badluckbandwagons build thread

[badluckbandwagon]

The Idea
My first car was a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland and it was very, very nice. Almost too nice. It took me from place to place and held its own off-road. But I wanted more. I realized I wanted the full immersion experience. I wanted to live in a van so I could be closer to fishing, snowboarding, climbing, off-roading, and eventually expeditions.

Why would I want to live the white-picket-fence life if I could have the alternative of true adventure?



The Van
After much dreaming and scheming, I bought a 2002 Ford E350 super-duty 7.3L PSD EB. The van came with 37s underneath UJOR’s 8 inch 4x4 lift, airbags, A pillar gauges, bushwhacker fender flares, OBA air system, beefed up oil pan that I don’t know the name of, and an extra oil filter. It used to have a sweet aluminess front bumper but it got chopped off when van got stolen from the previous owners driveway. The crackhead that stole it also took the dash kit, and a singular switch for the air compressor (lol). The previous owner paid for repairs out of pocket but the insurance company listed it as a salvage title anyways. We only found out it was listed as a salvage title when I went to go register it at the DMV. When the previous owner found out, he took the case to the state insurance board and offered to give me my money back when no change came out of it. Even though it does suck to have a salvage title, all I need is a vin verification and a brake & lamp check to get it to rebuilt status. I did however get a nice chunk of change for the insurance offset

Even though its got surface rust, chips, dents, missing bolts, and a fudged up title, this puppy is worthy of love.




The loose plan

Fix up minor engine stuff
Por-15 floor
UJOR EB basement and rear skids
Move Embark front and rear bumper
Rock sliders
Tuftport high top
Sound deadening
Havelock insulation
Planar heater
RB components diy sofa sleeper
Raptor liner
80/20 skeleton
Filtered Water system
Reclaimed wood + black interior
Aspen frontiers Patagonia duffle racks.


The Main Goal
Build a comfortable, thought-out, lightweight, long term livable adventure van that you can still wheel pretty good

[badluckbandwagon]

First step. New Shoes!



Got rid of the noisy MTs that had an alarming crack in one of them.

[marret]

Crazy story, but glad it worked out. Look forward to see how it turns out.

[Twoxentrix]

Originally Posted by badluckbandwagon

Even though its got surface rust, chips, dents, missing bolts, and a fudged up title, this puppy is worthy of love.

^^^^ I have the same conversation each morning when looking back at the guy in the mirror

Your Van has a lot going in it’s favor…and a lot of potential.

[JWA]

FWIW I too have a van with salvage title created by the original owner's insurance company. That had absolutely no bearing on my purchase for the owner's agreed upon price of $3,800 cash for a 2000 E-250 regular body with 203K miles, raised roof, extended height rear doors and A/C---it was in spectacular condition.

What caused the salvage title was the van had 203K miles, was 8 years old as a commercial wheel chair transport. The damage was nothing more than a few bolt-on front steering and suspension parts that had been replaced. When it came time for a test drive it took me about fifty feet to know this would be a bargain at the price.

Long story short ya never know who's the right guy or gal---cast your fate to the wind and best of luck on your sale!

[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by Twoxentrix

^^^^ I have the same conversation each morning when looking back at the guy in the mirror

Your Van has a lot going in it’s favor…and a lot of potential.

Ha! Me too. Good stuff.

[KDB]

Sweet rig and look forward to seeing the build!

[badluckbandwagon]

Thanks for the support guys!

[rizzabove]

Awesome rig! I’ll be following your progress.