1980 Dodge Ram B150 - "Freak Andy Supplies Van"

[EmDee]

haha ^ that's brilliant!

[bigperm]

I was also affected by that "surprise van " thread Bruce, kept most of the images on my phone, kudos for doing something about it fella, good work !!...looking forward to the outcome,

[joem83]

Awesome, always loved big american van's.
Wanted one ever since I watched cannon ball run as a kid (the one that gets blown up at the begining lol)

This one


That and the A team may have had some influence

[hairnet]

is the ambulance in that the same type?

[joem83]

Feb 21, 2013 22:40:54 GMT hairnet said:

is the ambulance in that the same type?

don't want to spam the thread to much but the ambulance is this:

[EmDee]

The ambulance is more closely related since it's a Dodge (78 Dodge Sportsman), the other one is a GMC (as is the A-team van). [/hijack]

Come on Bruce, tell us more! I know you must have wheels picked out already! How does it drive? How are you going to put coilovers on it?!?! Got any more pics? Interior shots? NEEED MOAR INPUT!

[hairnet]

;D ;D ;D

[ton246]

Feb 21, 2013 14:31:06 GMT rebel2cv said:

ok..




You've got to do the same finish as this, including the fake blood ( or real ). Awesome.

[Mystery Machine]

Wow...thanks for all the comments guys! I was a bit busy yesterday to update the thread, and I've only got a short amount of time today before heading off to Area 52 for another play weekend (which will hopefully see the Dodge being moved inside the unit and also, maybe, a start on some of the work)

The basic plan is to get the van solid, running, useable and road legal so that I can see how much I like it. If I decide it's 'good enough' (and will have to tick a *lot* of boxes) then this could well be the replacement for the Delica!

I have been thinking for some time about a suitable replacement for the Delica but it's a hard thing to find. Most other vehicles fall a long way short on at least one of my main criteria. Things like towing capability, interior space, flexibility, versatility and probably most of all....not your run of the mill vehicle. Transits, T4's, Land Rovers (all versions) etc...all have their plus points but none of them can do what the Delica does as an all rounder.

The Dodge is about the only thing I can come up with that will suit my needs. OK, I lose the 4WD, but that's probably the one and only thing I am willing to sacrifice.

I'm not going to go into much more about my thinking behind buying this, but suffice to say, so far, it's ticking all the right boxes. I won't be selling the Delica unless I know 100% that I'm happy for the Dodge to replace it...so the Dodge is going to have to be good.

Things like LPG, lowering, interior mods, wheels...all that has been planned out to the last detail (even down to what size and make of tyres!) but they are all going to wait until I know I'm willing to invest the time and money on them. In the meantime, it's all about just getting the vehicle up & running again after a long time being off the road.

Have some photos I took yesterday...there will be a lot more to come after the weekend.

Wide?


Well...compare it to the Delica. Yeah, that's pretty wide!


Confused identity. I was under the impression it was a B150 Ram. The badge says otherwise...


....but look on the other side and it's telling me something else!


I think some further research is going to be needed...

I really have a thing for this twin 'small' headlamp look. One of the things that really drew me to this van!




Rust...it certainly has some. But for a 1980 American van, it's surprisingly good overall!


Patina - this certainly has it. Despite there being a number of areas that need welding, rust treatment and repairs, I intend to keep as much of the tatty look as I can.


So, overall, I love it so far. It's BIG! I've yet to work out if I can even get it on my driveway (if you've seen my drive let alone tried to reverse onto it, you'll know what I mean) but I'm certainly feeling the love and hope to make it something quite special. Everyone else who has seen it so far has commented on it, saying either that I'm compeletely mad. Or that I'm insane. In a good way hopefully?


Only time will tell!

[escapereality]

I love it Bruce!! I really hope it does "tick all the boxes" as i'd love to see your take on the "supplies van" and as usual your attention to even the smallest details

Phil

[jonw]

Cool van. Have a real itch for an americal van.

[Mystery Machine]

Thanks Phil. I'm hoping it does live up to my expectations.

One thing I love is the interior space...the masses of space. And the lack of it at the same time.

Probably the best example of this is the contrast between the sheer width of the thing (just look at the enormous gap between the seats) and the absolute lack of room in the passenger footwell! It's way, way bigger than the Delica inside, yet my GF is going to have to lose a lot of legroom compared to the Mitsubishi! Luckily she's fairly petite anyway, so I can't see this being a problem. It's one of those characters of the van that is so silly it's actually endearing.


Biohazard suit recommended. There are some small holes in the roof which has allowed a LOT of water in over the years. To say the interior is damp would be a huge understatement. The carpet throughout squelches underfoot and the seats...well, yes, they are just a bit on the wet side!


Genuine? I doubt it. But I also doubt it's done a lot of miles either. Depsite the rust, it's remarkably solid.


It's the late 70's and early 80's touches that I like so much. Big toggle switches...CLUNK!


AMAZING! Especially when I think that most stuff up until the early 90's was still running on 4 star in the UK.


When I said big chunky switches, there's not masses of them, but the ones it does have are dead cool. This one reminds me of a fag lighter from a car circa 1960.


Thee plus one on the floor. This probably won't be staying and will, most likely, be replaced with a Torqueflite slushbox instead. For my first US vehicle, I want the full supersized 'all American' experience.


There's a fair bit of room in there. Take the seats out and there's about 3 foot more load space than the Delica. Plus at least of foot of extra width. Jed is going to get lost in there!


Bench seats will quite possibly going. I have plans for something entirely different. The answer will probably come from the Japanese!


The only part of the interior where the carpets aren't still there. It makes me wonder what I'll find when I remove the rest of the sodden flooring?


So that's it for now. I'll be sure to get some photos over the weekend. No doubt showing it 'squeezed' into its new home! In the meantime, I'm going to be pulling a few things apart as well as maybe seeing if I can get the engine to run? I think it's going to be a good weekend.

[joem83]

Awesome stuff

Would it be sacrilege to stick a ls400 lump in one.... lol
(thats not me saying, stick a ls400 lump in, just thinking outloud)

[sprouting]

That van is amazing, but why do you want to get rid of the Delica? And whilst on the Delica subject, when you have time can you please finish the thread you started on it.

[rmad]

I'm rather excited about this!

Here's me offering no suggestions as to what you should do...because you can do that all by yourself. Keep us updated, dude!

[johnnyizegem]

I'm a van person and that's a very fine example. will follow this...

[Bluebird Gaz]

That thing is awesome! You must have an understanding other half!

[slackerTHEpinstriper]

Feb 22, 2013 13:29:18 GMT Mystery Machine said:

It's way, way bigger than the Delica inside, yet my GF is going to have to lose a lot of legroom compared to the Mitsubishi! Luckily she's fairly petite anyway, so I can't see this being a problem.


Surely in keeping with the theme the missus would be in the back bound and gagged? ;D

[Ratdat]

I think the B model number is to do with load capacity. Mine is a B250 and was originally a panel van but as yours looks to have been a passenger carrier I'd guess it'd have been lighter duty so could well be a B150.

[duncanmartin]

That is awesome. There are times when I wish my garage was twice the size it is, but I don't think that would fit even if it were!