95 ford sportsmobile $17995.00

[MSD]

No affiliation, not mine but is pretty clean.

Sportsmobile in great condition

Every time I see something like this I think Ujoint or Agile Offroad 4x4 conversion.

[86Scotty]

It's spooky how similar that is to my old van.


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[mikracer]

That's my old SMB. It was really clean and very functional.

[rallypanam]

I like how often there is a SMB posted and someone either knows the owner or was once the owner..

[MountainBikeRoamer]

Originally Posted by MSD

Every time I see something like this I think Ujoint or Agile Offroad 4x4 conversion.

Not to hijack the thread --- but to MSD's point....

I'm curious --- how many people are running around with 5.8-powered 4x4 SMB's here on the forum? Any idea how well the older pushrod 5.8 (and its e4OD transmission) like to be paired up with 4WD and a usually-fairly-heavily-loaded SMB?

I've been toying with that very idea with my 1995 RB. Only 88k miles on its clock, and with a just-rebuilt transmission (with updated HD internals) so I feel like the driveline is pretty stout.

But....even as it is (as a 2WD van), I'm only averaging about 11 mpg on freeway trips with this 5.8 engine (going 75-80mph of course.) So I'm guessing with a 4WD conversion and bigger tires, I'd be down into the single digits for sure. And then I'm thinking....why have I not found myself a newer SMB with a V10 if I'm going to be getting that kind of dismal MPG....? Might as well have the power.

What's the word? Any of you have any idea/experience with such a setup? How rewarding is a 5.8-powered 4WD SMB to own/drive/live with. (And how well does it pull its weight up the kind of grades that a 4WD will likely get you exploring.....?)

Thanks!
(....and now back to your regularly-scheduled SMB-for-sale programming.... )

[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by mikracer

That's my old SMB. It was really clean and very functional.

That's hilarious Jin. I had no idea. I've actually still got the trim pieces you wanted back then, for the new owner, if they pop up around here.

Best color ever.

[mikracer]

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

That's hilarious Jin. I had no idea. I've actually still got the trim pieces you wanted back then, for the new owner, if they pop up around here.

Best color ever.

Haha! I forgot about those trim pieces I needed! If someone buys it and pops up on the forum, maybe they can use them.

As far as 4x4 goes with the 5.8, I don't know if I would do it. When the van was loaded up with people, gear, water, etc., it was definitely lacking power going up hills and getting on the freeway. I don't remember what gears my SMB had though, maybe they were tall...?

[BajaSportsmobile]

With a 4X4 conversion will come the correct gearing for the engine and tire combination. I have a 96 RB SMB with 5.8L (351W) that I am converting to run 37 inch tires. With 5.13 gears it will get long just fine.

My preference is for the 97 and newer interiors though and that is a big deal in value.

Hell, the older front seat belts alone are enough to hate them.

[gcvt]

Seems slightly overpriced, at least to me. I got my '03 with 30,000 less miles for only $1,000 more. But, it didn't have SMB forum history.

Nice van indeed. Looks like the Penthouse bungy cords need to be replaced though.

Originally Posted by mikracer

That's my old SMB. It was really clean and very functional.

Jin, is that your peace/love/reggae sticker on there?

[nemesisnight]

I just picked up a 1994 RB with 159k that's very clean and runs great overall, of course its old and will need some work (brakes, ac, etc) for $12K for comparison. How much of the interior can be swapped out to the newer style? I defiantly want to get now front seats of some sort and ive seen the door panels replaced to updated panels, what else can be swapped? I don't care about the whole dash but what about steering wheel or center console/engine cover? This is probably not the best place to ask this but since the topic is being talked about why not....