My 1994 Dodge Caravan 3.0 V6 Base Project

[Matt86]

Here she is, day one:


Stats:
1994 Dodge Caravan Base Model (Former Fleet vehicle)
Windsor built Canadavan!
3.0 V6
A670 3-speed leaky automatic
Cruise, tilt, AC and thats it!

Bought on 8/10/2008 for $500 from some old fat guy.

129K when purchased, now has 136K

First modification was rear tinted windows! I got tired of having to drive around in a fish bowl.

Since the old guy never took good care of it, I had to replace the following due to mileage/age/broken:

Drivers side hub & CV Axle (twice)
Complete tune-up (All original ignition parts!)
Valve cover gaskets
Timing belt
Water pump
Hoses
Serp. Belt
All three motor mounts
Rear shocks
Drivers seat (broken by old fat guy)

Added stuff/modifications:
Overhead information center
Factory CD/Cassette stereo
New dash speakers
Tranny cooler
New front bumper
CB Radio
Hubcap delete

I have a set of white Snowflake wheels from a Spirit ES to install, just need the $$$ for some new rubber!


It rides very nice and smooth, runs excellent. Not bad for still being under $1,000 in parts including the purchase price of the van.

As she sits now:


The beast behind the blue cloud of oil smoke:


Now, the big project is to delete that automatic. Dispite the fact it shift perfect, it leaks and is a huge drag on the V6 making my 99' Neon soo much faster.

So, I have this stuff:


A543 from a 97K Dodge Daytona IROC
A set of perfect axles from the same IROC
Shifter, cables, clutch pedal assembly and cross member from a 94' Voyager
A computer from a 1994 Dodge Shadow ES 3.0 5-spd

Now, I have to put it all in..which I will have to find the time for!

[Dodge Aries K]

Hurry up and get some time! I want to see it happen.

[Vigo]

Its gonna be a huge upgrade when you get done. My 90 van is already setup for the 543, and i have the 3.0, harness+comp, and accessories etc from a 93 van i just parted. Im picking up a 3" exhaust later today.

3.0/543 minivans ftw!

[Matt86]

I'm going to start cleaning up the IROC A543. New seals, end pan gasket, really want to get all that old fluid out of there. Also, need to degrease the case. That sucker was covered in crap.

[Matt86]

So I finished working on the fourth snowflake wheel.

This is what it looked like before:


After a strip, prime and a coat or two of white Wheel Paint:


Just got to get two more tires and put these babys on!

[Big_P]

Matt you are going to LOVE a 3.0 5 speed Caravan. It's QUICK!

[jory]

3.0s are great especially with the 5 speed. Indestructible! And the power delivery is great, torque on command. You might want to return those car axles however because they won't fit your van. Your automatic axles will slide into the 543 no problem

[Matt86]

I'll use the Daytona axles and build my own with the longer minivan shafts, if not I'll see if I can find a decent factory set at the yard. The reman axles that are on there now are JUNK.

[Ondonti]

those wheels sure look better.

[Mario]

So I finished working on the fourth snowflake wheel.

This is what it looked like before:


After a strip, prime and a coat or two of white Wheel Paint:


Just got to get two more tires and put these babys on!

Wheel paint? Is there anything different about the paint? I'd like to re-do my red snowflakes on the spirit.

those wheels sure look better.

I agree. They are almost blinding. Nice job.

[Matt86]

The wheel paint is much thicker, almost exactly like the factory coating.

[Vigo]

Ive always thought white was the best color on snowflakes, and white wheels on white cars look good. I think this will turn out very well.

[Matt86]

Yes, it will be a nice upgrade from the steelies, just have to get some $$$ for a few new tires.

I really wish a C/V would show up at one of the yards....I want to get those nice big truck mirrors, viynl front floors and seats.

Meanwhile, I'm slowly gathering the remaining parts and refurbishing the A543 for the big 5-speed swap.

[Vigo]

...I want to get those nice big truck mirrors, viynl front floors and seats.

I think the rubber flooring is the most desirable part that came on cv's, personally.. Id love to have one in good condition

[turbovanman²]

Sorry, car axles won't work, they are 1 inch or so shorter. You need to reuse your stock auto axles.

Other than that, nice work,

[WickedShelby88]

I think he meant to use the van axle shafts with the ends from the car if I read that correctly?

[Matt86]

Oh....A670...how I hate thee....

The mystery ATF leak continues, before it would occur randomly, but now it's leaving puddles on the ground all the time.

The only solution:

Remove A670-Install A543. I have Friday and Sat off, and depending on the weather, I'll have to do the swap.

Since I can't afford new tires for the Snowflakes, I've thrown a set of K-car hub caps on and a bug guard...all from the junkyard:

[Vigo]

i absolutely detest the bug guard, to be honest. If you want it for functionality, i propose getting a protective film type that doesnt butcher the looks.

Good luck with the 543 swap. Mount the shifter and pedals before you take anything else apart in case you get stuck, that way it will still be mobile if and when you run out of time and need it again.

[turbovanman²]

I think he meant to use the van axle shafts with the ends from the car if I read that correctly?

Well he said this-

I'll use the Daytona axles and build my own with the longer minivan shafts, if not I'll see if I can find a decent factory set at the yard. The reman axles that are on there now are JUNK.

And this-

A543 from a 97K Dodge Daytona IROC
A set of perfect axles from the same IROC
Shifter, cables, clutch pedal assembly and cross member from a 94' Voyager
A computer from a 1994 Dodge Shadow ES 3.0 5-spd

[Matt86]

i absolutely detest the bug guard, to be honest. If you want it for functionality, i propose getting a protective film type that doesnt butcher the looks.

Good luck with the 543 swap. Mount the shifter and pedals before you take anything else apart in case you get stuck, that way it will still be mobile if and when you run out of time and need it again.

I plan on mounting the shifter and pedals at least this week, I still have to gather a few more parts for the swap.

as far as the bug guard..it was free and covers up the peeling/chipping paint on the hood...

One of the yards also finally got in a C/V, but both mirrors were trashed and the viynl floors were trashed too....