I Bought One Of The Most Rare Vehicles On Earth

[@HeavyDSparks]

Go to drinkag1.com/heavydsparks to get a year supply of vitamin d3k2, and 5 extra travel packs of AG1 with your first purchase! Thanks to AG1 for sponsoring today’s video!

[@BLJMARIOSM64]

Shame on you

[@nathan-i-el_messario]

Man!!! Its a truck-boat-truck my papaw had one of those years ago traded for a big huge dodge motor home you should restore it , to original and triple the money. Would it sell? Or 😂,,monster garage that thing ,

[@WilliamHencey]

Ok, Why not restore this for a price from the owner, And make your own version using a quad cab pickup and the trailer and with a mini houseboat? Get in on the mini home craze with being able to have your own Boaterhome creation?

[@nathan-i-el_messario]

@WilliamHencey my eyes lit up when I saw this , nostalgic, he should restore it to original no doubt . He can always take any other crew cab truck and boat and velcro fab them together but to have the ORIGINAL and the resources and ability on this to restore and not make it new would be wrong. I'm spitballing here but I would guess that the views from the videos on the project alone would pay for it , then flip that thing .

[@TheSmreeder]

Hey Dave if your going to use a newer van to graft to the frame. Get a 1st gen 2014 - 2019 Dodge Promaster they are already FWD and have plenty of power and torque... Many Blessings , SMR

[@griffenstephenson13]

You have to keep the Dodge van front end and just modernize it, replacing it would just kill the soul of it. This isn't the kind of project you do because it makes sense financially but because this is something really cool that needs to be preserved.

[@CCNB04]

He doesn't have to.

[@masterspin7796]

@@CCNB04 Yes he needs to keep it all Dodge...

[@knutate]

This right here is unbelievable different from anything anyone has done or will do for a long time on KZbin van-life and nomadic culture is taking off this has 4 in one a dodge chassis and trailer and camper and a boat

[@21DSkinny]

Yes do not cut it up

[@TheDJFra1]

Dodge van..big engine, sorted 👌

[@100SteveB]

You have to do a restoration on it, you can't tear the front end off of something so rare - that would almost be a crime. I am sure your guys are not afraid of, and are fully capable of doing the rust repairs on the body.

[@bubmer]

Or use the clean one he has.

[@ZZGaimZ]

agreed! so much character. it would be a shame to lose it

[@jerem091]

They should do both : should ask @RobbyLayton to restore the original one and also build another crazy new front end for fun

[@somepunk2541]

They could do both. They just need to make it new front end look like the old one. But since this is an original version they can do whatever as long as it matches well with the trailer & boat part. .... like this dude has so many military vehicles... a frankenstein of that would be cool too.

[@brownhombre5782]

I hope they do change it just to piss people off

[@TheLawnCareNut]

This is going to be a fun on to watch! I vote for keeping the old van and restoring it to keep this thing as original as possible.

[@Raggzzaug11]

A Hurricane HO inline in both would be cool.

[@duramaxdad]

Cummins swap the van. Make it four wheel drive nah nah 8 wheel drive.

[@paulnoles]

Yeah might as well build one from scratch if you’re gonna replace half of it.

[@The2scotties]

Oh My!! This is the Boathome that my husband helped build and we owned it for awhile. We have some original brochures and true history of this boaterhome! We have lots of photos we took when we owned it.

[@Zackmack91]

If you are serious, that’s is the coolest “small world” experience I’ve ever heard of.

[@driftguest3811]

Seriously

[@The2scotties]

@@Zackmack91 YES, we owned it once and tried to sell it in Sun Valley, Id. at an auction, but only brought $45,000, so we kept it until we retired. The inventor/builder's wife still lives in Boise.

[@vs1753]

i saw this in a parking lot in Bradley, IL a long time ago!!!

[@csyarid]

Because of the uniqueness of this vehicle, it deserves to be restored, not hacked.

Yeah, you buy classic to restore it, not as part for some build. He would be better off to just build boaterhome from scratch from some boat and a van.

[@adrianjames4447]

I totally agree 👍

[@rogerghiardi7723]

You have to fully restore that thing, original or modernize. Worth the money.

[@to8860]

I will buy it right now for $5......

[@djwilliams4714]

Not a bad way to spend 200k!

[@KermitOfWar]

They should put a lift kit it & take it to the sand dunes. Win-win.

[@T80Delta]

Agreed! I would hate to see it modded with a new van/truck. Just do a modern driveline swap with something FWD. Keep it as orig as possible.

