Carl's Econo

One step forward, two steps back! Realizing that we needed to be able to drive to Mid-South Econoline Meet in Arkansas for Labor Day weekend, it was decided to put the van back stock for now. We'll have a lot more time to figure out the lowering when we get back. Gotta' get this thing driving and lined out and soon!

Yanked out all of the suspension once again!

Removing the 'flipped' rear axle . . .

. . .and installing a stock housing.

Hi Carl,
Good move! I think you and Martha will enjoy the trip more. Looking forward to seeing you both!!
Duane

econopoor wrote:Hi Carl,
Good move! I think you and Martha will enjoy the trip more. Looking forward to seeing you both!!
Duane

Martha would enjoy the trip much more if A/C were installed already!
Note to Indian 640: Get the A/C figured out soon so I can copy it!

crowen57 wrote:

econopoor wrote:Hi Carl,
Good move! I think you and Martha will enjoy the trip more. Looking forward to seeing you both!!
Duane

Martha would enjoy the trip much more if A/C were installed already!
Note to Indian 640: Get the A/C figured out soon so I can copy it!

Will do Carl, This pic is starting to look like the last 20 minutes before the 1st race......

Got a little more done. All of the suspension is done, disc brakes up front now and brakes are all bled. Changed out left vent window, the old frame was broken. Trailer hitch/ bumper brackets on. Modified oil bath air filter to accept a regular filter. Radiator is suppose to be ready tomorrow. To-do list is getting a little smaller!

Gutted all the 'oil bath' stuff out so a regular filter would fit.

To-do list is getting smaller, really, it is!

Got a lot of piddling done while waiting for the radiator to come back from the shop. Among other things, we took the front bumper off of the white van and installed it on the rear (thanks David and Duane!), installed new engine cover seal, carb back on, brake light switch on, etc. Also got about half of the inside scrubbed down with SOS pads, she's cleaning up nicely. Got the radiator back and installed and finally got to drive it! Didn't stop to take any pics today, except for the one below from the test drive. Going to muffler shop Monday morning (PO cut exhaust off just before the rear end), then to the inspection station and on to the DMV.

A quick stop at the addiction shop I see. LOL. Great to see it rolling. I like this. A good stance. A little nose down. That's the way an Econo should be. Looking good.

Duane in Tennessee

econopoor wrote:A quick stop at the addiction shop I see. LOL. Great to see it rolling. I like this. A good stance. A little nose down. That's the way an Econo should be. Looking good.

Duane in Tennessee

Yeh, but not for MY addiction, it was for Cisco (the guy whose place I'm working on the van at). Got the exhaust done today and hope to get it inspected and registered tomorrow, driving it with expired California plates right now! Made it to a car/bike show Saturday night:

Got an inspection sticker this morning! Then took a pile of paperwork to the DMV and walked out with registration and some license plates. Transfered all of the new lenses and LED light bulbs from the 'Cassius Clay' van. Also removed the CD player and the power door lock parts.

This is a TEXAN van now!

Sweet!!

Excellent - Congrats!!!

Looks fantastic Carl You really made fast work on this one!!! Good Job!!!

crowen57 wrote:Got an inspection sticker this morning! Then took a pile of paperwork to the DMV and walked out with registration and some license plates. Transfered all of the new lenses and LED light bulbs from the 'Cassius Clay' van. Also removed the CD player and the power door lock parts.

This is a TEXAN van now!

Awesome work... I think they should name a tornado after you....

Thanks guys! Got a little more done today:

New headliner (thanks Gary)

Insulated the underside of the roof

There's a power door lock solenoid hidden in there! (Thanks Rodney)

Astro side door contacts used to wire solenoid

Also, we are now wired for trailer lights. The to-do list is getting a little shorter, and with any luck we'll be heading toward Arkansas next Tuesday.

Excellent on the power locks!!!

It's hard to believe that I've only had this van for 28 days! Got a little more done; remember the hole in the floor for the rear air-bag set-up:

I cut a piece from the parts van and Danny welded it in:

Then I went over to Lynn's. He said he could buff out the old paint. Looked so good I had to go buy some Armor All for the tires afterward:

After the buffing, I appied a coat of wax and headed for the beach! Only been driving this crate for 6 days now and most of that was around town. We had to pick up some stuff at Crystal Beach so we took the van (about 130mi. round trip without a hitch). Still a few more thing to do before heading to AR. Here's a shot at the beach:

OMG...that looks so "SWEEEEET"!!! Great job!
B.W.

Shazzam! That thing shines like a new dime! BIG turn around in a month.

I`m really impressed with the work and all the compressed time.
From all the attention, that is one happy truck!

great job..............

Thanks again guys! Got a little more done today. Got all the stuff below done, and also installed a set of new Monroe Magnum gas shocks too.

PO shaved the mirrors but saved them. They were in the van, but one of the 'mirrors' was missing. I remembered seeing them at O'Reilly so I had another look. This mirror fit perfectly!

Belly pan from parts van. Cisco is pretty good at cleaning and paintin' stuff!

Yanked the Mustang tank from the white van and installed it.

Painted the bumpers, installed the mirrors, including a new inside mirror (thanks Martha!)

A 'Kodak' moment! It has been nice having all three vans in the same place, thanks again Cisco. We took three vans and made two! The white one still runs and drives. Every time we take a part off of it, we install a replacement.

Carl,
What are those backup lights on the white van and what kind of rims are on your "new" surf wagon?

I'm impressed. Incredible amount of work done in a short time. I wish I could still work that hard. It's still sad to see the white van. Happy to see the new van. The beach picture is my desktop background. Cool!! And we don't even have to rub it out on the mountian. Already on the DONE list! Definitely have to take Cisco back to the addiction shop and buy him what he wants!!

Duane in Tennessee

Indian640 wrote:Carl,
What are those backup lights on the white van and what kind of rims are on your "new" surf wagon?

Those are factory(stock) backup lights only used on the 67 model short vans and pickups.

Very nice work , and like everyone else said all in such a short time