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Comments: 1-15, 16-26
Not much in 23 years.
I love it, I beat 5.0 Mustangs in it.
My father owned a 1977 Dodge Van and it lasted 15 years without a problem...except for a thermostat going bad at 120,000 miles...
They are trully incredibly faithful and reliable vehicles... If I could find one I would buy it, no doubt about it and I would beat Camaros and some Mustangs at the stop lights... they couldn't believe it!!!
Bye for now.
Marco Kaye.
Hello,
I too recently came into possession of a 1977 Dodge van. It's two-tone blue with a raised fiberglass "john-boat" style roof. It has a 318 V8 with an automatic transmission (that has a serious leak, but it's on my to-do list). It's also equipped with a tommy gate lift that is supossed to pick up upwards of 700 pounds. This good van belonged to my Uncle and late Aunt, whom was confined to a wheelchair due to Multiple Sclerosis. It served them very well for 14 years (it was purchased in 1987) until they bought a newer dodge caravan also equiped for a wheelchair. Sadly, my aunt passed away recently, and my Uncle asked me if I wanted the van. I promised him I would fix it up the best I could. While it's in very decent shape, there are some things I'm concerned about... For example, the steering is very loose, but I've been told this is common with many Chrysler products. Also, possibly due to the transmission leak, it is painfully slow on take off. The roof also makes it a bit top-heavy, but I can deal with that. I hope it doesn't sound like I'm complaining, after all, this is a terrific van. It's going to take some time to fix it up, but when I'm done, this is going to be an awesome van.
Thanks,
Chuck H.
I purchased my 1977 van new in 1977. Sold it in 1987 with 269,000 miles on it. It was the most trouble free vehicle I have ever owned. It was a gas drinker but that 400 engine had power to spare.
I purchased my 77 Dodge Tradesman 200 new and have owned it for 25 years. It has been virtually trouble-free and still runs great. It is metallic black and completely customized inside and out. It has a 360 V-8 with over 100,00 miles on it and is now driven mostly for pleasure. It has been on many long trips and was always dependable.
Hi,
I have a '77 Tradesman 200 and it is the best vehicle I have ever owned. I work construction out of town a lot so I keep racking up the miles, but I have no complaints. The 229,000th mile was just as good as the 80,000th. I have also loaded it down many times and had no problem doing so. I had to carry a lot of metal to the scrap yard a while ago, I ended up having over 2,500 lbs. in the thing and it drove fine. I have no clue when it will quit, it just seems to run and run with hardly any problems at all.
Aaron.
14 December,. 2002 Have 100% garaged 1977 Sportsman, 440 V-8, with 45,000 miles, fully rigged for max towing load, but never towed anything. My plastic parking lens and side lights are cracking. Where could I find replacements? Would liquid acrylic "weld" the lens? The Dodge dealer I bought it from refuses to work any vehicle more than 10 years old.
I have a 1977 Dodge B200 window van that I purchased at auction for $50. I rebuilt the slant six, made some custom modifications to the interior and it has been running like nobody's business every since. It has taken me and my buddies all over the country, sometimes on 4-wheel drive roads, and I have yet to have a complaint. The Chrysler 727 transmission has been flawless. I only mention this because when I purchased the truck the owner suggested that there were probably over 250k on the vehicle. I took the transmission to a shop and the folks there told me it didn't need to be rebuilt, that it never had been rebuilt, and that if I kept the fluid changed it would outlast the body. I guess they were right because I have never abused a transmission as much as I have this one and it is still going strong.
I am looking to buy a 1977 Dodge van, the Shorty style, with a v-8. It must be a cargo style van with no windows on the sides. I want to customize it like the typical 70's Boogie Van, with wall to wall shag carpet, mood lights and a wet bar. Let me know if you or any one you know has one for sale. I can be reached at c.lewis@mchsi.com. Thnanks, Clay.
