1 ton man fort

[ToyFamily]

I've been looking for an Econoline for the last few mo. to 4wd swap and build out like a Sportsmobile... Then was turned onto a Mini mod ambulance and the Mini box vans due to more head room and and storage options (most are in the mid west). I finally stumbled across this and brought this it home today... I was looking hard for a 7.3L diesel but I could not pass up the deal even though it has a 5.4L. It has 355k on the chassis but was a 1 owner, by a family business fleet maintained with 50pgs of service records including engine and trans replacement...

I wanted the smaller box and single rear to fit easier on remote roads to mountain lakes. Also so it's less of a pain to drive around town often if I choose. I'm only going to be towing my Toyota so I should be good. I'll build this out like I want it and down the road if the drivetrain doesn't hack it maybe I'll swap in a diesel.

Here's a shot of the interior as is..hardwood floors and custom cabinets...I'm going to take some measurements and redesign it all in Solidworks to get the most use out of the space.

I have a HP D60 lined up for a 4wd swap and plan on some 33's, bumpers, winch, cut a walk through, insulation, 2000w inverter, sink, microwave, porta john, RV side door and replace the roll up back door with a wall or tilt up door that will double as a deck ...end result being a good tow rig/expo camper.

Nick

[ToyFamily]

I ordered a Norcold fridge and picked up my HP ford dana 60...as well as some new 4" ICON Superduty springs which I stumbled upon and got a deal on..

I also started putting measurements into solidworks and designing a new rear door to double as a deck and support the two 33" spares

Nick

[ToyFamily]

Some of the things I am undecided on is which sound/thermal insulation to go with and also I have been trying to find an air dam for this van. The roof is about .060 aluminum so it's pretty tin sounding while driving...and I keep seeing commercial vans running around with air dams on them which I'd like to add for aerodynamics but also cut through the box and use it for storage but have had no luck on finding some on the internet...It may become another fabrication project on this....

Nick

[ersatzknarf]

Fantastic ! Another stealth camper on the way I see those air dams a lot, too. There must be someplace making them for the shops making the boxes. Maybe the folks at that website, "vancamper.com" can help point you ? As for the diesel swap, you could do one of those Ford/Cummins set-ups and have the best of both worlds...

Anyway, congratulations and keep us posted on the progress !

[bucketosudz]

And I thought I was the only one crazy enough to entertain this type of project!!

My father passed away the end of March, so I purchased a 2000 E350 Cube Van with a 14' box, to use to store some of his belongings. All the while I considered converting it to a light-duty "carry-all" camper for our family of five. The open platform is the funnest part of the idea. 14' long, 7' high and nearly 8 wide, it leaves alot of room for imagination!

Subscribed! Can't wait to see how you proceed with this project.

[pb_beaker]

sounds like an awsome project, keep the updates comming

[ujoint]

Sweet van! Can't wait to see it come together!

[Ironwagon]

Some of the things I am undecided on is which sound/thermal insulation to go with...
Nick

http://www.cabinsulation.com/headliner.htm

I've never used this product, but I've had it bookmarked for a little while now.

[ToyFamily]

Thanks, I might consider this.

Nick

[Ford Prefect]

Have you considered removing the roll upand going with the Eco-Roamer's rear deck?
Check out their build thread on here and see how they did it. I do not think I would go with that large space they went with (between the back wall and the drop deck) because you would not need it, nor have the space for it, however I think that it would work out very nicely for you if you give it a bit of thought!

I might even consider putting the doorway in the rear and making the remainder into the deck. (like a 60/40 split of the space. I personally like this idea a lot!) Just make your steps a slide out with a bit of a deck on it (say two foot square before you start going down the steps) then you have access to the deck if you want it, or leave it up and you can still get into the camper.

Personally I really like the idea of cutting into the cab and installing a bellows. It just seems nicer to me. Some folks are ok with not having it, and that is nice for security when shipping, but personally I really want access WHILE I am driving down the road. In case you want to change into shorts, or grab a coke etc. Having to pull over for that, every time, got old fast.

looking forward to the build!