RememberTheFallen
Explorer
So I finally joined club and bought a van yesterday. Thanks to Eric (86Scotty) for looking at the ad and giving me advice. Thanks to kennyj and many more of you on Portal for giving me the inspiration to get into the campervan life!
The Van is a 2004 E350 XLT passenger model with the 5.4 V8 and has just over 88k miles after the drive home.
Overall it is in pretty good condition. Transmission pan leak, couple dents and dings, plus some surface rust on the frame and little on the rear gutter. More than I wanted but nothing is deep. My first task will be to clean it all up and spray with rust converter and some paint. Also tires seem to be out balance as I get a bad shimmy at 75mph.
Most work will have to wait until I sell my first gen Tacoma so I can pay off the van and buy some goodies.
Selling the Tacoma and bought the van for a long term trip next summer. My wife and I plan to travel the country, looking for different areas to live, as long as money will allow. Hopefully 4-6 months. The truck with a RTT just was not feasible for that length of time.
I currently do not plan to convert to 4wd. I spent a month out west last October and only put my truck in 4wd a couple of times. I will be adding the biggest all terrain tires I can fit with no lift and some sort of rear locker.
Plans for the future include;
Remove carpet and side panels and replace with insulation and wood
Complete lightweight interior with fold out bed long enough for my 6'6"
Basic cabinetry for camping gear and clothing storage
Install ARB fridge
Simple hand pump sink with jerry can clean and grey water containers
portapottie or current lugaloo
Add two more house batteries and associated other electrical gear
Tint windows darker and make some reflectix window inserts
Fantastic Van or Maxx Air in roof
Black out chrome bumpers and grill
New tires and wheels
Look into a DIY roof rack
This is going to start out slow so bear with me. I appreciate all of your comments and tips on the future build!
Joe
The obligatory down by the river shot!
The Van is a 2004 E350 XLT passenger model with the 5.4 V8 and has just over 88k miles after the drive home.
Overall it is in pretty good condition. Transmission pan leak, couple dents and dings, plus some surface rust on the frame and little on the rear gutter. More than I wanted but nothing is deep. My first task will be to clean it all up and spray with rust converter and some paint. Also tires seem to be out balance as I get a bad shimmy at 75mph.
Most work will have to wait until I sell my first gen Tacoma so I can pay off the van and buy some goodies.
Selling the Tacoma and bought the van for a long term trip next summer. My wife and I plan to travel the country, looking for different areas to live, as long as money will allow. Hopefully 4-6 months. The truck with a RTT just was not feasible for that length of time.
I currently do not plan to convert to 4wd. I spent a month out west last October and only put my truck in 4wd a couple of times. I will be adding the biggest all terrain tires I can fit with no lift and some sort of rear locker.
Plans for the future include;
Remove carpet and side panels and replace with insulation and wood
Complete lightweight interior with fold out bed long enough for my 6'6"
Basic cabinetry for camping gear and clothing storage
Install ARB fridge
Simple hand pump sink with jerry can clean and grey water containers
portapottie or current lugaloo
Add two more house batteries and associated other electrical gear
Tint windows darker and make some reflectix window inserts
Fantastic Van or Maxx Air in roof
Black out chrome bumpers and grill
New tires and wheels
Look into a DIY roof rack
This is going to start out slow so bear with me. I appreciate all of your comments and tips on the future build!
Joe
The obligatory down by the river shot!