As most of you know, I have my 06 Grand Caravan. 3.3 V6 ohv paired with the 4 speed auto trans.
Been a solid rig, but the old girl is tired just rolling 238,5XX miles. Been neglected for most of its life. And me working it like a dog hasn't helped.
Last few months most of my spare time and money has gone into it. Essentially trying to do what it needs to keep on moving vs what it just needs.

​​​​​​Plan is to try and have it running and working like a new van in the next couple months. Been acquiring a substantial amount of parts aside from other failures.

Replaced most of the cooling system. Still need to do the intake manifold gasket (coolant passages run through it) due to it leaking.
Replaced oil pan gasket and filter housing gasket (oil pan will probably be replaced next change due to damage)
Replaced radiator fans and relay. Guess that would fall under cooling.
This weekend I'll be replacing the rack and inner/outter rods. Rack was already feeling like it was on its way, and last weekend it finally gave while I was testing out Pacifica struts to try and level it.
While the racks out I have sway bar bushings to pop in.
I'll also be replacing all the leaf spring bushings, track bar, and got my hands on some coil over shocks for it. Will go nicely with some helpers until I can acquire an add a leaf kit. Been trying to find a rear sway bar for it as well.
Have some new ngk plugs and Mopar wires/coil pack for it.

Been waiting for the yard to get a 4th gen in in my color again so I can replace the damaged door (reason it's a "salvage" vehicle) and probably both bumpers. Haven't decided fully on the bumpers yet.

Next on the list is struts, control arms, end links, and front/rear brakes.
A/c needs to be fixed before next summer. I believe the evaporator is leaking, or well, leaked all my ice cube juice.

Need to rip the carpet out as well and rhino line the interior floor.
Upgraded to the 3.8 throttle body already, but have one off a 4.7 Durango that I wanna try as well. Need to do some exhaust work to really benefit from it. So I'll probably be doing muffler back.

Point of all this is just a quick update. Been pretty active on the Chrysler forum to really sink my teeth into these vans work potential.

Emphasize the work aspect because I think it'll be turned into a full time service van sometime next year. Been looking at taking out an LLC to start a mobile mechanic business. Ideally, this isn't my best option. But it's the cheapest option. Still working on creating a business plan.

Ion hasn't gone anywhere. I have a slue of parts for that stashed as well. In fact, I have a clutch and flywheel that'll be here this week for it also that way the lsj/f23 can go in finally. Got new management at the storage facility, so tinkering slowed down a bit because they're nosey.

Eventually I wanna get my hands on either an older Cummins or older dirtymax. But unless I find an absolute steal of a price, I'll keep being patient on that.

 

Sign up at allpar.com, Billy. I've been a member there for over 20 years. It's a site dedicated to everything Mopar. I'm known as Chuzz over there. There are some very knowledgeable members there. Several Mopar techs and retired Mopar techs. You can probably pick up a lot of info about your van project.

 

On there as well. Been having fun at chryslerminivan net

 

Ahhhh, yes. Now that you mention it, I seem to have a vague recollection of you telling me that. DON'T ever have brain surgery unless it's a matter of life or death. Sometimes I think I should have skipped it and the wife and kids would have probably been better off.

 

Sounds more like a project vehicle than a service vehicle. If you have some pics of this beast, I'd love to see them.

 

Very much been more of a project that I plan on putting to service soon.
Just got a promotion at work, with a rather large raise. So I may not need to start my own gig as soon as expected. But the idea isn't going to be a lost cause.