Howdy
Congrats! Sounds like you scored a nice vehicle! Mine had about 64,000 when I bought it 7yrs ago, we put another 60,000 on it since. Mine was stored inside and never driven in winter so it is fairly mint original with a factory done conversion. I have since put in new seats and other items as needed.
If your van has SAT for this long I would say it needs:
ANY/ALL rubber hoses and belts....vac lines...possibly fuel tank cleaning(at least check it out)
ALL fluids changed, Trans, Power steering, drain/flush coolant system, brake fluid, and differential(synthetic gear oil is a plus).
Check, clean and REPACK( I do this about every 20,000) your wheel bearings. make sure none a pitted.
Make sure you brake discs and drums are not pitted and or sticking.
Check the Vac pump output...it has rubber parts that could go and cause problems.
Be prepared for oil leaks. My pan gasket and main seals on both my blazer and van have been replaced, niether of them had high mileage.
Your mechanical lift pump might be ready to cause a problem
Your electrical problems could be due to a bad alternator or the secondary battery being dead. These vans have two batteries just like the trucks but the second battery is hidden underneath in the frame rail area. Many owners like to overlook this battery cause it is a PAIN to replace or work on. I put an Optima battery down there so that I would not have to worry about it. Make sure you chack all the battery connections and then seal them up REAL good with dielectric grease. I would start with a multi meter and check voltage while running....should be 13.5-14 volts....hopefully you didn't have a rodents use you electrical system as a insulation source.
Depending on your intended use here are some things that I have found that are usefull van info and some other diesel OPINIONS of mine:
- Schedule a good full day for annual maintence. The dog house has to be removed for this and it is MUCH easier to do with the passenger seat out. Don't fight it...just take out the seat...;-)
- Not much can be done without removing the dog house, beside check/adding fluids.
- Suspension on these vans was never great, mine has HD gas shocks with new springs and over loads in the back. Made a world of difference.
- I have added a ram air system from a gas model.
- I use ALL synthetic fluids for EVERYTHING
- 15-40 sythetic Amsoil high TBN oil.
- You can use a much longer 1.75qrt oil filter, have your parts guy look one up.
- Becuase of the pain of changeing the airfilter, I use an Amsoil with a foam prefilter.
- It is possible and worth while to change the location of the fuel filter. I have a cannister type mounted in the frame rail, it currently is on the back side of the engine(under the dog house)
- Change the belts on this rig is a PAIN....use the best belts you can get, I use Goodyears.
- If it hasn't been done already....add some sound deadener/insulation to the front of the cab area under the carpet and any place else you stuff or spray it. It will make big difference in cabin noise.
- I removed the EGR system but that is not a simple process and requires many parts. I also have opened up the exhuast system.
That's mainly what I can think of right this minute. I am sure other folks will post on this.
USE THIS FORUM! IT IS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE!!!
Have fun and keep us posted.
Hope this helps!!!
Conley
1996 Chvy 3500 CCDWLB 6.5 Heathed, NO vac, marine injctrs, ARB bumper, BIG pipe, 3" lift, bright lights, bypass oil system.
1986 Chvy 6.2 M1009 blazer RAM AIR, Headers, Custom interior
2001 Chinook RV, V10 gas
1974 John Deere 1530 diesel tractor
1993 John Deere 455 Diesel lawn mower
1967 GTO, 1989 Honda Transalp
2009 VW Jetta TDI, flashed and piped, 6speed, fun car!
1998 6.5 suburban, stock, daughter's
1993 6.5 3500 CCSWLB GM8, Heathed, big exhaust, gauges, Son's
1984 6.2 ATS turbo 3500, SCDWLB - Son's
3 kids, 1 wife, 1 dog
Gunsmith, Tactics Instructor, Fabricator USMC 87-93 Semper Fi!