Posted by Robert Kosusnik on Saturday, August 27, 2005 at 12:34PM :
In Reply to: OT: Dodge Grand Caravan info needed... posted by Eric B. on Friday, August 26, 2005 at 8:17PM :
Eric, I have two of the older models, an 86 Ply. Voyager and a 90 Caravan. I have heard the same thing about the transmissions being junk. I have had the 86 for 4 or 5 years now and it has either 207000+ miles or 307000+ miles. It has the 2.6 Mits. engine and the only problems I have had with it has been a blown head gasket about 2 years ago and now it doesn't pass IM test. The transmission does need a little tranny oil from time to time. The 90 Caravan I have had about 4 years now and am currently putting the transmission back in after a rebuild. It's got over 200000 miles on the odometer. It has the 3.0 V6 and I have had to replace the oil pump on that one. What a fun job that was. The oil pump is part of the front main seal on the engine and requires tearing apart the front of the engine and removing the oil pan to change. If you get one, you will like their versatility. Like Bill said, I have used my for all sorts of things, school field trips for my kids, hauling Dodge Power Wagon parts around (including the engine to and back from the machine shop), my house hold stuff when I moved a few years back, etc.
BTW, The 86 is for sale. It still runs good. Of course you will have to come to Anchorage to get it.
Robert