[@MrGoesBoom]

Worth the money....kinda easy to say both because it's on the internet and because it's not your money

[@tomt3082]

For something so rare, especially as is a 1 of 1 dodge not the usual Ford, I think you should do everything you can to restore it as it would have been new, most likely with an updated/upgraded powertrain. Great video again and can't wait to see what you do with it going forward!!

[@chenzostanley8817]

It's not a 1of 1 bit it really rare

[@KLSMTL]

not 1/1 , use google Econoline Boat home lol

[@sidneyjones2101]

Yeah there used to be one where I live

[@pauljoseph8338]

As with so many of his crazy purchases…it’ll get parked in the yard, and we’ll never see it again…

[@realslimbrady]

@@sidneyjones2101in Henderson Nevada?

[@chrissteinmann3894]

I'm gonna leave all the other comments to everybody else. My $0.02 is to say much respect to you for being humble enough to stop what you were doing and speak and take a picture with that lady when she came out to ask. Absolutely awesome of you to do that for her.

[@CarlosMartinez-vw1sk]

Yeah low-key huh some of them completely get sent off

[@CitizenCraftymethod]

imagine if that was jerry sienfield.

[@ElectricBillAlbright]

​@@CitizenCraftymethodJerry would have got sent! LOL 😅

[@chrisgaribay9796]

Not only that, maybe I’m just not a big enough fan but I had no clue he spoke Spanish so fluently. Is he hispanic? 😂

[@deltadeerhunter]

This could be one of the greatest restoration series ever on KZbin

[@harryfp1494]

It really could be over a million views already the first video it’s already making bank

[@floridamaninthewild]

It has to be a full restoration! These are too rare to cut up.

[@VlogsFromThe6]

100% agreed bro

[@watcher13th]

Not if he swaps the truck.

[@ruzziasht349]

What? you've never seen ?

[@JoshuaM513]

I won't lie when the lady asked for a pic and not a single question was asked deserves a chefs kiss

[@okGDJ]

i was shocked he could speak spanish

[@EpicValleysStill]

@@okGDJ Its to the point I'm more shocked if there is something Dave cant do.

[@kevinboothe9991]

​@@okGDJDave went to South America (I think) on a 2 year mission. If you look at videos of the fab shop and the builds they do you'll see that most of the guys are Hispanic and they are awesome fabricators.

[@AK00777]

​@@kevinboothe9991was it a Mormon mission? An old friend of mine did that, went to Korea and came to realize he was a natural linguist. He went on to pretty high ranking in the Army, because of it. ❤

[@davestevens4263]

He speaks better Spanish than this wht boy speaks englas . Hence his Hispanic fabricators .

[@sketchywolf9387]

If ya replace the front with a modern van, then what was the damn point of buying the damn thing in the first place

[@Matt-mh5us]

Agreed, buy a boat and a truck and make your own at that point, crime against vehicles to swap the front end!

[@sketchywolf9387]

@Matt-mh5us honestly it's a insult to the OG craftsman at this point if they go that route.

[@Dgoshy]

Boo hoo

[@sketchywolf9387]

@Dgoshy wow, what a great rebuttal. Libs owned

[@zachmoyer1849]

i just commented the same thing it makes no sense and building one yourself would make way more sense i love how he is afraid of the resto work on the truck when that boat is gonna be the crappy part to restore lol

[@Tactility]

This is so unique and beautiful. This thing was made from dreams. Please keep it as original as you can, we need to preserve the glory of it if possible.

[@Garrett-farm]

You have to keep that iconic look. This thing is just so rare.

[@wesw186]

You know better than that

[@desmondnederlof5159]

Keep it as original as possible. A full restoration series would be a thing to watch.

[@zebulonpassmore6298]

if he dont it doesnt matter how rare it "was"

[@McarthurMotors]

This is hands down the coolest thing on KZbin in the last three years. Dave, you have the ability to do something really special and preserve a piece of iconic history to so many… please make us as proud as we know you will!

[@raptorsean1464]

Not only is this thing one of a kind, but the content you can create with this is astronomical. I really hope you go through this thing entirely and restore it, and even customize it. Brilliant purchase! Very excited for future content on this.😮

[@andyackerman7123]

I feel like the best part of this video, is his willingness to take a picture with a random stranger. I’d never go off on anyone who refuses (because they deserve their privacy), but I’ve mad respect for those who do.

[@andrewjones-productions]

I echo your words, but people who go onto KZbin all too often fail to realise that they become celebrities in their own right and with that comes responsibility. I salute Heavy D as he quietly acknowledges that he is a celebrity and understands that he will very likely be approached in a public space. However, those fans that turn up to places of work (offices, workshops, farms etc) and worse, to their homes, is crossing a very clear red line.