I own a 1977 Tradesman100 van and the 3rd gear grinds quite a bit when it's there. There isn't much of any grinding sound in the other gears, so I was wondering if anyone knows of anything I can do to fix it. Thanks--bannanchip@yahoo.com.
Hey I got a 78' tradesman200 and I need info on it. I have no manual for it or anything. so I have no idea on the specs. so if someone could tell me where I can find some info on it I would appreciate it. thanks.
I own a Dodge B200 van. I just bought it a couple of months ago for five hundred dollars. This van is in great shape and runs nice. I have to put some new parts on it and I fixed my steering problems by replacing worn parts under the front. This van, even though it is a 1977, has only one hundred thousand and seventy miles on it. I am so glad I have it. I also own a 1978 Chrysler Cordoba with a dodge 360, 4 barrel in it. The car has 178000 miles on it, but is tight and a great engine. I also bought that car four five hundred dollars, but had to do a lot of work on it. None of the work had anything to do with the engine though. Yesterday I pulled a boner when my engine was over heating after I had put some radiator stop leak in the radiator before putting water in it. I unattached the radiator hose on the intake manifold and was sprayed with hot antifreeze. I escaped with only second degree burns on my right forearm. Live and learn.
Am looking for 77/78 dodge extended van.318,auto transmission. Windows up front and on back doors. No rear seats. Looking for model that had small table which converted into a bed. Had sink too. Owned one, loved it. Made major move and sold it. Want to get another. No frills.Just good old reliable comfort. Do need exact model name if anyone has one like I described. It was factory. Wonder what price range in upper Florida. West side. The only time I see one now, it's going smoothly down some road...
This message is for Clay. I have a 1976 Dodge Tradesman B200 with a 316 v8, no windows (save for the 2 almond shape ports). I won't lie, It needs some work. I bought to rebuild, but the storage I arranged fell through (I live in an apartment) It may be what your looking for. It already IS a Bitchin Boogie van.Features: shorty style, custom sunburst paint (though needs redone), sink, cabinets, table, pullout bed, swivel capt. chairs (driver and passenger) tan shag w/ dark brown longer shag framing windows and moon roof (moon roof needs replacd) period correct aluminum mags, and air shocks in rear that raise the tail approx. 4".Problems: body has minor rust, moon roofneeds replaced, transmission rear seal needs replaced and some others, I just replaced tie rods to take care of loose steering that other guy mentioned about his. I bought it a month ago and a woman hit my driver side door Friday (she was sighted) so its going to be tied up in insurance battles and I doubt they are going to give me what I have invested. Long story short, I live in Cincinnati if anyone is interested or knows how I can save her from the insurance bandits.skling@fuse.net.
Hi.
I have a 77 Dodge tradesman 200, camperVan the thing was great, but I overheated it cause the radiator leaked then needed to put a new engine in it, I bought it for 3500 then paid 2500 to get an old used engine put in, but I was stuck in butt poop nowhere so I had to pay the piper. But I love that van! It leaks oil. The alternator just died lol. But I am fixing it up. I'm looking for a manual on this vechicle. And any Ideas on add on to put in it. I want a coach that folds out into a bed for behind the drivers seat. And I have ideas for solar power to run the fridge and other electricals.
If anyone has any Info for me it would be greatly appreciated.
Chad_boulanger@hotmail.com.
I purchased my 77 Tradesman 200 in late August of this year it has just over 82,500 on it now and basically runs great. It drinks oil though, I think due to worn valve guide seals or the guides themselves. When I get the time I'll tear it apart and hopefully fix it.
Anyway just within the past week I noticed it was leaking tranny fluid and fairly heavy. I believe I've isolated the problem to the "SHIFT SHAFT SEAL" and today got one from my local NAPA store PEP BOYS didn't have it. So I've looked all over the www to see an exploded view or scematic diagram of the trans A727 Tourqueflite to see if this is in fact what this part is and if there's any advice on replacing it,but have had no real luck.
Is anyone out there familiar with this situation and if so I would very much appreciate your help.
Please E-mail if you got any info slavereign@earthlink.net.