Hey all! I've restored a few classic cars and picked up a 1970 VW bus with a subaru engine before covid hit with the plan to fix it up and start doing the van thing with a decent engine. So I began the process of stripping it down and fixing it up. Shortly after we had an unexpected addition to the family which dramatically reduced my free time to work on it and made me realize the bus wasn't the most practical or safest way to go.
I wanted a newer vehicle, not a trailer or full blown RV and that's when I ran across the E350. Seeing all the cool pics of these out in the wild with their rugged look and interior options was enough for me. I'm a newb when it comes to RVs and 4x4s and have to admit that I didn't do a lot of in depth research into common issues or things to watch out for when it comes to owning these. But based on previous projects I figured as long as it's not a rust bucket and is technically sound, someone out there has dealt with any issue I will run into and buying used gives me a slush fund for the work I can't do on my own.
After a lot of shopping around I finally found the vehicle below that checked a lot of boxes. It's a 2006 v10 with 65K miles, electric pop top, hot water, propane heater, Fiamma awning, front and rear luminess bumpers, 12K lb winch, front sway bar disconnect, Trail kitchen and cabinets, 200amp house battery, inverter, backup camera, rear floor storage, and air compressor. Clean CarFax, inspection, smog, and oil change prior to purchase. Drove it 150 miles back home without issue but there are things I need to address.
--Windshield had a crack that is being replaced today.
--The dash gauges and lights jump around and flicker when the ignition is in the accessory position. Have a new ignition cylinder and switch coming today to see if that fixes it.
--Full tune up scheduled for next week
So that's my story so far. Any advice and guidance is appreciated. I'm sure I will end up redoing the interior in some fashion but I want to get it out there and start figuring things out before I do.
I wanted a newer vehicle, not a trailer or full blown RV and that's when I ran across the E350. Seeing all the cool pics of these out in the wild with their rugged look and interior options was enough for me. I'm a newb when it comes to RVs and 4x4s and have to admit that I didn't do a lot of in depth research into common issues or things to watch out for when it comes to owning these. But based on previous projects I figured as long as it's not a rust bucket and is technically sound, someone out there has dealt with any issue I will run into and buying used gives me a slush fund for the work I can't do on my own.
After a lot of shopping around I finally found the vehicle below that checked a lot of boxes. It's a 2006 v10 with 65K miles, electric pop top, hot water, propane heater, Fiamma awning, front and rear luminess bumpers, 12K lb winch, front sway bar disconnect, Trail kitchen and cabinets, 200amp house battery, inverter, backup camera, rear floor storage, and air compressor. Clean CarFax, inspection, smog, and oil change prior to purchase. Drove it 150 miles back home without issue but there are things I need to address.
--Windshield had a crack that is being replaced today.
--The dash gauges and lights jump around and flicker when the ignition is in the accessory position. Have a new ignition cylinder and switch coming today to see if that fixes it.
--Full tune up scheduled for next week
So that's my story so far. Any advice and guidance is appreciated. I'm sure I will end up redoing the interior in some fashion but I want to get it out there and start figuring things out before I do.