[@wolfgangricky]

As a collector of 70's Dodge vans & trucks, I have Never heard of the boaterhome. Have a 78 TransVan, seeking a 78 Dreamer, bought & sold a few Lil Red Trucks & Warlocks, Yet that is the Ultimate !!! It's so Rare you gotta be a purist with it. I am with Hans in being Amazed. Ty for taking us along

[@gouryg4774]

Well the couple of other ones I have seen were using a Ford Econoline van

[@ballbounces968]

I saw it in a magazine in the 80's it's great that cool

[@chormiclestan]

@@gouryg4774 There was a auto stereo customizing shop in Buena Park, Ca that had the one seen at the 9:20. Glad to see it has been restored and taken care of. Last time I saw it, it had been sold and neglected. Don't change the front end, unless you replace with another Dodge van. Keep it original.

[@baby-sharkgto4902]

As a collector of 70’s Dodge vans and trucks you must have noticed that is not a Dodge engine in the van but an Oldsmobile engine?

[@RealRickCox]

Just what Heavy D and the team need… a motorhome that doubles as a boat! Only mod left is to convert it into a helicopter!

[@soccerjock3]

Make it happen Dave!

[@nathanbutler8240]

Would that be a helihome? Or boatcopter?

[@fransinyard891]

I'm sure that's what's next! Lol

[@RealRickCox]

@@nathanbutler8240 I like Boatercopter :)

[@thaedleinad]

With ywo chinook emgines 😂

[@glen6258]

You definitely should keep the van even if you have to make a lot of it modern. It doesn’t have to be perfect but without the van what’s the whole point of it? Please don’t ruin it.

[@raulpompa9173]

I can see it's not a 360 on that boater home, rather an olds Tornado 455/th425 combo, so maybe using a Cummins with auto, transfer and a front Dana 60 front diff and bigger 35s front and rear would be a better choice for clearance and keep the dodge van body? Looking forward to the build

[@raulpompa9173]

I think break over angle may be the main reason they switched to a solid front axle layout with the Ford van architecture, but a Cummins swap would make it more YOUR KIND OF BUILD... Only as crazy así it needs to be, maybe starting fresh with the donor van!

[@jackbuys3711]

Yup, I seen the Oldsmobile right away and figured it must be a Toronado set up.

[@muazunais2378]

I would say a 90s tundra would be perfect for this truck instead of ford or a dodge

[@philippeloquin5210]

I have to disagree the editing style is one of the reasons I can't watch him. It is way to over the place

[@fairbanksbrian]

I believe that same Olds setup powered the short lived front wheel drive 1973-78 GMC Motorhome.

[@ruicabral7790]

Keeping it stock would add great historical value, but I understand if you want to modernize it to stay away from reliability issues and enjoy it more. In case you go for the modern van, instead of a Transit or a Sprint I recomend you a ProMaster - they are front wheel drive, so you just need the front of it (in Europe they just use the part that goes from the front bumper to the front seats to make motorhomes - the rest is custom made by the company transforming it). Maybe you could use the drivetrain of the ProMaster and put it in the old van? Enjoy your build!

[@jacobpoucher]

no one cares about europe.

[@Chrisrod619]

I would suggest keeping it specific to that era because it is so rare. Maybe do a 70's lowrider inspired look. However, I think it would be cool to custom build a new one off, lifted Sprinter van with race yacht, too.

[@jademayer4995]

I was going to say the same as many already have. And that is to keep it as original as possible. It's worth it to take a little bit of time and search for a similar van, year, make etc....you guys have the resources, I'm sure somebody watching this probably has one, and I'd be surprised if they hadn't contacted you already. Keep the van...man 😊

[@ZaneTv254]

I hope you restore the front end dodge, it’s just looks authentic, and it’s a piece of history!

[@thetravellingpicker5096]

Great to see this vehicle in the hands of someone who can do it justice. Awesome!

[@ruzziasht349]

You want him to hack it? needs to be restored bro.

[@davidjones6110]

VAN VAN VAN with a wicked 70s paint job! Keep the nostalgic rolling!

[@davidnorth3411]

I had a 77 dodge van I bought out of boredom , drove by a used car lot , turned back around to examine this beauty , A talented painter had used his artistry to paint it with a wood grain exterior paint affect. This one I’m sure has the 440 under the hood / dog house .

[@philj3095]

Dave you have to keep it orginal . JUST put a rebulid in it or if you want a modern take use a front wheel drive unit and face lift the Van body onto it . Maybe bring in someone that worked for the company that bulit it . Or find the bulid sheet . Make it a hunting vanboat ...heck mount 50 cals on it and use it as a lake base of operations for all the water recoverys ...heck get more strange boats and bulid yoir own waterworld !!!!

