This thread is for my 82 Econoline if anyone is interested in it. I will periodically update as I complete projects.

I bought the vehicle to daily drive and as a taxi for my dogs.

I have some plans for it including an interior revamp (in progress). It seems to be pretty mechanically fit so I am just going to do a tune up for now. I am interested in modifications. I dont know much about he 4.9l I6 other than its reputation as an awesome motor.

Pics
How I bought it:

IMG_20140629_191953_352 by dyllicious, on Flickr

2014-06-30_10-06-47 by dyllicious, on Flickr
2014-06-30_10-06-08 by dyllicious, on Flickr

 

Pretty clean. I love these old vans. I have two. Definitely post pics/updates.

 

Yep, pls post ye updates, I love these oldies too. Own a 1980 [shorty].

1980 - 4.9L Mighty SIX

 

Those are both nice looking early 80's vans----hope to more as their refitting continues!

 

It's cool to see some other guys interested in my old van. I got some stuff accomplished over the weekend and will post it up tonight or tomorrow. My van has some trouble starting when cold so I'll be trying to remedy that as well.

 

An engine and ignition system of that vintage are highly susceptible to moisture whether inside the distributor or the plug wires themselves. Could also be the coil.

A good solid tune up with nothing but top grade parts tends to be the best and certain way to dependable starts in most any kind of weather.

 

JWA I have a tune up planned for this week.

Over the weekend I pulled out all the wood paneling, the carpet, and the disgusting sun visors. I also decided that I was going to use pallet wood to make a hardwood floor in the cargo area.

2014-06-30_04-43-15 by dyllicious, on Flickr

2014-06-30_04-42-46 by dyllicious, on Flickr
All the material that I used was free. A local shipping company was getting rid of some large wooden shipping boxes. I took 3 and was able to break them down and get enough plywood to form a subfloor.

2014-06-30_05-03-27 by dyllicious, on Flickr

2014-06-30_06-07-16 by dyllicious, on Flickr
Then I laid the old carpet out over the wood to get an idea where to cut the wood to fit.

2014-06-30_06-12-30 by dyllicious, on Flickr
I also collected pallets from around town. i ended up finding a pretty big stack of Cedar pallets so that is the majority of the wood for the floor.
2014-06-30_05-02-53 by dyllicious, on Flickr
2014-06-30_05-02-37 by dyllicious, on Flickr

2014-06-30_05-03-10 by dyllicious, on Flickr
I guess some of the pictures didn't save or upload so I'll update with some actual van progress shots later today. I also went to the junkyard and got some nicer matching sun visors, a roof rack, and a new passenger side tow mirror.

Here is a pic of some progress;
Starting to look like a wood floor. When I made the decision to do a floor like this I asked my girlfriend if she thought perpendicular to the van length or parallel would look better. She said perpendicular. After laying the initial pieces down I knew I should've done parallel because it would be a lot less cutting and measuring.

2014-07-08_10-21-11 by dyllicious, on Flickr

 

I finished cutting all the wood and got it put down. I sanded it with my orbital sander and wasn't quite able to smooth the boards as much as i had hoped. I would've liked to plane the boards but didn't have access to one.

I saw the ads for the new Behr Deckover and thought it might be a viable option for my purposes. I have one coat on so far and it actually seems like a nice finish. I chose solid coat Redwood. I am going to put down at least another solid coat.

Progress for now:

2014-07-09_07-58-22 by dyllicious, on Flickr

Once the floors are fully finished I'll move on to the walls.

 

So far - so good -

 

Thanks Redsix!

Ok, Ill be using the van to move a friend today so it will get some serious use.
I started to paint it today as well. So far its a 10 foot paint job but it was a 25 footer before so I am happy with it. I am just using rattle cans. Picture of progress today.

I got both front fenders, the hood, the grill and the grill surround done today.
Picture is a pretty good comparison of of color versus new.

2014-07-15_02-26-03 by dyllicious, on Flickr

 

Good progress. I wish I could get to the pretty side but I'm still working on the mechanicals, as that seems to be what I'm always working on in any of our vehicles lol

 

As I said earlier I used the van for some work today. Long story short I took it on the highway and as soon as I hit 50 or so the van had a really bad sway and felt like it was very unsettled and was being blown around a lot by wind. I had to fight it to stay in the line it seemed.

It looks like I am gonna have to run through the suspension. I'm guessing tie rods, springs and shocks are probably needed. If any one has any time saving advice I'd appreciate it. I have no experience with this type of suspension.

Gonna look at bushing as well.

 

Just got some parts in the mail (plugs, wires, new headlights, and an air filter) and went out to throw them in before work. However once I got the interior engine cover piece(not sure of the real name) off I saw some weird stuff under there.

These two things were just kind of hanging there not connected to anything:

first is some thin red and yellow tubing with a big double TT joint but nothing on one end.

IMG_20140717_111659_768 by dyllicious, on Flickr

The second is a black wire with a screw on plug (looks like a big cable style plug)


IMG_20140717_111711_739 by dyllicious, on Flickr

This is a picture of location:
I was inside the cabin on the passenger seat when I snapped these. The red and yellow is on the driver's side right by the back of the valve cover. The cable thing is on the passenger side kind of wrapped around some other stuff.


IMG_20140717_111728_701 by dyllicious, on Flickr

I don't have much time today so I haven't delved into these yet but was hoping some of you guys who have been around these for a while could give me some info or point me the right way. Thanks.

While I was in there I checked to see if there were any connectors that these might plug into but didn't notice anything.

 

The black cable looks like an [old] antenna cable.
The hoses, here you might find a picture or link >
Namaste.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...questions.html

Vacuum Line diagram - Ford Truck Club Forum

 

I'll second the color "tubes" as part of the vacuum system.

The black cable, with the screw connector looks like an old CB antenna cable.