New guy question about measurements/dimensions

Hi, folks, I just registered as a member about two minutes ago. Looks like this site will take up far too much of my free time from now on !! Anyway, I don't own a vintage van but I have a plan for one in my future, so I figured no better place than here to start with the questions. I am seriously considering starting a small business for myself if the bank says ÿes"in the spring. If so, I would need a van to service my customers. I thought an early-mid '60's van would be an ideal way to advertise and attract attention. Anyway, I was wondering if any of you guys were tradesmen who use your old vans for a living. If so, how's it working out ? Ideally I would like a first generation Econoline or A100. So, can anyone help a new fellow member out ? Here's what I need: I am looking to find out the floor-to-roof measurement for the back doors of an Econoline or A100. Chevy, too. I'm not too concerned about the striker plate but rather the maximum height I would have to load in my gear. Oh, and by the way, my gear doesn't bend. Anyone have a measuring tape in their hip pocket ? By the way, I'd love to hear from anyone from Ontario (Canada, not California). Thanx, guys.

Yeah, I was thinking along the same lines as far as advertising, but I ended up with something I like way too much to use even for small jobs.

Not to sway you away from earlies, but they normally don't have A/C, PB, ABS, or PS and the heaters suck trying to heat that big uninsulated interior. Most came with inline 6s and 3 on tree manual transmissions (I believe Fords rarely had automatics). The doghouse gets in the way of shoving stuff in there. 40+ year old brake lines, fuel lines, electrical wiring, etc. all need frequent repairs or replacing. If this truck is going to be your lifeline, your going to want something very reliable instead of a project truck.

Being in the trades the last thing I want to do after an exhausting day is make my way in traffic in a very hot (or cold) early with drum brakes.

BTW - If at all possible, I would try to save my pennies and maybe do the business part time to start. It really sucks running a business that has long term debt and the sooner you get out of that stupid hole, the better your chances of surviving the occasional downturn or hiccup. There are way-way too many issues in small business to discuss here, but that one really hits home. Just my 2 cents.

Anyways, welcome to the site 6tall. I'll get you some dimensions tomorrow if I have some time available.

My A100 is as follows:

51" w x 47" h clear rear door opening. 48" between the wheel wells. +/- 86" rear doors to back of the dog house. +/- 100" to the seat back. 144" on top of the dog house to the dash.

You should be able to pick up 18" if you go with the 108" wb. The side doors shouldn't have the doghouse issue.

Good Luck - Larry

I have a schematic with all the measurements for a Dodge A100. Unfortunately I have no way of posting it here. The file is on record with the Yahoo A100 / A108 group in the "files" section. The diagram has ever conceivable demension shown.

Hey Dave, Welcome to the site.