"It looks like a DeLorean ****ed a VW Microbus."

Is what someone I know said when they saw my new home improvement/junk hauler.

I've been looking for a utilitarian vehicle since I close on my first house right after Thanksgiving, and while I'd been looking for a truck, I happened to find this 1987 Toyota Van sitting on the side of the road for sale. 

I called about it and it turned out to belong to a good friend's brother, and he'd bought it in California and driven it back here to Wisconsin.   Which explains why it's so rust free. 

So far, I've performed some minor mechanical fixes, and removed the homemade bed from the back.  When I was disassembling that, I found that the previous owner had written down where he'd stashed the bodies:

And found some hints as to his/her music taste:

Immediate plans are to change the oil, give it a tuneup, replace the blown-out muffler, and replace some sketchy looking vacuum hoses.  I've already ordered all of the parts to do this. 

Doing the tuneup is going to be fun, since I'm going to have to undo about a dozen bolts to remove the passenger side floor panel, as well as remove part of the console and the passenger seat to get access to the plugs! 

Rad.

FWIW, that 4Y engine in there is nearly indestructible.

If you get a little creative with some oil line plumbing, you can bolt a 3T cylinder head onto that block and get yourself a 2.2L hemi 4-cylinder.

In reply to Carson :

Saved that immediately!

Because I was made in the 80s. 

The ladies' opinion of me remains unclear. 

I knew what it would be before I clicked, there's only one vehicle that truly merits that description- I love these things but have never found an excuse to own one.

I think we all know where this thread is headed...

"Is this the way to Home Depot?"

pinchvalve said:

I think we all know where this thread is headed...

 

BOSOZUKO!

I'll never go that crazy with a van, but I have to admit I'd love to own an Nissan E24 Caravan with some Japanese custom touches on it. 

Thats hot

G1 Ironhide! It's been so long!

"Every time I see a Decepticon my circuits sizzle."

Those actually were sold in the USA with a 5 speed manual transmission, 4wd and a 2 speed transfer case. Quite rare, but I know someone who used to have 2.

Rare, and pricey these days!

GCrites80s said:

G1 Ironhide! It's been so long!

 

"Every time I see a Decepticon my circuits sizzle."

I believe Ironhide was a Nissan. Sweet van regardless. Reminds me of my US spec 90 Mitsubishi L300, and now my 89 Delica Starwagon.

Sweet van. Cant deny I'd be on the Mitsu wagon like Mazdax605, but i think ALL of the vans of this ilk are sorta neat.

Mazdax605 said:

GCrites80s said:

G1 Ironhide! It's been so long!

 

"Every time I see a Decepticon my circuits sizzle."

I believe Ironhide was a Nissan. Sweet van regardless. Reminds me of my US spec 90 Mitsubishi L300, and now my 89 Delica Starwagon.

Makes sense. My 1st grade teacher had one of these Toyotas so I had thought that he was a Toyota since 1985.

Is it normal for the fluid you drain from a rear axle to be all foamy?

I've never seen that before, but that's how the Toyota's old gear oil came out this morning.  I put in 75w90 Mobil 1. 

I also butchered on a new muffler, so the van isn't so farty. 

Was it super cold?  Sometimes condensation can look kind of like that.

Sweet mid engined van! My first thought was it needed some Raised White Letter tires on that thing!

-Ross in the Green Bay / Appleton area

Someone needs to post a gif of Hammond flipping one on Top Gear... 

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ said:

Was it super cold?  Sometimes condensation can look kind of like that.

It wasn't super cold outside, but it was cold enough to generate condensation on things.  And I had just taken a very short drive with it.  

Condensation seems like a likely scenario, now that I think about it.