[@SkypowerwithKarl]

Before you even think about starting that thing change the impellers and replace the fuel. If you turn the engine over with old impellers they could crumble and end up stuck plugging the small passageways like in the head gaskets

[@xsmallz84x]

pretty sure he knows what hes doing

[@andyackerman7123]

@@xsmallz84xnah, he’s super new to this😂😂😂

[@powersurge91]

I grew up seeing these things around Vegas and Lake Mead. Nostalgic as hell to see one of these again on KZbin. I know a guy out in Mohave Valley with one under a tarp, a family Hand-me-down with a seized engine from what I heard.

[@duramaxdad]

I can’t imagine a dodge fwd 360 engine pulling a boat motorhome combo with 2 to 3 rear axles. No wonder the engines r all seized up. Many motorhomes of the 70’s had big blocks. Fwd outta the boat ramp? lol.

[@Guns_N_Gears]

That engine and trans is not Mopar. That is an Oldsmobile engine and a turbo 400 trans from an Olds toranado. The dead giveaways are the HEI distributor, Olds rocker covers, Q-jet carb, Olds center rocker cover breathers, GM bell housing bolt pattern.

[@matthewward627]

I wonder why they didn't use the GM motor home chassis. It also said turbohydramatic on the bellhousing .

[@Guns_N_Gears]

@matthewward627 good call, I forgot that point.

[@spotsornot]

Have to wonder why they didn't use a 500 Caddy instead of the Olds, and I thought the 4X4 conversion vans were weird.

[@midnightblaze6988]

TH425. Front wheel drive. Same as the GMC motorhome.

[@nickmiller4328]

Dave! That’s no Mopar engine! That be an Oldsmobile. Like what came in a Toronado or those old GMC motor homes. Man that thing is super weird. I vote to restore it the way it was. Got to show how the hell that chain steering works.

[@robertthomas5906]

Sure looked like the GM HEI ignition distributor. Get shocked by that thing and you'll remember it. I was, I remember it.

[@adamr9215]

Yea, it’s an old FWD Olds engine and transmission.

[@jacobpoucher]

@@robertthomas5906 no one asked.

[@brianmorrison-oo1ob]

I said exact same thing when I saw valve cover and hei distributor and when he said front wheel drive I knew what he had

[@tuck6464]

What a fkn monstrosity, A Dodge van body and three GM engines, 1 Oldsmobile, 2 Chevys. You take a new Dodge van cut damn near everything out of it and install a complete new Toronado/Eldorado /Rivera / GM platform drive train, motor, trans frame ,suspension . Frankensteined is an understatement. This thing had to cost 100K to build "back then " with engineering. Ten feet wide ?, doesn't that mean you can't use this thing on public roads/ highway's, without an oversized load permit, and escort vehicles. Absolutely an asinine concept from the beginning.

[@andersonfuentes5904]

You knowing Spanish and taking the pic with the lady is the best thing I’ve seen this whole year showing love to my culture… I get to liking this Chanel every video I see even more

[@aarondurham7197]

I personally own and operate Tier 1 Roadside Assistance. I was called out to the owner of that van boat thing months ago. I saw it but was called to jumpstart another one of his vehicles. At that time I sincerely and honestly thought that HeavyD would love that thing. But I had no idea how to get in touch with HeavyD.

[@000622477]

They have an email for shit like this. Although I can't think what it is off the top of my head

[@truckguy6666]

I wonder if you could find him on youtube?

[@BradyRatzlaff-o9n]

Love what you guys do. Sceen this rig in previous videos. Hope to see it restored. Like what you're doing with monster recovery vehicle

[@sirclayton3530]

Very cool. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing it restored.

[@bryanbodewitz8752]

That is a Oldsmobile toronado fwd engine and trans , around 1976

[@timsmith1160]

Correct

[@bradleyestabrook6712]

I’m not so sure my friend. The ford versions had the quigley4x4 van conversion on them and they only ran a driveshaft to the front axle. I’d be willing to wager this one is the same

[@bradleyestabrook6712]

I take it back I watched more… The way he describes the transmission when laying under it does sound like the GM front wheel drive units

[@Nikko780]

@@bradleyestabrook6712 It says "Hydramatic" right on the top of the transmission. It's a GM setup.

[@bradleyestabrook6712]

@@Nikko780 yeah I admit to speaking too soon. Once I watched more they show the bell housing with the dog house off.

[@phoximus]

You guys need to get a sweet 70s/80s style mural painted on that thing. Hans, Heavy D, Diesel Dave, and Alan painted as wizards on the sides.

