Cargo or Passenger?

[Gonejpn2]

Hey everyone!

Forgive me if this has already been covered.

What are the pros and cons of converting a passenger van vs. cargo van into a camper? I have seen both of them done, more so the cargo van. I have my own ideas but just want to hear peoples thoughts on this...oh, and maybe some pictures

Thanks!
Dan

 

[Hill Bill E.]

I don't have any pics, but my preference would be using a cargo van.

Main reasons would be:

Most cargo vans are 'panel' style, meaning you can put the windows where you want, and the size you want.

And, they are usually bare or stripped in the back, giving one a 'clean slate' to start the build, no pulling the carpet, molding, etc.

 

[sdski]

Agreed on not having to pull stuff out and starting with a clean slate. If you are planing to have seats with seatbelts in the back then a passenger van will already have those, which could be nice. Personally I was seeking out a cargo van because I plan on using it a lot in cold climates and its easier to insulate than a van with windows. I would have just ended up tinting the windows dark and insulating over them, but then its just one more thing to break.

 

[RocKrawler]

Personally I prefer the passenger models because I appreciate the view, the windows have already been installed from the factory so its one less thing I can potentially screw up. Pulling stuff is much easier than installing stuff, I can gut a vehicle in an hour, try building and installing an interior in that time. For me it would be a difference in security; I could justify a cargo style if I was going to unsafe areas where you could lock it up more securely - but even that argument could be made that dark window tint and interior security bars would solve that problem. I personally like the visibility driving the passenger windows give, and having kids its more of a necessity for us.

 

[scoutkid]

Having just gone through this, I will give my input on what I did. I was having this very same conversation with myself - I even emailed Ujoint a few pretty sweet full-on 2wd conversion vans ads to look at, all decked out with captains chairs and leather. Most of them were E150's though.

But I quickly realized that looking for a E2/350 with a diesel and extended body that was ALSO already a cargo OR passenger van was very limiting. I found the price range was MOSTLY dictated by the engine, not the style of van. If it was a diesel, it was $$.

I recommend making a list of MUST haves. I HAD to have a diesel, I wasn't going to settle for anything else. I wanted a Factory turbo diesel, so that framed my search of years on the low end. Beyond that, I wanted an extended body for the type of travel I wanted to do.

The mileage was of little concern to me, but I wanted less than 200k miles on the motor. I knew I would be converting to 4 wheel drive, so any mileage on the tranny, axles and suspension was irrelevant as these would all be new/rebuilt anyhow.

As a last 'must', I established a price limit. I had an upper limit of $8k. This really boxed in my upper year range.

I now had a window of 1994ish to 2004ish (in my area, for that price range), turbo diesel and extended body. Naturally, this meant I could find a decked out early van, or a stripped down, high mileage newer cargo van. Either way, I was going to have a lot of interior work cut out for me.

Lastly, I would make your search area as BROAD as possible. Use something like www.searchtempest.com to make your search area much more broad and all encompasing than just craigslist. I found my van in Albequerque and I'm in Denver. But a quick look at one way airfare and I could get a direct flight on Southwest for $50!! Add a cab ride and the fuel to get home and its under $200 and a 7 hour drive (what better time to find out the quirks of your new van?)

In the Denver market, I could easily double the money I paid for my van and sell it in one day simply because I got such a good deal on it, and there are hardly ANY diesel vans available. I figured even if I didn't fall in love with it, I could at least turn a quick profit.

Something that ALMOST made my list of MUST haves was a hightop/travel top. I knew I wanted the headroom, but it wasn't going to be a deal breaker. I have found traveltops in junkyards and on craigslist, so I figured I could add one later.

Hope that helps!

 

[ihatemybike]

I tend to chose passenger vans as they usually haven't had as hard of a life before they came to me.

 

[loren85022]

I think one major consideration would be if you plan to haul passengers more often than not. If not, and the rear is to be primarily a bed, I'd go cargo. Sure you can add the necessities to occasionally have a few folks back there, but its not a design made for cross-country family travel. Having a clean slate from the get-go, is nice. If the kids are part of the plan, the passenger layout has the seat belts, properly located A/C vents, windows, and the all important cup holders built in.

 

[sdski]

I forgot to add that on a cargo van it is really nice to have windows on the side doors (or door if you have a slider). I don't, though I had test driven vans that did, and sometime in the future I might put windows in mine or swap doors to ones that have windows. It makes taking certain left hand turns a lot easier when you can actually see down the road.

At the same time I also started to get use to not pulling as far up to intersections as I would in my car.

