You can find a good shop in the area and see if they will build it while you do the R&R, or DIY. There are a lot of you tube videos on going through a 727/518/46RE. Pick up a rebuild kit and/or upgrade parts through the suppliers that have a good recommendation here, plus a flush can.
The engines will last a long time, provide they don't 1. overheat 2. lose oil pressure.
1. is maintaining the cooling system. Check service records.
2. is regular oil changes and not letting the level drop. The bearings can be swapped out too.
All magnums but especially the 5.9s are known for cracking the heads, mostly a non-issue.
https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Number=7039768The other biggie is the base plate on the intake manifold leaking. This causes a lean misfire. Either replace just the gasket (cheap but involved) or replace the sheetmetal pan with a plate and the gasket (same work, more money and more permanent).
http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/products.php?partid=27091Other stuff will degrade over many miles. Suspension, brakes, steering, fuel system and electrical. Again, check records and test drive it.
On mine, it's had PCM issues for the original owner and me. Seems like a common issue for some.
http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=309450I haven't found a good forum for these late model OBD II vans. They really are a different beast than even the 80-early 90s vans, since the drivetrain is different and all the computers were not on the older ones. So a forum like the 71-77 B van forum is not much help. They aren't that popular or built in numbers that support a separate forum. On most modern vehicles with OBD II, any forums will have those users that ask very basic questions and have little knowledge. If the forum is good and useful, they will also have posters that really know the vehicle, and the proper way to diagnose and repair them.
Overall, they are pretty darn reliable, and almost all parts are available new or in yards.
EDIT, you gotta figure out if you just want a later van (wider selection) or if you really want to emulate this style. They all seem to be either all window or panels, with sliding side doors and short wheelbase.
As far as the computers, I do know that the registration inspections in Japan are very strict, but don't know about emissions testing.
Cooter, I've seen the coverage from 2010 and up through maybe 2011, but nothing much from the past 2 years or so, except people discussing the older articles. Is there newer info on these?
