I totally agree with you, I'd trade my gas guzzling, big block powered '78 Dodge heavy half and both of my Dakotas for a decent one, but they are so rare up here in the great white north that I haven't laid eyes on one for a veryyyy long time. Fortunately there are still a few vans kicking around so I'm not giving up yet.
Once you get started on the A-100 Monster Truck project be sure to post it up maybe it will help me decide what to do with my LRW kit.