1998 E-350 Chateau 7.3L/4x4

[Offroading_is_Fun]

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/...857665279.html

$20K... Really unusual color... No mileage posted though.

Looks pretty clean inside. curious about what else is rusting after looking at the trailer hitch, though.

-- No affiliation with the poster.

Did they ever make EB Chateau's?
Is S&K as well regarded as Quigley, UJOR, other conversions?

Upon further inspection, it looks like it needs paint too... How does one accurately determine value for a van like this?

On one hand, 7.3L, 4x4, relatively nice interior.... on the other hand needs paint, has (some) rust, and with no mileage listed, fair to assume 200+K miles.

I realize that 'It's worth whatever someone else is willing to pay for it', but is there a better way to value a 21 year old truck?

[renegadeoverland]

This seems like a fairly ok deal to me.

I dont know much about S&K but have heard the name and with Dana 60's that is a not a bad start. I would want to know who did the tranny work (e.g. will I have to plan on doing more or again given only "meh" work to begin with) and what t-case is in it. But as far as valuation goes here is my logic.

base value of van (mileage is a big thing here so not knowing that is a problem) ... with teh 7.3 assume 5k - 10k depending on mileage/running condition/maintenance records overall condition -- e.g. rust -- etc

value of 4x4 conversion. A D60 based conversion is going to be somewhere in the high teens to low 20's I would guess depending on what specific options you want. I know Agile is in the upper teens now with the TTB front axle. My local 4x4 shop said a conversion is typically in the range of 15 - 25 depending on if you did dynatrac built axles or used off wrecks, what t-case you want etc. So I always took the conservative end as I am not opposed to used parts ... 15k

value of any immediate avoided needs -- condition of tires, do you like the rims, do you want different bumpers, solar, batteries etc. This is not really a line I can put a number on but I viewed it in the sense of "My Budget is X, this need A, B, and C which cost D, E, and F respectively -- can I stay within budget at this price plus the cost of taking it from where it is to where I want it". For me that was 10k for solar/batteries and Aluminess bumpers. So if a van had those I would account for not having to spend that money myself and adjust my valuation accordingly.

and finally, similar to the previous point, I would look at my overall budget, where I wanted to be for a total investment (which is not always the same as the current available budget for a purchase) and play the worst case scenario game .... so something like this. "My dream SMB/Adventure Van would cost me 65k if I bought one that someone did all the things I want. This is 20k and is halfway there. Add 15k for all the addons, 10k for a personalized interior mods, and that leaves me with 20k to invest into engine/trans rebuilds over time... I am good with that"

So all in all assuming the parts used were good and the suspension is tight I think 20k is actually quite fair just from the first two points alone. The only remaining piece for anyone interested is are you willing to go into the purchase eyes open with the reality that you might have to sink another 10k into major engine work if the thing has issues?

[simplesez]

I can say with relative certainty that Ford did not make a extended body (EB) chateau.

[mikracer]

If this doesn't have 300k miles, I think it will sell pretty quickly. But considering mileage isn't listed, I'm going to assume it has a lot of miles (>200k). I don't see rust on the body in the pics in the ad, just on the trailer hitch.

[Offroading_is_Fun]

Well, if someone from the forum here ends up buying this van and decides they don't want the rear RB plastic trim panels if they do an interior redesign, I want them!

Seems harder and harder to find interiors for vans.

[gwbuild]

Renegadeoverland; That was a great rundown on some things to consider, when trying to determine the value of a van

[Offroading_is_Fun]

Anyone know what the deal is with this van? https://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/d/...855871647.html

Saw this two months ago on the mexican border south of san diego, looks like exactly the same van (same price, same crummy description, albeit with a few extra photos) and now it's in Tuscon...

Texted the guy before (Deleted the text, but the phone number looks familiar enough) and never got a response...?

[BroncoHauler]

Originally Posted by Offroading_is_Fun

Anyone know what the deal is with this van? https://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/d/...855871647.html

Saw this two months ago on the mexican border south of san diego, looks like exactly the same van (same price, same crummy description, albeit with a few extra photos) and now it's in Tuscon...

Texted the guy before (Deleted the text, but the phone number looks familiar enough) and never got a response...?

Aside from the fact it looks like it's in a trash yard, that front end looks like a Dana 44, which is asking a lot out of that differential.




Herb

[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by simplesez

I can say with relative certainty that Ford did not make a extended body (EB) chateau.

I second this. I've been following Chateaus for many years. There is just something about them I like. I've looked at hundreds. No EB Chateaus.

While we're talking Chateaus, few know of a pretty rare package Ford did for a couple years that was called a Traveler package. Basically a Chateau. Someone here has/had one. Jin (Mikracer) may know. I think he and I have discussed this.

Another misunderstanding is that Chateau/Travelers were upfitted somewhere like all of the 'custom' vans that are similar to them. This is false. Ford sold them from the factory, they are not a conversion.

These can be found in E150 or E350 form but few of us would look for an E150 anything.

Now someone please link a cheap, rust free 98 V10 Chateau for me please. 2wd is fine. 92-98 Chateaus have the 4 cap'ns chairs with holes in the headrests. They are powered with lumbar. They are the best vehicle seats ever made. They are awesome. These vans are getting REALLY rare.

[Offroading_is_Fun]

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

While we're talking Chateaus, few know of a pretty rare package Ford did for a couple years that was called a Traveler package. Basically a Chateau. Someone here has/had one. Jin (Mikracer) may know.

Now someone please link a cheap, rust free 98 V10 Chateau for me please. 2wd is fine. 92-98 Chateaus have the 4 cap'ns chairs with holes in the headrests. They are powered with lumbar. They are the best vehicle seats ever made. They are awesome. These vans are getting REALLY rare.

Stupid question; what does the 'Traveler' have that a 'Chateau' does not? More electronic goodies/higher end version of Chateau? Wikipedia doesn't say much beyond that Ford dropped the Chateau in 2000 or 2001 (Despite seeing loads of 2002 'chateau's'?), and the 'Traveler' model was E-150 only, for a single year before it was dropped.

Not what you're looking for, but this popped up on Craigslist yesterday.... Tempted but when he says 'make offer' he's probably looking for someone to throw $20-25K at him... https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/c...858159345.html

If you're looking to comb craigslist for something, search tempest has been quite helpful to me when I'm looking for something. Sadly I haven't seen any $500 aluminess bumpers... but one can hope


Supposedly this is what you're looking for... ha, ha. I don't think they even know what they are trying to sell, a gutted chateau with the rare 7.3L V10, that's front wheel drive.
https://memphis.craigslist.org/cto/d...856872320.html