Vans!

[Doc.Snyder]

Originally Posted by spagthorpe

Saw this beauty at the South rim of the Grand Canyon the other day...

This is its big brother:

[dirtypumpkin]

Originally Posted by Doc.Snyder

That thing reminded me of this:

[Hal-Koll]

Originally Posted by snakebit

I have a 2003 e-150 with the 4.2 liter v-6. On a 6600 mile road trip last Fall I averaged 18.67 MPG. Van was loaded with a half done camper conversion including paneling, insulation,double bed, water and waste tanks,sink and stove and ice box in built in cabinets, .

Have you posted up any pix in this thread, I would love to see some pictures of the build process if you have some. I have been thinking about doing the DIY camper van but am having trouble finding any real instruction books about things like running the wiring and plumbing and insulation issues, etc.

Kurt

[Gummee!]

Originally Posted by garandman

I looked at one for my business back in the day. Passed because that motor is so loud I was concerned that driving through a residential area would cause complaints.

WHAT?!

I don't go to the snooty areas of town in mine for that very reason. I like the size, mileage, etc of the 'Stroke, but the noise is killing my bidness. When yer selling insurance, annuities, etc. looking like the help isn't bueno. I take the Bitchin Camaro for them days.

M

[Gummee!]

Originally Posted by snakebit

The only time I felt a lack of power was up in the Colorado Rockies . A friend of mine who worked at a Ford dealership claims the small V-8 will do just as well driven sensibly and have more power reserve.

I had an extended cab stepside 97 F150 with the big V-8 (5.4l) and my roommate at the time had a 97 F150 fleetside with the little V-8 (4.6l) he got consistently 2-3mpg better around town, but I caught up on the freeway 'cause he only got 1-2mpg better. Around town, I got 17-ish. 20-22 on the freeways doing 75-ish.

Pulled his boat back from the Colo River. Got 8mpg, but got up the big hill at 55mph!

Not sure how that translates into 'van' but I'm sure it'll be similar. If it were me AND I didn't hafta worry about pulling something, I'd stick with the 5.4l. ...and I have the Stroke now! HOWEVER if you ARE planning on pulling something, the Stroke is hard to beat.

M

[DWalt]

Originally Posted by Hal-Koll

Have you posted up any pix in this thread, I would love to see some pictures of the build process if you have some. I have been thinking about doing the DIY camper van but am having trouble finding any real instruction books about things like running the wiring and plumbing and insulation issues, etc.

Kurt

Expedition Portal.com

[DWalt]

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=563214

[KidKawie]

[Queen]

Originally Posted by KidKawie

[ErikY.]

My RHD 4 wheel drive Mitsu Delica, imported from Japan.








Ever since my dad camperized an old Dodge Tradesman in '73, I've loved vans.

[smithy1]

Great thread and some real cool vans!

A local transmission shop has had this Ford off to the side for at least a few months. Wouldn't this be a great vehicle to haul the bike to the enduro's! I am tempted to see if she needs a new home...

[theMISSIONARY]

Always loved my VW's only hate Kombi camper's....Kombis are made to jump

this is my kind of Kombi


Or a Mitsubishi L300 anyone

[RichBeBe]

Originally Posted by smithy1

Great thread and some real cool vans!

A local transmission shop has had this Ford off to the side for at least a few months. Wouldn't this be a great vehicle to haul the bike to the enduro's! I am tempted to see if she needs a new home...

Funny I was looking at this one yesterday and wondering if my WR would fit in it http://newyork.craigslist.org/jsy/cto/1687345496.html
Not that I want to spend the money, nor is it practical, but it is cool as hell.
I say go for it, we'll notice it at Delaware

[smithy1]

Originally Posted by RichBeBe

...Not that I want to spend the money, nor is it practical, but it is cool as hell.
I say go for it, we'll notice it at Delaware

I know what you mean. Not sure that I could "sell" it to my wife right now. Maybe I could sneak it home after dark and hide it behind the shop. (Nope, that is not a real good idea.)

And no, don't expect to see it a Delaware.

[snakebit]

Originally Posted by Hal-Koll

Have you posted up any pix in this thread, I would love to see some pictures of the build process if you have some. I have been thinking about doing the DIY camper van but am having trouble finding any real instruction books about things like running the wiring and plumbing and insulation issues, etc.

Kurt

No, I haven't taken any pictures of the build. I'm very close to finishing and will try to figure out posting pictures once I'm done. The last major step will be building and installing a short pop top something like the early VW westys.


As far as wiring and plumbing, I come from a background of building, repairing, maintaining and living aboard sailboats and pretty much used marine equipment and practices for plumbing and electrical. Most boat equipment is better quality than RV stuff in my opinion. A seemingly little thing like using tinned marine wire can avoid a lot of problems down the road.

The boatbuilding section in your local library might be helpful, there are a lot of very comprehensive books on amateur boatbuilding around. If you have any specific questions I would be happy to try to help.