This listing was posted on Americanlisted.
1985 Dodge Xplorer 228
Financing:
Summary:
Used 1985
Location:
Zionsville, IN
Description:
Reason for selling: our 9 year old is getting bigger, and we have a Husky. After each camping trip we have cleaned the Xplorer inside-out thoroughly, but a furry hair or two might still be hiding. So if you are super allergic to dogs, either pass on this van, or have it thoroughly cleaned first, just in case, safety first. (No funky smells, non-smokers, and clean inside and out. Due to weather, leaves falling, etc., I might wash it in the next few days, but it is clean as every other vehicle that has been cared for.)This is a Frank Industries' converted from factory Dodge van, the Dodge Xplorer, model 228. We are the third owner, and the prior (second) owner had it for around 6,000 miles for about a year and a half. He bought it with roughly 24,000+ miles, 31,000+ when we bought it. It currently has 60,700 miles since we bought it in spring of 2017 and have used it about twice a week as a semi-daily driver, and for camping trips, including from central Indiana to visit family in D.C. area.The 228 model, in contrast to the 221, does not have a full bubble top, but a lower 2.5 inch thick fiberglass-sandwhiched urethane roof. It comes with a dropped floor between the kitchen and the dinette. I am 5'11 and can stand in there straight up.I will add a link to this description, as ebay only allwos 40 photos, but have over 190 photos to show.This particular Xplorer is built on the B350 van chassis, the one-ton version, heavy duty. It has the stronger 360 V8 5.9L engine, and the 4 barrel Rochester Quadrajet Carburetor, with mechanical fuel pump. I had this carburetor rebuilt by Cliff Ruggles personally, and to the specs of this camper, including for towing.Engine has basically everything new, too: spark plugs and wires, distribuitor, radiator, hoses, alternator, water pump, etc.Towing: The standard bumper hitch was rated for 3,500 lbs only. I had a professional welder fabricate a new, chassis-welded hitch. While this way it is supposed to be able to tow around 8,000 lbs as the original van, due to the camper's conversion itself I personally would limit it to a conservative 5,000 lbs. Additonaly it comes with a welded custom front hitch to attach a cargo carrier basket for additional coolers and firewood, etc.The dropped floor was prone to let water in while driving in rain, due to its original minimal welding spots. Had it cut out and redone completely by the same professional welder that did the above-mentioned hitches, and he welded it all-around in a good overkill mode, same as he did with the hitches. He also added drain pipes in case there is a big spill, and for some sort of "ventilation" to prevent accumulation of condensation. We also replaced the wood inserts that were around said dropped floor area after repainting the surface to additionally rust proof it, and thoroughly cleaned out any possible gunk and dirt since 1985. The old carpet from that dropped floor area has been replaced by wood flooring.Underneath I have treted the rust with rust converter, cleaned all rust off, undercoated it completely. Surface rust is very minimal and I have always meticulously taken care of this, as we used it for summer and winter camping. Used Fluid Film to protect it additionally from road salt, and washed it off and treated possible surface rust spots around spring time.It has the Girard RV tankless water heater, providing hot water withing three seconds, either using LP gas from the 40 lbs propane tank (only 7 USD to refill), or electricity when hooked up to shore power (or you can exchange the converter for an inverter-converter and use the onboard battery for this). It also has a new RV water pump installed. Vehicle is currently winterized, but can show that it works, and without leaks. The fridge works on either LP gas, 12V or 110V. The LP gas plunger is stuck, probably needs some WD-40 or similar. I found the igniter part online but not going to spend those 180 USD, just used 12V when driving and 110V when hooked up to shore power. It is stucked since 6 months ago, so I know the LP mode is working as we used it when boondocking before.The entire mechanical part of this van has been rebuild (have all receipts) and selling for a way lower price that was invested. Everything has been redone, rebuild, even added on (like the Timbren airless suspension bags, two in the rear and two in the front), as well as shocks, and steering also rebuilt. Didn't go cheap on parts always using quality parts, simply too much to list, basically this Xplorer has been rebuild (again, have all documentation to prove). This is not a "run when parked" kind of vehicle, this is a working and fun rig! I always preferred to have it all fixed and use it with joy!Added rear wheel spacers (2 inch) from Stahl, giving additional stability while driving and cornering (same with the Timbren airless bags).New Flowmaster muffler Delta 50. The exhaust pipe at the front had a few bad spots, so I used exhaust pipe repair cast and it fixed it pretty good.All four and spare tires are like new and with less than 900 miles on it.Roof was repainted completely when we installed the rooftop AC.Very reliable vehicle, and when something went out of line, there was always a very easy tinkering. For example, after changing the spark plugs, I have put the engine cover back on, not realing that I was ripping off the oil pressure sensor's wire. After starting the van and seeing no oil pressure I turned it off and checked. Changed out the wire and done! Othertimes it was a loose (grounding) wire (have since fixed and checked all wiring), etc. Only needed basic tools (screwdriver, etc.), and since then nothing else. That is the good thing about those vehicles.One thing to note: the driver's window switch is inversed: pressing to go up gets it down and vice-versa. I didn't bother with that as it just added character to the van.RV AC blows cold. It is the Dometic Penguin II, 11,000 BTU version. It includes the SoftStarter to make it possible to run and to start with a small 2,000 Watt Generator! Dash AC blows cold (covnerted to R134, and refilled two years ago and used Red Angel Stop Leak due to a pinhole leak. Refilled this summer again, and blowing cold. Heat blows hot, and the RV LP furnace is super hot (got thoroughly cleaned out as well). During winter camping do not set it too hot as the van also insulates pretty good and you'll find yourself having to open a window during winter time, as it heats up the van really good!Probably forgetting lots of things to list.Any quetions please let me know!Please, no tire kickers, low-ballers, time wasters, etc. Do not need to sell, really do not want to sell, serious buyers only, cash is queen cashier's check is king.A few little paint peel spots and two little rust spots, as shown on photos via the link below:All photos via this link (link modded as ebay won't let post link, just replace the (dot) with an actual dot) : https://photos(dot)app(dot)goo(dot)gl/LtwEZBKfDkQQAGJD8
For sale by:
Private Party
Posted:
December 12 2023 on Americanlisted
Visit Our Partner Website
This listing was posted on another website. Click here to open: Go to Americanlisted
Important Safety Tips
- Meet the seller and test drive before you buy.
- Be cautious of underpriced items.
- Don’t wire money or take advance payments.
- Only pay for shipping if you know the seller.
To learn more, visit the Safety Center or click here to report this listing.
More About this Listing: 1985 Dodge Xplorer 228
1985 Dodge Xplorer 228 is a 1985 Camper in Zionsville IN. Find other listings by searching for 1985 in Indianapolis on Oodle Classifieds.
1985 Dodge Xplorer 228 is a 1985 Camper in Zionsville IN. Find other listings by searching for 1985 in Indianapolis on Oodle Classifieds.