Hi Anke. Look at Lorineñ´s vehicle. she is able to travel everywhere with it as a lady alone. i think its a tough vehicle. maybe the outlook suits u as u said u wanted the outlook to be dirty. we met her during Xmas in "end of the world" with her 3 dogs.

also if u dont mind having the smell of dogs or you are not allegic to dogs stuff, it should be ok with her van.

you can also check her website. i found something intresting from her site:

1978 Chevy 350 Van for $750

Purchased in December 2004 with 123,000 miles from the now retired Jerry at the Flying Dutchman in Florence, Arizona.

2004 America
Two new tires $140
Used deep cycle battery for cabin $75
Misc electrical & oil change from previous mechanic/owner $100

2005 America
New master cylinder $50
Ignition $60
Oil change etc $45
New starter $100
New battery for engine $50
Rear differential $450
Brake cylinder $35
Fuel pump (mechanic fees PLUS towing) $350
Hole in engine block. Repair plus new water pump and timing chain. $850

2006 Mexico 140,000 miles
New upper and lower arms replaced
Aligned
New Air filter
Carburetor cleaned
Oil change/lube
$400

Guatemala-2006
Hit road defect at high speed and bottom suspension arm bent
Mechanic call out and repair $45
Costa Rica-2006
New spark plugs ??
Brake calipers $30
New engine battery $60

Costa Rica-2007
Two new tires $184
Oil change and lube ??
Brake Calipers-$30

Colombia-2007
Two Shocks $85
Muffler welded $20

Ecuador-2007
Tune-up
lube
Transmission fluid
Door sag
Align lights
Sub-total $260

Peru-2007
Door sag fixed
Muffler welded
Sub-total $30
New cabin battery (I shorted out previous) $60

Peru-2008
Steering track rod ends $30
New fuel filter $2

Bolivia-2008
Tune-up $65
Two new tires $184

Fan belt tightened
Radiator cap
Wheels aligned
Sub-total $28

Door handle welded $3
Radiator welded $3
Brake line welded (twice) $13

Chile-2008
Suspension ball joint replaced $125
Alternator re-built $80
Rear brake cylinders bored $30
New rear leaf springs $360
Two rear shocks $80
Carburetor adjustment $20

Argentina-2008
Muffler welded (for the third time) $30

ON A MISSION FROM DOG

goh

Hi all,
Here's some updates on my infamous van. ;-) On Ruta 40 I shredded the back right tire. And I mean, REALLY shredded it. Bought a used replacement for $45.

Also on Ruta 40, the A/C motor froze (only used a few times) and snapped a fan felt. Suddenly the recently sluggish engine eased up and runs much better now. :-)

Had the remaining two fan felts taken off to be measured. Unfortunately new ones not available, so the old, but good ones were put back on again. This cost a stupid $20.


where would I sell it: Unknown. Probably in Peru or Chile as I'm hoping to get on a ship when I return to the states.
when: Unknown.
and for which price would you sell it: To highest bidder. It IS a classic. ;-)
which licence plate/country does it run under: The Arizona/US license plates expired in June 2008. Have no idea how the ownership papers would be transferred....

Lorraine

__________________
Rallying for A Wild Life — THE FILM!
http://igg.me/at/AWildLife

www.LorraineChittock.com
www.facebook.com/lorraine.chittock

Sent you a PM Lorraine

__________________
Beware the dark, mechanical bird.

With some serious interest in my van, I need to note there is one mechanical problem which I haven't and won't fix because of the expense. The van is an automatic. That it's the first one I've ever owned is my excuse... Back in Panama, there was less trannie fluid than there should be in the gearbox. I thought when I'd gotten an oil change, the gear fluid was topped up too. It wasn't. As a result, the VERY low gears, which almost act like 4 wheel drive, don't work. All the regular gears are fine, 1-2-3-Reverse. But if you're planning on going through sand and mud, you can't rely on those really low gears to get you out. It never was 4x4, but these low gears had really gotten me out of some scraps. I've been advised it's probably just some seals that need replacing, the problem is the engine would still have to come out etc, so it's a pricey repair that I just haven't done.
Lorraine

__________________
Rallying for A Wild Life — THE FILM!
http://igg.me/at/AWildLife

www.LorraineChittock.com
www.facebook.com/lorraine.chittock