I Need Help Shrinking a Van! - Truck Forums at Truckin' Magazine

I Need Help Shrinking a Van!

  
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I Need Help Shrinking a Van!

 
Balboa455 Balboa455
User | Posts: 194 | Joined: 06/07
Posted: 12/18/07
05:22 PM

My brother just bought a house on an island that has many homes on it and very narrow streets. It is an upscale, beachy island and many of the residents have custom golf cart sized vehicles to get around locally.

To get to the point, my brother has a dream of turning one of these into an old school style van. He was thinking of a "Mystery Machine" theme. While I found his choice of theme a little cliche, it is probably because I see it so often on this site.

So, does anyone know of anyone who manufactures small golf cart sized vehicles but that are styled like vans? I guess you would call them mini-vans?

In addition, are there any fuel options like propane available? He would love to have some side pipes that shoot flames! I am not sure his wife will go for that one, though. Come on vanners, help me out.  

 
truckmod75 truckmod75
Moderator | Posts: 124 | Joined: 10/06
Posted: 12/18/07
05:33 PM

Easy...Daihatsu HiJet.  

 

 
truckmod75 truckmod75
Moderator | Posts: 124 | Joined: 10/06
Posted: 12/18/07
05:34 PM

Here's one all blinged-out with a Chrysler 300 grille!  

 

 
Superbeast Superbeast
User | Posts: 199 | Joined: 08/07
Posted: 12/19/07
08:06 AM

Subaru made a small van years ago. Look for a used one. Also there wer go-cart bodies of mid-Dodge, and late Ford body styles. They would be smaller than a golf cart, but a couple cuts and some glass work they can be stretched. As with anything VAN related, good luck finding it. We vanners need to find old parts or make it ourselves.

Here is a mini for you....









This van was built by Truckin Magazine years ago when vanning was BIG! It sold a few years back on eBay.  
Superbeast

 
esanchez esanchez
Administrator | Posts: 1595 | Joined: 07/06
Posted: 12/19/07
10:51 AM

What the heck kind of motor is that? Looks like a supercharged V-6 of some sort. That is one wild-@$$ little van!    

 
delltoshi delltoshi
New User | Posts: 22 | Joined: 12/07
Posted: 12/19/07
01:59 PM

I would have to say that is a crazy looking van!  

 
Superbeast Superbeast
User | Posts: 199 | Joined: 08/07
Posted: 12/20/07
07:51 AM

delltoshi:
I would have to say that is a crazy looking van!

If I remember correctly, yes it is a Buick V-6 With a supercharger.

Check the archives It was in Truckin, and I belive you guys built it. Maybe ask Bob Ryder. I bet he has a copy of the mag.  
Superbeast

 
4xvanman 4xvanman
New User | Posts: 8 | Joined: 09/07
Posted: 12/20/07
01:47 PM

You might find help from an old vanner (but don't refer to mystery machine). Try vannin.com  

 
LEADFOOT-VANNER LEADFOOT-VANNER
New User | Posts: 37 | Joined: 10/07
Posted: 12/20/07
03:24 PM

yes please reconsider a scooby theme, he lives on an island
a sea,or nautical theme may attract more admirers in it's location than a toon,and for being original in your creativity
as someone who once considered the idea myself ,quickly learned it gets old fast
be ORIGINAL - my ans tell me what they want, is how i put it
as things progress on a build, many more ideas start to flow
far beyond scooby
-that aside.. bet that little van above here is a great kick in the pants, too bad more info isn't HERE though
best of luck, and happy holiday  
it really is... a VAN thing!

 

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