Or the Town and Country? Post a pic, tell the story....
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Who all still owns a 1984 to 1990 Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager
Damoncaravanman
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2 Posts
Anybody have any advice as to replacing or restoring the wood trim upper and lower?
Cool!
Wow! That is our first "Chrysler Corp" Van...! Bought the '88 Grand Caravan in 1994, and we have owned one ever since... the last 3 were Town & Country's. The newest one just bought yesterday, a 2010 T & C plus. Really cool seeing this carbon copy of our very first 1988 van! Thanks for posting!
I just picked this up yesterday at an estate sale.
1990 Dodge Grand Caravan LE with 3.3 V6. 82,000 miles. Needs some work, brakes, exhaust, probably suspension. But not terrible, I picked it up for $1000. Might keep it, that was the original intent, but might flip it. I don't know. I don't want to destroy this thing.
![Image]()
Ryan
Wow! That is our first "Chrysler Corp" Van...! Bought the '88 Grand Caravan in 1994, and we have owned one ever since... the last 3 were Town & Country's. The newest one just bought yesterday, a 2010 T & C plus. Really cool seeing this carbon copy of our very first 1988 van! Thanks for posting!
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3,512 Posts
You stick the key in, turn it to "unlock" (first click forward), there is a hole underneath the cylinder collar, use an allen key or metal rod to press the button in it and the whole cylinder should pull out. I did mine 8 years ago. Was very simple. The new one goes in the reverse way. Do you have a HAYNES manual? My only regret was not to "key" it to match the doors, so I now have 2 keys for the van. Make sure you periodically WD40 the door locks, so they don't wear out, too.
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3,512 Posts
Tranny rebuild time (3rd time)
Does anyone know if any of the newer trannies match up with the 1990 3.3L and mounts? I've consistently gotten only 80,000 miles per rebuild on this model. Went out first time at 80,000, then 160,000, will soon be coming up on 240,000 in about 18 months, so want to be ready with options.
Does anyone know if the "European Diesel/tranny" combination will drop into the GEN 1 body? I've heard they get more MPG than the gas engines do (?). :ask_wsign
Still getting 20 - 22 MPG highway (pending which way the wind is blowing).
Does anyone know if any of the newer trannies match up with the 1990 3.3L and mounts? I've consistently gotten only 80,000 miles per rebuild on this model. Went out first time at 80,000, then 160,000, will soon be coming up on 240,000 in about 18 months, so want to be ready with options.
Does anyone know if the "European Diesel/tranny" combination will drop into the GEN 1 body? I've heard they get more MPG than the gas engines do (?). :ask_wsign
Still getting 20 - 22 MPG highway (pending which way the wind is blowing).
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3 Posts
Joined a little while ago. I own a 1990 Voyager LE 3.0 Woody w/167,000 miles. Bought it used about 10 yrs ago with 99,900 miles. Previous owner put 2 new trannies in and a/c not working. I never fixed a/c but tranny has held up ok with a fluid & filter change once. Sometimes won't shift into high gear on really cold days. Quite a few oil leaks and have replaced starter twice & alternator once. Motor mounts, shocks, struts, brakes, water pump & timing belt, oil temp sending unit (was source of squirting oil leak!) & radiator all replaced on my watch. Tires & routine maintenance, too, along with some rusted out rear wheel well metal. Hauled heavy canoe on roof rack for first time recently (needs two people and do one end at a time - use ratchet straps good and tight). Burns some oil & I think about replacing valve guide seals but don't like thinking about tearing engine apart.
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3 Posts
Just picked up another 1st gen. 89 Grand Caravan LE with 140k for 500
![Image]()
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378 Posts
I don't own one. But, I believe the 1st Gens were the best for these vans. I rarely ever hear of much problems out of the 1st Gens. After that, the quality started to decline as in transmission issues, and such.
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378 Posts
Nice van! I believe the 1st Gens were the best in quality and reliability. It's good to see a 1st Gen in this good of shape.I just picked this up yesterday at an estate sale.
1990 Dodge Grand Caravan LE with 3.3 V6. 82,000 miles. Needs some work, brakes, exhaust, probably suspension. But not terrible, I picked it up for $1000. Might keep it, that was the original intent, but might flip it. I don't know. I don't want to destroy this thing.
![Image]()
It looks better in pictures then it really is.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/hemipwr70/sets/72157644107125422
Ryan
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33,060 Posts
I had a 1st generation (1987) and a second Generation (1995). No comparison to my 2002 4th generation, the 2002 being a superior vehicle by far. The 2.6L Mitsubishi engine would self destruct on the 1st Generation. The 1995 was better than the 1987. A lot of problems now days is with the electronics required to satisfy environmental objectives and Customer demands for gadgets, stuff that was unheard of in the 1980s.
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378 Posts
That one has a 3.3. The 3.3 is one of the most trusted Chrysler engines that they used in the minivans until 2008.
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378 Posts
Actually, I think they dropped the 3.3, when they introduced the 3.6. All I know is, the 3.3 has been discont.
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378 Posts
I wouldn't want a 4cyl in a van anyways. A 6cyl is better for a van.
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10,190 Posts
The production of the 3.3 ended with the 2010 minivans. So 2010 was the last year of the 3.3
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378 Posts
Okay. Well, it was a good engine.
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10,190 Posts
One of the best to come out of Chrysler. Decent power, gas mileage and everything. It still puts a smile to my face everytime I get behind the wheel of our 3.3, still drives and sounds new...
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378 Posts
I'm a little worried about the reliability of our 3.6 down the road. They've already had problems with the heads.
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