Repairing The Cheapest Van On Craigslist

In this video, I repair most of the issues with my $400 Chrysler Town and Country LX. These repairs include welding a new rocker panel, replacing the rear view mirror, welding the muffler, changing the oil and filter, and replacing both front brakes. This is my longest video to date, hope you enjoy.

[jamesledyard]

It's nice to see someone restore a newer car not a street rod but an every day car look forward to seeing it to the end good luck

[lucasrustt]

these super cheap cars is what people like to see :)

[tinytim]

Excellent, I just brought a 97 Town and Country yesterday for $250. Van has been sitting for year and half. Running condition unknown, needs a battery and the seller (elderly lady) says it needs a water pump and muffler. I'm not sure why she thinks it needs a water pump, brand new radiator is full with clean green antifreeze. Unfortunately, i'm sick today and can't wait to mess with it.

[DM-pcvs]

I had a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan; 293, 000 miles; trans finally died; sold for $300; love these minivans; loved your video. greetings from NY state near Port Jervis.

[sarahfaith]

I love these vans. It's sad that not a lot of people take care of them anymore. I hope you make more videos of this van

[harleyguyinmilw]

I had one of these, same color but a extended wheelbase, super great vehicle, traded it in with 235, 000 miles, replaced brakes twice, tires twice, 3 batteries, thats it, even the A/C still worked, I loved that van, I hope my new one is that good to me.

[virgelboyd]

We have 2 of these vans. Both purchased cash for around $1500. Both have over 200, 000 miles. One is at 280, 000 miles and had 180, 000 when we bought it 5 years ago. Everything is pretty easy to fix from waterpumps to alternator, radiator etc. Even the transmission is easy to remove and cheap at salvage yards.

[quentinc]

Keep up the van repair cant wait to see it when both rockers are fixed and painted. You should also sand and paint the front right fender rust.

[eddieD]

Thanks. I need to do a rocker panel repair like that on my Subaru. The pinch weld collapsed while jacking it up. I was trying to come up with a scheme and you gave me some ideas.

It's not as rusted as your van, so it should be easy. The car runs great so I'd like to drive it for a couple more years.

A tip for you - you need to prime the back of your welds for the repair to last. You also need to drill drain holes at the lowest point of the rocker panel. A lot of structural damage from rust is caused by clogged drain holes.

POR-15 makes durable and effective coatings for repairs like this. You can brush it, reduce and spray it, or buy a tube with POR-15 the viscosity of toothpaste. I've used the thick stuff to fill pinholes. It really is durable (I had to chisel it off my garage floor ten years later) and very water tight. It really does slow down the effects of rust.

But even rattlecan epoxy primer from the auto parts store is better than nothing.

[sneakerfreak]

It’s cool too see there are still resourseful and thrifty people out there. Wish you many miles on your van :)

[sammygunnsOfficial]

Good video. Diggin’ the Green Day in the background

[kaa]

I bought a 2001 Town and Country limited with 152, 000 miles on it last month for $500.00. It had been sitting for 2 years, I put in a good battery and it started right up. It had a coolant leak in the pipes going to the rear heater so I just drove it up on a car dolly and brought it home. When I got home I filled up the cooling system and drove it a few miles to make sure the transmission shifts as it should, It does. I've replaced the bad pipes, all the hoses and put on a new belt. I'm going to put in new plugs, replace the valve cover gaskets, check the brakes. It's going to need a set of tires right away but I'll still have less than $1500 in a rust free van with all the bells and whistles including heated leather seats. My 2002 Town and Country LXi that I've owned for 15 years has 206, 000 miles and it's still going strong.

[deathmetalmachine]

That's in good condition on the interior for $400 van I'm pretty impressed so far

[jamesaydelott]

Nice work! Can’t wait to see the van finished! Be careful next time and try not to break another hub cap!

[mattmgarza]

I love it!

I bought a 2001 Chrysler Sebring convertible for $230 on Facebook Marketplace. I wanted a car with a bad motor so I could learn how to rebuild an engine.

On March 18, almost six months into the project, it was time to start it up! After a few tries, it ran perfectly! The engine sounds great. But I couldn't get the car to move. It turns out I failed to seat the torque converter. So after it being fully reassembled I had to take it all apart. Now, with a transmission swap, I'm about a day or two from getting the car to move (hopefully).

You can see a good deal of the progress on my channel. :)

[rajin]

Rustproofing would have saved those rocker panels. We have a 2004 with 340, 000 kms, owned for 11 years and counting and live in the salt belt. We've rustproofed it every year and has very minimal rust due to rustproofing Very reliable vans, never had any issues with it other than regular wear and tear due to age. You sir got a steal for $400.

[cecolonn]

I have a Dodge Caravan 3.3L V6 it’s 153, 000 miles and it’s still going they are great vans

[jamespn]

Nice job on the rockers. Cool patch on the muffler.

[justindavis]

Good job! I have no idea how you found this for 500, around here in VA anything that runs is 1500+. Great buy

[insideoli]

I really wanna see how it turns out when it's fully repaired and get its special maintenance!! looking pretty! good job!