![1977 dodge sportsman motorhome transmission troubleshooting 1977 dodge sportsman motorhome transmission troubleshooting](https://asset.youcanic.com/app/styles/large_teaser_card/s3/images/guide/2020/04/IMG_20191107_165319.jpg)
![1977 dodge sportsman motorhome transmission troubleshooting 1977 dodge sportsman motorhome transmission troubleshooting](https://storage.bhs.cloud.ovh.net/v1/AUTH_e7d15450bedd40b9b599e075527df3cb/up/f78_dodge_sportsman_motor_home__4600_Joha_60f1eb5c3ba48.jpg)
The standard-wheelbase B-Series measured 109.6 inches axle to axle, significantly longer than the both the outgoing standard- and long-wheelbase A100s. What a difference a year makes, eh? Naturally, the van itself was longer–no longer was the engine completely situated between the front seats–but the upsizing didn’t stop there. Like so many other domestic products of the ’70s, the Dodge van was about to get bigger. Starting with the new ’69 Ford Econoline, the Big Three were moving away from the VW van template with its driver-as-a-crush-zone front end.
![1977 dodge sportsman motorhome transmission troubleshooting 1977 dodge sportsman motorhome transmission troubleshooting](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/61/62/7f/61627f9bb7901d08f9ba74c7b9d7c62f.jpg)
While amazingly space- and fuel-efficient (especially with the Slant Six), the venerable A100 van was getting a little long in the tooth by 1970 in fact, it was essentially the same vehicle Dodge had introduced in 1964. To fully understand just how modern the all-new ’71 Dodge van was, compare it with the 1970 model. So come along, and let’s learn a bit more about the good old full-size Dodge van. This one, clearly an earlier version decked out in period Coca-Cola livery, gave me pause and inspired me to read up on them. And wow, what a run it was! Lots of these jack-of-all-trades vans, mostly of late ’80s to early ’00s vintage, are still running about in the Quad Cities. The Dodge Van–staple of plumbers, electricians, utility companies and the ’70s Custom-Van Man–enjoyed a long run, from 1971 to 2003.