 

[nely]

Ya. I havent seen a cargo van with rear ac. That is a must in any van for passengers in the rear. The front cant cool down the van enuff. Maybe with alot of insulation and no windows it might cool it, but when i had a problen with the rear ac in my old extended passenger van, my passengers where less than thrilled with the trip to vegas. I didnt mind though, i had ac. Haha

I like the clean slate idea of the cargos. But ive had my luck with purchasing passenger vans and they work out well. Less blind spots when driving. And lemme tell you that helps in la traffic. Also towing mirrors are a must add on they help out.

Ive also heard that the passenger vans have a stronger body because of the extra ribbing and bracing needed for the windows. Sounds logical but dunno if its true.

Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk

 

[Herbie]

Ya. I havent seen a cargo van with rear ac. That is a must in any van for passengers in the rear. The front cant cool down the van enuff. Maybe with alot of insulation and no windows it might cool it, but when i had a problen with the rear ac in my old extended passenger van, my passengers where less than thrilled with the trip to vegas. I didnt mind though, i had ac. Haha

This was what pushed me into Passenger van as well. Astro/Safari had optional rear AC (a whole second evaporator/fan system) and rear heat (2nd heater core, etc., actually mounted more mid-ship), which was not available in cargo or upfitter (bare chassis) vans.

Also, my passenger van has additional HVAC ducting at the foot level that is fed off the main/front HVAC system the blows back to the footwell of the 2nd row.

Ability to install your own large windows w/ screens would be a definitely plus for a cargo/upfitter van.

 

[2040JAVIER]

cargo van with rear ac

there"s some cargo van out there that have rear ac i personally have owned e of them with rear ac heres a picture how it looks like

 

[Toolman]

Apparently the window vans have a stronger body due to the framing around the windows in which the panels do not have. Not a big selling point but to be honest I really like the panoramic views the passenger van offers. Rear AC is a plus but I did find a couple of V10 panel vans with the rear AC. They are out there. Another issue I had with the panel was they were all beat up looking from their life as a "work van". Passenger vans are usually family oriented,government, or car pool vehicles. In my case I just got lucky (catering company). Be persistent in your search. Narrow it down to a few key factors when beginning your search. My criteria was as follows

1 had to be a V10 or a Diesel (after driving both I realized V10 was for me) no V8
2 had to have low mileage under 70k
3 didn't care what color, however anything but WHITE
4 had to have power windows and locks (which most of the passenger vans have and panel vans do not)
5 had to be the right price under $10k

I was watching auto trader, craigslist, local car lots that specialize in vans daily almost like a disease.. when I finally gave up and said F it ... that's when it showed up

started like this (actual picture from craigslist)

and now

I'm not sure if it shows or not but I love my Van

 

[Maximus Ram]

I'm not sure if it shows or not but I love my Van

Me,too....:Wow1::sombrero::sombrero::friday:...its Beautiful:victory:

 

[Gonejpn2]

Great info everyone. Definitely some points I never considered...

My wife and I have 1 kid and want to stop at 2 so it would essentially be the 4 of us. I want it to be comfortable while traveling(i.e. not sitting sideways) for the kids in the back, yet functional and an efficient use of space while camping.

Scoutkid: Would you mind explaining to me why your van "HAD" to be a diesel?

Toolman: Sweet van my friend! Do you have any interior pics of it and how you have it laid out?

Thanks again guys!
Dan

 

[scoutkid]

Great info everyone. Definitely some points I never considered...

My wife and I have 1 kid and want to stop at 2 so it would essentially be the 4 of us. I want it to be comfortable while traveling(i.e. not sitting sideways) for the kids in the back, yet functional and an efficient use of space while camping.

Scoutkid: Would you mind explaining to me why your van "HAD" to be a diesel?

Toolman: Sweet van my friend! Do you have any interior pics of it and how you have it laid out?

Thanks again guys!
Dan

Sure! My vote is always for heavy, trustworthy iron

1) I sold my last diesel (6.0 Powerstroke F250) the LAST time diesel went over $4 a gallon, I miss it like hell.
2) I sold my 97 F250 with a 7.3L Powerstroke to get the 6.0, and I miss it even more
3) I had a ride in my coworkers V10 Sportsmobile (a 2003, just like mine with the travel top) and was not at all impressed with the power. I live in the Rockies, and while I know the van isn't a race car, I like being able to keep up with traffic on the passes. I know he diesel will give me that, plus better fuel economy to boot.
4) I plan to tow with it every now and then (about 8-10k lbs, with my trailer and a Scout on it) and love the 'always there' low end grunt.
5) It's a DIESEL VAN!!