el-cid
Observer
Anybody looking for a big (and I do mean big) van? I have my '78 E350 Pathfinder conversion up for sale, since it's been superseded by a VW (I know, I know). I'll copy my Craigslist ad verbatim:
Up on the block this week is my '78 Ford E350 Pathfinder Conversion four wheel drive van. If you're looking at this you probably have an idea what it is, but if not I'll run through it. A company called Pathfinder Vans (still in business) did 4x4 conversions on Ford, Chevy & Dodge vans straight off the assembly line. This van came from the factory with a 460 big block, C6 automatic transmission & a full-floating Dana 60 rear end; Pathfinder added a New Process 205 transfer case and a Dana 44 HD (Heavy Duty) front axle and a coil-spring front suspension setup.
I bought this in 2009 from an unreputable seller (not from ExPo, from Craigslist) who had a problem with it "losing coolant". He had put a new radiator in it at the time and it had a miss but I didn't think much of it. After I drove it for a while and it still had a miss and was losing coolant. I braced for the worst and got it; it had a 1" long rusty crack in the #1 cylinder. I sourced a 1971 marine block and built up a new engine over the winter with a new RV cam, rebuilt stock heads, all new fuel lines, a new Holley 600 auto-choke carb, a new HEI distributor/ignition, and plugs and wires, of course. The C6 was built by Fairbanks Racing Automatics and the transfer case and axles are in great shape (the front axle could stand some new manual hubs, available from Pathfinder Vans). Mechanically the van is rock solid now and the engine has less than 200 miles on it. It has nice aluminum wheels and 245/75 16 Blizzak tires in great shape. It also has dual tanks (handy with the 460...).
The interior is pretty basic, with front bucket seats and a rear couch that folds flat. It's ready for a full-blown camper interior (my plan before I bought a VW, guess I'm a hippie at heart). It's temporary serving as a catch-all, that's why I don't have any interior pictures right now. It just needs a new home.
The van drives very well, runs great and handles much better in town or on the highway than it's size may lead you to believe. The suspension and steering is very tight and even in the wind it doesn't wander at all.
Considering what I have into it, I'd like to get $3500 obo.; I might be interested in a 4x4 diesel truck (Chevy 6.5 TD, Ford 7.3 TD, Dodge Cummins) trade, let me know what you have. Call me (Chad) with any questions at 406-five six zero-3190 or PM me or e-mail through ExPo. Thanks!
Up on the block this week is my '78 Ford E350 Pathfinder Conversion four wheel drive van. If you're looking at this you probably have an idea what it is, but if not I'll run through it. A company called Pathfinder Vans (still in business) did 4x4 conversions on Ford, Chevy & Dodge vans straight off the assembly line. This van came from the factory with a 460 big block, C6 automatic transmission & a full-floating Dana 60 rear end; Pathfinder added a New Process 205 transfer case and a Dana 44 HD (Heavy Duty) front axle and a coil-spring front suspension setup.
I bought this in 2009 from an unreputable seller (not from ExPo, from Craigslist) who had a problem with it "losing coolant". He had put a new radiator in it at the time and it had a miss but I didn't think much of it. After I drove it for a while and it still had a miss and was losing coolant. I braced for the worst and got it; it had a 1" long rusty crack in the #1 cylinder. I sourced a 1971 marine block and built up a new engine over the winter with a new RV cam, rebuilt stock heads, all new fuel lines, a new Holley 600 auto-choke carb, a new HEI distributor/ignition, and plugs and wires, of course. The C6 was built by Fairbanks Racing Automatics and the transfer case and axles are in great shape (the front axle could stand some new manual hubs, available from Pathfinder Vans). Mechanically the van is rock solid now and the engine has less than 200 miles on it. It has nice aluminum wheels and 245/75 16 Blizzak tires in great shape. It also has dual tanks (handy with the 460...).
The interior is pretty basic, with front bucket seats and a rear couch that folds flat. It's ready for a full-blown camper interior (my plan before I bought a VW, guess I'm a hippie at heart). It's temporary serving as a catch-all, that's why I don't have any interior pictures right now. It just needs a new home.
The van drives very well, runs great and handles much better in town or on the highway than it's size may lead you to believe. The suspension and steering is very tight and even in the wind it doesn't wander at all.
Considering what I have into it, I'd like to get $3500 obo.; I might be interested in a 4x4 diesel truck (Chevy 6.5 TD, Ford 7.3 TD, Dodge Cummins) trade, let me know what you have. Call me (Chad) with any questions at 406-five six zero-3190 or PM me or e-mail through ExPo. Thanks!
