Buying a 1984 MK2 130 - ADVICE PLEASE :)

[NordicTraveler]

Greetings from Finland, Transiteers!

I am currently negotiating the purchase of a 1984 Transit window van and would like some advice on some specific points.

The van is a 130 model with a 2.5 liter diesel engine and a 5-speed overdrive gearbox.

1) The overdrive (5th gear) is activated via a switch on the gear stick but it's not working. Has anyone had any experience repairing these switches that could offer any words of wisdom? Watch the interior photo

IMG_20190528_200216.jpg

for the switch atop the gear stick.

2) How reliable are these vans (in this configuration) in practice? (With this engine and gearbox)

3) How hard/easy is it to find parts, and can you suggest any sources?

4) How hard/easy is it to work on it with a basic mechanical knowledge and simple tools?

5) I'm going to go test-drive it and give it a thorough check-up. What do you suggest I look out for (besides rust)?

6) In general, how hard/easy is it to live with one of these? I'm planning to use it sparingly. Mainly for pleasure cruises or for shuttling theater backdrops back and forth for my theater group.

7) Are there any repair manuals available out there? I tried Haynes, but no luck.

I'm extremely thankful for any help/assistance I can get.

Best wishes, everyone!!

[Neil]

examine around the windscreen rubber across the dash they tend to corrode there, theres plenty of parts out there ebay etc

[NordicTraveler]

Hello!

Thanks, will do.

Also, the rear end seems to have a bit of a whine between 50 and 80 km/h... any ideas what this could be, or how serious?

[Neil]

old age

[dumper]

Good luck with the van but what are you doing looking at van when the 1000 lakes rally is on it’s sesou time

[greek]

Parts pretty easy to source & crossover from Mk1