What's in the van, man?
#1
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
What's in the van, man?
Soon to be my dog.
For years I have been fascinated by camper vans. Not entirely sure why, just have. I can remember starting a thread here a couple years ago about them. I've always wanted a camper van where I can tow a motorcycle, take Princeton the dog, and leave for a couple days. I have owned RVs before, but never a van.
Anyway, I kind of kept my ear to the ground if anything ever came up. My requests were simple: Ford, big V8, and in excellent shape. My friend Connie mentioned to me that her aunt had one and never really used it. I went to look at it and was pleasantly surprised. Ford, large V8, and in outstanding condition. Paint shows as new except for the faded fiberglass top. In early September I'm going to paint the cap white just before it goes into storage. It has all oak cabinetry, a sink, running water, a fridge, stove, and freezer. Also has a furnace. It also has a flushing toilet. Conveniently located directly across from the fridge.
I'm adding a satellite radio and TV, flat panel and stereo, and then it should be good to go.
The night I picked it up.
For years I have been fascinated by camper vans. Not entirely sure why, just have. I can remember starting a thread here a couple years ago about them. I've always wanted a camper van where I can tow a motorcycle, take Princeton the dog, and leave for a couple days. I have owned RVs before, but never a van.
Anyway, I kind of kept my ear to the ground if anything ever came up. My requests were simple: Ford, big V8, and in excellent shape. My friend Connie mentioned to me that her aunt had one and never really used it. I went to look at it and was pleasantly surprised. Ford, large V8, and in outstanding condition. Paint shows as new except for the faded fiberglass top. In early September I'm going to paint the cap white just before it goes into storage. It has all oak cabinetry, a sink, running water, a fridge, stove, and freezer. Also has a furnace. It also has a flushing toilet. Conveniently located directly across from the fridge.
I'm adding a satellite radio and TV, flat panel and stereo, and then it should be good to go.
The night I picked it up.
#3
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
She hadn't cleaned it out for years, and there was lots of stuff lying around.
The toilet. Directly across from the fridge. Not sure if this was intentional. And if so, then why.
#4
Senior Moderator
Awesome pickup.
I have a thing for campers, too. I have no idea why, though.
One of my secret dreams is to drive one cross-country so I won't have to stay in hotels along the way. The reality, though, is that my wife is no fun to travel with in a motor vehicle and she would insist on staying in a hotel (not motel--it has to be a Holiday Inn or better!) at every stop.
I will be living vicariously through you yet again, Terry!
I have a thing for campers, too. I have no idea why, though.
One of my secret dreams is to drive one cross-country so I won't have to stay in hotels along the way. The reality, though, is that my wife is no fun to travel with in a motor vehicle and she would insist on staying in a hotel (not motel--it has to be a Holiday Inn or better!) at every stop.
I will be living vicariously through you yet again, Terry!
#5
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Awesome pickup.
I have a thing for campers, too. I have no idea why, though.
One of my secret dreams is to drive one cross-country so I won't have to stay in hotels along the way. The reality, though, is that my wife is no fun to travel with in a motor vehicle and she would insist on staying in a hotel (not motel--it has to be a Holiday Inn or better!) at every stop.
I will be living vicariously through you yet again, Terry!
I have a thing for campers, too. I have no idea why, though.
One of my secret dreams is to drive one cross-country so I won't have to stay in hotels along the way. The reality, though, is that my wife is no fun to travel with in a motor vehicle and she would insist on staying in a hotel (not motel--it has to be a Holiday Inn or better!) at every stop.
I will be living vicariously through you yet again, Terry!
What is it about things like this? It's really hard to explain the appeal.
#6
05/5AT/Navi/ABP/Quartz
Nice pick-up Terry.
Bob, I think our wives were raised by the same woman.
I dreamed about campers when I was younger. Must admit
I'm a motel/hotel kind of guy though.
Bob, I think our wives were raised by the same woman.
I dreamed about campers when I was younger. Must admit
I'm a motel/hotel kind of guy though.
#7
אני עומד עם ישראל
I think my fascination is worse. It's with those Eurovan campers??
Nice pick up Terry.
Nice pick up Terry.