[@davestevens4263]

Yes ! With hans just hugging everyone. Like he does .

[@Fabulousprofound168]

On unicorns of course 🦄

[@Hugh_Mungis]

So long as he keeps the dodge front end

[@chevyDboyMike]

I hope they don't

[@raymondwhitney7580]

Potentially the adventure of a lifetime in one build. It's so inspiring. Keep up the great work, gentlemen.

[@AR-1996]

boater home is awesome but what really really made me happy is when the mexican lady came up for a photo, i love how they treat with my ppl like family

[@SlobraTV]

Nothing is stopping you from restoring the original and making a new one, the boat detaches! That way you can switch when you want to!

[@fastinradfordable]

Do a track hawk front vehicle for when you’re in a hurry to get to the lake

[@vibe8244]

Yo tbh i like hearing all y’all’s out loud thinking and thoughts about stuff like this keep it in the videos man it’s super entertaining for a lot of us !

[@NewDesignVinylGraphics]

Yeah. Heavy d needs to fire his editor cause that music over the talking is awful. I was actually kind of interested in what he was saying when he was showing the interior of the van. Terrible terrible video editor

[@thisisahandlelol]

i feel like you could do both things. For now, attach the boat part to a new vehicle, and when you have the time/money, restore the old frontend. As long as there's not too many things changed on the boat to get it to work with a new van, there's no reason that the boat couldn't be used interchangeably with both new and old vans

[@youtuberAstar]

This really needs to be restored as it left the factory. That is where its value is. After all, it is a "classic". Thanks for sharing. From New Zealand.

[@terrimurray4240]

I agree. It's a one of a kind. Keep it that way

[@shonhall4197]

It would be awesome to see the van upgraded to a diesel model and the boat interior modernized. Cannot wait to see what your crew does with it.

[@Altema22]

Looking forward to the project. The 360 is a good engine with plenty of parts available thanks to it being part of the 273/318/340 family. You have to make sure your torque converter and harmonic balancer are specifically for the 360 though, as that engine is externally balanced while the others are internally balanced. The last 360 I built personally went into a Plymouth Valiant, and turned the quarter at 12.8 seconds. Engine outlasted the car, and it was transplanted into a Dodge Ram.

[@baby-sharkgto4902]

You do realize that is an Oldsmobile engine in there, right?

[@fat_biker]

I think you need to clean up the old van so it _works_ as designed, just for the historical aspect & originality. Then do your modern van replica tow vehicle as an actual useable alternative...

[@terrimurray4240]

Agree

[@francoisaa1]

Wow. My parents bought this one in Colorado and transported it to Salt Lake City, I drove it to Utah Lake and i drove the boat many times there. That yellow brick house in the background at the beginning of the video was where we lived and we had it on the driveway there on 8156 S top of the world drive. In Salt Lake. Later the bank took it because we went bankrupt. We went back to the Netherlands in 2000.

[@Dixbar1]

My husband was part of the team that built the ones in Idaho. I have lots of pictures of them, and got to take a test drive one time. He as so proud of that thing, he carried pictures of it in his wallet until the day he died. Pretty cool.

[@tuck6464]

You're family was living large, back then.

[@duramaxdad]

How did the thing drive? Fwd big block power n hella long. The boat. How did it go? Was it overpowered, overweight or overlyfun?

[@josiahhein6036]

I thought this was a mad up story, until I Googled the home address...

[@tyclark8162]

​@@Dixbar1Dix, my sincere condolences for your hubby. Having lost my wife manyyy years ago I know the pain associated with it all. Only Almighty God can heal that wound n life goes onward. I would have definitely enjoyed his experience with them n all his pictures as well. Sad that you folks lost it like you did. It's definitely not getting any better economically wise n leadership. Our country is unbelievably under the destroyed of these demonic administration n their clan. It's literally in God's hands, n maybe these times had to happen to wake up the American People's minds of common sense. Whatever happens, we all have to live with it unfortunately. My apologies for being long winded. Do you know what ever became of your old boatmotorhome? I have boated many years n never even was aware of such a unit. At first I thought someone modified a hotdogs weiner outfit? You know the Ocarmer hotdog van years ago. Did you have allot of problems with it? 😢? It's alot like a houseboat, but never really been on one myself. I bet someone has it today n are using it. You'd have to be able to pull a fishing boat behind or along a separate unit. Anyway, I gotta get here. Ty

[@shaldurprime7154]

They have to have editors on rotation, I really like the style of whoever this editor is. The Minecraft chest sounds, the fast forwarding through the dead air of monologues, the "(X)but every word is a Google image" type conversations. Love it

[@Ezra1499]

The editing on the desert storage units video is some the funniest editing I have ever seen. I enjoy the style of this video as well.

