1978 GMC Chevy 1-Ton Pathfinder 4x4 4wd Vandura Van

GMC Vandura 1978 Description

ItAs Han Solo once said, “She may not look like much, but she’s got it where it counts kid”.Dreaming of the ultimate surf-hunting battle-wagon?Want a cheap ride that can handle the Baja 1000 course and get fixed by any small-town mechanic in Mexico with basic tools?Want to impress your buddies at the Burn?Want to shred a gnarly jeep-trail and then relax on your memory foam queen mattress with lights and power from your solar array when you get to your campsite?Want to be the only RV that can make it out of the festival grounds after it poured rain the last night? Want to test if the girl / guy you just met is actually cool enough to be seen in a REAL VAN?

Well then, I’ve got the rig for you!!! This beast is perfect for someone with basic mechanical know-how who wants to do everything a high-end Sportsmobile / Quigley / Quad / U-Joint 4wd van can do for a tiiiiiiny little fraction of the price and twice the style. I love this thing, it breaks my heart to sell it, and it would kill me for somebody to buy without knowing what they are getting into and consequently not treat her with the respect she deserves. There are a number of minor things to fix, but keep in mind in that in the 10 months I’ve owned her I’ve driven ~6000 miles with ZERO serious issues including deserts, mountains, dunes, jeep trails, and even the steepest streets in San Francisco running deliveries!I’ve spent about six weeks of that time living, cooking, kitesurfing, and partying out of her and I’ve only just finished tweaking some of her best comfort and convenience features. Now, alas, I’m moving back East soon and the Vanimal needs new adventure buddies!

Vanimal Features:

Power comes from a punchy Chevy 350 with MSD electronic ignition coupled with a turbo-350 auto with crisp, tight shifting. Oct2015 rebuilt front and rear 1-ton driveshafts, a tight shifting t-case, and the original pathfinder manual hubs.The 1979 pathfinder 4x4 4wd conversion seriously works GREAT and everything from the bed frame to solar array to storage spaces are engineered for aggressive off-road.There are dual external electronic fans on tranny oil cooler w/ manual switch. Will include new aluminum radiator, temp sensor and relay, and electric fan I was going to upgrade / replace the original engine fan with too but haven’t installed yet. The cooling system is fine but the stock fan is loud and shroud-less and I wanted a more efficient system. The brakes were reworked early 2015, work VERY well, and are probably still under warranty. Like-new 1-ton leaf springs front and rear, Oct-2015 Pro Comp shocks and steering stabilizer. The steering tracks straight (even over bumps) VERY little roll in turns, actually handles exceptionally well for what she is. 2015 245/75R16 E-range BFG all-terrains with 90% tread (the new style!) on aluminum rims. Tires under warranty from costco. Exhaust system is relatively new with a nice tone.

Very comfy Queen-size 8” memory-foam mattress on top of custom ¾” plywood bedframe and 21” high storage. ¾ of the storage beneath the bed is designed to be secure even if the windows are smashed since most of it is only accessible through the rear doors which lock and open only from outside. Add a contractor pad lock to the outside and it would take a thief with an axe an hour to get under the bed. The remaining ¼ of the area beneath the bed is accessible from the interior of the van for storing cooking gear and food. A slide-out tray has been included to hold a folding grill and/or stove and a full-size propane bottle mount has been integrated. A 125-watt Kyocera solar array, high-end 20-amp low-voltage cut-off charge regulator, and new deep-cycle battery are included. A 90-amp circuit isolator is mounted but not wired, so currently the starting and solar electrical systems are completely separate but easy to integrate. The shotgun captain’s chair is a on rotating mount and can swivel to face the rest of the van.The driver’s seat also swivels, but it’s blocked by the 4wd shifter (this could be easily modded in 2mins with a good torch). The heater works pretty well but only from the defog vents. The roof is tall enough that a 5’10” person can stand upright in the center, and a taller person can sit upright on the bed. 2x4s can quickly slide into the fiberglass roof to make a surfboard rack inside for long or short boards. One 7-gallon water tank included with a secure mount location. The central part of the van had more chairs but I removed them, would be easy to add more seating in front of bed. Full size spare, full size receiver hitch. RV style windows have vents as does sliding door. Interior floor has been bed-lined.

*If the timing can be arranged, I can deliver the van anywhere in the San Francisco bay area for a reasonable fee

*Propane system, interior fan, cooler, ladder, and female notincluded!

*The mileage indicated is based on the last titled mileage being 94000 7 years ago (no hundred-thousands digit)

Vanimal Fix-It List: The electric choke probably works but isn’t wired, and there is a slow air leak in the fuel line.In spite of this, I’ve still never had an issue starting her even after sitting for a month, but it does take a moment and a lot of pedal pumps to prime the line if she’s cold (instant if she’s warm). The engine has a slow oil leak from one of the left side gaskets, something on the order of 1 liter every 3000 miles. The transmission, t-case, and diffs also have very slow leaks, I top them up before long road trips and have never had to add more than a couple ounces, spare fluids come with the van. The PS pump belt is a bit loose and squeals when wheel turned hard to the stops, easy fix. Currently, the electrical system slowly drains the starter batt if she’s left for more than 4 days so I disconnect batt for storage. Most of the wiring is original and is the main project as I see it. The wipers, high/low headlights, fog lights, and signals all work, but the power locks are dead and the passenger window stopped working. The van has original AC hardware and the compressor does seem like it works when you turn it manually, but I’ve never put a belt on it. Very little rust on frame and most of the body is ok, but there are some more significant rust spots around the edge of the roof where the body meets the fiberglass turtle-top. Some of these spots in the back had leaks but I have fixed them, however there is still rust and some leaks around the windshield frame.