Call for information: Full sized vans
Remember full sized Dodge and Plymouth vans?
Allpar has a brand new forum dedicated to them, and a question there seems to have inspired me. Someone asked when the last year a manual trans was offered, and it occured to me that Allpar should have something on these vans.
I’m hardly an expert on them: most of my information would come from brochures. I know they’re in the ‘66 Dodge brochure I have, and in the ‘77. Of course, there’s also the ‘82 Voyager one above for reference. But if anyone is an expert on the history of Dodge/Plymouth vans, send me your info! I’ll organize it and submit it as an addition to Allpar, and together we’ll add a few more pages to the total here :) Post whatever you’ve got as a comment below, or PM me. I’d also like to get a bit on conversion vans. Pictures also would be great!
Thanks…
Update: the dodge b-vans page
Allpar would really like a section on this
Looking through the parts books they list the A833 up to and including 1987 at which time it appears that they dropped the A833 4 speed and started to install the A535 5 speed. The A535 is listed until 1993. After 1993 they only list 3 and 4 speed automatic transmissions, no manuals. The 32RH (A999) three speed is listed all the way until the full-size van was discontinued in 2003.
well all i can really add to this is that i had what was called a StreetVan, it had a chin spoiler, mag wheels (like the general lee wheels) a visor over the windsheils and a custom interior. It also had side pipes. it was a 318 4bbl and had headers as well. i’m not sure how much of it was factory, it was a 78. i loved it, and so did some of the girls i went out with at the time, i was 18 and it was 1993
Excellent, thanks for the comments!
I have a newer yet odd van.It is a 1995 b3500 maxi-van,but it is only an 8 passenger(sleeper/dinette package) this is a factory option.No one can seem to recall this option,but I got one.Fully loaded with power everything,two tone paint,premuim sound system,keyless entry,360 v8,chrome package.I purchaced the truck in 2001 with only 73000kms.Truck is super clean and I have put it in several car shows(why not,MOPARS ARE SHOW CARS),it may not be a classic but I haven’t seen any one else show one yet.It is my daily driver all 4 seasons in Toronto,Canada.It now sports a stainless steel Dual exhaust(sounds great!)Would be great to find out how many trucks got this dinette option in 1995 to see if it is rare option.THANKS! My other mopar project is a 1967 Dodge Coronet Station Wagon…
I special ordered a 1982 Ram Wagon on November 30, 1981. It was delivered to my Dodge dealer,in Davenport Iowa, on December 11, 1981. In less than 2 weeks they built and delivered exactly what I ordered! This order took several calls to the Winsor, Ontario assembly plant to verify the availability of the options I wanted for a 109″ 8 passenger window van. (In 1982 they emblemed this model as the original “Mini Van”!) I got the 318 engine, 4 speed manual OD transmission, positraction axle, B250 suspension, A/C, HD sway bars, all dark blue metallic paint, molding delete, and sun screen windows - it came with a hand written note from the assembly line folks stating that it was a one-of-a-kind Dodge Van. It was georgeous new and after 24 years and nearly 400,000 miles to 40+ states, including Alaska and Hawaii, It still runs daily chores and is presentable.
the A833 OD transmission is the original and has never needed repairs. It pulls trailers like a bulldozer, and the van has always run strong. It handles very well and does exceptionally well in snow with all weather tires. It feels like it could climb trees when the chains go on. Gas milage has always been exceptional for a full size van, about 24 mpg on the road.
If I could order a new one like this one I certainly would. In fact, I did buy a 2002 Dodge Wagon as close in options to the 1982 as possible. But its just not the same - good, but not as good.
I drive my 1982 plymouth voyager every day. This year it needed a fuel line and a heater core. I have been driving it since 1992 and it has over 215,000 miles. When it breaks down I repair it. Parts are cheap and it has never left me stranded. 318 engines run forever.