Our DIY Ford Econoline Camper Van
Van Specs on Our 1997 Ford E-150
- Triton 5.4L V8
- Fiberglass High roof
- Picked up van with 90,000 miles (July 2020)
- 7 rear windows
- Roughly 13 mpg
In 2020 we bought our van off of Facebook Marketplace. We picked the van up 6 hours away from us in Auburn, Alabama.
Things we would like to change:
If we were to look for another van we would look for a E-250 or 350 to have more ground clearance and to have a heavier duty chassis. Finding one that is the extended model would be definite change we would make. We would also potentially look for a diesel engine, preferably the 7.3 powerstroke. Another potential for us would be an E-450 short bus instead of a van.
Things we would keep the same:
If we were to get another van it would be another Ford. Having the high roof extension makes a huge difference for us and would for sure have it in the next van. If we decide on another gas van, we would stick with the 5.4l V8. It has plenty of power to move the van, even in the mountains.
Work we have had done
Since getting our van we have had to do some work to it and to save money I have done all the work myself. Here is a list of all the things we have had to fix:
- New transmission pan and filter
- Fix oil leak
- Both driver and passenger window regulators
- Front brake rotors and pads
- Fix window water leak
- Fix blend door (A/C & Heater)
- Fix door latches (Rear & Side)
- New battery
- New spare tire
- Added tow hitch
While it may seem we have had to do a lot of work to our van, nothing has been a major issue. When you have an older van, it is more common to have things that need repair. It it important to keep up with repairs and to do the preventative maintenance.
Inside Our Van
Flooring
For the flooring in our van we used vinyl peel & stick tile. This flooring was lightweight and cheap so it made for the perfect choice.
Bed & Storage
Our bed is a queen mattress. We built the platform in a way that we would still have access underneath the bed for storage. Storage is also build along the side of the bed.
Cooking, Power, & Lighting
Our current setup for cooking and power in our van is a simple temporary solution. We use camping gear and a portable power station, as well as solar for our lighting.
Window Covers & Curtains
Our van came with blinds and curtains for all the windows, however they weren’t great for what we needed. They work good during the day but we needed a blackout solution for night. We also needed a solution for separating the cab from the rest of the van.
See all articles about our van
Category: Econoline Van BuildPlans for the future
In the future the plan is to add solar and house batteries to our van. Once we have solar we are going to add a roof fan to help with keeping the van cooler and to help with condensation. Adding a kitchen is also a priority, as this will allow us to cook while inside the van. A potential change to the van would be upgrading the rear leaf springs to heavier duty ones. This way the rear of the van can handle the added weight better as well as lift the rear bumper.