What should I do with a 94 e250 extended cargo van

[BeNimble]

I have this cargo van. It has 365,000 miles, a 5.8L (351W SBF) engine and the transmission needs work.
Really looking to sell it frankly, but should I fix it, rebuild it, 4x4 it, high-top it, diesel-swap it..or sell it as-is cheap, needing work, almost no buyers with this mileage.
Body is good. I can do anything to it, meaning I have the space and skills to fabricate it anyway I want,
but I have enough projects not to want a 6 month debacle..
I do have a 87 F250 with 6.9L diesel 4x4 and 5.0 explorer awd maybe use parts from them.

What do you suggest?

 

[Cummins_expo]

To many Vans out there to invest time and effort into this one. Put those parts into something worth while

 

[plh]

Rust free? If its a rusted out carcass, crush it.

 

[BeNimble]

I'm in Sacramento, this van has zero rust, paint is even good after washing it.
I keep an eye on CL ads all the time, an extended cargo van is hard to find, might even say rare these days, certainly a 5.8L rare.
The mid=90's was a sweet spot, then we get chipped keys and overhead cams.

I think maybe just rebuild the engine/trans, a 351W can be rebuilt pretty cheap, the AODE not so much.

 

[plh]

I'm in Sacramento, this van has zero rust, paint is even good after washing it.
I keep an eye on CL ads all the time, an extended cargo van is hard to find, might even say rare these days, certainly a 5.8L rare.
The mid=90's was a sweet spot, then we get chipped keys and overhead cams.

I think maybe just rebuild the engine/trans, a 351W can be rebuilt pretty cheap, the AODE not so much.

Sounds like you will need to check comps then - locally in good running condition and consider if the amount of work and $ spent would be worth the fixing. Its a tough sell with needed transmission work and 365K on the W - you will instantly loose 98% of potential buyers as compared to a good driving vehicle. Rare bird that wants to buy an old (headed to 30!) fixer.

 

[BeNimble]

I think it best to leave it 2wd with the 5.8l, EPA rated 12/16mpg, not too bad.
Maybe the idea is to camper-ize it without going overboard.
So what can I do to make it a better camper? Pop top?
Ok, let's go overboard instead..have the sides fold down into a massive living area?
Or maybe a little bit simpler, and a fold out side, like this: