1992 Ford E-350 Econoline Full Size Van 4x4
Only 81,000 miles
Good running 351W (5.8L) V8 and E40D 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.
Extended Body (can accommodate up to 15 passengers, 11 with current seating), same wheelbase as short-body. Tighter turning radius than regular vans as a positive side effect of the 4x4 conversion.
This van has 75" of interior standing height, all the way front to back, plus extended height rear doors. I was planning on making it a 4x4 camper, but have decided to go a different route. You can use it as a 4x4 people hauler, camper, toy hauler (load motorcycles without even taking mirrors/windshields off, there's even room to load a long track snowmobile inside!). If you've ever dreamed about Sportsmobile vans, you know how cool those can be. This is the same platform they use. Build your own interior and save $50,000! Yeah the diesels get better mileage, but they cost more and are noisy, and with the price of diesel, the actual miles per dollar isn't much better than gas.
Anyway, I was going to build a camper out of this but i just miss my little VW Westfalia too much. That's what i had before this. So i think i'm going to look for one of those in the 4wd model. In the meantime, i'm going to continue to outfit this rig for at least basic camping functionality and continue to fix things up here and there. As i do, the price will probably go up. When the van sells, i may pull out some of the camper pieces for my next rig. I suppose it will all be negotiable.
Here's more about this van
The Bad:
*The fuel tank was shortened to fit the 4x4 transfer case, this has reduced the fuel capacity a bit so it doesn't have a super long range as-is. This can be remedied by adding a rear mounted tank from a junkyard van or RV.
*The overdrive-off light on the shifter handle does not work. This isn't a big deal and does not affect the performance of anything, just kind of obnoxious.
*Transfer case will need to be re-sealed. If you're familiar with what that means, you know it isn't all that big of a deal. Do it yourself or have a mechanic do it, it's not terribly expensive. If you do it yourself it'll cost you about 5 bucks for a tube of sealant, and an afternoon of your time.
*Small exhaust leak near passenger side header.
*The van is almost 20 years old, so lets be real, there are plenty of little things. But nothing that prevents me from heading out on a long trip tomorrow if I wanted to.
*Seals around the rear doors need a little attention
The Good:
*Super capable 4x4 with 6" lift lets you get this thing to places that a regular RV or people hauler haven't got a chance of getting to.
*Lots of room. I was originally looking for a RB (short) van but when i got this extended body van, i realized i can put bikes, skis, etc INSIDE instead of on a rack outside. It isn't any longer overall that way, and things are inside out of the weather and theft danger.
*High-top: This is better than a poptop because it's always there, it doesn't flap in the wind, it keeps the heat in and cold out. Every single time you get in the van, you can stand up. If you've owned a pop-top before like i have, you know they're great, but that most of the time you're in the van, the top is down because you're only stopped for a minute, or it's snowing outside, or whatever. Nice to have it always up. Also, this one is tall so there's space for an upper bunk. My plans were to add windows to each side, and maybe even one in front. Also, this top is double-walled so it is very effective insulation and it has 12v power run between the layers so it is nicely out of site.
*Old van price, new van compatibility. This van has the same body from the windshield back as a 2011! Parts availability and aftermarket upgrades are plentiful because of this. Also runs the very common 8x6.5 bolt-pattern wheels, so you have lots of options for upgrade there.
*Rear heater and A/C unit. Heat works great front and rear. I think A/C works but to be perfectly honest its only been on cold days that i've tried it and it was hard to tell for sure if it was working. Anyway, it seems to come on ok, so even if it isn't cold, it would probably just need a recharge. But i think it works. If the damn weather ever gets hot we'll see!
*Under 100,000 miles, tons of life left.
*1-Ton chassis with tow-hitch.
Recent Service (performed within the last several weeks):
*Transmission flushed and serviced by TransFix in Bend (good shop)
*both differentials also serviced at the same time by TransFix
*new Throttle Position Sensor by TransFix
*General inspection by TransFix (they noted that the transfer case needs to be re-sealed)
*new oil and filter
*tires rotated
4x4 conversion done by Advanced Four Wheel Drive out of Salt Lake City ( http://www.advanced4x4vans.com/ ) who has been doing this since 1973. This is similar to vans converted by Quigley, except it has more upward suspension travel in front, which gives a better ride. Manual hubs, manual shift transfer case (2-hi, 4-hi, neutral, 4-lo) All works great. Manual shift is actually kind of nice, because when you don't need 4x4 you can unlock the hubs and have less drivetrain drag than a lot of newer rigs (better MPG) and when you do want 4x4, the manual shift is kind of nice, because if you push the lever into place, you know it's on. No pushing a button and waiting for the 4x4 to actually engage. F-350 heavy-duty front axle.
This is a truck, not a minivan. It rides accordingly, meaning it's a little rough with no weight in it (not terrible, but not like a car/minivan), but will smooth out when loaded. It corners nice and flat, and I was surprised to find that it actually handles strong cross-winds very well. It is easy to drive, one-hand freeway cruiser. It is not a handful, tracks and turns well.
Located in Bend Oregon. E-mail me for more photos or to arrange to see the van. $9,500 OBO
