calvintrew Posted February 15, 2023 Share Posted February 15, 2023 Hi! I'm interested in doing a chassie swap with a vintage frame to convert for van life! So far as it's possible. I've been looking into antique frames and been loving the metros and divco milk trucks. I love anything with a round body. I'm struggling to find models with interior standing height (around 6 ft) and spacious interior dimensions for converting. Any suggestions on fun vintage vans/bus models of good size and aesthetics for my project? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted February 15, 2023 Share Posted February 15, 2023 Dodge van perhaps would work. My late father in law had one way back as h his Snap-on route truck. Back in the late 1960s a Dodge bakery truck from the mid 1960s used to deliver to my home. They usually got worked into the ground so not many survived. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted February 15, 2023 Share Posted February 15, 2023 If you mean what I think you mean you should be looking for a delivery van built on a truck chassis. These chassis do not change very much and a body from the fifties could be transferred to a newer chassis without too much hassle. Here is the style I refer to. It might be easier to keep the chassis frame and change the axles, engine and transmission. You will have to figure that out once you find a suitable candidate. In any case it will be a LOT of work and expense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted February 15, 2023 Share Posted February 15, 2023 On second thoughts it might be easier to chassis swap something with a truck type nose like this The reason being, the location of a newer truck's steering, dashboard etc would be more suitable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted February 15, 2023 Share Posted February 15, 2023 (edited) As for where to find one you just have to look around. Lots are still being used for storage sheds on industrial sites and farms and in junk yards. You might find something on Craigslist or Kijiji or other websites. A search might turn up something. Suggest you be a bit choosy and don't buy one with rust holes or big dents. You may even find one in running and driving condition. I can't see the condition making a big difference in price as they can't be in very big demand. Even if you had to pay a few hundred bucks extra for a nice one it would be worth it. For anyone who is curious here is the kind of thing he is talking about. Should be possible to have one built for about twice the price of a new motorhome. https://www.thedrive.com/news/37777/special-delivery-this-vintage-step-van-overlander-is-a-ford-f-150-underneath Edited February 15, 2023 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drhach Posted February 16, 2023 Share Posted February 16, 2023 What's "van life"? All I can think of is this 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted February 16, 2023 Share Posted February 16, 2023 Van life, A bunch of smoked out hippies with flowers on the sides. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarNucopia Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 I take no responsibility for what happens to your bank account from this point forward. https://bid.mountainvalleyauctions.com/ui/auctions/94835/10532731 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 Don't know where you are located, but here's something in Arizona https://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/d/tucson-1955-international-metro-van/7588831861.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yachtflame Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 9 hours ago, CarNucopia said: I take no responsibility for what happens to your bank account from this point forward. https://bid.mountainvalleyauctions.com/ui/auctions/94835/10532731 9 hours ago, CarNucopia said: I take no responsibility for what happens to your bank account from this point forward. https://bid.mountainvalleyauctions.com/ui/auctions/94835/10532731 That looks pretty cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFeeney Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 Although the "Pay Back" might not be as great, I've always thought a project like this is better than buying someone Jewelry . "Just Sayin" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twisted Shifter Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 Here's a few on CL in the Northwest: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 Unbelievable the money they want for those $500 heaps. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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