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#8
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Westfalia? Interesting vans. A friend has one and absolutely loves it. I looked at them briefly, but needed something that could tow up to 6000lbs.
Thanks for the comments everyone. I think once the roof is painted, the van completely detailed and the electronics in, it will basically look and perform as a new van. Just something about them.
Last edited by teranfon; 08-12-2010 at 11:26 PM.
#11
Needs more Lemon Pledge
You never cease to amaze me!
#12
Someday, an RS6 Avant+
Plus blacked out windows?
I always had a thing for the full size conversion vans. Not the campers, but the big Econolines or Dodge Ram vans with the carpet, captains chairs, etc... I always wanted to cruise across the country in one.
I always had a thing for the full size conversion vans. Not the campers, but the big Econolines or Dodge Ram vans with the carpet, captains chairs, etc... I always wanted to cruise across the country in one.
#15
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I've been kinda keen on Chinooks for a long time...the Destiny in particular. Not quite the size of a standard C class but larger than a B class. No need for a 'toad' and I can drive it to work too!
#18
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
I still don't know what the fascination is with travel vans, but I find myself looking at this thing quite often. Sometimes I feel like opening the doors to the barns, telling 40 000 chickens they're free, turning to everyone and thanking them for their help but telling them their services are no longer required, shoving the dog in the van, going up to crossroads and taking a direction on a whim and never look back.
#19
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How many miles are on it, Terry? It doesn't look like it was used that much. By the looks of the right side profile pic, it might have a small generator of some sort, or is it strictly shore power and batteries?
#20
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Terry, where is your first trip in it going to be?
#22
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Around 60 000. For the most part it's sat undercover. No generator, just inverter, dual batteries, and plug-in power capability.
#23
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
No idea. It won't be used this year. I'm painting the cap and adding some electrical stuff before it goes into storage. Maybe some nice rims as well. It' built on a heavy-duty E350 one ton frame, so wheel selection may be limited.
AMUA6: Not too much. Got other stuff I've got to finish first. It's in such good shape, they're isn't really much to do except for some updates.
#24
Senior Moderator
Nice van
#25
Drifting
Terry you always have interesting and funny threads. My dad is really into these as well. He was looking into getting B class RV's, similar to the Ford you bought I think. I was down for the idea, and even now at age 16, I think it would be fun to have one and drive around to a lake for 2 days or so. Have fun with it.
#26
That's pretty cool, I've always thought about getting an RV once I start a family or something so we can go on long road trips and have plenty of room, but at the same time it seems like they'd be inconvenient because of their size. Seems like a camper van would be ideal.... and it would be nice with a flat screen inside.
#28
Drifting
That's pretty cool, I've always thought about getting an RV once I start a family or something so we can go on long road trips and have plenty of room, but at the same time it seems like they'd be inconvenient because of their size. Seems like a camper van would be ideal.... and it would be nice with a flat screen inside.
#29
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Well, does the old HMS Poseidon look any better? Sometimes I need a change from working on the other projects and work with something else for a change.
I'm sure some recall my rant about working on the engines in Ford vans. What a pain in the ass. Anyway, new valve cover, plenum, and intake gaskets. New injector O-rings and a complete tune up.
Remember the faded top? Over the course of an entire weekend the top was sanded and painted white. And it looked like crap. There was absolutely no flow to the van as the white top looked like an afterthought. I originally wanted it white to deflect the sun's rays as Princeton the dog would be in it, but I'm sure he even thought it looked terrible. So there was another twelve hours sanding to paint it body colour. Then did a complete detail.
Behind the rear wheels there were a few rock chips. The factory rock guard was in place and didn't really look good when sanded, so instead we stripped the lower portions to bare steel. Once there, rock guard was applied and the surface once again painted body colour.
The hood has a couple chips in it, so that was stripped to steel and repainted.
New tires on the front and a complete four wheel alignment. While sanding the top I also cut out a provision for a thermostatically controlled roof vent and motor. At this time I also ran the wiring for the flat screen, dedicated game console, satellite, and stereo. Ordered in the hardwood for the floor and hope to receive it shortly.
Can't wait for the first road trip!
I'm sure some recall my rant about working on the engines in Ford vans. What a pain in the ass. Anyway, new valve cover, plenum, and intake gaskets. New injector O-rings and a complete tune up.
