Pvangels Motovan Build

Most of you have read my trailer build (http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=816355) which I am selling and switching to a van, my son is leaving for college so our racing will be cut back quite a bit but still want something to be able to use when we can go.

After searching for awhile I found a 05 E-250 with 78,000 miles on it from original owner and very clean.


Really wanted an extended van but this was in great shape and the right price so will make do.





Van was a passenger to start I guess because it had a headliner in it, also has electric windows and locks, cruise control, cloth seats.




Inside had all Adrian steel shelves and divider which I am taking out and will sell (no idea what these are worth but PO said he spent over a grand installed)

I removed shelves/divider and headliner so I can start to measure and make a plan.









Plan is to make,

• raised roof, possibly retracting and am working on the details of that but want to be able to stand in back
• Lights
• Vents
• Awning, I have a really cool idea for a HUGE awning.
• Water tank
• Hot shower (ecotemp)
• Storage, I have about 13.5 cu ft in trailer for gear so will try and have at least that much in van.
• Tool/parts storage
• Fold out beds, I have a great plan for these.
• Auxiliary battery
• Generator storage
• Gas can storage outside.
• Wheels and tires so it doesn't look like a stalker van.

That's the preliminary list and I am sure it will grow, need to start measuring now!

Does look to be in really good shape. I especially like the portholes!

Must have bee a custom order to have the headliner? What engine?

It has the 5.4 L V-8

Subscribed!

I have an 06 E350 ext with the 5.4. I can get almost 16mpg on the highway. Also pulls our #4000 trailer (with bikes in the back of the van) no problem. It seats 5 and can fit 3 bikes in the back easy! Love it, and I can't wait to see your build.

I see it's already equipped with a parkway window. That little work around cracks me up.

Look forward to seeing what you do. My wife has a worn out 150 for her shop that I've thought about doing up as a hippy camper.

My shop drawings to be sent to the CAD department for engineering, going to try and make the roof in 2 pieces with the outer one raised by gas springs. Interior height will be 5'6" closed and 6'6" open which would be cool. Otherwise I just make one solid 18" roof for a 6' interior height.

I want to do something like this for an awning, working on details of how to build it with no posts to ground like this.

Awning sketches version 1.0 for engineering review,

Put the turtle top on it so 2 can sleep above the driver and passenger.....

I wonder how much Sportsmobile would charge for one of their tops that pop up. They are very nice, similar to a vw Westfailia.

Turtle tops are like 2 grand after shipping and then you still have to install it, I am hoping to do it for less than half that much and have it look cool

I think they are about how much I paid for the van? And this is more fun doing it myself

Can't wait to see how this turns out. I hope to add a motovan van to the "fleet" in the next year or so.

I guess I'm first to say SUBSCRIBED!

After the trailer build this should be neat, good luck

I'll be first to call DIBS when he's ready to sell.

About $6500.

Yep, a little less than I paid for the van. ROI just ain't there

I did a quick mock up of different height roofs and seems like anything more than 12" and it will look like a handicap van so really want to do a 2 section rising roof. My brother is an engineer and quite good at CAD so is drawing something up for me, can't wait to sawzall the roof off!

Check out colorado camper vans for ideas for retracting roofs...

Those are more like $8000.