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Van is long gone.
- Thread starter DeeDeeEntwistle
- Start date
gumtown,
the only problem is it may cost more to find a suitable donor then the car is worth, and if none of these guys has ever done an engine/tranny/ swap someone would need to be paid for it. If they chance doing it with a hanes manual and a case of beer, it could be disastrous. That's to say nothing of tearing it down and rebuilding it. I personally would hold off on gutting an auto tranny or taking an engine down to the block if it were my first go 'round. Also, I'm not sure how new this van is, but the days of shadetree mechanic-ing your way through stuff are dwindling with the amount of computer controlled electro-gadgetry found on most modern cars, not to mention they are physically more difficult to work on (suffer from 10 pounds of crap i na 5 pound bag disease). I have myself never worked on a full size van where stuff was easy to get to.
the only problem is it may cost more to find a suitable donor then the car is worth, and if none of these guys has ever done an engine/tranny/ swap someone would need to be paid for it. If they chance doing it with a hanes manual and a case of beer, it could be disastrous. That's to say nothing of tearing it down and rebuilding it. I personally would hold off on gutting an auto tranny or taking an engine down to the block if it were my first go 'round. Also, I'm not sure how new this van is, but the days of shadetree mechanic-ing your way through stuff are dwindling with the amount of computer controlled electro-gadgetry found on most modern cars, not to mention they are physically more difficult to work on (suffer from 10 pounds of crap i na 5 pound bag disease). I have myself never worked on a full size van where stuff was easy to get to.
U-Haul or Ryder van?
$20.00 + 0.39 a mile. Book your gigs ahead of time. Map out and budget your gigs. Rent van and do it.
$20.00 + 0.39 a mile. Book your gigs ahead of time. Map out and budget your gigs. Rent van and do it.
You could try checking out the local vehicle auctions and look for an old service truck/cargo van. Maybe you can get something for $100.
Punk bands are good about lending equipment (at least we were) I'd ask one of the bands ahead of time to borrow their gear. I supplied the first couple vans myself until 1 broke down in TN, and the other got flipped. We all chipped in $200 and bought the van we had for the last few years in The Fallen (Which Mark tried to sell you, It broke down and we decided to take 2 cars as it was cheaper and I had started a new job that always had me on call) I'd go and check out some buy here pay here lots and be on the lookout. Also whats the label our trying out for?
Better yet, steal a u-haul and paint it black with spray paint and such. That's punk. In the punk world, using a u-haul van is far too hi-falutin. Shows that you are made of money.
Yeah, ask around. I bought a new van 4 years ago, and gave away my old one. It was 20 years old and had 200,000 miles on it, but it ran.
Good luck.
If it's a big deal, you should have a backup plan (or backup vehicle). If that means pouring money into the old van until another one comes along, then do it.
To state the obvious: Some vans are well maintained and just not worth much-due to high mileage or age, get the word out, and find one of them.
To state the obvious: Some vans are well maintained and just not worth much-due to high mileage or age, get the word out, and find one of them.
I used to go to PSE&G auctions and buy cars and stuff , use them, and then resell them. Never lost money on the deal, and I am marginally mechanical at best.
Vans and the like could be had for very little. couple hundred bucks, but WELL under a grand easily.
If you were (are) sold on the no-job starvcing musician thing, you could scrap your van on craigslist for a couple hundred, sell your spare bass, and fund an auction vehicle. I'd imagine with the economy the way it is for so long, there are plenty of auctions nationwide similar to the PSE&G ones we had here in NJ.
Sometimes, you have to just buck up and get a paying gig/job though...
I remember one time I really really wanted a new car, but I just couldnt afford one. Oh, wait, that was yesterday.
Anyway, best of luck, sounds like you are taking a real stab at living the dream. You'll work it out. Be creative. For example, buy a used squier or SX and sell your bass to fund the band van.
Anyway, good luck
Vans and the like could be had for very little. couple hundred bucks, but WELL under a grand easily.
If you were (are) sold on the no-job starvcing musician thing, you could scrap your van on craigslist for a couple hundred, sell your spare bass, and fund an auction vehicle. I'd imagine with the economy the way it is for so long, there are plenty of auctions nationwide similar to the PSE&G ones we had here in NJ.
Sometimes, you have to just buck up and get a paying gig/job though...
I remember one time I really really wanted a new car, but I just couldnt afford one. Oh, wait, that was yesterday.
Anyway, best of luck, sounds like you are taking a real stab at living the dream. You'll work it out. Be creative. For example, buy a used squier or SX and sell your bass to fund the band van.
Anyway, good luck
I do find it a little hard to believe that the whole band is working paycheck to paycheck and you are incapable of saving money between all of you. If you are all working, you could consider hunkering down for a couple of months, saving money, maybe even move three of you into a one bedroom apartment to cut costs.
I'm not saying your situation is because you are lazy or not working or anything like that, but your tone leads towards that assumption, so I think you should explain your situation in a little more detail and maybe with that information some of us could be a little more helpful.
I'm not saying your situation is because you are lazy or not working or anything like that, but your tone leads towards that assumption, so I think you should explain your situation in a little more detail and maybe with that information some of us could be a little more helpful.
A little creative problem solving can fix this problem in minutes. Seriously, a tech school will fix your van for cheap (already mentioned).
Chevy van with deer strike damage for $150
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GMC work van needs a gas tank, fuel pump, and windshield, for $350
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(It might be possible to get it insured and then have insurance pay for the windshield replacement. This advice might be illegal, look into it yourself.)
GMC van, motor has less than 45k for $500
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These are local to my area, but I'm sure you catch my drift.
Oh consider buying a used hearse - I had a friend in HS (late 1990s) who scored a 1970 Cadillac hearse for $500 with 20,000 miles. The seat belts were still in the original plastic wrapping, and the car had never gone faster than 25 mph. It was just as big as a van on the inside, and much more stylish.
Anyway, in the big picture, I don't think your van problem is that serious.
Chevy van with deer strike damage for $150
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
GMC work van needs a gas tank, fuel pump, and windshield, for $350
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
(It might be possible to get it insured and then have insurance pay for the windshield replacement. This advice might be illegal, look into it yourself.)
GMC van, motor has less than 45k for $500
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
These are local to my area, but I'm sure you catch my drift.
Oh consider buying a used hearse - I had a friend in HS (late 1990s) who scored a 1970 Cadillac hearse for $500 with 20,000 miles. The seat belts were still in the original plastic wrapping, and the car had never gone faster than 25 mph. It was just as big as a van on the inside, and much more stylish.
Anyway, in the big picture, I don't think your van problem is that serious.
Here is a potentially running van, in the Louisville KY area, for $500. It's old, but beggars can't be choosers.
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i wonder if you could strip out a van ,rig a tow bar/light plug and use it for a trailer ,while looking for a van.........i know guys used to make trailers from p/u beds....
That would be one heavy trailer, and it would have no brakes. You'd effectively be taking a standard car and tripling its mass without tripling its traction or braking power.
i dunno....a stripped out van would weigh nothing,and lots of trailers have no brakes until they reach a certain gvw.... parts from the van could be sold off
Well, it could have brakes, but you are looking at some big time work. However, if you have a torch, you could chop the top off and graft it onto a yard trailer and BLAMMO, you got an enclosed trailer with doors. Metalworking skills, tools, and a yard trailer are required for this option.
