Never thought I'd own a Van....

I would skip this van. I tend to agree with Simplesez above. These old E150's are a dime a dozen. Maybe 2 dozen, they just aren't where you happen to be right now. I could find you 50 tomorrow for $1k in the Southeast. Plus, it looks like it probably smells like ass.

If you want to convert to 4wd find an e250/e350 and be willing to travel. There are about a hundred stories on this forum if you dig deep enough where recovery missions (trips to pick up a van somewhere far away) have made amazing memories for people.

On the flip side you could buy this one (I wouldn't offer half what he's asking) and go with it for now leaving as 2wd to see if van life is for you guys. Don't be afraid to upgrade.

Either way you'll get lots of help and support here. Glad to have you along.

You have spoken and people here will help you find what you're looking for.

:b5:
 
Wow, that van linked in the SLO CL ad is NOT one I’d be too keen on. 94 with 180k miles for $3500? No way. I agree with Eric: old conversion vans like that are fairly common. Nothing special about that interior at all, and it could be easily replicated with a weekend and a trip to Home Depot. I’m not against older vans at all (I have a 98 E250 SM:cool:, for the record.
 
I echo everyone else: buying the wrong base van to start with will destroy your budget. DO NOT GET AN E-150. The spring mounts are narrower and there’s all kinds of extra work that will have to be done to 4x4 convert it. Unless it’s a 2008+, which isn’t in the budget.

Saving $2500 on a van will go out the window when it costs an extra $5000 to get it where you want.

Fly out to get a van and convert it in a Home Depot parking lot for the drive back.
 
^^The Philadelphia CL van is about 15 mins from where I live if anyone wants me to take a look.
 
CGgonzo12 said:
I honestly looked around on Craigslist for the last hour and never came across that van. That's frustrating. I am not sure how much offroading we would do to be honest but I do like the idea of being able to do it. So the van you just posted although and E150 would be the better V8? or am I misunderstanding?
Click to expand...

1997 is the year they swapped over to the 5.4L Triton v8 which has a good reputation and been used up until 2016. 1996 and younger would either have a 4.9L or 5.8L v8 according to wikipedia. Other members on here would be better suited to discuss the differences between the motors and discuss the limitations of the 5.4 v8 in an offroad scenario if there are any. I think the general rule of thumb is that if you aren't towing anything that engine should be very capable.
 
Here are the most common repairs/fixes for your vehicle you were originally looking at. I'd check all of these components before you decide to purchase if that is something you are still interested in.
 

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Guess I just need to be patient, I don't know exactly how much camping/off trail stuff I will be doing so having the smaller V8 may or may not affect me.

To be honest.... I am not sure what to do at this point

For what it's worth, even though I didn't know a whole lot about the specifics of owning one, I've wanted a Sportsmobile type van for as long as I can remember. It wasn't until I retired a couple of years ago that I was finally in a position to scratch that itch. Once I got my wife to say yes, I got into a bit of a frenzy looking for something before she changed her mind. However, it actually took a while before I found the right one at the right price.

I joined this forum and tried to learn as much as I could so while I was searching I had a much better idea of what to look for and what to stay away from. The van I ended up buying was posted on this forum and a big part of my decision was actually based on the comments/opinions/suggestions from some of the senior members. All I can say is I'm SOOOO glad I waited until the right one for me came along.
 
... lot of experienced members on this forum sharing "Pearls of Wisdom"...

***Had a good laugh with your link BroncoHauler!
 
For all the wisdom on this forum, I do so love the humor that goes along with it. Life's too short to be too serious. 86Scotty, aside from your wisdom, you get my vote for the most "entertaining" posts...
 
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To everyone thank you very much for all the feedback and the humor that went along with it.

To be honest I was super bummed about the van thought I found a good one but I am grateful that all of you stepped in to inform me that wasn’t a great choice.

So I have stepped back and am re-evaluating what I want. So here is the next question. Does it matter if I go 250 over 350? And what engine should I look for/stay away from? I definitely want to convert to 4WD and the wife and I are very interested in the 250/350 high top look so I am all ears.

