My new shaggin' wagon.

[cdifoto]

My step-grandfather decided to sell off some of his "fleet" and I got this van for a song. Just took ownership of it this morning. It's not new, or fast, but it's nice for the year and cost me less than a new 30D. ;) :)

It's a 1985 Dodge RAM 250 Conversion Van. The pics aren't meant to win any awards, by the way. Just wanted to share.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/ram-it/2007-05-14-002.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/ram-it/2007-05-14-005.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/ram-it/2007-05-14-006.jpg

[cosworth]

Oh man. That is sweet. Load that baby up with some gear hit the track, the bird sanctuary, the beach.

Glad I'm not payin' for the gas!

[Curtis N]

cost me less than a new 30D.... and you got the television & CB radio with the package? Now, that's a sweet deal!

Those custom vans were all the rage back in the '70s and '80s. Of course, I was too young then to really have any fun in them.

Congrats on the new chick magnet!

oh, and you did a nice job with the lighting, balancing with the outdoor ambient.

[kevin_c]

Didn't 'Ironside' use to travel in one of those?

Looks better than my lounge :-)

[cdifoto]

Oh man. That is sweet. Load that baby up with some gear hit the track, the bird sanctuary, the beach.

Glad I'm not payin' for the gas!

I actually think it IS sweet, in a non-sarcastic way (not sure if you meant the same). I can fit all my stuff in there and then some. It also has a frame mounted receiver hitch so I can tow a camper or boat should I ever get one or the other. :)

Hah I look at it this way. I can either have a van that's paid for and put decent amounts of gas in it, or I can have a car payment equal to the gas I put in the van. Either way I'm spending money. I don't have a daily commute so the only gas I use is for weddings & on-location portraits, so my fuel usage is minimal. I only filled up my Aerostar once every 2 months or so. I'd have to make a car payment no matter how much I drive.

... and you got the television & CB radio with the package? Now, that's a sweet deal!

Those custom vans were all the rage back in the '70s and '80s. Of course, I was too young then to really have any fun in them.

Congrats on the new chick magnet!

LOL yeah I didn't even notice the CB. When I did I was like "cha CHING!" And it works great too. ;)

[cdifoto]

oh, and you did a nice job with the lighting, balancing with the outdoor ambient.

Thanks. I used a cheapo Kmart/Focal Auto Thyristor flash and bounced it with a small white card off the ceiling. Metered for the outside as you'd expect. It ain't perfect but it got the job done.

Didn't 'Ironside' use to travel in one of those?

Looks better than my lounge :-)

Hah thanks. It's a little dirty and worn just from age, but it's not bad.

[cosworth]

Non sarcastic. Those sell for large amounts here. To score a wagon with genuine kool kitsch like that is gold.

That telly has to go and a small plasma is in order or one of those dvd/screens.

"Desk" for the laptop in the middle too.

[cdifoto]

Non sarcastic. Those sell for large amounts here. To score a wagon with genuine kool kitsch like that is gold.

That telly has to go and a small plasma is in order or one of those dvd/screens.

"Desk" for the laptop in the middle too.

Good idea. Maybe once I recover from this recent shopping spree I'll make some improvements. I'll see if I can't fabricate a table top for the middle post....although the round one would work as-is.

[condyk]

That's very cool Donny Boy ... you'll be picking up pneumatic ex-strippers before you know it ;-) and I see you got a couple of kinky web cams either side too. With some pay to view you should get the gas costs back easily.

[cdifoto]

Thanks Dave. I think. :confused: :)

[superdiver]

I remember a movie from the 70's about a van a young man and a girl with, well lets just say she had some "junk in her trunk"....LOL

Thats what I thought of the minute I clicked on this thread...

Have a great time in that van.....LOL

[cdifoto]

That reminds me - I need to get a Trojan dispenser.

[cbock]

nice. you need to do a road trip. i've made a few in a conversion van before. it rocks!

[Grentz]

nice. you need to do a road trip. i've made a few in a conversion van before. it rocks!

Besides the gas bill :mad:


Neat Van. Interesting color scheme as well!

[cdifoto]

nice. you need to do a road trip. i've made a few in a conversion van before. it rocks!

