Getting In Deep (nightshift repost)

"Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness" (long-voyager-2nd-edition) 07/03/2019 at 16:20 • Filed to: Body Work, Mopar, Caravan, cruiser van

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So I started in on the cruiser van Monday night:

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Well last night I set out to more sanding. I got the hatch feathered out and spotted ( still have a small ding to fix next to the passenger taillight ):

Got all the chips/peel on the sides feathered out and spotted in:

Sanded out the rough spots in our “graffiti” and gave that some cover:

I got the one bad spot cut out, soaked in rust stop, and primed:

So now I just have to patch that spot in, get the roof feathered out, then sand the rest of it. Once that’s done she’ll be ready for paint.

Bonus, lazy doggo:

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/03/2019 at 07:24

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Hard at work! :D

random001 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/03/2019 at 07:26

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Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/03/2019 at 10:09

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There’s a coyote  in your living room.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/03/2019 at 10:11

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For all the complaints about California and taxes and corrupt Democrats, this picture reminds me of one of the reasons I like living here:

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/03/2019 at 10:15

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It’s 27 years old and has been a WI vehicle since new.......I’ll give a small spot of rust ( mind you I cut further than needed, easier to blend out ) a pass.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/03/2019 at 10:16

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Does kinda have a Coyote vibe with his ear flipped up like that.....

He’s 15, blind, and diabetic, but he’s still a damn good dog.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/03/2019 at 10:47

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I watch YouTube videos of repairs and it's always really obvious when they're working on a Snow country car. We just don't see any of that here at all.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/03/2019 at 10:49

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Yeah, we’re still talking about our dog that we had to put down after about 12 years. Poor thing. She still had some good years left in her before she got cancer or whatever it was that knocked her out of the game.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/03/2019 at 12:11

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We almost lost him a couple years ago to diabetes, we didn’t know he had diabetes until it was almost too late. He stopped eating/drinking, lost control of his body functions, etc all in the span of a week. Thankfully the vet was able to diagnose him, got him started on insulin, and we had to pretty much hand feed him for another week until he got his strength back.

Now it’s just insulin twice a day and diabetic food, he’s back to normal other than being blind. He was always a super laid back dog, so he’s the perfect dog for us.

It will be a tough time for us when his time finally comes.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/03/2019 at 12:12

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I’ll take a little rust over dealing with Cali.....

No offense.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/03/2019 at 12:58

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None taken. And when the high is in the 70s and the low at night is 58 degrees for most of the summer... If people didn’t love it here so much, the government couldn’t get away with doing what they do. Supply and demand and all of that.

What does “dealing with Cali” represent to you personally? Gun laws? Housing prices? Too fricking liberal? All of those things bug me, though we struck gold by buying when we did, in a fluke of the housing market, and we’ve been borrowing against the appreciation ever since. But way too freaking liberal. And gun laws are ridiculous. Latest: background checks to buy ammunition. Seriously? Maybe I’ll pick some up in Utah or Idaho on my trip here in a week or two. Just because.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/03/2019 at 16:13

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Everything you listed, plus all the vehicle related shit.

I’ll take my winter fun, cheap everything, and pretty carefree living thanks.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/03/2019 at 16:25

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“Nightshift”

*looks at clock*

1:23pm

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 07/03/2019 at 16:36

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It’s night somewhere........

Usually I label as nightshift repost when I’m cashing out for the day, or weekend in this instance.

