mojo_norte
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 2-14-2006
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Reliable economical vans for Baja
I'm researching an alternative to my current rig - Full size truck with overhead camper - nice but averages 10 MPG. Thought was to do up a used V6 van
into a semi camper - futon in back - etc. I travel highway 1 with the usual washboard side trips - nothing hard core. I would like to get 20 MPG- Is
this possible? I'm looking at late 90's Astro or Safari 4.3 V6's- are these reasonably tough and reliable or POC's? Am I better off w/ an E150 /6 ?
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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Yes, you are better with an E150/6.
The mileage will be almost the same and the E150 suspension is much stronger with much more room. I saw what a topa at 45mph did to an Astro this
winter - no bueno.
If you want a great van, find an "88ish Toyota 4x4 with mid engine.
25+ mpg and they'll go anywhere !!
.
[Edited on 4-27-2008 by Diver]
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bajamikey
Nomad
Posts: 106
Registered: 4-6-2008
Location: Newport Beach,CA/San Josa Del Cabo
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Mood: baja with a cold pacifico
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a friend had a brand new astro in 89 or 90 it was always at the chevy dealer and it never left orange county.i had a1972 vw bus from skiing trips to
colorado to cabo that never let me down.but there not for every body
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Packoderm
Super Nomad
Posts: 2116
Registered: 11-7-2002
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Same thing with my VW. I don't know how much longer I dare to ask it to keep going - its been a bit of an anomaly really.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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the seems to be alot of "late 90's Astro or Safari 4.3 V6's" here in the mulege area but...
that just means there is no resale market in the USA
remember after 7 years the banks won't touch them for financing
i'd go with a NEW car for traveling in baja...
technology is just BETTER on the new products you buy today and with gas prices skyrocketing you MAY break even with a "higher-priced" car or van in
JUST a FEW MONTHS  
nothing like a new motor...new tires...new smell...etc
...oh yea... nothing like NOT breaking down in the desert
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mojo_norte
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 2-14-2006
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| Quote: |
Same thing with my VW. I don't know how much longer I dare to ask it to keep going - its been a bit of an anomaly really.
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I've had VW's in the past- not sure I'm into the usual VW stuff- constant valve adjust. banging on stuck bosch starters with a hammer 
What does a VW van get for gas mileage - 30?
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Packoderm
Super Nomad
Posts: 2116
Registered: 11-7-2002
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I have to hit my alternator with a breaker bar almost each day. It's been that way for 6+ years, but it does work fine after the swift whack. My gas
mileage isn't that good. I'd be lucky to get 20 MPG.
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tehag
Super Nomad
Posts: 1248
Registered: 1-8-2005
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Van
96 Astro van. Had it a few years. 17mpg +or-. Expensive tranny problems 3 times in about 70,000miles.
Been through 6 VW vans. 100s 0f 1,000s of miles. Lots of problems, lots of great VW mechanics in Baja. Anybody can fix them. Good mileage. Gutless.
Love dirt. Never made the move to water cooled.
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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I get closer to 15 up to 16 with my Lance overhead and Diesel Cummings with a manual.
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805gregg
Super Nomad
Posts: 1344
Registered: 5-21-2006
Location: Ojai, Ca
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What you want is a Dodge, Mercedes, Freightliner etc Sprinter van, you can get up to a 3/4 ton model. They come with a 2.8 liter Mercedes 5 cylinder
diesel or 3.0 liter Mercedes V-6 and get between 20- about 30 MPG. check out the web site Sprinter Forum.
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