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1977 Dodge Van Class B Conversion Restoration Thread

Traveler7
Explorer
Explorer
Hi to All Class B and Restoration Fans out there!

I started a thread on my Camper Van at

Pics of My 77 Dodge Vandicraft Class B & a Tire question

Link Camper Van Pics

on the General Class B Forum so please check that out for more Pics-
This thread is about the work I need to do to make it My Future Home.

One of the few problems with the van is the windshield wipers don't work ๐Ÿ˜ž

The PO (Previous Owner) believed that the motor was bad and replaced it with a junkyard motor that also did not work and he assumed that was the problem and advised me to buy a new motor. Instead I had a friend bench test the motor and found it works fine- the problem unfortunately is ELECTRICAL ๐Ÿ˜ฎ ๐Ÿ˜ž

I've been using a multimeter to check continuity and voltages and found that the motor was not receiving a fixed voltage- it was ranging from 0- 3.3 volts. I pulled the main firewall connection and probed it for continuity and when I plugged it back in I lost voltage to the motor plug- dropped to .2 volts (ouch). My preliminary diagnosis is failure of the fusible link from the battery- this would explain why the PO would say the motor turned slowly at times (low voltage condition)and why my messing with it caused more failure. Anyone who know electrical please PLEASE chime in here with any advice!!!:h

My next step is to probe the fusible link for continuity and get a tool to push the contacts out of the waterproof connector. What do you think????

As usual with any project I found more problems that needed to be attended to- the wiper linkage bushing were broken or missing in some cases and the linkage was bread wired together. I purchased new bushings and removed the linkage and installed them with lithium grease. The first one took about 1/2 hour to figure out and then they went much more quickly using a closed end wrench and a hammer on some and a vise to press the bushings onto the wiper rotors. Re-installed and it looks great! pics[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/3V7P83rl.jpg[/]


I also cleaned a wasps nest out of a vent over the stove....



and cleaned it out!

Thanks for viewing and I appreciate your comments!
"We are not defined by our limitations, we are defined by our potential"
129 REPLIES 129

falconbrother
Explorer II
Explorer II
Following your blog. Good stuff.

Traveler7
Explorer
Explorer
pasusan wrote:
Thanks for the link to your blog - I'm enjoying it. ๐Ÿ™‚

Have Fun and good luck!


Thanks for reading! I appreciate it- so far a wonderful trip.
"We are not defined by our limitations, we are defined by our potential"

pasusan
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for the link to your blog - I'm enjoying it. ๐Ÿ™‚

Have Fun and good luck!

Susan & Ben [2004 Roadtrek 170]
href="https://sites.google.com/view/pasusan-trips/home" target="_blank">Trip Pics

goreds2
Explorer
Explorer
Good job.
See Picture In My Profile
I have a 1989 Dodge XPLORER RV Class B - Purchased 10/15/10 IN CASH
Fiance' purchased a Class C 2002 Dynamax Carri-go on 5/1/15 IN CASH
We've got the best of both worlds

Traveler7
Explorer
Explorer
1977 Dodge Van in Fairbanks, AK after 9 hard days and passing through
The BC fires.

Here is the url for the blog

1977 Dodge Van trip to Alaska

Lots of pictures there
"We are not defined by our limitations, we are defined by our potential"

Traveler7
Explorer
Explorer
Some pics of drawer installed, new toilet stand and shower curtain







and me!

"We are not defined by our limitations, we are defined by our potential"

Traveler7
Explorer
Explorer
goreds2 wrote:
Traveler7 wrote:
Just created my new blog for my trip to Alaska which is part of my larger trip to drive the entire Pan American Hightway!

Here is the link for the new blog-

Pan American Highway Trip - Northern Leg

I hope anyone who has followed this work and loves travel will follow my new blog- I will also post here on the Class B and Canada/Alaska threads,

Chewers!
Love the van. Best wishes - have you thought about doing a YouTube channel?


Thanks. but I'm not video friendly lol!
"We are not defined by our limitations, we are defined by our potential"

goreds2
Explorer
Explorer
Traveler7 wrote:
Just created my new blog for my trip to Alaska which is part of my larger trip to drive the entire Pan American Hightway!

Here is the link for the new blog-

Pan American Highway Trip - Northern Leg

I hope anyone who has followed this work and loves travel will follow my new blog- I will also post here on the Class B and Canada/Alaska threads,

Chewers!
Love the van. Best wishes - have you thought about doing a YouTube channel?
See Picture In My Profile
I have a 1989 Dodge XPLORER RV Class B - Purchased 10/15/10 IN CASH
Fiance' purchased a Class C 2002 Dynamax Carri-go on 5/1/15 IN CASH
We've got the best of both worlds

Traveler7
Explorer
Explorer
Just created my new blog for my trip to Alaska which is part of my larger trip to drive the entire Pan American Hightway!

Here is the link for the new blog-

Pan American Highway Trip - Northern Leg

I hope anyone who has followed this work and loves travel will follow my new blog- I will also post here on the Class B and Canada/Alaska threads,

Chewers!
"We are not defined by our limitations, we are defined by our potential"

Traveler7
Explorer
Explorer
falconbrother wrote:
This is why I do all my own work.. Well, that and I'm cheap.. Before I reassemble anything I take a few seconds and double check everything.

The good news I suppose is that you found it before you were 1000 miles from home and, now you know the state of your cooling system. Always go for the positive spin.


Sadly I am not enough of a mechanic to do that- I have to rely on professionals.
"We are not defined by our limitations, we are defined by our potential"

Traveler7
Explorer
Explorer
This mistake cost me 1,000 dollars, but the van is now running great again!

Thank you for your comments and concern.
"We are not defined by our limitations, we are defined by our potential"

goreds2
Explorer
Explorer
Yep, great news is that you found it before you were 1000 miles from home.
See Picture In My Profile
I have a 1989 Dodge XPLORER RV Class B - Purchased 10/15/10 IN CASH
Fiance' purchased a Class C 2002 Dynamax Carri-go on 5/1/15 IN CASH
We've got the best of both worlds

falconbrother
Explorer II
Explorer II
This is why I do all my own work.. Well, that and I'm cheap.. Before I reassemble anything I take a few seconds and double check everything.

The good news I suppose is that you found it before you were 1000 miles from home and, now you know the state of your cooling system. Always go for the positive spin.

magicbus
Explorer
Explorer
Ouch.

Dave
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