Thank you all again
 
That one looks fairly beat for the price. I am not up to date on California prices or availability but I would still keep looking honestly.

If you want to convert to camper here is my opinion. BTW, I've done several. I always consider a few things related to resale when shopping because I never keep anything that long.

E250 and E350 both fine for a conversion. Unless you can think of a bout 5 reasons why you think you might need a diesel don't even consider one. They are much more maintenance intensive and also more rare and valuable. Look for a 5.4l or 6.8l (V10). The fuel mileage on the V10 isn't much different than a 5.4l (average of probably 11 mpg vs 13/14). If you aren't going to drive it daily I'd look for a V10. Don't go as small as a 4.6, the only other one available. It's too small for a converted van. The most readily available van out there will be a 5.4l E250/E350.

Look for one with a power cab (power windows, door locks and cruise control). These are features every camper conversion should have. This is only my opinion but I feel strongly about it, especially for resale. Don't sink a lot of money in to a base work van. The creature comforts are worth having on road trips.

I'd look for 2005 or above if considering a V10 to get the 5r110 (5 speed) transmission. It makes the conversion easier and is a stout and wonderful trans. A 5.4l in an E250/E350 really needs at least the better 4r100 trans (instead of the 4r75 base one). This stuff can be found using VIN decoders (and folks here) when shopping.

Don't cave. We're discussing one of the most prevalent vehicles ever made. They are literally everywhere and since the line has been replaced there are more for sale.

Be willing to travel.

:b5:
 
86Scotty said:
That one looks fairly beat for the price. I am not up to date on California prices or availability but I would still keep looking honestly.

If you want to convert to camper here is my opinion. BTW, I've done several. I always consider a few things related to resale when shopping because I never keep anything that long.

E250 and E350 both fine for a conversion. Unless you can think of a bout 5 reasons why you think you might need a diesel don't even consider one. They are much more maintenance intensive and also more rare and valuable. Look for a 5.4l or 6.8l (V10). The fuel mileage on the V10 isn't much different than a 5.4l (average of probably 11 mpg vs 13/14). If you aren't going to drive it daily I'd look for a V10. Don't go as small as a 4.6, the only other one available. It's too small for a converted van. The most readily available van out there will be a 5.4l E250/E350.

Look for one with a power cab (power windows, door locks and cruise control). These are features every camper conversion should have. This is only my opinion but I feel strongly about it, especially for resale. Don't sink a lot of money in to a base work van. The creature comforts are worth having on road trips.

I'd look for 2005 or above if considering a V10 to get the 5r110 (5 speed) transmission. It makes the conversion easier and is a stout and wonderful trans. A 5.4l in an E250/E350 really needs at least the better 4r100 trans (instead of the 4r75 base one). This stuff can be found using VIN decoders (and folks here) when shopping.

Don't cave. We're discussing one of the most prevalent vehicles ever made. They are literally everywhere and since the line has been replaced there are more for sale.

Be willing to travel.

:b5:
Click to expand...

Thank you for all the information that is exactly what I was hoping to find. I feel like a lot of the vans that I have found are fairly expensive.

I will keep looking and will look at surrounding areas. The wife and I decided that if we have to travel to another state and drive it back we will. (I just have to be careful because of awesome California) yay
 
I will keep looking and will look at surrounding areas. The wife and I decided that if we have to travel to another state and drive it back we will.

I found mine in Portland, OR & I live in So. Cal (don't hold that against me...). I flew up to look at it, bought it, and drove it home. If I remember correctly the guy I bought it from originally found the van in Florida a year or two before selling it to me. I'm also pretty sure it was a stock 2WD work van when he bought it. He did the lift kit, 4x4 conversion, wheels & tires, shocks, added windows and did a bunch of other stuff during the time he owned it. I don't know what he paid for it, but it must have been a price that made it worth the effort to get it from Florida to Oregon.
 
I agree with 86Scotty, keep looking. A lot of colleges and churches sell off vans that are in reasonable shape. If you go out of state to places that salt the roads during winter, check for body rust. Our company sold off a 2002 with quigley 4x4 conversion at auction. That van was very well taken care of being it came out of a public utility here in the central valley.
 
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