same year Van with a 360 would do a couple mpg better. My suggestion would be to pass on this unit and look for a early to mid 90's Dodge with fuel injection and overdrive. You will be much happier.

[Ballenxj]

bsinmich wrote:
I just got rid of the 16.5" tires on my GMC. Aluminum wheels $1400. 6 Tires $1050. (FMCA Michelin Advantage). My Roadtrek & GMC both have the exact same tire size although the GMC has 6 of them. I suggest getting wheels & tires before going out on the road. That 16.5" is very difficult to find. I didn't know Dodge put the 440 in their vans. I have a 318 & got 17.5 mpg on a 2600 mile trip in June. I loved that.

Good advice on the wheels & tires.
I too did not know they put a 440 in their vans, but that's what the seller is saying. It is a wider body than a normal van though.
Here's a video showing the RV.
81 Bougham

[bsinmich]

I just got rid of the 16.5" tires on my GMC. Aluminum wheels $1400. 6 Tires $1050. (FMCA Michelin Advantage). My Roadtrek & GMC both have the exact same tire size although the GMC has 6 of them. I suggest getting wheels & tires before going out on the road. That 16.5" is very difficult to find. I didn't know Dodge put the 440 in their vans. I have a 318 & got 17.5 mpg on a 2600 mile trip in June. I loved that.

[Ballenxj]

1775 wrote:
Have you owned a motorhome before? If yes, then you can check out all of the coach systems yourself.

I've owned two in the past. One Dodge chassis, and one Chevy. These were both class A's.
Over the years I have decided that smaller may be better.
I am fairly well versed on RV systems in general, but am hoping to get input from someone that has experience with a Dodge B class that can share some of their experience with this coach.
I'm looking for minimalist with reliability.
As far as most mechanical devices go I'm fairly savvy. I just don't want to get involved with the heavy stuff anymore.

[1775]

Have you owned a motorhome before? If yes, then you can check out all of the coach systems yourself. It sounds like you can already do that with the van mechanics. If you have not owned a motorhome before, it is a good idea to get it checked out by an RV service tech who can give you a report on what works, what doesn't, what can be repaired and what has to be replaced. The last thing you want to find out is that you need to make a big cash layout after you buy to fix or replace what does not work.

[Ballenxj]

mkguitar wrote:
same concerns as with any other 30 year old car.

it'll be cheap to buy, but expensive to run- poor mpg and need lots of fixin'

I hear ya Mike, and thanks for your input. I used to love tinkering with old cars, not so much now. Most of my favorites were from the sixties. Some earlier, some later.
The research I have done on this vehicle so far points directly at it's having a Thermoquad. As soon as I learned that, I started researching carburetors to replace it with. The Thermoquad has got to be the WORST carburetor known to man. Fortunately there is a Carter AFB that is a direct replacement. (There I go again, researching it before I consider buying it.)
After the immediate problems are remedied, I figure I can start using it as I am addressing the other stuff a little at a time as I can afford it.

[mkguitar]

same concerns as with any other 30 year old car.

it'll be cheap to buy, but expensive to run- poor mpg ( about 8 maybe) and need lots of fixin'

if in the desert all your rubber will be rotted, suspension, body mounts, window seals and fuel lines
the heat will have affected motor and tranny internal seals and gaskets

so maybe cheap to get into, but it'll keep you busy.


I have old cars- they require alot to keep running.


add the quality of the coach build and the features, wiring, plumbing, gas systems etc.

common in the desert for someone to "live" in an rv in the back of a property and trash it ( yes I am referring to meth- the local phx ads have dozens of lived in a trashed airstreams)

if you can afford something newer, you'll get by with cheaper operating costs

Mike