Went and checked out the van yesterday. There are actually 2 that they have. The one "pimped out" van, and another one without all the gaudy additions. The story is that they were both USGS Fleet vans.
Regular Van: Wasn't allowed to drive it because "it hasn't been through our shop yet". Even though it's being sold "AS-IS No Warranty"
- 85k miles
- The dealer has sprayed bed-liner on the bottom 5" of the vertical panels. There is over-spray onto everything - muffler, frame, ground, wheel wells, etc.
- Minimal to no rust on the frame or anything underneath. The exposed bolts are almost rust free as well.
- Two rubber-to-metal lines going into the left side of the radiator are oily on the outside. Not sure if these are transmission oil cooler hoses?
- Power steering reservoir is low. Oily steering line.
- Tie rods and steering connector bushings are greasy on the outside. Boots aren't visibly torn (didn't wipe off the grease to check)
- Drive shafts to the rear have some slop in the U joints. I don't have enough expertise to know how much tolerance there should be in these.
- Tires are worn and weather cracked
- Dark oil. Old rusty filter with dents from something.. Looks like they tried to take it off but couldn't.
- "Caked" shock absorbers, but no visible wet spots
Pimped Van:
- Same bed-liner. Same overspray on everything
- Slightly more rust, but again fairly good condition
- Running boards attached to the frame with mild steel and regular hardware
- Drives fine. Loud with those big tires. Didn't seem to have any issues with suspension or steering, etc.
- 4WD engages fine. No complaints.
- Silly aftermarket (likely non-DOT) headlights
- Blacked-out everything
The regular van is a bit cheaper, and seems to be the better van, but without driving it.. who knows..