Looking for Unicorns...cheap mid 90s 4x4 poptops

[SirMrManGuy]

Hey all. Looking to get into the Sportsmobile game. My girlfriend and I are going to be doing a 6mo stint living in a van going climbing and mountain biking.

What we're looking for:
4x4
poptop (though I wouldnt pass up the right high roof)
Water tanks
Fridge
I particularly like the layouts with a gaucho in the front left and space in the back (rb33, 36 or eb48, 49 and 51) as we'd like to keep our bikes inside. An EB with an RB30 layout would be perfect. My girlfriend is fond of carbon fiber bikes that cost half of what we'll spend on the van...hence wanting to lock them up.


I've got about $20-25k to spend on the van. I know this is a bit tight but I've seen a few deals here and on craigslist (just missed out on a 93 quigley poptop with low miles for $23k).


Bit about me: I'm a mechanical engineer, currently living in New Zealand working in geothermal power plants, but I'm from Baltimore. We're planning to do this trip home to see people and have a bunch of fun before buying a house and settling down in NZ. I've previously been into offroading (some of you might remember the name from pirate4x4). I have a 95 Nissan Pathfinder with a d44 SAS and air lockers...sadly rusting away for the last few years at my parents place. I don't plan to go offroading in this van, I just want the 4wd for getting to remote campsites.

[86Scotty]

They're out there and your budget will get you one if you stay with the mid 90's stuff. I would recommend a 97-2000 if you can find it for the updated dash, console and especially the seat belts. 96 up will also get you OBDII which is much better.

This isn't 4x or your desired floor plan but is a good bit of van for the money if you can life with the 4.6

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5864376603.html

[SirMrManGuy]

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

They're out there and your budget will get you one if you stay with the mid 90's stuff. I would recommend a 97-2000 if you can find it for the updated dash, console and especially the seat belts. 96 up will also get you OBDII which is much better.

This isn't 4x or your desired floor plan but is a good bit of van for the money if you can life with the 4.6

2003 Ford Camper Van Class B - Traverse E250

Yeah, I don't mind that layout, we'd just put bikes in the middle which would be a bit less convenient but still work.

I've considered getting a 2wd like that but a bit cheaper and getting a 4wd swap done.

Its good hearing my price isn't too unrealistic, I was starting to get a bit worried

[JoeH]

Keep an eye on this running thread: FOUND Vans For Sale! - Page 285 - Expedition Portal

[SirMrManGuy]

Sweet yeah.

To make this not a totally boring thread, here are some photos from some adventures I've been on. The Pathfinder and Suzuki I built, the landcruiser was a rental (Fraser Island Australia... I totally recomend it).

[86Scotty]

^^Yep^^

It's mostly just vans there, not SMBs, but they do pop up. All sorts of cool stuff pops up on that thread actually.

[MSD]

MIght be worth looking into… price is right. $10,500 #2001 Ford E-250 Quigley Conversion Van 4x4#

[MSD]

Or this for Tim at Denver fleet and he could do the 4x4 conversion for you before you get here… I've been keeping track of his work and 4x4 conversion and it is now legit!! The inside of this van is really clean with lots of room.

2003 Ford E250 Extended High Top Bubble Cargo or Camping Passenger Van

[MSD]

These might be worth looking at… I really like the old e350 4x4 SMB (looks like it has a pop top).

E-350 4x4 van

1991 TOYOTA Van Camper 4x4. 5spd. Diesel. 66,000 Miles.

these both came off of the Found vans for sale on expedition portal

[SirMrManGuy]

Originally Posted by MSD

These might be worth looking at… I really like the old e350 4x4 SMB.

E-350 4x4 van

1991 TOYOTA Van Camper 4x4. 5spd. Diesel. 66,000 Miles.

these both came off of the Found vans for sale on expedition portal

Yeah I really like the old one too, if the interior was mint I'd consider it. Worried a bit about reliability and rust at that age though.

Just so this isnt a boring WTB thread, here are some photos of some vehicles I've worked on and some adventures I've had:

Climbing in Queenstown


Mountain Biking in Rotorua


SAS Pathfinder


Rented diesel landcruiser, Fraser Island Australia (totaly recomend going there and renting an LC...)


Snowwheeling in PA in a Sami I built with a friend in college


Tube frame 2wd buggy