Mercedes Streeter > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/03/2019 at 16:37

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cheap everything 

This along with wide open country roads are definite selling points to live in WI for me. If I could have a bountiful tech career and live in the middle of nowhere in Wisconsin I’d do it in a freaking heartbeat.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/03/2019 at 16:38

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This is a coyote (large). Or wolf (small). Who happens to be wearing a red collar. I should have taken it off for the best photo effect.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/03/2019 at 16:38

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“ weekend”

*looks at calendar *

Wednesday

(I know it is America’s birthday)  

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Mercedes Streeter 07/03/2019 at 16:39

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Could have bountiful machining career and live in the middle of nowhere..... https://www.phillipsmedisize.com/

Mercedes Streeter > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/03/2019 at 16:39

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Oh man, this makes me want to get started on the Ranger so bad. I have the rust to fix and have to do something about the bed so it doesn’t twerk on every bump. Maybe I’ll find a stepside bed somewhere.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 07/03/2019 at 16:41

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Hey, last day of work for the week is technically the week.......end.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/03/2019 at 16:42

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Everything you list actually appeals to me about Calif. Prices are the main impediment. I’d be willing to make changes to my gun collection.

I imagine mail order ammo is illegal which is how I usually get my ammo - that would be an obvious loophole.

Mercedes Streeter > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/03/2019 at 16:46

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Don’t tempt me! Thus far I’ve found a somewhat weird middle ground of living in a conservative county in Illinois still within reasonable distance of Chicago. Cheap-ish, safe, and I can enjoy the city when I feel like it.

But I still buy all my vehicles from Wisconsin because everything is cheap there! :D

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > VincentMalamute-Kim 07/03/2019 at 17:02

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I am regarded as a “radical liberal” by some on this board, but oh well. I don’t mind some extra liberal gun rules, but background checks for ammunition purchases is absurd. Patently absurd. Way over the top. We need an effective Second Amendment organization this is not the NRA to make sure those rights are guaranteed.

I like it here. We have people and ag industry in the Central Valley who are not represented well in Sacramento and that is a travesty of unfairness. But I like it here.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > VincentMalamute-Kim 07/03/2019 at 17:04

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Oh, I was just having a bit of fun at Long Voyager’s doggo’s expense. Dogs still love you because they have no idea that you are teasing them. It’s one of the things I like about dogs.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/03/2019 at 17:05

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No offense taken. Fate brought me here and I like the weather and I’m too lazy to seek out somewhere else. We’ll see what happens when retirement looms.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/03/2019 at 17:24

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Aww. Give him a pet for me

VincentMalamute-Kim > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/03/2019 at 17:52

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I know. Long Voyager’s dog is good looking.

I was looking for any excuse to post a photo of mine.

And it’s mean to tease doggos :(

VincentMalamute-Kim > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/03/2019 at 17:56

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Now I’m confused that you can be regarded as “radical liberal” and some of your dislikes, i.e. “Too fricking liberal”.

Guns don’t kill people, bullets kill people?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/04/2019 at 17:30

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I’ve been thinking about this exchange the past day or two, and doesn’t it really boil down to whatever place we call home ? I used to have scorn for California until I married a Californian and came here to settle and I found I liked the weather and my kids are all born here and my career, and here I am. Wherever we are, if it feels like home , then it’s good. There’ll be gives and takes, one place compared to another.

Nothing but love for you, Bro, and happy FOJ.

gettingoldercarguy > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/16/2019 at 14:58

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Looking at getting a minivan and am looking at used Chryslers.  Can you give me a low down on what to look for?  Trying to get one under 10k.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > gettingoldercarguy 07/16/2019 at 15:46

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Proper trans maintenance ( 30-50k change intervals under normal use, more often under towing, city, etc ) using only ATF +4 fluid is my biggest concern on them. Otherwise, maintenance in general. If it hasn’t been maintained, walk away.

gettingoldercarguy > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/16/2019 at 16:16

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Cool, thanks.  Hopefully it won't be difficult to find that.

gettingoldercarguy > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/16/2019 at 16:29

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The pentastar motor looks great!

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > gettingoldercarguy 07/17/2019 at 07:23

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My only complaint with the Pentastar is lack of low end, which IMO is a no-no in a people mover. They’ve geared it well to cover the lack of torque, but it really needs to be above 4500 to have real power. That being said, I do enjoy mine thus far. It’s smooth/quiet when driving normal, pulls hard/makes good noises when you want to get on it.

