should my buddy make this purchase? need your advice!

Hey all!

I have a buddy looking to buy this van and the sister parts van too but I'm just not knowledgeable enough to tell him to go for it or not! I knew you all would have some solid advice for him. I'll pass along any thing you think might help him make a decision.

thanks in advance!

the parts van 1st:






and the running van:




















he reports:
"the steering has a bunch of play at times.....
it will move almost half a steering wheel...

floorboards rusted through on drivers side....hole
is about 10" wide with a metal plate criss crossed over it...
passenger side floorboard is rusted through also....hole
is about the size of a golf ball.....
the back floorboard have small rust holes here an there.....you can see them in the pics....
the floor seems solid though......the rest of the body on the van is very solid
with only surface rust and 3 small dings.....
I really dig the patina on the van....cool colors...

it did overheat after 30 mins.....i'm thinking
new waterpump,antifreeze and having the radiator
dipped and where they clean up up off any build up and slush etc..."

the owner is asking 1500.00 for both or 1250.00 for the running one.

GET IT = QUICK!!!!

Do i see a/c stuff on the one that runs? Don't buy it....can i get the number? lol

IT WOULD DEPEND ON HOW TALENTED YOUR FREIND IS ??? IS HE WILLING TO DO THE WORK OR IS HE GOING TO PAY SOMEONE ELSE. THE RAD LEAKS AND IS MOST LIKLEY JUNK . THE TRANS IS LEAKING WILL NEED SEALS THE REAEEND IS LEAKING NEEDS SEALS AND MAYBE BEARINGS. LOTS OF RUST BEHIND PASSENGER SEAT. THAT IS MOST LIKLEY SOON TO GO. CAB FLOORS ARE BAD. THERE IS LOTS OF RUST ON THE ROOF. YOU NEED TO LOOK ON THEINSIDE TO SEE IF THERE IS RUST THRU ANY SIDE SUPPORTS.IF THERE IS THAT IS A DEAL BREAKER ALONE . ATE AC IS MISSING. AND SOME BOOTLEG WIRING UNDERNEATH.IS HE HAVE THE TALENT TO DO THIS KIND OF WORK??? IF NOT IT MAY COST A FEW GRAND TO RESTOE IT. BEFOE THE PAINT. IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT THE INSIDE SUPPORTS WERE THE RAIN GUTTERS ARE. ALSO AROUND THE WINDSHILD RUBBER. IS THE STEEL NEAR THE GUTTERS STRONG OR SOFT??? I HOPE THAT HELPS,

way cool, thanks Dix!

he also reports:
the van does have AC just missing the compressor ....
the roof is rusted,but has no rust holes.....
the cargo area has about 5-7 rust pinholes .....
the close up pic is just one area in the rear of the van.....
near the rear door........
one more thing.....I stood on the cargo area floors
and jumped up and down on them a little .....
they had a little give, but I didn't feel like I would fall through.

on the good side.......
the floor boards for the driver
and passenger are solid on the parts van.....
and it has a tranny and rear end to have rebuilt
until the other ones on the running van need replacing....

If I was a van guy I would get it/them for sure!

I have more than that into my '64 A100 and it doesnt have axles under it yet.

If he dont buy these vans - give me a chance -theyre both what there are asking

how long has the van been sitting.??? how does the brakes feel, did he test drive the van.??? or just sitting and running. the chrome that is missing is hard to find . see if the owner has any that is missing.also look under neath in the back were the rear leaf springs bult to the frame area.from what i see the van looks to be in decent shape all the door bottoms look to be intact. how does she shift. ????

"he reports:
"the steering has a bunch of play at times.....
it will move almost half a steering wheel..."

Classic...... ...so it steers like normal then

Buy them, but look forward to a lengthy and enjoyable resto process.
Keep us up to date with how it goes, and good luck.

Last I heard, the worm gear in the A's steering box cannot be replaced. The yahoo group has a nice post on how to properly adjust it.

One of the rod ends may not be available, but you can work around that.

It may not take much to get the parts van in running condition.

Both vans look savable to me and $1500 sounds like a deal for two

thanks for all the help fellas!

here's a little more info from my buddy:

the van shifts good.
the brakes work ,but you have to almost put them to the floor to stop.
The brakes will have to be rebuilt.....IMHO.
The chrome is missing.
The PO drove it daily for 10+ years.
The current owner drives it 1-3 times a month.
The van is currently tagged and inspected until 3/2012.

Yep, I would say it's an irresistable opportunity. If the rust repair is too much for your friend to do, maybe find someone who has a near finished A100 and try to work out a trade! I wish him luck!

THATS NOT A PARTS VAN!!

"THATS NOT A PARTS VAN!!" that's awesome Baja...I'm with you....hard to call it a parts van when you love vans.....but my buddy's like me....we have limited resources and knowledge and want to make a wise choice...you guys have been great!!! thanks again for all the feedback!