Date: Sun, 26 May 2002 09:40:31 -0500
Reply-To: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Subject: Re: Best van ever designed (was: Why do we love that damn van so
much...)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Most of these motor homes are still on the road because they were
designed to be tough as nails by an air
craft engineer that worked for GMC.
-----------------------------------
Most of these vans are not on the road! I see them all the time in junk
yards.
If you're seeing more than two a year on the road I'd be surprised. You
might be seeing them parked under a shed or beside a house or barn but on
the road; I doubt it.
Those things were lead sleds with Air Stream Rear Suspension and bunches
of stolen Air Stream features that GMC managed to tipple the weight on.
That 10,000 mile set of front drive tires was a major killer of
maintenance.
NO! I've never had one. That is one mistake I never made.
Stan Wilder
On Sun, 26 May 2002 07:26:34 -0700 "Phil S." <napszeerf@YAHOO.COM>
writes:
> "> The best... has to be the cabover current-model
> > (1989-present) Toyota
> > Hiace."
>
>
> Sounds like a great vehicle, But round here a
> "cabover" is called a "Class C" and is not considered
> a Van.
> If we are going to compare apples and oranges Ill
> take a 79' GMC 26' Motorcoach, front wheel drive
> 455cid Olds and a top speed of 80mph AND...great
> handling.
>
> check out the GMC history page:
> http://www.gmcmotorhomes.com/catalog/page00.html
>
> Most of these motorhomes are still on the road becouse
> they were designed to be tough as nails by an air
> craft engineer that worked for GMC.
>
> Phil
>
>
> --- Andrew Grebneff
> <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ> wrote:
> > >ITS THE BEST VAN EVER DESIGNED.....EVER
> >
> > No way. Not looked at objectively. The body is
> > great, the suspension
> > is great (and therefore the handling). But it is
> > seriously let down
> > by unreliable mechanicals, poor electrics and
> > crap-quality plastics
> > and switchgear; unergonomic controls. The cargo bay
> > is compromised by
> > the engine hump; this could probably have been
> > deleted by having no
> > ancillaries atop the engine and a slightly higher
> > floor.
> >
> > The best... has to be the cabover current-model
> > (1989-present) Toyota
> > Hiace. Solid, safe, reliable, big, ergonomic
> > everything, decent
> > handling, available with a huge variety of engines,
> > body types, 3
> > different van wheelbases and levels of trim from
> > bare bones to
> > ultraluxurious. And a flat cargo bay floor. All it
> > lacks is an IRS
> > option, though upmarket versions get torsionbar
> > rear, and
> > walkthrough. 4WD optional, including full-time and
> > part-time
> > versions. And with good looks to top it off, and
> > Toyota's top-quality
> > ergonomics, plastics, switchgear, fit and finish.
> > Available with
> > full camper conversions, including poptops.
> >
> > Toyota Hiace
> > Engines
> > 2.0 gas
> > 2.4 gas
> > 2.0 diesel
> > 2.4 diesel (turbo oprtion)
> > 2.8 diesel
> > 3.0 EFI turbodiesel
> > Auto or 5-speed manual; floorshift or column
> > cartspring or torsionbar rear
> > SWB, MWB (=VW length) or LWB
> > RWD, part-time 4WD, full-time 4WD
> > normal or high roof
> > top-hinged normal tailgate or (rare) dual
> > vertical-hinged doors
> > single or dual sliders
> > optional small rear wheels with no wheelarches
> > intruding into floor
> > electric locking, windows, morrors, dual aircon etc
> >
> > --
> > Andrew Grebneff
> > 165 Evans St, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand
> > <andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
> > Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut
>
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>
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