Torn over 2 vans

Hi, I'm Bill, I'm new. After seeing a sweet 65 Ford Econoline at a recent car show I thought it was the coolest thing. Now, I'm a Union Carpenter by trade and it's time for me to get a new truck. Instead of a truck I'd much rather have one of these awesome vans. After doing a little research I've narrowed it down to the first gen Ford's and the second gen Chevys. So this would be a daily driver and naturally I'd prefer whatever had better features. But I can't seem to find lists of features that were available for these two. I was hoping from some insight from people who own them. Did both come with drums brakes? Any power steering available? Anything I should stay away from? Etc. Any and all advice appreciated.
Thanks

actually- just boild down to preferences- all about the same - more econos than 2gen chevys around - yet biggest choice is to what model you want in each brand?? I have a 1st. year 2nd gen chev & it has a V-8 factort in it . so look & decide what u really want & look for it. Happy Vannin & Welcome

Well, I really like the shorty wheel base, and I'd like only windows on the front. I'd prefer the largest V6 but an 8 would be ok. Manual is more fun too. But did any come with disc brakes? Power steering? AIr? I'd like to have a rear (mid) bench seat for the occasional times I need to drive my kids someplace, and my tools in the way back. Did these have seat belts? Oldest thing I own is a 78 trans am.

Welcome to the site. Sorry none of those goodies came on our vans (air, PS, disc brakes) If you never seen inside a shorty and your going to use it for work the shorty's are that short. I would look at a 108 2nd gen chevy or a econo supervan for a work van

The shortys do look cool.. I believe that all of these old vans had drum brakes all the way around.Retro fit disc brake kits are available for most and would be around $800 to convert the front to disc brakes..

The econo in 67 only had a dual reservoir master cylinder, which is the best option..as far as disc brakes go many swear you must have it, Id say it would be nice but I don't plan on converting myself.

I can only speak for econos but they did not have power steering, and many of the old ones had small 144 or 170 cubic inch inline 6 cylinders and are only barely adequate for power. A 200 six or 240 is the preferred Six engine I believe.. I have a 200 and a 144, the diference is unbelievable.

I don't believe that any of these had power steering, but the dodge might have?

I don't think any of the econos had factory air, not sure on the chevys but I think some dodges did have factory V8's and factory a/c.

Not sure which year seat belts were mandated but the old econos don't have them, however they can be easily installed...

As far as the middle seat you'd get lucky to find one with that in it in a panel/cargo layout...as they likely didn't come that way, someone might have installed one out of the passenger/window/falcon/station bus versions which had passenger seating in the rear..

V8's in the econos seem to be desirable to some but do create a lot of heat in that little engine cover and are a challenge to keep at a nice operating temperature if your in a hot climate.

Getting one from out west is best if you can because they are least likely to be rusted, but that isn't 100% true if someone has babied it and not driven it much in the salt/snow roads..

No doubt the Dodge I think might have had more in the area of creature comforts, ie , V8, automatic ac, and ps.

These old vans were available in a ton of different configurations and trim levels, but the econo seems to be the most plentiful with the 170 factory six and a 3 speed manual on the column..

Happy Shopping....Keep looking here and on cragslist and be patient!

Welcome. An Econo with a stock 240 is what I would recommend. Disc brakes kits are available for them through a member here. After market A/C is also available through Vintage Air etc. If I was going to use one for what you want I would get an 8 door panel Econline. That way you could get at your tools and materials from both sides and the rear.

If I could give any advice, I whould have to say look through all or most of the members picture gallery and see what it's all about. There is so much information in pictures alone that words can't even come close to explaining. There are stockers in all the big 3 (Ford, Dodge, Chevy-GMC) there are modified and custom. full windows, no windows, half windows. God I'm getting excited just writing this..lol. So that's where I started and I learned more about what having one of these old vans is about and what it could be. If I had to choose, I would take one of each....Happy vanning.

I'm with Big W, I also would take any make. There are good things , bad things with all models. All those upgrades you want can be done, the question is what do you want to spend.

