FE Adventure Van (CARGO VAN)

[Varn]

I have had my econoline since 07 so for 6 years I have put on 40,000 miles. It has about 60 thousand on it now. Have put on a set of tires and a battery. My Windstar was purchased in 03 with 70k and gets "well look" It still has the original exhaust system and gets the same mileage as before. It will hold two dirt bikes, I have done it. I have 170k on it now. Doesnt use or burn any oil. I had better pm you.

[Varn]

As far as sprinters not being well made. That is a pretty bold statement. Seems like there are a lot for sale with 300K miles. Still going!

[pete c]

Take a look at toyota pickup based RVs. They were built from the late seventies until about '94 when toyota stopped making C&Cs available to the RV makers.

I would recommend a mid-late 80s "shortie" (18 ft) model. This with the 22R 4 banger and 4 speed manual is generally good for about 18 mpg. It can easily be hypermiled into the 20s.

Nice thing about them is they have a substantial rear weight bias which makes they pretty damn good in low traction situations.

There were a few 4x4s made, but, they are rare and be ready to spend top dollar for them. If you are interested, here is a very good site. toyotamotorhomes.com

[Varn]

Did you see this Toyota conversion on ebay?

[bestclimb]

We have had a couple of Astros. Very good vans and do about as well off road as the chevy truck they are based on. An other option would be a syncro westy but parts and expense.

[trooper Tdiesel]

4wd E250 and E350 vans are out there in small numbers.
but the 4wd set up puts a fare dent in mpg numbers...
for modest off roading on just rock roads, id say run as is or add a LSD of some sort.


there where for many years 3 sizes of full size van made by ford and dodge mabe GM to.
a 9, 12 and 15 passenger and there cargo van versions..

the 9 passenger is always on a 1/2 ton frames and has a shorter wheel base and can get the best mpg do to being the lightest.
also for the 1/2 ton gearing choses range from some where around 4.55s all the way to 2.73 gears. at least in the ford vans that is....
when pared with a manual trans and a good ol I-6 engine, mpg can push 20+ when driven at modest speeds.

sadly some time in the late/mid 80s is the end of full size vans having a manual trans and or I-6 in the USA. with the exsepshon of the fords, they had a I-6 tell about 1996 the tried and true 300-6


hears one of the last ones, by dodge they had a 3.9 V-6 or a classic 5.2L 318ci V-8 both getting above common mpg,
the 3.9L is bolted to a 3sp auto where the 5.2L has the 4sp auto, thus mpg ratings are very close to the same.

http://www.auto123.com/en/dodge/ram-...rid=1021502001

[nikolasbarrios]

First of all WOW this is a very active community and thank you for the replies. Ok so
"tjts1" if I could afford a 2013 I probably wouldn't be worried about FE.
"bestclimb" thanks for helping me clearify what I thought was obvious.
"varn" thanks but no thanks, I want to be as incogneto as possible if for example I find myself stopping off at a walmart to sleep. Also, I will still need to access the the back doors.
"shortie771" thanks for the backup, and your right I do need to give more info.

So I was hoping to keep this as cheap as possible and preferably under $3000(please dont even bother shooting down my number). I have looked craigslist and found vans in the 2000-2005 range for $2,000 which leaves me with $1,000 for mods. I have to have a 6cylinder, extended wheel base, and a manual trans. As we all know that doesn't exsist so i need some van history to make it happen. Since this wont be a production vehicle I am able to buy a rolling chassi and add to it. Has to be a FORD, DODGE, or CHEVY.

[Shortie771]

I think for what you want, you are looking in the wrong range when it comes to the year of the vehicle. If you go for something older, say late 80's or somewhere in the 90's, you are more likely to find what you are looking for at a reasonable price.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Shortie771

I think for what you want, you are looking in the wrong range when it comes to the year of the vehicle. If you go for something older, say late 80's or somewhere in the 90's, you are more likely to find what you are looking for at a reasonable price.

Could even get an old step-van already repowered with a Cummins 4BT, which would be a good base for a campervan conversion.

[nikolasbarrios]

OK so after some research I have come to realize something from the big 3. In the 1999-2005 range Chevy and Dodge engines are OHV and Ford engines are SOHC. Now, I hate Ford for their timing chain setup and spark plug ejection problem. However, after owning a Dodge and Chevy OHV I must say that SOHC engines are more reliable and efficient. Please correct me if im wrong and fill in my timeline gaps if there are any. If all is true I will be going with a Ford. My next question is which van is the biggest with the most FE engine were a manual transmission and 4x4 conversion could be an option in the future?