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.

 

I feel like this is gonna be an episode of Pimp My Ride.

Congrats terry! Lets see some interior pics!

 

Oh yeah, also has a microwave.

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.

 

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!

 

What is it about things like this? It's really hard to explain the appeal.

 

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.

 

I think my fascination is worse. It's with those Eurovan campers??

Nice pick up Terry.

 

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.

 

Nice.

First mod = "FREE CANDY" banner?

 

Wow, I never knew they had toilets!

 

You never cease to amaze me!

 

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.

 

the shitter's full


The interior looks to be in great shape.

 

Clearly it was designed by James May

 

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!

 

Where is goat gonna sleep and poop?


Congrats on the find!

 

"If this van's a-rockin', don't come a-knockin'."

Awesome.

 

Those are pretty cool too. It's amazing how much they can get into a little space.

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.

 

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?

 

Terry, where is your first trip in it going to be?

 

Sub'd to see what kind of changes this van undergoes

 

Around 60 000. For the most part it's sat undercover. No generator, just inverter, dual batteries, and plug-in power capability.

 

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.

 

Nice van

 

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.

 

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.

 

All you need is a 30 inch screen and you would feel like sitting in imax lol

 

It would be more ideal to have a camper van. My dad got really in on the RV and camper van scene, and it is way more logical to have a camper van. The RV's maintenance is higher and it is harder to store. Also, most people with camper vans use them more, and get their money's worth out of em, over RV's.

 

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!

 

Nice.

 

interesting pickup

 

Very nice Terry! I'm not sure why, but I always loved these as well.

 

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?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Park it in front of stogie's place!

 

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".

 

I think I know where Randy Quaid is now that he's fled my state and debouched to Canada....

So, you're really Cousin Eddie, and stogie is Clark Griswold?!

 

Oh man, that cracked me up...