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seuadr · 07-26-2022, 10:46 AM

Hi all,

I'm considering a purchase of a gutted transvan. it is quite a distance away, and, doesn't currently run, so, I'm trying to find out as much information as i can prior to going to look at it so I don't travel several hours only to find a deal breaker.

Main question i am having trouble answering right now:

is the camper shell fiberglass, aluminum or some kind of mix of both?

I've read online that they are fiberglass with aluminum frame (which would be FANTASTIC for my purposes) but others have said that they are fully metal, or fiberglass backed with plywood (which would still work fine..) or aluminum backed with plywood.

looks pretty much just like this one, but beat up:
1980_dodge_transvan/

has a 318, appears to be an auto - unsure if it is a 3 or a 4. the floor has already been removed, and it does appear to have a full frame construction, not a unibody as well as 8 lug front and rear axles, suggesting that it probably started life as a b300 cutaway but maybe they mated the front subframe to a "real" frame? might just be a unibody and i don't know what I'm looking at too... doesn't matter much for my purposes.

my goal is to take and apply some lightweight sandwich panel construction to a motorhome that is already gutted (or in need of gutting) and try to see what kind of weight savings i can get as well as tune and mod for aerodynamics while leaving the machine usable.

I'm be thrilled if i could shave off 2000 pounds and get in the neighborhood of 16-18mpg at 55-60mph.

I know that might be a tall order, but hey, why not try, eh?

it looks like there are a number of things i can do to the 318 to get a little better performance/economy but i think the biggest limitation i'm going to face is if it is a 3 speed with no OD - definitely going to have to do something about that.

I've read people claiming the weight full is ~10k, it looks like a bare B300 is more like 4000 pounds so I'm curious to see where i am at with no interior to see where I'm starting from.

Skip426 · 07-26-2022, 03:32 PM

The B series Dodge cutaway chassis was available in single and dual rear wheel setup, and is a unibody design ; the metal floor behind the cab is part of the sub frame.
318/ 360 were the only engines, and being a one ton chassis a 727 , three speed would be the transmission, I’d have to search for the first year Dodge added OD to the 727 and changed the designation to 46RE or A518, which is what my 93 Dakota had.
I had a 73 B 200 maxi van with 360 and 727 , camperized it myself no added roof height, 18 mpg ( Canadian gallon) approximately 14 to the US , was the best I ever got.
Truthfully even if you do keep the weight down, aerodynamics is your issue and 10/12 mpg would be what to expect.

seuadr · 07-26-2022, 06:12 PM

Definitely a fair point on the aerodynamics - skirting, under valances, etc will only help a little with that. I was hoping that there might be more drivetrain swap options but it looks like I'm pretty limited due to the construction.

Skip426 · 07-26-2022, 07:49 PM

The OD trans didn't come in till 88 , and required input from the engine ECM ( fuel injected engines).

The 318 of that vintage would have a carter 2 BBL carburetor , the 360 a Holly 2 BBL or a Carter 4 BBL.

seuadr · 07-26-2022, 07:53 PM

Oof that sucks.

Transplanting all of the electronics would be a pain probably, and being unibody i am assuming i couldn't simply swap cabs/front subframe?

fcbbob15 · 07-26-2022, 08:05 PM

I'm a die hard Dodge and I wouldn't do it. Yes you can but a lot of work. I have a 1968 Plymouth Fury Convertible that weighs 4900 pounds and I get 24mpg highway at 70 mph. A lot of years of work and tuning to get it. Engine was purpose built from the block up. With what it costs you would be better off with maybe a used Sprinter van.