Evaluating and researching an older vehicle?

[trae]

Hey friends,

I'm curious about purchasing an older 4x4 van sometime in the next few years. I've been sporting an SUV + tent and it's been working fine, but looking to upgrade (or move laterally, I guess) eventually.

I started occasional craigslist/market place searches and I see some vehicles from late 80s or early 90s that look interesting. Normally, I wouldn't look that far back for a daily driver. How would I evaluate an older vehicle like that for fitness?

Here's one interesting find: https://vancouver.craigslist.org/van/cto/d/vancouver-4x4-camper-van/7502337054.html

If the link goes away here's the summary:

1988 3/4 Ton Four Wheel Drive Chevy Van, 270,000km

V8 fuel injection, 37” BF KO2 tires ( like new), power windows, power locks , A/C. Remote keyless entry/ alarm. Bluetooth stereo, Back up camera. Leather seats, passenger seat swivels.
20 gallon fresh water tank, 10 L grey tank, 6 gal propane hot water tank, outside shower, propane heater, Propane stove,(new)porta potti, 12 volt fridge/ freezer, slide out bed, fits 2 (6’4” x 4”. )MaxxAir 10 spd fan, CO2 and smoke alarm.
195 watt solar panel, 120 AH lithium Iron PH battery, 1200W pure sine wave inverter, 10 amp shore power battery charger, outside propane hookup and 120 volt outlet.

Awesome off grid hunting rig, mechanically sound, new front brakes Rears at 70%. Runs and drives great. Solid truck .
1988 , 2500 Chevrolet Beauville Van.

Obvious warning signs:

- age and mileage
- unknown lift provenance

Positives:

- meets the requirements for size/comfort
- surface level workmanship looks good

If I went to buy this today I would:

1. Understand the service history
2. Look at how aux wiring has been done
3. Look at fluid levels/quality of fluids
4. Undercarriage - how much rust?
5. How's the lift done
6. Driving experience

What's some other homework I could do?

I believe boat people say that you should budget 10% of the boat coast per year in maintenance. Anything similar for a van of this vintage?

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

Find what you like and make it your own.
If you wait for others opinions they're never ending..in the end,
you'll be too old to travel

 

[SDDiver5]

That's a pretty sweet van. I would 100% budget for repairs and upgrades. Some sellers are willing to have a mechanic look at it prior to sale so that's an option.

It's hard to really judge that era since it's post carbs but pre technology so it's almost an unknown. Anything could happen really. I'd find a forum specific to the make and or model you want and do your research from there.

Another tip, don't post the rig you're interested in on a forum when/if you're ready to buy it. Lots of viewers on these forums and they will swoop in and buy it from under you.

 

[iggi]

The biggest question really on buying an older rig is what your own expectations are. If you are planning to do most of the maintenance and repairs on your own then you'll likely be happy.

Anything of that vintage is more a product of the life it's had and how it's been serviced/modified than how it came from the factory. That being said, doing the research and understanding the common issues of the specific model and powertrain is a good investment of time.

 

[billiebob]

Nothing wrong with buying an old 4x4 conversion but you'd best be born to live on a creeper. Unless you are a Hot Rodder, Rock Climber, Rat Rod Builder this could easily over whelm you. I prefer a well maintain FACTORY STOCK vehicle for overlanding. Old is fine. New, unmaintained, driven into the ground is often the worst choice.

Buying an old van conversion will be a full time project. If I bought it the first change would be selling the 37s and buying 33s or 255/85R16s... basically the skinniest 33s available.

On maintenance for something that old.... I budget the purchase price over the first few years. On something fully modified like this 4x4 van conversion.... I'd budget much more for the first year. 10% of the purchase price is mighty low for any used daily driver.

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

Might be best to search for a professionally installed 4x4 , nothing less than 3/4 ton, if it were me, it would be a fleet e350, they're generally less expensive than private party. Then, build your own camper the way YOU want it.

 

[trae]

I just purchased a private party one owner 99K mile, '03 E250 raised roof conversion van for $7,200. It had the 2nd coach battery option and heavy duty camper/ tow package.
Because the van was due for major maintenance and I am just finishing an extensive 100,000 miles maintenance overhaul. All fluids flushed and fresh, spark plugs and coils, brakes, belt and hoses and 5 - AT tires.
My plans are for 2 week or less road trips and boondock/stealth overnight stops. I kept most of the interior paneling and lights, pulled the seats, made a bed platform, cupboards and countertop. Added a ceiling fan, two new AGM batteries and 1500w inverter. Enough battery bank and power for running a Frig,, electric water kettle, 700w microwave, ceiling fan and LED lights. Not all at once and in moderation. The coach batteries will recharge during daily multi hour long drives running with the OEM charging system. All in the project will be under $13K.
My plans are for 2 week or less road trips and boondock/stealth overnight stops. I didn't want/need 4WD and IMHO the 4x4 camper vans are over rated and the prices are nuts. I recently sold my '13 Tiger/Ram3500 CTD 4x4 for almost what I paid for it after 70,000 miles. I found out a 4x4 RV does not make a great platform for off road travel. I purchased a new 2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and flat towed it more than 30,000 miles to many famous 4x4 trail heads and did a lot of rough road western US back county exploring. RV's make a much better camper than off roader and do not need 4WD. Used as a hub campsite/tow vehicle they shine.
My new to me E250, has a factory tow package, rated for 7,000 lbs. I have yet to put the 5.4 gas V8 to the test of pulling my 5K Wrangler. My old Tiger had a Cummins Turbo Diesel motor which was a beast but still only rated to tow 9,000 lbs. Because the 4WD was seldom used and I plan on seldom towing the Wrangler. I think this used E250 will be fine and the extra $73G in my pocket will take me a long way.
E250 as purchased
View attachment 734563
Old rig w toad
View attachment 734564

Nice, looks like you scored a great deal. Your old rig looks great as well.

My plans are for 2 week or less road trips and boondock/stealth overnight stops.

I aiming for something similar. Here in British Columbia, we have an incredible network of logging roads. For the most part they are well maintained while in use and you don't need a heavy duty 4x4. You do need some clearance though... The appeal of a 4x4 van is that setup is easy.

This is my current configuration:



It works real well, very capable, but it's not built for quick stops. Once I setup camp, I setup camp if you know what I mean.

The for-sale post at the top of the thread is a bit of a dream setup. Can do 80% of what my xterra+trailer can do, but I can stop and be napping in 1 minute.