Looking for Ideas on a Budget Adventure Travel Van

[Wiley]

but a 2" would make a great rig.

2" is sufficient but I don't recommend it. I have some threads stripping on the transmission pan due to a few bangs it took, and my oil pan took many hits as well on the infamous topes....I recommend 4 inch lift if you get a Astro, its not much more money anyway.

Also, you can find just about any answer you are looking for in this thread:
Vehicle Decision for Pan Am Trek.

 

[ihatemybike]

Plans are available for Astro skid plates!

 

[arlon]

I have an AWD Astro and really like a lot of things about it. It's more nimble than the larger vans/trucks but it gets crappy mileage (fortunately it has a big fuel tank and decent range). I get off the beaten path a lot and really wanted the AWD so I looked for an Astro. If I stumbled into a killer deal on a deisel E350, I'd have to buy it too. If I were starting over it would be a tough choice which I'd be looking for the hardest.

 

[dar395]

Hey dar395, how about some pictures of your interior? I'm interested in what people are doing on a budget. Did you drink the wine before building the bed or after you were done?

Always a bottle of wine to enjoy that great diner on the beach or the woods and even the build! I have been keeping a build tread going and planning on an update to night. My third try at the interior is by far the best, after two trips and a few nights you start to understand things better. Our last try #3 was tried out at Ocean City Maryland and work very well for us. Here's a little take a look and see.

 

[Cole]

I'm planning on an outfitted budget of $5000-7500. I definitely live on a tight budget so please don't recommend a Sprinter
Scott

My speculation is that any Sprinter over 10 years old now will start to fall in price. Many of the expediters and other commercial haulers can't use vans over 10 years old. So the 2002-2004 vans should start to be less now as some of these guys will have harder time selling them with a narrowed market.

Here are a few examples in your budget from a quick search.

http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/4571998695.html

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/4541291665.html


http://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/4544129550.html

http://cnj.craigslist.org/ctd/4574213276.html

http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/cto/4573077250.html

 

[Bikersmurf]

Retired BC ambulance, seem to be going for about $3000 at auction. Currently 2 2001s with 7.3 powerstrokes, also a 2004 & a 2006. They've got lots of hours on them but the are well maintained.

BCAuctions.ca

I've got a 1997, it seems very reliable, handels well, has a LSD with 4.10s, and it's a lot of fun to drive. I forsee it making a good Camper and mobile office.