Questions about what van to get

[campervan]

hi i am new to camper vans but i am thinking of geting a 90s ford e250 but have some questions i heard you can convert them to 4wd prity easy is this true? and it the ford e250 a good choose or wood a different one be better? i want to put a hight top on it and have a kitchen inside and a place to sleep iam thinking of a dinet table that folds into a bed like the ones in traveltralers any input would help a lot and any pics of your vans would be cool for some insperation

[jage]

Well converting to 4x4 is "pretty easy" in that you can find several shops and throw money at it.

I'd look for a 92+ Quigley that already has 4x4 and then do a junkyard top. It should be an easy combination to find and will save you from putting a new $15000 4x4 in a $6000 van.

I'd also stick with the E250/350 over 150s, but finding a good condition 4x4 would be more important.

[campervan]

ok thanks for the input.also how do you install cabnets in a van?

[jage]

With screws and angle brackets mostly.

[twogone]

As always, my opinions are worth what you pay for them. Cabinets schmabinets, my van is choked with cabinets. When I get some time midsummer, every single one of them are coming out to be replaced with open space to accept whatever configuration of duffles/storage boxes/etc that I need for a particular outing. They are soooo heavy/space inefficient and if I needed all the conveniences of home, well, I'd stay home. Get a good van and 4wd, solar and a fridge and the rest will work itself out.

[IheartDieselVans]

I agree, permanent fixtures such as cabinets aren't worth it. They're heavy and take up too much space. I use organized bins that slide under my bed. I always felt like owning a huge van that couldn't haul some cargo, sheets of plywood, etc was the wrong direction for me, so I designed mine with that in mind. My sofa/bed comes out with 8 bolts, and I can go from having a comfortable living/camping space for 2 people to a completely empty van in about 20 minutes.

[Ford_6L_E350]

If you are going with loose storage in the van instead of cabinets, be sure and get a bulkhead between you storage and seating. In an accident ALL that stuff will become missiles.

Mike

[Gnarvan]

Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350

be sure and get a bulkhead between you storage and seating. In an accident ALL that stuff will become missiles. Mike

I went with a cargo net system in my van to keep the torpedos from sneaking up on me during evasive maneuvers.

Front cargo net


Rear cargo net


P.S. Plus 1 on the Cabinets Schmabinets

[mjeffrey]

I'm going to disagree - I LOVE having cabinets and would never do without them. I can keep everything packed and ready to go in the various drawers and cupboards, find things easily, keep the van organized without having to shift bins about, etc.

Total weight of my cabinets is under 150 pounds - I weighed my largest set before I put them in the van and the case was 30 lbs.



I can (and do) still carry multiple 4x8 sheets, as well as large items, all while carrying 4 people (2 adults + 2 kids).

For me, cabinets are what make the van. I have no interest in camping in a bare van - it's the ease of opening a drawer to get my dishes, or of opening the large top cabinet and having my food and cutting boards organized, that makes it that much more enjoyable.

Whatever you decide, have fun!
Mike.

[larrie]

+1 to Mikes comments. I lived in a van for a year with no cabinets. It got tiresome not knowing where things were. Cabinets keep things organized and always in he same place. Plus I like the fact that all I have to do is load the food and drive.


Larrie
89 Ford 2WD penthouse