Welcome to the site. Being that your just north of the IL/WI border, I advise you to come to either of the Taz shows and check these babies out for yourself. You may even stumble upon a lead or two.

https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/t23147-taz-z-11th-annual-vintage-van-fest-all-vans-econoline-a-100-pick-up-s-welcone

The is also one near Lake Geneva, Wi in October.

If I were in your shoes, I would be looking for a 108" wb Chevy or Dodge so you can haul your materials and possibly even pull a small trailer if need be. The Ford Supervans had the extended rear end, but the WB stayed the same. Bigger axles, brakes and maybe a V8 would be a plus. A lot of the Dodge earlys came with the 225 slant six which are VERY durable engines.

The Taz shows are awesome with earlys coming in from across the mid-west and points beyond. Last year they were doing a drivetrain makeover on a Chevy in Taz'z huge garage while everyone was stuffing themselves with food and drink.

Well, I'm kinda on the Ford fence since I own several Econo's. I just like the looks of the Fords better. The second gen Chevy's have better options in the driveline department. They were available with 6's, 283's and even 327's. Powerglide, three speed, or a turbo 350. 10 or 12 bolt rears. If you have ever had a Ford then you know about their interchangeablity issues. Even in the same engine family, parts won't always exchange. Chevy has always had them beat on this. Fords can be updated but you have to pay more attention to the details in them. Now, I look for 65-67 Econolines. I stay away from 61-64's. The latter Fords have a larger doghouse, the floor hump that allows the bigger engines, bell housings that allow bigger clutches. Full crossmembers instead of engine arms. Dash heater instead of the floor heater. Just about every modifcation you can think of has been done to all earlies and this is a great place to find the help you need with any mod you may want to do. I'd recommend going to some meets and seeing some in person. Talk to some people and then make your decision. Hope this helps.

Duane in Tennessee.

G-Man wrote:Welcome to the site. Sorry none of those goodies came on our vans (air, PS, disc brakes) If you never seen inside a shorty and your going to use it for work the shorty's are that short. I would look at a 108 2nd gen chevy or a econo supervan for a work van

G-Man, not trying to hijack this thread, but I know you are big on extended base for work vans, but one of your contemporaries who has a penchant for first gen Chevy's insists that all you are really gaining with an extended wheel base is the length of a keyboard. He insists that there is nothing more gained except 18" between the front and back with the doghouse being pushed up to allow for big cargo loading from the side. At least as far as Chevys are concerned since that was the conversation. Agree or not?

I can say this that 18" makes a big differants in loading larger things. My 69 is a 108 as you know and my 64 is a 90" and looking at them both at the same time that 18" is a big differents. For Baker's I load up the 69, this won't fit in the 64



I have a bench seat for the 64 and I might not use it because when it's in there it eats up all the space.

The same goes for newer vans, my 2000 chevy was a 135 wheel base and with my cleaning machine I couldn't load much extra equipment. My 2005 which I have now which is a 155 wheel base that little extra space I can almost get a third more in that van

itruns wrote:Welcome to the site. Being that your just north of the IL/WI border, I advise you to come to either of the Taz shows and check these babies out for yourself. You may even stumble upon a lead or two.

https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/t23147-taz-z-11th-annual-vintage-van-fest-all-vans-econoline-a-100-pick-up-s-welcone

The is also one near Lake Geneva, Wi in October.

If I were in your shoes, I would be looking for a 108" wb Chevy or Dodge so you can haul your materials and possibly even pull a small trailer if need be. The Ford Supervans had the extended rear end, but the WB stayed the same. Bigger axles, brakes and maybe a V8 would be a plus. A lot of the Dodge earlys came with the 225 slant six which are VERY durable engines.

The Taz shows are awesome with earlys coming in from across the mid-west and points beyond. Last year they were doing a drivetrain makeover on a Chevy in Taz'z huge garage while everyone was stuffing themselves with food and drink.

I will definitely be there, it sounds like a hoot! As far as the 108 goes, I haul not much more than my cart and hand tools (levels, framing square, clamps, screw cases, etc, and all materials are already on the job). It's rare somebody can offer enough $$$ for me to take on a side-job. So only a sheet of ply here and there for home projects. I figured I'd have to install a bench myself out of a passenger style van into a panel - type van. And as far as upgrades go, I like getting my hands dirty, keeps my wallet from being cleaned.

