View attachment 361685
This is the end of my "Budget Build" but not the "Van Build" as I have a lot of ideas that I would like to add over time but the build is at the point is just what I wanted to show in the budget zone where almost anyone could have a great traveling van. If your logging in the AWD Van photo is really what I thought I'd had ended up with when we purchased it. I was going to make her my budget van base. BUTT! I have had this habit where I drive all of my auto's and trucks for FREE! and I needed to prove to myself that I could use my talents to do it with a campervan. I strayed from starting the AWD build and spent my time in researching Autotrader and Craigslist to just see what an AWD with just 40k miles was worth, and the wheels started to turn. I have a thing or 2 to work with I have patience's and I can take a day and go if I need to as well as I trust buying through the GSA Auctions.
I paid $2,960 for the van about $375 to get her back to Michigan and about $800 in all to get her up for sale, craigslist sale so no cost there. I cleared $7700 and this was my budget # for a new build, I do not try to find auto's to sell but I wanted to see if you could do this with no cost or free. My old van (GMC) I also sold for just a bit more than I had in her. This is where the E350 build started!
We.ve had the chance to do a little traveling in the E350, 15 days (nights) and we know this is a great upgrade from the GMC just because of what we have learned over the past 3 & 1/2 years. We've done a beach front trip, City Urban trip and now a fire road trip the van is in great shape and a member of our family and way under budget. With the money burning we're hitting the road again this week.
This is a close break down of our cost more or less.
Cost of the 2001 E-350 15pass Super Duty Van $2,911, Transportation from Tn to Mi by 1st Rate Transport out of Elkhardt Is $400 plus a Drivers tip of $50, State sales tax $120, New battery $115, Tires (Firestone TransForce A/T 10 ply) $630 after $60 rebate, Water Tank (e-bay) $65, Elec Service w/battery charger $115, 12v water pump $58, Plywood $220, Stain and Polycoating $70, 120v 3.3cu foot Refrig $130, Power Convertor Harbor freight $140, JoAnn's fabric $170, Touch-up paint $35, Wood Flooring (Clearance) $16, 700w Mircowave $32, Screws $15, Ikea Mattress $110, Battery Boxes $40, Radio (Dash) $80, Wood trim $30, Lights (Celing) $10, Sink and faucet $55, Folding table $30, Front and rear hitches $170, Winch and mount platform (Harbor Freight) $220, Paint Cleaner $40, Snaps for drapes $42, Seat base $165, Venting fan $45, Tile for counters $35, Side window wind/sun visors $30, Water plumbing $58, House battery cable wires $64, More oak trim $32, House batteries $188, Misc plumping and electric $19, Mics small receipts $217.
Total Build $5,764 and only 46,000 miles on her.
Very clean van now with out any rust, we hope to turn the wheels for a few years of enjoyment!
You will see a TV, DVD PlayerGrill, Stove and Buddy Heater and a few odds and ends but these are items not purchased in this build just assets we had along with the roof bars.
When I started I thought the window van was going to be harder to build, this turned out to be the opposite I now feel it saved $300-$400 dollars as well as 100 hours of build time as well as I got rear air and dome lights to boot.
The windows were already Limo Tinted and the bottom of the body has rock guard already in place which I feel also saved $1,000+!:rally_guys:
I'll always enjoy your ************ wheels, lifts, tires and stereo; but hey my factory gray wheels are turning out there on the road as well!
