Vans! - Page 103

Bucho · 02-25-2011, 02:12 PM

[QUOTE=TroySmith;15277383]
Which isn't to say it is not a cool rig. Definitely would be nice not to have the doghouse in the cabin, and it's probably quieter. But something is lost too.

QUOTE]

What is the "doghouse in the cabin"?

Hayduke · 02-25-2011, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z@ch

Well it's ugly enough to be a van!

Be gone, heretic!

Van's are beautiful. That abomination is ugly and is not a van.

TroySmith · 02-25-2011, 02:56 PM

the doghouse is that big engine cover that intrudes into the passenger space between the driver and front passenger. Because there is a very short engine bay, the engine is partially in the passenger compartment, and that cover is called the doghouse. Also, you get more heat and noise in the cabin, generally speaking, versus a pickup or car that has the engine out in front of you, on the other side of the firewall.

bwalsh · 02-25-2011, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boredsurfer

I actually found a 7.3L diesel one locally but diesel is more expensive around here - plus there are only 2 biodiesel pumps in L.A. now and they want $4.25/gallon

Looks like it's the gas version for me

You have to realize though, a diesel will get better fuel mileage than a gas unit.
Average gas mpg with 2wd=15.
Average diesel mpg with 2wd=20+.
Drop those number down about 5mpg for a 4x4 unit.
My old gas 4x4 Chevy van a few pages back got between 10 and 12mpg.

Carlo Muro · 02-25-2011, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joz

Then you guys probably aren't interested in my 2.5L turbo diesel Mazda Bongo camper van....

Remove the middle & rear bench seats (which converted into a HUGE bed) and I could stuff my 750cc Africa Twin in there! Oh, and with the pop-top I could sleep 2 in the loft with the bike below and get ~25 mpg. And I drove that thing like a sports car. Oh, and it was 4WD with a 6 speed automatic.

Of course to get the bike in I had to remove the fairing & the mirrors.
I can't find pictures of it right now, but I've actually hauled 3 bikes with that van - without a trailer! Two inside (CRM-250 & TS50) and a trials bike on a hitch carrier.

Ahhh, that was a great van! If we could only get stuff like that here in the US.

oh I AM interested. Where do I get one? And better yet, where do I find an Africa Twin? Nice setup.

now I see...this obviously wasn't in Colorado

Joz · 02-25-2011, 06:36 PM

Sorry Van freaks! I spent 18 months in England where I bought the Bongo as a 'grey' import from Japan. They were never supposed to leave Japan. Mine came out of a Japanese junk yard. There's quite a cult following in the UK as they are right-hand-drive vehicles. Certainly not found in Colorado! I had to pay extra to do all the import and certification paperwork to make it legal in the UK.

The Africa Twin was a legal UK (from Japan) import but the CRM was another grey market import......both of which found their way to my garage in Colorado.

I've started to see my problem.....none of my bikes can be legally imported into the US.... most of my other stuff is one-off or home-built too. Maybe I have a problem.....

Bucho · 02-26-2011, 12:28 AM

Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroySmith

the doghouse is that big engine cover that intrudes into the passenger space between the driver and front passenger. Because there is a very short engine bay, the engine is partially in the passenger compartment, and that cover is called the doghouse. Also, you get more heat and noise in the cabin, generally speaking, versus a pickup or car that has the engine out in front of you, on the other side of the firewall.

BigT · 03-08-2011, 12:16 AM

1963 Ford Falcon Van. 170cc inline 6cyl. w/4-speed column shift.

This was my first car (van). I inherited it from my father when he passed away (waaay too young).

I went through a phase where I put mags on it and a bunch of other crap, but then I got to feeling guilty about turning his van into a rolling joke, so I returned it to stock.

It was an interesting design, but the reality was it was a piece of junk.

JimVonBaden · 03-08-2011, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigT

1963 Ford Falcon Van. 170cc inline 6cyl. w/4-speed column shift.

This was my first car (van). I inherited it from my father when he passed away (waaay too young).

I went through a phase where I put mags on it and a bunch of other crap, but then I got to feeling guilty about turning his van into a rolling joke, so I returned it to stock.

It was an interesting design, but the reality was it was a piece of junk.

4-speed? I had a similar van with a 3-speed.

I liked mine. It was slow, bad brakes and handled poorly, but fun to drive anyhow!

Of course mine was a rollong joke, but at 24, I thought it was cool. I bought it for $200 from a fellow AF guy going overseas!

Jim

jitterymonkey · 03-08-2011, 08:13 AM

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