[@latergator9622]

The random zooms when the dude selling starts rambling 😂

[@kevin_vincent]

You've earned a sub. I need to see this fully restored and on the water.

[@susiewheeler8197]

Dave's staff are never doing boring projects

[@australiantruckspotting8883]

Don't let Whistling Diesel anywhere near it.

[@grumpyoldman64]

Lmmao Rollin 😂😂😂😂😂 God's honest truth brother ! 😂😂😂

[@ligmasack9038]

I bet he could give it flight capabilities; which would make it a SEAL Van. Could even make a Show out of it called Van Team 6.

[@zamboughnuts]

I feel like, as much as I'm not a huge fan of WD, he'd appreciate what this is, and wouldn't try to ruin it. He does have a collection of near mint hiluxes. Sure, he's known for destroying expensive stuff for views, but.... When it's something this rare, especially if Heavy D does a full restore on it, I think he'd enjoy it for what it is.

[@TheRandompaint]

I'm so happy to see this in your hands. I remember seeing it when i was a kid and it's an absolute part of automotive history.❤

[@ruggas90]

i really hope you guys make a build out of this, new cab with 3 new cummins engines, new paint, interior! 8x8 and all the bits and bobs. All the love to you guys from your swedish fan !

[@ayuse01]

You HAVE to keep the original exterior styling for the sake of nostalgy, drivetrain is another story. Also after restoring this boaterhome this it’s former glory, go ahead and build a new one. A grandiose one based on a military truck with a modern yacht fused into it.

[@adrianjames4447]

Great idea 👍

[@tyclark8162]

​@@adrianjames4447Yup, I could definitely have alot of fun n spend big $$$ to fix it up.

[@mi-tmacks2592]

Oh wow! This is a trip down memory lane. My mom used to take my brother and I to stay at the river just down stream from Lake Havasu. We got to see the one at 9:21 at Havasu a couple of times. It was the coolest thing I had ever seen in my youth! While I like the idea of fabricating and grafting a modern front end on it, I feel like it should stay as original as possible. Of course the drivetrain and interior could be updated, the exterior should have the original appeal.

[@kameljoe21]

Nah I would mod it. So many people think keep orginal is great. Yet the fact that this thing should be used and not sitting in a shop being fixed all the time> Which is what is going to happen. Find a newer van then graft it. Have someone fit out the body to look like the old van. Change it to a 4 door van so that you can fit more people in it. Sticking to the original is going to suck and take for ever to fix it up.

[@Bryan-jd7os]

First one I've seen on a Dodge frame, there's a couple Fords out there. Awesome!

[@Emppu_T.]

I think it's such a museum piece that it needs to be restored, to working order that is. Keep the original van.

[@masterqbaPL]

This is the best idea for motor home ever! Pure gold! Very rare. Now I've seen everything :D

[@Not_flako]

My drawings as a kid coming to life love it

[@deserthiflyers2152]

As a young man in the 1970s, I worked in trailer factories in this area, and I saw a few of these being built and was amazed! I can’t believe they are still around! Go for it.

[@fate_o_nate7847]

👁👄👁

[@N0xKn1ght]

Now I wanna see them do a complete restoration of the original boaterhome and build a newer updated version of there own from used vehicles... that's it!!! That is the youtube video I want to watch from start to finish.

[@brianharris8441]

I appreciate the way you and the team turned trash into treasure 👍🏽

[@AL4N.]

This thing was always trash. No amount of money could turn it Into treasure. 😂

[@bacon_bro2062]

You should put a 5th gen ram front end or something on it

[@OLH3rd]

Such a sweet purchase!!! Seen these before in magazines and online. Haven't read through all the comments - so forgive me if I'm repeating someone else's suggestion - but I agree with the few that I read that it would look wrong with a new vehicle on the front. What about using a 70's Olds Toronado drive train like the GMC motorhomes of the mid 70's? Look forward to see what you end up doing!

[@tuck6464]

That's exactly what is in it now.

[@_Boxcar_]

Seen one of these as a kid in northern Saskatchewan Canada. Still one of the coolest things I have seen

[@TheGeezzer]

My 10 cents worth, its a very ingenious creation....its a power-boat, its an RV, most of all it's both at the same time! Who coulda thunk it? As a consolation, I've never seen a vehicle/boat like it before...ever. I hope you do a full resto on it, it deserves it as its so effin unique!