Remember the faded top? Over the course of an entire weekend the top was sanded and painted white. And it looked like crap. There was absolutely no flow to the van as the white top looked like an afterthought. I originally wanted it white to deflect the sun's rays as Princeton the dog would be in it, but I'm sure he even thought it looked terrible. So there was another twelve hours sanding to paint it body colour. Then did a complete detail.
Behind the rear wheels there were a few rock chips. The factory rock guard was in place and didn't really look good when sanded, so instead we stripped the lower portions to bare steel. Once there, rock guard was applied and the surface once again painted body colour.
The hood has a couple chips in it, so that was stripped to steel and repainted.
New tires on the front and a complete four wheel alignment. While sanding the top I also cut out a provision for a thermostatically controlled roof vent and motor. At this time I also ran the wiring for the flat screen, dedicated game console, satellite, and stereo. Ordered in the hardwood for the floor and hope to receive it shortly.
Can't wait for the first road trip!
#30
Senior Moderator
Nice.
#33
mmmmmm....
Nice pick up.
Definitely not feeling the exterior, but interior looks lot nicer than I expected.
Do you have any plans for this car? such as, maybe new paint job?
Definitely not feeling the exterior, but interior looks lot nicer than I expected.
Do you have any plans for this car? such as, maybe new paint job?
#34
Needs more Lemon Pledge
Damn, that's so awesome in an early 80's cruise around at leisure kind of way!
There is a Dr. Terry, Medicine Man TV show in there somewhere...
"MacGuyver-esque, he roams the Canadian highways making mechanical things new and helping animals (and people) as he goes. Always looking for the answer, never sure of the question..."
Definitely a pilot episode at least.
There is a Dr. Terry, Medicine Man TV show in there somewhere...
"MacGuyver-esque, he roams the Canadian highways making mechanical things new and helping animals (and people) as he goes. Always looking for the answer, never sure of the question..."
Definitely a pilot episode at least.
#35
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Damn, that's so awesome in an early 80's cruise around at leisure kind of way!
There is a Dr. Terry, Medicine Man TV show in there somewhere...
"MacGuyver-esque, he roams the Canadian highways making mechanical things new and helping animals (and people) as he goes. Always looking for the answer, never sure of the question..."
Definitely a pilot episode at least.
There is a Dr. Terry, Medicine Man TV show in there somewhere...
"MacGuyver-esque, he roams the Canadian highways making mechanical things new and helping animals (and people) as he goes. Always looking for the answer, never sure of the question..."
Definitely a pilot episode at least.
Cancelled. After the third episode. I'm really tempted to drive that behemoth to Scottsdale this year. Instead of living in hotel rooms I can park that thing in the middle of the parking lot.
#36
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Nope. I like the colour. Besides, it's perfect now. The interior is going to look quite a bit different with the electronics and cherry hardwood.
#38
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
That's what I'm thinking.
Pull up, open the door and slam it into the side of his BMW.
"Hey Jefford, you mind if I run the hose from the black water tank onto your lawn? You got a 115 outlet out here? I wanna run my bazillion watt air conditioner. Hand me your garden hose for the water hookup. Whadya mean it's too short? Just run it over your car! Well..........., it's been a long drive. Gonna crash for a while. Holler when the steaks are done".
Last edited by teranfon; 11-12-2010 at 10:53 PM.
#40
Needs more Lemon Pledge
That's what I'm thinking.
Pull up, open the door and slam it into the side of his BMW.
"Hey Jefford, you mind if I run the hose from the black water tank onto your lawn? You got a 115 outlet out here? I wanna run my bazillion watt air conditioner. Hand me your garden hose for the water hookup. Whadya mean it's too short? Just run it over your car! Well..........., it's been a long drive. Gonna crash for a while. Holler when the steaks are done".
Pull up, open the door and slam it into the side of his BMW.
"Hey Jefford, you mind if I run the hose from the black water tank onto your lawn? You got a 115 outlet out here? I wanna run my bazillion watt air conditioner. Hand me your garden hose for the water hookup. Whadya mean it's too short? Just run it over your car! Well..........., it's been a long drive. Gonna crash for a while. Holler when the steaks are done".