2003 E-350 Econoline Stealth Build

[robear]

Here is my econoline stealth build, <br>After looking at a lot of cargo vans I decided on this one because it was the only one that I could get that was not rotting.[for the money] I live in New Hampshire right now so as many of you know rust and rot is a big deal here, and I discovered work vans usually are kept until that point. Another point is that I am a laid off worker so I have very little money but the place I got it from is letting me make payments even though I'm collecting unemployment. Living in the van will allow me to look for work anywhere and choose a more rewarding kind of work such as off-grid, farm, caretaker and campground or even some type of self employment.<br><br>OK enough about me, on to the build....<br><br>I bought the van 4/11/2012 and it had racks inside like most work vans do, so I took them out and sold them for $50, here is a few pics before..<br><img src="http://mikemason.us/van/006s.JPG"><br><img src="http://mikemason.us/van/007s.JPG"><br><img src="http://mikemason.us/van/008s.JPG"><br><img src="http://mikemason.us/van/009s.JPG"><br>Then I scraped and painted the floor because of a little surface rust and put down 1" foam and 1/4" plywood. It makes a nicer floor and is more sound proof, as I could hear the road while driving before.<br><img src="http://mikemason.us/van/005s.JPG"><br><img src="http://mikemason.us/van/004s.JPG"><br><img src="http://mikemason.us/van/003s.JPG"><br>Here is the outside, I think it's stealth and I really think the roof rack will come in handy.<br><img src="http://mikemason.us/van/001s.JPG"><br><img src="http://mikemason.us/van/002s.JPG"><br><br>Well that's the start, I'll add more as I go.<br><br>

 

[Ricekila]

<P>Nice - just like one of my old work van's <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" align=absMiddle border=0></P>

 

[robear]

Thanks guys,<br>I really was not looking for a 350 beast with the v10 in it, yet even with 164k miles it's strong and I expect it to run good for a long time. I paid $4000 for it, and sense then I've seen many listed for $5-$6k.<br><br>By the way, it has a hole for a tow ball on the bumper that says 5000 lb, I don't have anything to tow right now, but was at a flea mart today that had many sizes for $5, what is the most common size, should I get to have on hand should I find something to haul while on the road?<br><br>

 

[owl]

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp; robear, your new rig will carry and tow great. Good on ya!</P>

 

[VanTrekker]

<p>Super cool van!</p>

 

[robear]

Thanks VanTekker.<br>Sleeped in it last night on a pad &amp; sleeping bag<br>but I'm a little stiff this morning<br>guess I will buy a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...der:none !important; margin:0px !important;" ">airbed</a>, I didn't want to at first because I thought my old camping mat was going to be ok, but at 47 I guess not!<br>I don't want to put a real bed in it because I hope to find&nbsp; day work hauling stuff in it, so I want to leve the back open.<br>

 

[Ricekila]

<P>Get a few perforated bars from Home Depot and store the mattress close to the ceiling <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" align=absMiddle border=0></P>

 

[robear]

thanks, thats's a good tip <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br>

 

[cargovanconversion]

<p>That work looks very familiar to me! (<a href="http://cargovanconversion.com/?p=490" target="_blank">cargovanconversion.com</a>)</p><p>Keep up the great work.</p><p><br></p><p>Van.</p>

 

[Seraphim]

Cool. Have fun with it