My 1986 Ford Falcon E250

[d0n]

Here's my "new" toy. I picked it up at an auction in Pa recently and had it shipped back here to upstate NY. I've been working on it for about a month. Being almost 30 years old, nearly every wearable part needed replacing. Here's a list of what I've done so far... 4 tires, wheel covers, front brakes & flex lines, rancho 5000 shocks, smog pump, alternator, 2 batteries, full tune up, 4 V-belts, oil change, coolant and auto transmission flushes, all heater hoses and radiator hoses, brake master cylinder & vacuum booster, power steering pump hoses, rv water pump & I fixed 4 water system leaks, 24" Vizio smart TV, King Jack Antenna, am/fm/cd in the dash, 300 and 600 watt inverters, LED lights throughout the interior, had a seamstress redo all the cushions and curtains, I resealed the roof and recaulked everything, I bought a rear carrier, cargo box and a Yamaha EF2400 watt generator since the van didn't come with an onboard genny

...and on and on. It's been a money pit but the van is so solid (no rust to speak of) that it begged to be brought back to life.

Left to do... new carpet and newer front captains chairs.

Here's a slide show of about 140 pics I've taken since the restoration started... http://smg.photobucket.com/user/esop/slideshow/falcon rv

BEFORE

AFTER

LOTS OF BUFFING

 

[spencyg]

So clean!!!

 

[ober27]

Wow! You've been busy. Looks great.

 

[d0n]

thanks guys... it's a labor of love for an old girl who deserves to be brought back to life.

For me, there's not a more content feeling than knowing I have a reliable vehicle that has its own 110v & 12v power sources, 26 gallons of potable water, a toilet, 2 beds, shower and cooking facilities... that I can jump in & go anytime and almost anywhere. That is BLISS! :ylsmoke:

 

[d0n]

spencyg I am reading your van resto thread now. WOW, awesome job. If mine was 4wd, I'd be all set! I see your Maine plate. I grew up in Gorham. 23 years there. I've clammed in Lubec and rode snowmobiles in Millinocket. The next 24 years spent in overtaxed upstate NY and now it's time for a move to Smyrna Ga. in a couple months.

You know the leaky grey "Quest" plumbing in these campers well. My hardware store guy explained that it was an early attempt at the PEX system but was an utter failure that resulted in many lawsuits and bankruptcy. I installed a new water pump and found leak after leak after leak... 4 to be exact. One was behind the fridge. PITA! I like your plumbing job with new flexible hoses. I wasn't ready to dig in as deep as you did and replace the whole system though.

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

I've looked at Falcons, because I want a fully contained Class B, they are nice, but almost all of them are all used up - you got a sweet one.

I finally bought a 1999 Coachman Class B the other day - I'm thinking these older Class B's could be real cool with 4X$ and all the black stuff on them.

Congratulations!

 

[350outrage]

What a cool find! Body looks really straight!

 

[Obernelson]

Nice rig & great work to bring it back. I did the same to a 1994 C30 Coachman class B. I needed to replace the front coil springs as one side was sagging by 1.5 inches. I then got the alignment before my cross country 13,000 mile trip


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Shocker]

Awesome! Now, time to convert to 4x4.

 

[tgreening]

Awesome! Now, time to convert to 4x4.

Agreed. There are few vehicles in this world that can't be improved by the addition of a transfer case.

 

[d0n]

The old Falcon made its maiden voyage from upstate NY to Atlanta Ga. without a hitch. 1100 miles at 65-70mph... no problem! 10-12 mpg with the 351w engine. Since the camper came without an onboard generator, I bought a Yamaha ef2400 and locked it on to a cargo carrier on the back. It is so quiet that you can barely hear it inside and no vibration. I've always been a "Honda guy" but Honda doesn't make a 2400 watt. It's either an eu2000 or the heavy eu3000. This 2400 watt Yamaha is perfect!

 

[Shocker]

Sweeeet!

 

[dar395]

For me, there's not a more content feeling than knowing I have a reliable vehicle that has its own 110v & 12v power sources, 26 gallons of potable water, a toilet, 2 beds, shower and cooking facilities... that I can jump in & go anytime and almost anywhere. That is BLISS! :ylsmoke:[/QUOTE]

Christ sakes Don, I think you missed an option, Lack of 84 monthly payments! Great looking old girl, She got a name yet? Dean

 

[Bronco bobby]

Wow she's a clean old girl. Just think how nice she would look with an Action Van or Camburg lift kit.

 

[tgreening]

No, no no! Full on Ujor 4x4 conversion. To me those 2wd lift kits are kinda like a boob job. Looks good but just doesn't feel right. 😆. (duck n cover!)