THE BASICS:

• 2004 Ford E150 (2WD)

• 4.6L v8 engine

• Automatic transmission

• 139,000 miles

• Mid high roof (66" interior clearance)

• Power steering, AC, heat all work great

• All maintenance records in hand, everything done on schedule

• Runs great, has been a very reliable daily driver

• No mechanical concerns

RECENT $5K INVESTMENT:

• Fresh brakes (full brake job plus master cylinder and ABS controller)

• New coolant tank

• New drive battery

THE BUILD OUT:

• Vinyl plank flooring throughout

• Insulating + sound deadening underneath plywood subfloor

• 53x66" memory foam mattress

• Platform bed with tons of storage underneath

• Hand-built kitchen cabinet with butcher block countertop, plentiful storage, extra deep sink, fresh and grey water tanks with quick connect for easy service

• Dimmable, color-changing remote control overhead lights with options for RGB and warm white (powered by house battery)

• Bulkhead storage above front seats

• Pop-open windows at rear doors, and slide-open windows on sides for easy ventilation

• Privacy curtains behind front seats and insulated window coverings for all windows

• Swivel passenger seat for a “living room” feel when camped (also makes for a safer dog seat while driving)

• ARB awning (recently cleaned up, lubricated, and reinstalled)

• PREVIOUS OWNER DID: High top, lift kit, interior metal walls with truck bed liner, side windows, fold-down table on side door, full-size spare tire carrier, back up camera, light bar and crude interior lighting (powered off drive battery)

BEEFY HOUSE ELECTRIC SYSTEM:

This is a big investment and a major feature of this van. The system is one of the best you can build. I lived in the van full-time with this set up, working all day on a laptop + running lights, the fridge, and the camera gear and never even got close to running out of power.

• 300 amp hour lithium house battery

• 240w glass solar panel on roof + Victron solar controller

• Victron Orions DC-to-DC charger (charges house battery while driving)

• Victron battery monitor (you can watch your electric use real time)

• 750W inverter 

• Two fully-operational BlueSea fuse blocks (one in rear, and one mid-van)

• 12v power outlets throughout van

VAN COMES WITH:

• Rocket box on roof for storage

• Insulated window coverings and privacy curtains

• Everything listed in build-out section

• Option for upgraded inverter with shore power capability ($1200 value)

• Option for fridge base that slides ($350 value)

• Misc. recovery and camp gear if you’re interested (basically, come shop my garage)

POSSIBLE CONS:

• Gas mileage is 11-14 MPG. This is about standard for a camper van (but it’s not the best as a daily driver). 

• Paint on kitchen cabinet is chipping - could touch up or paint whatever color you prefer.

• Back up camera isn’t super high quality. I bought a better one I never installed. I’ll throw it in for the right purchase price. You install.

• Window treatments came from previous owner put together with staples. They could easily be re-done.

• ABS control unit pump went out and the part has been discontinued. I tried to talk the mechanic into replacing with a used part, but he says the van doesn’t need it because it has well-functioning mechanical breaks. Indeed, it does stop great. But pedal sinks when stopped and it makes me a little insane. I’d replace with used part if it were me. But it might not bother you. (Repair with used part was quoted at $600 including labor.)

• 20 year old van sold as-is. It’s in great mechanical shape, but the timing chain and transmission are original. Those are big jobs I’d budget for those in the next 5 years. (Currently babying it with additives and 50w-20 oil to keep things working well as long as possible.)

A NOTE ON THE (LACK OF) BATHROOM:

You might think it’s a con, I think it’s a pro, so it gets its own section. I am not a person who believes in dedicating precious interior van space to a permanent bathroom installation. This video explains the systems I use for #1 and #2. And this is a product I would buy if I did want to dedicate space to a more permanent bathroom situation. When you buy the van, you should do whatever feels right to you!