Seeking a penthouse van

[lmpetersen]

Hello, longtime lurker here.

I sold our family's Econoline yesterday in anticipation of buying a Sportsmobile, but sadly by the time I had cash in hand it was too late and the SMB had been sold. So now I am in the market and ready to buy.

I am not specifically seeking a 4wd machine, in fact 2wd has gotten us to a lot of areas that our Jeep friends were surprised by. Here is what I am seeking so if someone is selling please let me know. I know its kind of specific but with my family and how we travel...this is 3 years of research:

- 5.4l V8 (willing to consider others, but I like this engine for a minimilst interior)
- Pop-top of some kind. We have two kids so having a sleeping area for them is important. Can be a GTRV, SMB, Colorado CV, or other setup...but we need a poptop or a van that can accomodate this(no rear airbags, etc)
- A forward facing rea sofa seat. This has been the hardest thing to find....most vans are either two captains seats or side-facing. With the two child carseats we want to be able to have them safely facing front but also utilize the middle space of the van.
- No cooking/appliances. We cook outside, in all season. So minimilist/spartan interiors are the most appealing.
- 4wd optional. I am fine with 2wd but I do want an e250 or e350 so that 4wd is an option in the future.
- EB or RB....either way. I like the idea of an EB but I also loved the fuel economy of my RB with a 5.4l.
- Less than 150000 miles.
- Price range: up to $30000 I live in the PNW where that often seems like a pipedream but that's what I can do and I feel that what I am looking for makes that reasonable.

I would be fine with buying a nice clean van and building it too....but if one exists out there that fits this and you are ready to sell I am ready to buy. Thanks for taking the time to read this

[Grampswrx]

Your van will show up...eventually. Seems like they are plentiful until you're ready.

How about this one? Has a bench and a kitchen (which you dont want). Also, the chevy platform rides way better. I know, I have had both.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ws...009927745.html

[Grampswrx]

Also, the 50 floorplan is much easier to sell when you do get rid of it, because it's the most versatile.

[lmpetersen]

I was looking at that, thank you.

I haven’t driven a Chevy yet.....I loved how my ‘94 e150 drove but a mechanic friend told me it was the best driving E van he’d ever driven. I got used to the drift.

[Grampswrx]

Its been on the market for a while. They started at $35k. They are slowly learning that a van of that age that is 2wd is worth somewhere in the $20's. And thats tough to swallow.

[Nrobert10]

There is a GTRV posted on Craigslist in Seattle. It appears to need some work but the mileage looks good. Looks like it had a rough life, but price is really good.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/r...008882333.html

[joefromsf]

How about this one. Seems to check most of your boxes:



https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/...019050466.html

[lmpetersen]

Originally Posted by joefromsf

How about this one. Seems to check most of your boxes:



https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/...019050466.html

Yes...that is the 'one that got away'. I called the guy and had money ready to go but he told me that it had sold 30 minutes earlier. That was this morning.

But yes, that is the perfect setup for us....with room for improvement later on. I am so bummed.

[lmpetersen]

It does, its on my list of considerations. I am leery about a few things....like you said it appears to have had a rough life.

[Grampswrx]

https://boulder.craigslist.org/rvs/d...021840475.html


https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/...007545009.html