Finally located a roadster body for my '23. I have agreed to pick it up at Hershey when I am there. No fenders, splash aprons, etc. Just the body itself.
Here is the question:
I am wondering if I can stuff it in the back of an 06 Caravan (with the seats removed of course).
I don't have an acutal body to measure, but the van has about 80" of length and 4 feet of width to play with. Rear door opening is about 40" high. I would like to use the van because it gets great gas mileage, and I won't hve to lug a trailer down there. I also have access to a full size van, but it is an absolute pig on fuel.
Greg, check out the following thread from 2010. It may have the info you are looking for. Jim Patrick
www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/157763.html
Greg,
If your body is the same as a repro body then it will fit in your Caravan.
Total Length: 52"
Firewall Width: 26.5"
Body Width: 45"
Body Height: 24"
From:
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Standard-1923-T-Roadster-Body,1421.html
Jim
Thanks guys. I just want to make sure that I don't get 650km from home and have to do something silly like strap it to the roof.
The body is basically new, complete with new wood, etc, including the part that the turtle deck rests on. I was more worried about the overall width, because every time I do a search, I seem to get a different number. It also has the windsheild frame, but if i am not mistaken, the uprights can be easily unbolted.
Been there, Done that with a dune buggy body.
The looks you will get are priceless.
Have you heard of a U haul one way trailer? If it doesn't fit, you could rent a trailer, so your trip wouldn't have been in vain. But I think you are doing the right thing by checking in advance to be sure it would fit. It might be a bit difficult to load into the caravan. You will need at least two people to do it. and the one on the inside will need to be able to bent over and to get out after it is loaded. Maybe 3 people could do it from outside, one on each side and one in back. You will need something like plywood to put on floor so you won't bugger it all up.
Good luck.
Norm
Measure wheel well spacing, look for the narrowest points inside. Don't assume the gate is the limiting factor!
Hi John,
I got bit by that once.....I always measure at the floor. I can get a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood to lay flat on the floor - it just hangs out a bit so the door won't close.
The thing you might get bit on as the widest part is the top saddles if they are installed since they stick out the widest of anything on the body but they are also not at the floor so you might be able to tilt the body to get it in if the van is wider at that height. Usually the saddles can be removed so if they come out wider than 48", take along the tools to dismount them.
Hi John,
When you say saddles, do you mean where the top irons/bows attach to the body?
Get the chassis running, drive up there, put the body on, drive it back. But make a seat for the drive there.
Greg,
The top saddles hold the top when the top is folded down.
Jim
Steve - chassis is running - I had it down the street once - my neighbours thought I'd lost my mind. The rad wasn't very good in it, so I haven't driven it since. Didn't want to hurt the engine.
It would be fun to go through the border driving just the chassis.
Jim,
Thanks for the picture. The body that I am purchasing doesn't have them installed yet. Sounds like this thing is going to fit.
Why not take some 2X4's and lay them across the bed rails of your truck. Set the body on the studs and tie it down. Problem solved.
TH
Boy do I feel dumb... I just noticed you have a Caravan. Well then borrow your neighbor's truck, or rent one. If you've got a hitch get down to U-haul.
I'm sittin here wondering how much that puppie weighs ? I'm just thinkin out loud so don't beat me up Would one of those hitch carriers from Harbor Freight help any. I have an aluminum one and it's 4'wide and rated for 500 lbs cost me less than $75 (with a 20% off coupon)You might be able to support and cushion the body and strap it to the rear hatch ????
1912 Touring in a 1999 Windstar
Hehehe ..... should have hooked up the tail lights! ;-) Who needs a trailer??
Dennis
You have to love and hate those mini-vans.
My wife (the lady that will not own a Buick because they are for old people.) loves her's and will not part with it.
It is a Dodge Grand Caravan with "Stow-and-Go" seats and seat tracks that are almost worn out from their being put up and down so often.
I cringe when I hear - "Please help me unload the van." because I never know what she has managed to put in it.
I have used it to move washers, dryers, refrigerators, wood, couches, and junk to the dump.
My daughter is even worse. She used to haul her mini-horse around in the back of her mini-van.
Imagine driving up to the window at MacDonald's with a van load of kids and a horse to get icecream for everyone - except the horse!
I have a 02 Windstar and want to pick up a roadster body also. I hate to have to use my 99 Ram half ton truck that gets 15 mpg and sucks to drive compared to the Windstar. I use this Windstar for a construction van and it works awesome, easy loading and unloading of tools, only use the truck to haul really long materials and scaffold although I did once hauled on a 70 mile trip: 4 model t engines with the transmissions, a frame,cowl,6 fenders, 8 wheels,many hoods,two firewalls,3 front axles, and many other misc. parts in one load (it looked like a gypsy wagon and driving it was a bit scary)6 ft. box also.
Todd,
That is the exact same reasoning that I have for wanting to use the Caravan - it gets great gas mileage compared to my V8 Dakota, and I really don't want to drag a trailer down there and drive back and forth from the hotel every day lugging a trailer behind. Besides - any money i save on gas, I can spend on more parts!