What platform would you use?

[jozeeparrish]

Hi I am new to this forum and would like some feedback for the build that I am starting.. I have the choice between two van's right now and they are:
1985 E350 super 4x4 and a 1994 (I think) AWD Aerostar.. Now before you laugh at the Aerostar.. you have to think of fuel milage..

My build will be used for camping with my family of 6. We have a trip planned for Easter of next year that I would like the build to be finished..The trip is about 2200 miles round trip from Ohio to Nebraska.

I have alot of parts for the build (father owns junkard) and would just like some brainstorming/ feedback from others that have built van's.. Thank you:sombrero:

 

[spencyg]

Thats going to be a tight squeeze with a family of 6. Given your "population", I wouldn't give that Aerostar a second glance and would consider the E350 a bare minimum when you consider all of the gear that 6 people tend to require. I've been wondering whether my E350 based rig needs to be phased out eventually for something larger as I consider a family of 4! Good luck!

Spence

 

[jozeeparrish]

Thanks.. Yea I know about the space, and that has been one of the top concerns that I have. We are getting a canvas 12'x20" tent to sleep in so at least we will not have to worry about making the interior like a camper. But their will be a ton of equipment that I have to take. All and all I have to see how many things that I can store outside of the van while I am driving....I just dont want to worry about thing getting stolen-that's another plus for the super..

Thank you for your insight....

 

[Rovertrader]

I think the proposed economy of the smaler van will quickly disappear, as it will be loaded to the hilt. It amazes me how quickly a family of four fills a full size van with 'stuff'.

 

[jozeeparrish]

Ok so, after a few night's of thinking my dad and I have came up with another variation that I would like to throw out their. I am worrying about fuel for some dumb reason, but what about a cargo 4x4 with a 4cyl cummins? I have read about the swap and it seems strait forward. With a few mods I think that it will work really well. Info? Thanks for the responses....

 

[dbolton]

I think we need to know a little about your goals for the trip and the build first:

1. Percentage of travel on road vs off road
2. Degree of difficulty off road
3. Type/style of camping and other activities during the trip
4. Plans for vehicle after this trip

For a one-off trip, mostly on road, with typical public/private site camping, I'd say rent a motorhome :smiley_drive:

Dan

 

[eugene]

If you load anything outside (on top of) the aerostar you will quickly loose the mpg gains, I've seen people drop their mid 20's mpg drop down to mid teens with gear tied to a roof rack.
If you have a 4cyl cummins would that swap into the e350, what kind of mpg do you think you could get with that?
With access to a JY can you get a class C motorhome (van based) or one of those hotel shuttle busses where they have a van front and the wider and taller back?

 

[spencyg]

There is certainly an arguement here for just renting an RV for the trip....I have a feeling you're more interested in having a long-term rig than a single-adventure vehicle however. Is the "we need a vehicle for this road adventure" arguement sourced from the need to "sell" this idea to the wife?? If so, you're in good company as most of us married dudes don't get all the toys without some intervention from the Mrs. If however you really only need a comfortable vehicle for this one trip, don't build one...thats crazy. Also, being that you need to reliably and safely get your family of 6 from Point A to Point B, you're probably not going to be spending any time on roads that can't be handled by a RWD van. Find an older E350 with a N/A 7.3L Diesel and call it good...they can be had for under $2500...

Spence

 

[jozeeparrish]

Sorry for being away for so long (work work work) I have made a few desisions about the van and what one I plan on using. I have desided on going for the E350 :sombrero: Why? 1.) well I have alot of parts for that van. 2.) It would suit my family vary nicely 3.) It's cheap..

I have bought another van for the motor and maybe the trans (I may swap it to a 5 speed- I like shifting) the motor is a fe 300 inline six. I know that it may sound like the motor is small but they are great as a reliability stand point and I know how to work on them. Plus with a little tweaking they can go from a cat to a lion!

As to the purpose of the van. I want a 4x4 that's it. well I guess that's not all but its the main part. What will I be using it for after is a daily driver, limo for the kids and helping with my church in the bad weather. It is something that will not be classified as a camper but with little effort can be made into one. The official camper build is in the future but it's way off.

Thank you for the comments and I am hoping that I can find the time to post some pictures of the supervan when some free time become available.

 

[kerry]

We are getting a canvas 12'x20" tent to sleep in ..

This is a little off topic, but I for one would not want to be setting up a 12x20 canvas tent at the end of the day. I wouldn't even want to haul it in and out of the van. Given the current price of large nylon family tents, I'd take the $$ saved from not hauling a heavy canvas tent on the trip and invest in a nylon tent with aluminium or fiberglass poles.

 

[fisher205]

If you really run the numbers, I think you will find that the cost difference in fuel for a vacation will never be justified by doing any major modifications to a vehicle. Even the difference in fuel costs between the E350 and Aerostar won't be that significant compared to all the costs for the trip. Anytime your traveling I think reliability is the most important. My picture of hell would be to have 6 kids and a wife watching me on the side of the road in 100 degree Iowa day as I "fixed" one of my modifications. Now if you want to do all this work just for the fun of it and are using the trip as a justifcation I can see that. Also I think yo'll need the 350 just to haul that tent around. - Brad

 

[jozeeparrish]

Now if you want to do all this work just for the fun of it and are using the trip as a justifcation I can see that. Also I think yo'll need the 350 just to haul that tent around. - Brad

True-True I am kind of using the trip as a reason to build this van. And yes that tent is vary large and heavy:Wow1: but I am planning to use it for a long time and in all conditions (winter w/wood burning stove) and keep it up for weeks on end at our rural property in the country.

Yes reliability is the main factor in this build so I will start with my stock 1985 E350 made 4x4 by pathfinder and putting in a 300 I6 backed by C-6 automatic and 203 transfer case with the stock Dana 60 rear and Dana 44 front w/4:10 gears.

All of the real work to the build will be on the body and interior of the van- all of the running gear will just bolt up in the stock mounting positions (no backyard engineering- not always the best for me but am getting better) so just cleaning up what is already there. This will make it a better build for me not having my imagination going too wild on the first 4x4 van build. The trucks that I have built went the same way but that has been a few years ago so I will be rusty no matter what.

It will be a fun and really rewarding build when its done. It may not be perfect but I will love her just like she was new.

Thank you for the comments again..

 

[fisher205]

Those old wall tents are great. A friend of mine spent the winter living in one up here. I don't know how old this tent was, but it was white and said 7th Cavalry on it.

Those old 300 6's are strong engines, but the one i had wasn't that fuel efficient. I was lucky to get 13mpg in an empty pickup. But it looks like it will be a fun build.