I will when I figure out where I want to go, and hopefully find someone who wants to go with.

Besides the gas bill :mad:


Neat Van. Interesting color scheme as well!

No doubt. Gas prices are...ouch.

And thanks...it could be worse. Think green, gold, etc. :eek: :)

[Thomas_K]

No doubt. Gas prices are...ouch.

And thanks...it could be worse. Think green, gold, etc. :eek: :)
I just got home from the local gas station and paid 12.38NOK = 2.04USD per litre. And that is considered cheap here.
This works out at 7.71USD per gallon. So what are you guys paying? 3? 3.50 a gallon?

Nice ride cdifoto. Looks like it's in pretty good condition.

[SlickTex]

I hate to say it, but you need some mag wheels and some fat tires. Those skinny whitewalls have to go. It kinda looks like a guy dressed in his party clothes, but with a bad pair of shoes.

[cdifoto]

I just got home from the local gas station and paid 12.38NOK = 2.04USD per litre. And that is considered cheap here.
This works out at 7.71USD per gallon. So what are you guys paying? 3? 3.50 a gallon?

Nice ride cdifoto. Looks like it's in pretty good condition.

Yeah we do have it easier than you. But it still sucks. And thanks. :)

I hate to say it, but you need some mag wheels and some fat tires. Those skinny whitewalls have to go. It kinda looks like a guy dressed in his party clothes, but with a bad pair of shoes.

Ok you buy the van some new shoes and I'll lace 'em up. ;)

[Jamie Holladay]

That great. My uncle used to get a new one every year back in the 70's. We used to take long trips in them with my Grandparents. You can have a lot of fun with that.

[cdifoto]

Thanks Jamie. I expect to have a blast in it. They're just so much more comfortable than a standard van. :D

[Jamie Holladay]

If the van is a rockin' don't come a knockin' LOL

[ieatstars]

That's hysterical :D Thanks for sharing and enjoy! :)

[cdifoto]

If the van is a rockin' don't come a knockin' LOL

:D

That's hysterical :D Thanks for sharing and enjoy! :)

Hah you're welcome. I think. :p

I took it for a short circular pointless minitrip this morning. I put $60 worth of gas in it and burned up a third of it in a couple hours. I guesstimated 10-12 MPG so far. :rolleyes:

[I Like It Sideways]

I love the interior... looks in tip top shape. I like it a lot.

[cdifoto]

I love the interior... looks in tip top shape. I like it a lot.

Thanks. I'd rate it at probably 6/10 condition. It's good, but not great.


On another note, it got a little cheaper since starting the thread. I hadn't yet paid for it, and my grandmother weasled me into doing some yard work (I hate yard work!), but after we were done said she was knocking the price down to $400. That's a good thing, because I've got an appointment with the local Dodge dealer to get that dang blasted AC fixed. Poured rain today and I couldn't put the windows down for air. :mad:

[R_Metzel]

Sweet! I'd rock that beast any day! It just needs some spinning hubcaps and a disco ball! Only then will it be truly pimp! ;)

[cdifoto]

Sweet! I'd rock that beast any day! It just needs some spinning hubcaps and a disco ball! Only then will it be truly pimp! ;)

Spinners are lame. LOL. But when I need new tires I'll most likely get wheels at the same time. I'm not the wasteful type so I'll get as much mileage out of these as I can first. :)

[bob-e]

Needs Gold 128 spoke Daytons, a mirror ball and a waterbed.

[cdifoto]

Needs Gold 128 spoke Daytons, a mirror ball and a waterbed.

Buy 'em.

[PIXI_666]

I WANT ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Always wanted a winebago but this is SO MUCH COOLER!!!! Interior Rocks!!!! Take a road trip!

Del

[stormyguy]

Now THAT is one cool retro van! When you get tired of it ship it over here and I'll pimp it around the UK for ya!!

Enjoy it!

[Desertraptor]

Needs some new wheels Shaggy
But a nice ride

[cdifoto]

I'll most likely get new rims when I get new tires. The rubber on it is still fairly good so it'll be at least the end of this year until I can justify it and/or decide on the style I want.

[Desertraptor]

Some crushed velvet?

Sorry I saw that on Mr Merlin years ago and it's stuck in my head.