Anybody rolling a conversion van?

[fastfredracing]

We are thinking about simplifying or lives. Selling our 5 th wheel camper , and maybe moving back to a conversion van.
I've had a few. Wifey poo and I have been all over the country by van. Up and down both coasts, and everywhere in between. I have fond memories of those days Some of the newer ones are pretty nice, but I will probably grab up an older domestic fixer upper, I love that kind of stuff .
Pics of yours are welcome .

[onewhippedpuppy]

I've always thought it would be fun to buy an old conversion van or smaller RV and restromod it. Modern EFI V8 swap, renovate the inside, etc. Really these things are just boxes on wheels, it's the stuff inside that counts.

[ckelly78z]

Had a really nice 1989 Chevy Starcraft conversion (Burgundy with plush/oak interior), very comfortable, but bad MPGs (around 11). I often thought that old 350 SBC could have used some livening up, or maybe an LS conversion with real fuel injection....not FI carb.

Look into Class B RVs that are basically an extended van, some are really nice.

[Racerbvd]

My old business partner has ones actually pretty cool I broke it in . since he bought an RV and now it's looking to downsize everything since he isgetting ready to move. I can get pictures and details he was interested

[dar636]

We use one of these- Mostly skiing though I've done a few solo trips from the PNW to the southwest. Best described as a mobile campground instead of a RV.

It does have a sink, stove, fridge, furnace, 2 beds, cabinetry, etc. I don't have any interior pics handy...

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

Had a really nice 1989 Chevy Starcraft conversion (Burgundy with plush/oak interior), very comfortable, but bad MPGs (around 11).

Ah, the old days:



My uncle had a van like this. He and my aunt used it to follow the Kentucky Wildcats during basketball season. Essentially him driving while a bunch of other retirees sat around a table playing cards and drinking between stops for fast food/bathroom breaks. I still remember that crushed velvet/oak veneer interior.

[Tobra]

Funny you mention this

There is a mini Winnie I see when I am walking the dogs that gives me covetous thoughts.

[kach22i]

A friend bought a Ford Transit last year, an incredible amount of room inside compared to older US style vans, and the 0-60 is under 7 seconds!

MPG is better than regular old school domestic vans.

Did I mention that you can stand up in it?

There is also a turbo Diesel version.

Not cheap but I think you get what you pay for.

May 2017
https://www.caranddriver.com/ford/transit

However, just putting it in drive and tramping on the throttle produces surprising results. Going from naught to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds with something this size—it weighs more than three tons, empty—is quite startling. (It was a bit more startling in the seriously empty cargo version we tested, which weighs 849 pounds less and hit 60 mph in 6.8 seconds.)

These track figures are achieved with only a driver aboard, of course, and we know the base 3.7-liter V-6 (275 horsepower, 260 lb-ft of torque) wouldn’t fare so well. But this van, like that cargo version, was equipped with the optional 3.5-liter EcoBoost mill, a turbocharged gasoline-fueled V-6 that huffs up more torque (400 lb-ft) than even the third available engine, a turbo-diesel 3.2-liter inline-five making 185 horsepower and 350 lb-ft that proved to be the segment’s diesel acceleration king in a three-van comparison test.

2015
Comparison Tests (Diesel)
Final Scoring, Performance Data, and Complete Specs
https://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/2015-ford-transit-150-power-stroke-vs-2015-mercedes-benz-sprinter-2500-bluetec-2014-ram-promaster-1500-ecodiesel-final-scoring-performance-data-and-complete-specs-page-5

Engine turbocharged DOHC 20-valve diesel inline-5 .........195 cu in (3198 cc)

0–60 MPH 10.6 sec

[KFC911]

I had a big ol' CV for a while....good times for sure! My girl (at the time), yellow Lab, and I had a hoot following hippy jam bands all over the southeast and other adventures. You do still have the bumper sticker...I presume

"If this van is rockin'...."

[vash]

i saw this the other day. it was pretty awesome despite the graphics.

[wrpeterson]

I found this 2003 Gulfstream Vista Cruiser a couple of years ago - only 20 miles away and just 51k on the clock - it's been great for road trips, skiing, hauling, etc.

Always nice to have your own bedroom & bathroom (as well as kitchen and dining area) wherever you end up. Took it up to Maine for a week and attached a screen room to the awning for some bug-free space - excellent!

Last trip was up to Foxoboro to tailgate at the Pats last regular season game - coldest start in Pats history (and the van was nice and warm!).

[Tobra]

The Sprinter van, beauty. I like those as they are nice and tall, but still plenty compact

Wow, Master Chief, thank you for your decades of superlative service.

[87maniac]

Westfalia= Poptop, Stove, sink, refrig, AC, sleeps 4, good mpg, increasing in value.

[vash]

this is what i want!! i cant figure how so many are around where i live.

[Charles Freeborn]

The Mrs and I are talking the same thoughts lately. Probably smaller than most - thinking an Astro v-6 or thereabouts. Minor built ins- really more of a tent on wheels...


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[vash]

Originally Posted by Charles Freeborn

The Mrs and I are talking the same thoughts lately. Probably smaller than most - thinking an Astro v-6 or thereabouts. Minor built ins- really more of a tent on wheels...


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nice idea!!

yea. that big Sprinter i showed..i think that is his daily driver! i was at the hospital visiting a friend. i had that Sprinter, my second car would be a Honda Fit. i was amazed it fit in that parking space beautifully.

[greglepore]

Roadtek. Know a bunch of solo musicians that live in one on the road. Not cheap, but if you can ditch the truck along with the fifth wheel, golden.


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[epbrown]

I'd love a smaller version of this: https://lexington.craigslist.org/ctd/d/2012-mercedes-170-sprinter/6546256563.html

[Tishabet]

I rock a Vanagon myself, but have covetous thoughts about sprinter vans.... dar636 I like your rig, how is it off road?

[lgb240]

A few years ago I tried one of these. A Roadtrek built in a Dodge 3500 extended van chassis. Thought it would be great support vehicle for my vintage MGA race car. It was very well built, well engineered throughout, had all creature comforts - including the kitchen sink. These were very expensive new $100+K in early 2000 dollars. Mine had high miles, but was very clean, well maintained and cheap. It was excellent for a single person, OK for a couple. I found it a bit too small for my needs and sold t off at the end of the season. Had no trouble selling it; making a generous profit as well.
Roadtrek is a local company, still in business (Waterloo, Ontario) doing conversions on sprinter vans now.