[@joshsethman6762]

The editing guys don’t get enough credit, you guys are great 😂

[@ronniepickering3711]

The DVD scene and the Photoshop example 😂😂 brilliant

[@nightrunnaa5676]

That’s what I think, very creative 👌

[@joshsethman6762]

@@ronniepickering3711 it was them zooming in between the guys coke bottle and Han’s rubbing his hands together for me 😂

[@VAndreww]

interesting that you say this. it was the editing that got me to not finish the video, too all over the place

[@Blackhawkveteranretired]

PLEASE,PLEASE.PLEASE restore this one of a kind piece of motoring history!!!!!!

[@culturebreath369]

Keep the vibe when restoring it PLEASE! What a unique machine and time capsule. 😮❤

[@gibsonrocker1995]

Please do a restoration on the van, even repower it if you want. But please don’t cut the nose off and graft some new sprinter or some soulless industrial van onto it. This thing is so cool and so rare and that character needs to be preserved. Especially being a one of one

[@Machines.In.Action]

Absolutely stunning vehicle! The history and uniqueness make it even more special. Great content! 💪

[@channing8129]

So awesome. I been waiting for someone to re-do the boaterhome.

[@lyndonhamby7432]

That Ram service truck is absolutely baddass 👍🏻💪🏻🇺🇸

[@safetymikeengland]

I agree. And the paint job is perfect.

[@VlogsFromThe6]

hell yeahhh

[@xletzyy]

Fax😂

[@mrtowed]

I'm glad this is still around, I Remember seeing it on Beach Blvd. back in the day! Could not of landed in better hands. Continued Blessings!!

[@brainwashingdetergent4322]

That cabover was sick!

[@escaladeEXTon28s]

obviously not reliable tho

[@BoutTime73]

This is the most 70’s thing ever! Had to sub to follow this project.

[@Starzz62]

Me too! Hope he does a full restoration on this! Using a new van would just ruin its spirit.

[@lucasmauricio469]

Please, restore it! All the hard work, frustration will pay off. You've got something unique in your hands.

[@superjonboy873]

"Body on Frame construction". Let that sink in. It's what makes Ford Vans superior to all others. Or so I thought until I saw they made a Dodge version of this lol. I was under the impression these were only made on the Econoline platform, but super cool to see they did a Dodge.

[@geridrh]

What do you mean they were all body on frame

[@superjonboy873]

@@geridrh it's from a cool old video about these I saw years ago.

[@CaseyLaDelle]

Looks like you got a new RV and don’t need that cabover RV anymore. I’ll come get it out of your yard to clear up the space for you..

[@000622477]

Lol yes Casey

[@blackdout26]

Love it guys , much love from buffalo New York!!! Can’t wait to see how badass and beautiful this will look when given the Heavy D treatment!!!

[@marcseclecticstuff9497]

10 foot beam is a big issue. I think anything over 102" (8-1/2 feet) requires an oversized load permit in most states. Where I live it's also prohibited to move a few days before and after a holiday requiring you to stay in one spot for close to a week. Neat idea, but like most things when combined, you get a mediocre RV and a mediocre boat in the end. I've used my boat as a make shift RV in the past and it works great. Only caveats in my case is the toilet, A/C, and generator all require water that normally comes from the water the boat's sitting in and therefore won't work on the trailer. The toilet can still be used, you just need to dump water into it so I'd keep a several 5 gallon jugs of tap water stashed in the engine compartment to use for flushing. In a pinch I can use the shower wand to rinse/flush the head. I was plugged into 120vac so the generator wasn't an issue, just did without the A/C.

[@jebediahkerman3946]

The awesomest would be put an original Dodge maxivan 15 passenger on front, remove the back bench so you have a 10 or 11 passenger so everyone who fits in the boat fits in the van, a real partyboaterhome. 😉

[@thurgoodstubbs9670]

That’s what I was thinking. You need the cab to be able to run for forgotten supplies or for other reasons. I really don’t like the area behind the seats just being open like that. I’m too used to having a back seat in my pick ups for supplies.

[@rocsti5402]

Makes me think, just buy a sherp and be done... Or basically turn a big dodge van or mercedes into a floating van...

[@RealRickCox]

Nothing like another Sparks video on a Sunday morning!

[@Elmoren018]

Lady was so juiced to take a pic with Dave 💪🏽💪🏽

[@ApexAuto01]

Split the difference. A modern Hemi should bolt right to the existing transmission. Same Bell housing pattern as a 318/360

[@kentmckean6795]

That engine is NOT a Dodge 360. It is an Oldsmobile 350 or 400 or 455? Likely the engine and transmission combo is from a Oldsmobile Tornado (front wheel drive).

