Howdy all, cosgig here. It seems that everytime I talk to someone here or sell some parts, everyone wants to know whats happening with Nella's van project. Well, heres an update, but don't throw sticks and stones because it doesn't have a happy ending, well, not a Mopar ending anyway!! Here goes...
It was back on New Years eve 2010 when I went to Chicago to pick up our project, a 77 Tradesman van to make a cool old school custom van for Nella to "arrive" in, when she needed her powered wheelchair. I thought the van would be the perfect candidate to make her dream a reality of having a cool Mopar and being able to have her chair at the events at the same time!! All sounds well right?? But...
The van has a side door clear opening of 47", the same as our current van, so no brainer...or so I thought. You see, Nella has been growing (thats what happens when you feed 'em) and is now 5'8" tall!! For the past 2 years, it has become increasingly dangerous for her to drive through the van doors without risk of decapitation, and thats no joke!! It's become a real problem, and a very real threat to her. I thought the answer would be to drop the floor in the Dodge and gain a few more inches, but since it is a full frame van, it simply can't be done...well, not on a realistic budget!! The answer???...
Well, close your eyes because some of you ain't gonna like this, but heres what we've spent our last 2 years wages on...a 2012 E350 Ford one ton van!! You see, Dodge don't make a van any more, GM doesn't accept the new lifts and Ford is the only van going with the ability to either drop the floor ($12k), or put on a turtle top ($6k). Best of all, it has a big V8 and is getting a tow package to be able to pull our 30' camping trailer to all her horseback riding shows!!
So, what to do with the Dodge Tradesman??? Well, I'm still gonna bring it home and put it together, but I'll probably need to sell it, as she'll never be able to get in the doors the way shes growing. Shes' 14 years old, we're still feeding her, and she's still getting taller by the day!!!
So, heres a few pics...the 77 Tradesman the way we bought it... the new 350... and the GMC van it's replacing!! I wish I could show you a pic with her in it, but after dealing with her insurance company for the last 2 months, we still haven't gotten the OK for the lift to get her in!! She's dying to take it for her first ride, I hope it's before next winter!!!
Take care, and sorry for the nightmares caused by viewing a Ford product here in Moparland!! It least it ain't a Chevy!!! Geof
It was back on New Years eve 2010 when I went to Chicago to pick up our project, a 77 Tradesman van to make a cool old school custom van for Nella to "arrive" in, when she needed her powered wheelchair. I thought the van would be the perfect candidate to make her dream a reality of having a cool Mopar and being able to have her chair at the events at the same time!! All sounds well right?? But...
The van has a side door clear opening of 47", the same as our current van, so no brainer...or so I thought. You see, Nella has been growing (thats what happens when you feed 'em) and is now 5'8" tall!! For the past 2 years, it has become increasingly dangerous for her to drive through the van doors without risk of decapitation, and thats no joke!! It's become a real problem, and a very real threat to her. I thought the answer would be to drop the floor in the Dodge and gain a few more inches, but since it is a full frame van, it simply can't be done...well, not on a realistic budget!! The answer???...
Well, close your eyes because some of you ain't gonna like this, but heres what we've spent our last 2 years wages on...a 2012 E350 Ford one ton van!! You see, Dodge don't make a van any more, GM doesn't accept the new lifts and Ford is the only van going with the ability to either drop the floor ($12k), or put on a turtle top ($6k). Best of all, it has a big V8 and is getting a tow package to be able to pull our 30' camping trailer to all her horseback riding shows!!
So, what to do with the Dodge Tradesman??? Well, I'm still gonna bring it home and put it together, but I'll probably need to sell it, as she'll never be able to get in the doors the way shes growing. Shes' 14 years old, we're still feeding her, and she's still getting taller by the day!!!
So, heres a few pics...the 77 Tradesman the way we bought it... the new 350... and the GMC van it's replacing!! I wish I could show you a pic with her in it, but after dealing with her insurance company for the last 2 months, we still haven't gotten the OK for the lift to get her in!! She's dying to take it for her first ride, I hope it's before next winter!!!
Take care, and sorry for the nightmares caused by viewing a Ford product here in Moparland!! It least it ain't a Chevy!!! Geof
Hope the van works out great!
