Ugly 2004 Sportsmobile 4x4 For Sale! $28K

[geoffff]

Well, I don't actually think it's ugly. But it certainly isn't pretty!

This van has been used for its intended purpose, with 20 years of offroading adventures in the USA and Mexico. The paint is covered in clearcoat brushmarks. The body has several dents and a few significant cracks. Underneath, there is plenty of surface rust from beach camping, but no rust-through. Interior is well-worn, but mostly everything still works great.

The Basics

• 2004 Ford E350 6.8L V10 (gas) engine, 133K miles
• Sportsmobile RB50 camper interior
• Sportsmobile 4x4 conversion
• Sportsmobile power pop-top ("penthouse")
• Single owner
• Asking $28,000

Details

Here is an album with hundreds of photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/xP1LGLEoGwRyGLr48

Engine

• Engine starts fine, and runs strong. Doesn't burn oil. 10-13 MPG
• A/C, cruise control, everything works.
• A/C condenser mounts broken
• 46-gallon Transfer Flow extended range gas tank
• 5-Star Tuning (firmer shifting, and speed limiter removed)

4x4 and Toys

• Atlas II transfer case
• ARB air locker in front (but compressor recently having electrical issues)
• Limited slip rear differential
• Wheels: American Racing Mojave Teflon
• Tires: LT305/70R16 Cooper Discoverer ST Maxx (20K miles on these tires, but 2 have sidewall punctures requiring replacement)
• Aluminess rear swing-away spare tire holder
• ExtremeAire Magnum onboard air compressor (installed 2016), with 4 gallon tank
• Under-floor rear storage (replaces under-floor spare tire)
• Front and rear trailer hitches
• Cop spotlight (pole-mount) (great for finding late-night campsites!)

Interior

• 10 gallon fresh water tank (outside fill connection removed)
• Xantrex Prowatt SW-1000 inverter
• Two 80W solar panels (one has cracked glass)
• 4D house battery (8 years old)
• Norcold DC-0741 2.7CF electric fridge (replaced 2012)
• Thetford porta-potti (lid is cracked)
• Rear air conditioning option (disconnected after leaking refrigerant)
• Front door speakers upgraded to Infinity, with separate high-mounted tweeters.
• All lighting converted to LED
• Poptop/penthouse (fabric has some patches and wear marks, two small holes in screens)
• Cabinet wood shows swelling in places from water exposure
• No propane (no furnace or hot water)

No major accidents, other than when the rear-passenger tire blew out requiring some body work

Recent Work

• Front brakes and rotors (replaced this year)
• Starter battery (replaced this year)
• Radiator (replaced 2 years ago)
• Axle seals, driveshafts, u-joints (replaced 2021)
• Serpentine belt (replaced 2020)
• Front leaf springs (replaced 2018, Sportsmobile)
• Rear leaf springs (replaced 2017, Deaver)

Located in Seattle, WA

 

[kbeefy]

Perfect setup, love the color.


Good Luck!

 

[Timerider-SMB]

Kudos for honest advertising!

 

[geoffff]

Kudos for honest advertising!

Well, I don't want to waste anyone's time when they come out to see the van expecting something else.


People have asked: Why am I selling this van? I'm replacing it with another used Sportsmobile. No plans to stop adventuring.

 

[geoffff]

 

[86Scotty]

Kudos to you for sticking with the platform that works. I've tried to leave vans several times and always come back. They just seem to work for me too.

I do really with I could get an E-series with modern vehicle conveniences and safety features though.

 

[geoffff]

I've looked hard at other platforms, but I keep coming back to the van. Boy do I love the use of interior space, and the campsite-immersive wide-opening side double doors.

 

[geoffff]

Features like Bluetooth radio, backup camera, TPMS can be retrofitted.

 

[geoffff]

Thanks for all the interest...!


A common question is: has this van been in an accident, or rolled? No. The cracks you see are from years of shaking and body flex from backroad and offroad use. The side cracks at the top of the window were caused by the shaking of an awning that used to be mounted there. The roof crack is a common problem Sportsmobile penthouse tops.

I'm happy to answer any questions with more details!

And don't forget to look at the many photos I shared, here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/xP1LGLEoGwRyGLr48

 

[N147JK]

I've looked hard at other platforms, but I keep coming back to the van. Boy do I love the use of interior space, and the campsite-immersive wide-opening side double doors.

Yup, the van combines the best of every other type of camper into a single vehicle. Looking at everything else I always end up thinking "OK, but why not just have a van and finish out the picture".

 

[geoffff]

Time to drop the price!

*** $22,000 ***

If you are handy (or know someone who is) this scratch & dent expedition camper might be just the thing!

 

[geoffff]

[sale pending...]

 

[mikracer]

Someone is getting a great deal!

 

[geoffff]

[FONT=&quot]UPDATE: [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Well after getting the van inspected by a mechanic, the potential buyer decided it was too much for him to take on. He is not mechanically inclined, so really don't blame him. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Here is a summary of what the mechanic found. I have a copy of the full mechanic's report which I can send if desired:[/FONT]

• Front-right U-joint broken
• Transmission mount broken
• Motor mount worn
• Front stabilizer bar bushing, links worn
• Front shock loose
• Rear shocks worn out
• One end of drag link loose
• Exhaust leaks
• Various drivetrain fluid seeps
• Serpentine belt worn
• Underbody rust

 

[BUFFALO-SMB]

Props for being so candid about the condition. And still can’t believe there isn’t someone who wants to take it on for what seems like a great deal.
Curious what shop looked at it and gave the report?

 

[geoffff]

Arrows Automotive, here in Seattle. That's where I had it last serviced, too.


https://www.arrowsautomotive.com/

 

[geoffff]

I have two other interested parties. Will see...!

 

[geoffff]

Finally sold today, to someone with the ability and motivation to take on the project of fixing up this van!

I had many other interested parties contact me over these past few months, but they all eventually balked ... at the list of repair items, or the condition of the van. One couple yesterday left after seeing the outside of the van for 5 minutes in person -- without even ringing my doorbell! Didn't I post enough photos in the Google album of all the dents and scratches?

I might have been able to eek out a few more dollars by waiting even longer, but I let it go today for $15K. I'm happy the van has a good new home!

I posted ads: on Expedition Portal, here on the the Sportsmobile Forum, on Craigslist, and on Facebook Marketplace. 90% of the inquiries I received were from Facebook. Only two messages came through Craigslist. I didn't post on rvtrader, rvt, or vanviewer. I did receive a spammy fake personal endorsement for vanviewer -- a recommendation message from someone on Facebook that seemed unrealistically positive. I verified this by Googling the phrasing used -- to find that many other people have gotten the exact same message. Anyway, reason to avoid vanviewer.

 

[kbeefy]

Congrats and thanks for the follow up.

When I sold my last van I had it listed in most of the same places, sold on FB.

 

[larrie-SMB]

Congrats on selling the van. Thanks for posting the advert locations and results.