Expo 4x4 Camper Van Project

[toyotatruckjunkie]

Well, after contemplating all sorts of offroad/expo type trailers & campers, I finally bit the bullett. I just bought this '89 Coachmen Camper Van. (I've cleaned it up quite a bit since this pic.) Others out there may want to look into these things. I bought mine pretty cheap, and they packed a LOT of features into them. They're too top heavy for serious off road usage, but I've got my rock-crawling rig for that already.

This one has AC, gas heat, 2 burner stove, microwave, 3 way fridge, H20 heater, Onan generator, awning, toilet, and shower. Mine only has 60k miles, a FI 351, C6 trans, and Dana 60 rear. My plan is to convert it to 4wd, install a mild amount of lift (enough for 33's), maybe install an OD trans, and put some bumpers on it.

I think it's pretty cool as is, and will only be better when I'm done. I'm looking to make it a tow vehicle for my 4runner, or my boat, and a self-contained beach capable camper. I'm real excited to get started. I'll keep you informed on my progress.

 

[Deleted member 1276]

Awesome! Keep us posted!

 

[adventureduo]

Nice score. Yes, keep us posted.

 

[greg mgm]

Very Cool! Be sure to post photos of your progress.

I'd like to see interior pics, especially the shower. Not sure how the layout is on camper vans, but I sure like them.

 

[FROADER]

I'm sure you saw it already, but spencyg did a great job on his 86! Looking forward to updates! :costumed-smiley-007

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18894

 

[toyotatruckjunkie]

Thanks all, I appreciate the words of encouragement.

Yes, I went thru Spenc's build thread last night. VERY similar to what I want. His progress was pretty fast and furious there for awhile. Mine won't be that fast.

Mine is laid out quite a bit differently than his. I'll post interior pics when I figure it out on this site. I had a tough time doing the one of the exterior. Is there a trick other than making them an attachment? Most of my pics are too big for attachments. Worst case scenario, I'll put them on my website and include a link to it.

Expect to see more of it. It will be a work in progress for awhile. My fiancee has named it the Scooby Van, based on the groovy 80's stripes. I don't mind them that much. Kind of retro cool to me. She thinks I need to paint it Dune Beige. Can't argue much with that.

Thanks for the interest.

 

[datrupr]

Posting pics is easy if you are pulling them off your website. Here is a thread on how to post pics in your thread. Also, using a photo hosting site like photobucket makes it really easy. I want to follow this build, just like Spence's, it'll be a fun one to follow.

 

[ujoint]

A good donor Dana 60 for that generation van can be found in an 86-97 F350. The spring pad width is 36.5", which fits nicely under the frame.

 

[toyotatruckjunkie]

OK, I updated my website to include some before pics.

I actually have added 4 more matching hubcaps to the one shown. I couldn't stand looking at it the way shown in the pics. Looked so sad. All 5 will eventually be replaced with alum mods or something.

The lay out appears to be much different than Spence's. The bath is in the rear. The shower is in the corner on the DS. The toilet is in the middle in the rear. The PS rear is a wardrobe. Forward of the shower is more storage, then the fold out couch running fore and aft. On the PS, forward of the wardrobe, is the 3 way fridge, with the microwave above that, then the 2 burner stove, the the sink, then side door. There is a pull out queen size bed over the driver seats. It still amazes me how much stuff they crammed into this thing. No wonder its so heavy.

For what it is worth, my fiancee agrees it is really neat. Which was no small consideration to me. I wanted her to enjoy the adventures I have planned for it/us. I could never get her excited about the expo trailer w/ roof top tent, cooking and showering outside. I plan to rig up an outside shower that will reach out the back doors for rinsing off the saltwater after jet-skiing or surfing or diving. But it won't be our ONLY shower facility. I also plan to take along a grill or outside stove for times when we WANT to cook outdoors.

Admitting that most of your time camping is spent outdoors, this thing will at least allow us a place to get out of the weather when need be. With the generator and AC, it will make summers on the TX coast bearable. And we can get our 2 dogs into it, unlike a RTT. I realize that this type of expo camper isn't for everyone on this site, it seemed to make sense to me. FWIW, I plan to leave the TV's at home. May put in a nice sound system with sat. radio though.

Stay tuned. I have lots of plans. Just not a lot of time. Or money.

 

[toyotatruckjunkie]

I think I figured it out. Thanks for the link. Some of the pics off my site.

 

[greg mgm]

I have a truck camper right now...but I really like the idea of being able to go from drivers seat to inside the camper (your van) without leaving the vehicle.

That's a pretty cool set up. Thanks for sharing your pics.

BTW- all you have to do to post pics is click the yellow square with the mountain (on the reply page) and enter the url of your pics. So, all this-

http://web.me.com/drjacobs2/Site/Solid_Axle_Toys,_Inc./Pages/1989_Ford_E250_Camper_Van.html#5

would be copied (right click- copy) from the top line where your pics are, then right click paste into the box. Hopefully that made sense!

 

[toyotatruckjunkie]

Yeah, that's what I thought I did with the last pics. I'll try again, I know a pic is worth a thousand words. Thanks.

 

[T.Low]

I've noticed that guys on 'Yotacrack seem to have difficulty posting pics of Fords.:ylsmoke:

The green FJ40 on your site looks exactly like the one I had when I was 16 yrs old back in the early '80s. Good times.

By the looks of your website, you're going to have a blast with the camper van.

 

[toyotatruckjunkie]

Well that was my thought about the camper van. Especially if I can convert it to 4wd. Seemed to fit my lifestyle pretty well. I have to be realistic about time constraints and the realities of life. I don't have now, nor do I foresee having the time in the near future, to take a couple months off to roam around the world on a completely hard-core off-road expedition.

I foresee being able to take long weekends, and hopefully week long trips to; coastal places here in North America that will allow us to enjoy water activities; surfing, diving, fishing, boating, jet-skiing, kayaking... or towing my 4Runner to rockcrawling/4wheeling sites around the country as well.

What I really want is a Sportmobile, but they are not in my price range, even used. So, I'm trying to build my own. Or something similar, possibly superior in ways. Indoor shower for the fiancee being a big one.

The FJ40 is for sale. Sort of. I haven't made a strong push to sell it yet, but it's a project I just don't have time nor enthusiasm for right now. I've got someone local interested in it, and supposedly coming to check it out this weekend. If that falls thru I will make more of an effort to sell it.

Are you looking to re-live your youth with another one?

 

[T.Low]

Are you looking to re-live your youth

YES!



with another one?[/QUOTE]

NO!


No thanks, as cool as those are, I've got my hands full with enough projects and planned travel dates and weekly rides and paddles, thanks.

I need to do bumpers front and rear, and a Westphalia type interior yet. When thats all done, it will be time to reassess the idea of a SAS.