And Duane, thank you, that's exactly the kind of info I'm searching out. I was thinking v6 over v8 because of gas prices, but you know the old saying "There's no replacement for displacement" Again I appreciate everyone's advice, thanks!

Lazarusman wrote:

G-Man wrote:Welcome to the site. Sorry none of those goodies came on our vans (air, PS, disc brakes) If you never seen inside a shorty and your going to use it for work the shorty's are that short. I would look at a 108 2nd gen chevy or a econo supervan for a work van

G-Man, not trying to hijack this thread, but I know you are big on extended base for work vans, but one of your contemporaries who has a penchant for first gen Chevy's insists that all you are really gaining with an extended wheel base is the length of a keyboard. He insists that there is nothing more gained except 18" between the front and back with the doghouse being pushed up to allow for big cargo loading from the side. At least as far as Chevys are concerned since that was the conversation. Agree or not?

Well, I don't think it's a thread jack if the opening post stated he was going to use an early primarily for work.

When you open the side cargo on a 90" WB van, BLAM! there's the dog house. Ever have a 2x shoot into the windshield after you slam the rear cargo door? Me neither, but I've seen it happen and it sucks. When you're working out of a van, sq ft and vol is very beneficial.

If your not going to haul much, you should have no problems. Another advantage to the longer wheel base is you can get them in 3/4 ton models.

Twinpilot001 wrote:actually- just boild down to preferences- all about the same - more econos than 2gen chevys around - yet biggest choice is to what model you want in each brand?? I have a 1st. year 2nd gen chev & it has a V-8 factort in it . so look & decide what u really want & look for it. Happy Vannin & Welcome

NipRing,
I agree 100% with Matt. Figure out what you really want or need and go after it!!

itruns wrote:

Lazarusman wrote:

G-Man wrote:Welcome to the site. Sorry none of those goodies came on our vans (air, PS, disc brakes) If you never seen inside a shorty and your going to use it for work the shorty's are that short. I would look at a 108 2nd gen chevy or a econo supervan for a work van

G-Man, not trying to hijack this thread, but I know you are big on extended base for work vans, but one of your contemporaries who has a penchant for first gen Chevy's insists that all you are really gaining with an extended wheel base is the length of a keyboard. He insists that there is nothing more gained except 18" between the front and back with the doghouse being pushed up to allow for big cargo loading from the side. At least as far as Chevys are concerned since that was the conversation. Agree or not?

Well, I don't think it's a thread jack if the opening post stated he was going to use an early primarily for work.

When you open the side cargo on a 90" WB van, BLAM! there's the dog house. Ever have a 2x shoot into the windshield after you slam the rear cargo door? Me neither, but I've seen it happen and it sucks. When you're working out of a van, sq ft and vol is very beneficial.

Loading wood isn't my issue, but loading boxes and the occassional moderately sized piece of furniture is. Rarely a sofa (any size, much less an 8' footer)that I used as an example previoulsy. The dog house "blam" is something that never occured to me. +1 on that as far as loading is concerned and good food for thought.

Sounds like an Econo with a 240 is exactly what you need. More HP, more torque and decent mileage compared to a smaller six. Plus there are a lot more Econos out there than the others and parts are very easy to come by.

Hi guys, I am currently looking at 2 similarly priced vans and I was hoping for some input. Both have things I like. First is this http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/2555628635.html 64 econo I fits what I'm looking for and has the Craigars and side pipes, I love the look. Second is this http://corvallis.craigslist.org/cto/2554503360.html 67 econo which has a beefier 240 and sounds like it's been well taken care of. Either one of those I think could be "upgraded" to what the other has. The mags are easy, it's the 240 and the side pipes I'll have a hard time tracking down. Thoughts?


**edit** I guess cause I'm new I couldn't post links to these, I listed the addresses minus the http

The 67 already has a dual master cyl , and that upgrade is a little pricey and the 240 is a good motor

I would go with the 240 hands down.

Probably right about the 240. It's the wiser choice isn't it. Where can I find those side pipes though? I love that look!

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