If I wanted to go older/lower price, I’d have went for a 4.0L van. They had the 4.0L as an option from 08-10. With the 4.0L they have plenty of grunt down low, they are quicker than the Pentastar variant ( despite being short 30+ hp, huge torque band FTW ), and they get better fuel economy ( again, huge torque band FTW ).

The 6-speeds are supposed to be much more stout/less finicky than the 4- speeds were. I’ve seen quite a few with 150k+ that have never been serviced and still work perfectly. I would be leary of them, but I am firmly in the proper maintenance crowd, so I tend to stay away from poorly maintained vehicles ( you know, unless I can get them insanely cheap ). The 6-speed claimed 120k for a service interval ( although most trans guys will say 60k is smarter ), so if you find something just over 100k, it should be safe.

Stay away from any van that lists a trans replacement/rebuild, that to me is a sign it wasn’t taken care of.

Found one 4.0L van around here ( the 4.0 badge on the back is how you recognize them if it’s not listed ).

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/ctd/d/hales-corners-2010-dodge-grand-caravan/6932695847.html

Otherwise, where you at and what exactly are you looking to be at for $/year/mileage, I can keep an eye out.

gettingoldercarguy > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/17/2019 at 11:09

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I’m in the Pacific Northwest, 98501. I’ve found a few grand caravans and town and countries fairly close to me. How are these on towing? I think I read 3800 somewhere is their rated capacity. As soon as I do get one it’ll get a full filter/fluid change. I’m no fan of lifetime or long drain intervals without proper analysis on that specific vehicle under it s intended usage.  Same thing goes for 20 weight oils.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > gettingoldercarguy 07/17/2019 at 12:24

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Towing is 3500 lbs. I would suggest getting a good trans cooler if you intend on towing often, just as a safeguard. I haven’t towed with a newer one, but my 1994 towed 5k lbs without issue.

Pretty much a take care of it, it will take care of you vehicle.

This one might be worth a look if it’s near you: https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/d/longview-2008-dodge-grand-caravan/6916843956.html

I didn’t know this was a thing, but I like it: https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/d/portland-2009-dodge-grand-caravan-sxt/6914553644.html

This looks surprisingly well cared and it’s cheap: https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/ctd/d/vancouver-2008-dodge-grand-caravan-flex/6930245250.html

This looks like a decent van: https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/ctd/d/puyallup-2012-dodge-grand-caravan-sxt/6935987867.html

Another: https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/d/tacoma-2013-dodge-grand-caravan-sxt/6932856776.html

I like the 4.0L as I said, but the 2012+ vans have way nicer interiors, so I’d probably go that route if I was just going for a family cruiser.

gettingoldercarguy > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/17/2019 at 15:33

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Thanks! Going to look at this one:

https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/ctd/d/puyallup-2012-dodge-grand-caravan-sxt/6935987867.html

Any rust areas I should check for?

gettingoldercarguy > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/17/2019 at 15:44

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Found a few others close to me:

http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/1ede38b7

http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/1e9aa6d6

Wife and I are going to look at the one above soon, do you think these look ok enough to check out as well?

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > gettingoldercarguy 07/17/2019 at 16:05

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http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/1ede38b7

This one is an absolute stripper model that looks like it’s been in an accident judging by the pushed in headlight and mismatched bumper, I’d pass on that one.

The 2nd one looks pretty nice from the pictures, I think it’d be worth a look.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > gettingoldercarguy 07/17/2019 at 16:10

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That one looks decent as well.

The leading edge of the hood is prone to rust, front fenders as well, both rust from the inside out, so check for bubbling.

Otherwise just check out general underside components.

gettingoldercarguy > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 07/17/2019 at 16:19

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Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > gettingoldercarguy 07/17/2019 at 17:05

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Good luck in your search.

Feel free to hit me up if you have any more questions/candidates.