Hi Guys-
I wanted to drop in and "show my face" so that I can start posting questions right away!
Just the other day I purchased a Ford E250, 2x4, SMB with 128K down in FL (same 93 another poster asked about a few months back). After putting a $500 deposit to hold the van, a buddy of mine and I flew down to Daytona Beach FL to check it out and baring any major undisclosed issues, drive it back to Central/Northern NJ.
We arrived in Daytona at 1:30pm on Thursday and after kicking the tires and signing some papers we were on our way out by 3:30pm making a bee-line for Edisto Beach in S. Carolina. We pulled into the camp site at ~11pm, popped the top (wow what a pleasure to be all set up in less than a few minutes) had a celebratory beer and then promptly passed out (our day had started at 4am).
I woke up at 6am to this this:
After a quick camp site shower and a walk on the beach, we de-popped the top and headed out on our 13hr treck home. I'm happy to report we made it without incodent!
The dealer had disclosed that the van had an exhaust leak at the passenger side manifold, but claimed everything else checked out fine. And from what we could tell, aside from the sloppy steering everything does seem to be fine. The interior is immaculate for it's age; it could pass for a couple years old. Of course it has it's share of minor little imperfections, but having such a clean interior, a completely rust free body/chassis and a solid pop top with very new looking fabric, it's really hard not to look past the bubble wrap in the side view mirrors that keep them from shaking
The SMB will double as a family RV for camping and my toy (VW Corrado track car and enclosed 14ft trailer) haller a few times a year.
Without even enjoying it yet, I'm ready to make some changes. Pull the rear AC (although I do really like having the AC) raise it, ditch the aluminum step sides, add a front bumper light bar, maybe add some sort of graphic wrap to help break up the massive amount of off-white and bolt up some black wheels wrapped with 31/32's.
Questions (I've already done quite a bit of searching with poor results thus far)
1. Are there any good shops out here on the east coast that are familiar with van lifts? I've seen a few of the lift kits that are available, but everyone seems to be out in the west.
2. What's a good, alternative (read: non ghetto looking) AC solution? Are roof mounts a good solution?
3. Where can I find light bars and step bars for the econoline van?
4. Anyone know where I can source "vintage" interior parts for a 93 E250? The passenger seat belt shroud is busted. The two front door pulls could use a refresh. I'll also need a passenger side rear cargo door glass
Here's a couple pics posted by the dealer in the original ad.
track toy
Thanks for reading