House Painter Forum
Professional Painters => Professional Painters and associated Trades Forum => Topic started by: Barry on June 27, 2011, 11:57:48 PM
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I can't seem to find a decent cargo van for under 3K so I've found a step van that once was a delivery van, and then a carpenter's truck. Runs, drives, needs a tuneup and the carb (yes, no fuel injection here) needs some attention. I've driven it -- it works. 1975 Chevy with aluminum body (for the most part). Ladder rack on the right side. White and very clean for its age -- cosmetic imperfections (more than a few) will get a visit from the flap-disc sander, sanding block, rag wet with acetone, and a foam roller with RustOleum Pro primer, then several coats of high gloss white 50/50 with min spirits.
Should I be concerned about MPG when most of my work is very local (radius of 20 miles)? Guy wants sub-$1000 for this van. Does anyone see downsides that I am not seeing? I'm seeing a potential mobile billboard canvas plus room for pretty much everything (if I needed it all at once). Your thoughts?
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I got tired of having to load and unload my standard van before, after and during each job. Bought a '88 Grumman Step Van. Excellent move - can fit EVERYTHING in it once shelved out, and the mobile billboard is unbeatable. At 6 mpg it could be the deal breaker, but by sliding the cage door shut and locking it it's virtually a vault so I can take it to the job and park it there for the duration, and use my compact to commute, actually SAVING me gas. Mine's got 5:13 gears in the rear end, but if you get one with 4:11's or better you'll get better mileage.