[@cj393]

prob 455

[@gouryg4774]

Well if the manufacturer actually took a full time 4X4 driveline and removed the rear drives driveshaft

[@richardprice5978]

@@gouryg4774 id have done 4X4 or 4X8* as original as getting stuck or sliding under water isn't fun at the boat ramps or worse in sand/mud at the beach-ect resto wise it would be cool to see 3-hemi's and or EFI+stick/modern-8+speed-automatic 540ci up-front transmission wise small block mopar and 3d-gen bells/transmissions are interchangeable it's Rb-440/hemi that isn't

[@arte9855]

Definitely a better set up than that configuration. A 500 Cadillac front wheel drive would be the ticket.

[@elmerfudpucker3204]

Yes, that is an Oldsmobile Toronado running gear. Most likely a 455 with a TH425 transaxle

[@mileshigh1321]

I think if possible, keeping it looking 70's, with the donor van, just would make it look more original! I think its great!

[@harrellshomesteadwoodworks]

The editing on this video is hysterical, and top notch. Great work

[@Fogest]

Honestly I'm finding a lot of channels are starting to add the childish editing style and I'm starting to find it annoying to watch. It gets a bit old when you keep seeing it across so many videos now.

[@ElectricBillAlbright]

Some interesting facts about that era of Dodge vans, the Sportsman 100 and up. The motorhome and also box truck versions were the cutaway cab ones with the dually rear end. (DRW). These are the MB-300 chassis and some refer to it as a 1 ton chassis. Uses reversable budd style wheels. The main thing with these that can pose difficulties in modifications is that the entire drivetrain is not centered between the frame rails like most cars, trucks and vans. It's shifted over to the passenger side. The right side of the vehicle. You can spot this because these vans have a small foot space for your feet on the passenger side. This was done to allow extra room for drivers gas pedal and some other items. I think the power brake booster. This little off center shift has some unique things to be aware of. The biggest is the differential axle tubes are of different lengths to move the center housing to the right. (The pumpkin) The other thing besides crossmember brackets for mounting engine/trans, is the coils springs in the front are different tension from right and left. This is to accommodate the extra weight on the passenger side. The springs are marked L and R and can physically be interchanged but your van will have a crooked posture. 😂 👌👍

[@leddygee1896]

That deserves to be completely restored!! Please renovate that beautiful RV😁

[@michaelporter3555]

It looks like it's possibly a transmission and final drive out of a Oldsmobile Tornado/Cadillac Eldorado with a custom adapter to the Chrysler engine. That shouldn't be too hard to make reliable since there's nothing too complicated about any of it. The custom steering linkage is probably the weakest link. Making a modern van or truck only front wheel drive would probably be just as questionable an undertaking as the original conversion.

[@whiskeyinthejar24]

Lots of modern vans are front wheel drive.

[@michaelporter3555]

@@whiskeyinthejar24 he was talking about a sprinter and I believe those are rear or all wheel drive. The full size Ram vans, based on a European platform, I believe are FWD . I don't know how well those tow heavy loads and I don't think they are very durable. Most other FWD vans are light duty and not likely able to handle that load.

[@trumbley22]

@@michaelporter3555 That isn't even a Chrysler engine. It's a 455 Olds, with a Toronado FWD setup.

[@michaelporter3555]

​@@trumbley22now that I looked at it again you are correct it's a Oldsmobile engine. He said it was a Chrysler and I didn't pay much attention to the engine. That's even easier than some kind of custom conversion from a gm transmission to a Chrysler engine.

[@trumbley22]

@@michaelporter3555 Yeah, and the guy he bought it from was so adamant too. The HEI was my first tip-off that something was odd.

[@pjbklk]

I been dreaming of owning this since i first saw it years ago on the web. Im so jealous lol not like i could ever afford it anyways. Good score man!

[@theshadowbehindyou9631]

6:39 just watching this far in and I gotta say not only is this awesome and it needs a full restore as its too unique to do anything else!

[@gmariet1391]

Hans walking the tight rope 🤣🤣🤣there is a reason his mom has him on a prayer chain! 😂

[@destruct61]

You gotta restore this thing dude I would love to see it back in action looking good you'll probably end up falling in love with it even and using it all the time

[@gaberodriguez6177]

You have to do a full restoration and make it super modern, this series would instantly become the coolest thing on KZbin since the Blackhawk

[@mick488]

Yeap and there goes 60k , the dude wanted $35 K I think it's worth $15 , $20 K at the most

[@mrweinberg]

So happy you guys have a KZbin page, miss this show

[@johnashworth1914]

Definitely keep the original truck