24 year old surfer in NYC. Looking for the CHEAPEST possible van to turn into a proj.

[dvnielcarter]

Any suggestions for anything I could find for the 5k or less price range??

I used to have a JEEP Commander in FL, but moved to the city almost 2 years ago and have been without a truck/van ever since.

Would my best bet trying to find a Ford/Dodge Cargo Van with the lowest mileage possible and then go from there? Please help a youngin out !

My great aunt and her partner were huge in the RV scene in their day, and it looks like the gene has been passed on ! I really want to be able to explore the NY/NJ/East Coast beaches, and also possibly drive home to FL from time to time !

PLEASE ANY ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

 

[BushHead]

I would look at the astro/safari vans if they're big enough for you.. awd, truck frame, very reliable... and cheap... here's two local to me.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/5779442009.html

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/5791909671.html

 

[FeralBoy]

Dodge 21 passenger

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[dvnielcarter]

found a little beat up chevy astrovan in the city.

170k miles, 1999, asking 1,000 dollars but I bet they'd take 750 dollars.

 

[ihatemybike]

I can attest to the bomb proofness of the Astro platform. Only put ACDelco/Delphi fuel pumps in them, unless you really enjoy swapping fuel pumps.

 

[XJLI]

Plenty of AWD Astros and Safaris on craigslist. If you want to get into a van cheap, that's your best bet. the AWD is a help, and will get you on to beach at Gilgo and MTK if that's your plan.. since I assume you surf.

 

[dvnielcarter]

so I should be looking for the cargo awd Astro right ? Not one with the dual second row seating ?

 

[FeralBoy]

Just pop out unneeded seating

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[Mrknowitall]

so I should be looking for the cargo awd Astro right ? Not one with the dual second row seating ?

I would look for the least rusty AWD you can find. Cargo or passenger doesn't matter much. Cargo vans will be TRASHED, besides, nothing wrong with windows.

 

[DocWhiskey]

Hey man, good to see another urban swell-chaser on the forum. I recently ran up against the same challenge; moved to the Bronx after being in California for the past 6-7 years. I ended up grabbing a 2011 E-250 Cargo I found in Patterson, NJ. Patience is the key for searching for a van platform out here; rust is widespread particularly on the commercial vans. I would stay away from anything that has lived it's life in the city, they're all pretty well hammered and abused. If you have the ability to travel, increase the distance of your Craigslist/E-Bay search as much as you can possibly swing it. I saw some good things on Autotrader as well.

Let me know if you need to borrow a board or hitch a ride to a break; I started shaping since I've been here (gotta do something when the summer crowds come and the swell disappears).

 

[M35A2]

Just regular people can also attend one of the many auctions that NYC runs every week or so. That cuts out the Copart middleman. Since OP is in NYC, perhaps he can sit in on one or two to get the lay of the land. All sorts of vehicles come through and it is not unusual to see them with new tires and whatnot.

 

[dvnielcarter]

What auctions?!

 

[bhguy]

Astro all the way....I have had 2 of them as plumbing vans and they were awesome on construction sites...cheap...and easy to wrench on yourself

 

[maktruk]

East coast dwellers also have to be wary of flooded vehicles sneaking back into the market. Lift carpeting and sniff, and look for wiring harnesses with corrosion stains.

 

[XJLI]

Don't go to a NYC auction, don't worry about flood vehicles. Find a good seller willing to meet you at a train station, and check it out. I'll echo everyone here and say don't get a cargo van.

go get this one:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/cto/5810194769.html