-For Sale: 1997 Ford RB E350 7.3 diesel camper van, highly customized, many extras

SALE PENDING!

• VIN 1FTJE34F6VHA35513. Ground up stealth camper build with extensive modifications including 630 watts of solar, 4 AGM batteries, 6000 BTU 93% efficient furnace, and 6000 BTU Energy Star AC. NOT a Sportsmobile. Gets great mileage and tows well.

• 7.3 PowerStroke turbo diesel, 2WD, automatic transmission, cruise control, tilt wheel, manual locks, manual windows, full floating rear end

• 124,xxx miles, no engine performance mods, runs strong with no known operational issues. Maintenance is up to date, with no oil or fuel leaks. Very simple and reliable.

• Like new interior, rated an 8-9 out of 10. Exterior looks new at 20 feet, has dings and paint chips and is rated a 6 out of 10 overall

• Asking $8,900 and comes with MANY expensive camping accessories

• Located in Hutchinson, KS. My email is caseyswarts@hotmail.com and I’m available most evenings. My home phone is 620.669.8472

• A few more photos are located in my gallery

• Many photos https://picasaweb.google.com/1069527...eat=directlink

• Video http://youtu.be/aq8k3V__jCQ

• Document with all the details https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...it?usp=sharing

Key design goals
• Simple, stealthy Class B buildout
• Built to tow and support a travel trailer
• Easy to maintain, long life with diesel engine
• Great for winter camping
• Light weight and agile
• Well insulated with nice cabin AC and ducted heat
• Highly efficient systems with sophisticated energy capabilities

I purchased this van 4 years ago. After 600 hours and over $21,000 invested, I now have the van of my dreams. Only, my dreams have changed and it is now for sale. It is a fun and capable, customized Class B motorhome ideal for 2 people, great for towing and supporting a mid-size travel trailer. It also doubles as an excursion vehicle that’s a blast to camp in. Compact, with everything you need. The bed folds up into a belted bench seat for short jaunts with an extra passenger.

This is a 2WD 1997 Ford E350 Econoline 7.3 diesel cargo van. It is NOT a Sportsmobile, however I threw on a Sportsmobile bra and stickers because I like Sportsmobiles. I have it insured as an RV as it has all the equipment needed to qualify as one. The bed can be mostly removed for hauling large objects. This design is easy to modify should you desire to.

This van has extensive modifications, can pull a trailer easily, can power your travel trailer, transfer water to your travel trailer, and has a large amount of storage under the bed. It currently has a rear sliding storage pod, which can easily be removed for towing. It comes with a variety of high quality camping accessories, including one of the rarest and best 12V fridge/freezers ever made, the Coleman Free Piston Stirling Cooler.

The van does NOT have factory air conditioning. I added a well-optioned Energy Star window air unit (even has defrost) that runs while in motion for cooling. Not having factory AC makes the engine easier to work on, and keeps the engine bay a bit cooler. The 6000 BTU AC keeps up when driving in the summer heat and the upgraded alternator and wiring keeps everything humming along nicely. The van can run the AC easily for over an hour without the engine running, just off batteries alone.

Thanks for looking, -Casey

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Good clean rig, I tell ya if it had some chairs I'd be on it. Just for the body and engine all the camping and extras are like gravey. Good luck with your sale!

Wow, that's certainly loaded with goodies and clean, but I must say I have never seen a Ford van, or anything this new, without air conditioning. Does it have a compressor for the defroster to work effectively? I'm thinking it couldn't be too hard to retro fit air-conditioning from another van to this one. Anyway, I offer this merely as an idea for a prospective buyer.

Good luck with the sale!

No AC compressor or other parts. I thought it was a bit odd when I purchased it, but I grabbed it as diesel vans are extremely rare in my area, especially low mileage vans. So far interior condensation hasn't been an issue, but I'm sure under the right conditions I might have to address it.

Thanks for the input.

Holy Zombie Outbreak Batman, that thing is packed with camper. I'd put some more interior shots up so it doesn't look like just a van- I mean the outside isn't much, but the inside... woah.

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it was good to be back

The outside was mostly designed for stealth, with just a little bit of flare so it doesn't look like a creeper van. I've added more photos to my gallery, from my Picassa album.

AND a big "Thank You" to this forum. I couldn't have done it without you guys. The knowledge on here is truly awesome. This is the best forum I've ever subscribed to. And in certain ways, the most expensive, if you know what I mean!

Amazing!

Haven't seen such a nice van for a long time, really like the attention to details throughout the van. Best of luck with the sale, the next owner won't have much to do!

Cheers
Mr. D

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2008 E350 Hambo
2001 E350 AmbuLand (sold)
1970 Econoline popup camper
1965 Econoline Travelwagon
A few bicycles...and sandals ;)

I’ve been busy since I posted last. I’ve upgraded the air conditioning, alternator, alternator wiring, inverter, and added third passenger seating. Why? Basically because I’m a perfectionist (or an idiot, since this cost me an additional $1,000) and it wasn’t quite up to my standards.

The new air conditioning will freeze you out in warm weather and has defrost settings. The new alternator puts out a sustained 80 amps into the house circuits when hot and keeps the batteries topped off under heavy loads. An amazing byproduct of going to a 2000W pure sign wave inverter is that the microwave cooks twice as fast. I think a 600W electric water heater would be a viable option now, given the power capabilities, but I’ll leave that to the new owner.

I’ve updated photos and made a YouTube video. My gallery contains some of the original photos. I’ve also lowered the price to $8,900 hoping for a quick sale.

Even if you’re not interested in purchasing the vehicle I recommend you take a look at the media I’ve posted, if you’re into home builds. There might be something there that could spark an idea or two.

• Many photos https://picasaweb.google.com/1069527...eat=directlink

• Video http://youtu.be/aq8k3V__jCQ

• Document with all the details https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...it?usp=sharing

Once again, thanks to all on this forum. I’ve learned so very much and I owe it all to the geniuses here. -Casey

Nice van! Someone should jump on this! Where did you find those taillight covers?

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2003 7.3 UJOINT 4x4 SMB

Nice inside build. This is the second time recently on the forum that I've seen a standard AC unit installed inside. How are these being vented and how is the condensation being handled? I don't see any exterior vents on this van for the AC unit.