Mastertheo
Member
So I bought this van off of CL and I paid $1000 for it. I'm feeling some semi-buyer's remorse and anxiety.
https://worcester.craigslist.org/cto/d/no-rust-1996-ford-extended/6387659293.html
The Good
2 100 watt solar panels(only 1 hooked up), deep cell battery, controller, power inverter
large bed with draws
Wooden floor
2 wooden cabinets
Runs well, low miles for the price
I can register it in my state without the title
The Bad
Broken pop out window that's hard to find (the first window behind the drivers side window across from the side doors)
Passenger van with the windows cheaply painted over
Only 12 mpg with the 460 big block engine
Hack job attempt to insulate the van, I'll probably end up pulling that stuff down.
I can't put the drivers seat back very far because the tall cabinet is in the way. (I'm very tall)
I feel like the bed it so large it takes up most of the van, and isn't very high.
So I don't know how good of a deal I got considering a window is busted. I'm nor sure how much the van is worth when the window is fixed. I can't even find the window name or part number because it's an extended passenger van that's not very common. New from Ford the window might be around $350. I haven't checked junkyards yet, and I'm not sure if I'm handy enough to pull a window out.
The biggest thing I'm worried about is the gas money. In an SUV or a Minivan it would be cheaper to drive somewhere than a plane ticket. With 12 mpg, it seems like it actually would be a bit more. That's not a big deal if I'm going to be on the road for months, but I was just planning on driving it to somewhere warm for a couple weeks. New England to the south will be costly.
I'm considering ripping down the insulation so I can use the windows, if they even pop open. It might mess up the paint outside though.
The bed and cabinets are nice, but it doesn't really give me any comforts I couldn't have built myself. I could just put a platform and storage bins in anything. The solar is pretty sweet, though.
I've thought about installing a Fantastic Fan for cooking and ventilation, but I've never taken on a job that lofty before. I've also considered what I could build or add to the interior to improve it, and how. Any ideas would be appreciated.
I planned on hitting the road this winter, but now I'm considering possibly selling the van for something with better mpg, or just waiting until spring.
I have a good amount of money saved up, but I'm a penny pinching grumpy ol' miser. I'd like to see how I like road life before I invest a bunch more money. Or at least, have it break even on the value of the van.
I don't really know what I'm doing, and I'm just trying to figure everything out as I go. Any advice on what I should do with it, or general feedback would be much appreciated!
https://worcester.craigslist.org/cto/d/no-rust-1996-ford-extended/6387659293.html
The Good
2 100 watt solar panels(only 1 hooked up), deep cell battery, controller, power inverter
large bed with draws
Wooden floor
2 wooden cabinets
Runs well, low miles for the price
I can register it in my state without the title
The Bad
Broken pop out window that's hard to find (the first window behind the drivers side window across from the side doors)
Passenger van with the windows cheaply painted over
Only 12 mpg with the 460 big block engine
Hack job attempt to insulate the van, I'll probably end up pulling that stuff down.
I can't put the drivers seat back very far because the tall cabinet is in the way. (I'm very tall)
I feel like the bed it so large it takes up most of the van, and isn't very high.
So I don't know how good of a deal I got considering a window is busted. I'm nor sure how much the van is worth when the window is fixed. I can't even find the window name or part number because it's an extended passenger van that's not very common. New from Ford the window might be around $350. I haven't checked junkyards yet, and I'm not sure if I'm handy enough to pull a window out.
The biggest thing I'm worried about is the gas money. In an SUV or a Minivan it would be cheaper to drive somewhere than a plane ticket. With 12 mpg, it seems like it actually would be a bit more. That's not a big deal if I'm going to be on the road for months, but I was just planning on driving it to somewhere warm for a couple weeks. New England to the south will be costly.
I'm considering ripping down the insulation so I can use the windows, if they even pop open. It might mess up the paint outside though.
The bed and cabinets are nice, but it doesn't really give me any comforts I couldn't have built myself. I could just put a platform and storage bins in anything. The solar is pretty sweet, though.
I've thought about installing a Fantastic Fan for cooking and ventilation, but I've never taken on a job that lofty before. I've also considered what I could build or add to the interior to improve it, and how. Any ideas would be appreciated.
I planned on hitting the road this winter, but now I'm considering possibly selling the van for something with better mpg, or just waiting until spring.
I have a good amount of money saved up, but I'm a penny pinching grumpy ol' miser. I'd like to see how I like road life before I invest a bunch more money. Or at least, have it break even on the value of the van.
I don't really know what I'm doing, and I'm just trying to figure everything out as I go. Any advice on what I should do with it, or general feedback would be much appreciated!