Just picked up a 78 Econoline Custom off CL for cheap. 351w 3 speed auto long wheel base. Still has the original floor to ceiling (including on the ceiling) shag and a wrap around couch/bed in the back. Figured i would clean it up and turn it into a tailgating/camping/roadtrip vehicle. That in mind i had a few questions



does anybody know the owner of this van: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/150472
it looks like he is a NCSU guy and did the same thing with the same model van.

does anybody know where i could source a roof basket for this thing for fairly cheap

Im also wanting to add a second battery with an isolator and attach it to and inverter for 110 power in the van when parked. Any tips/advice or does anybody have a extra battery and isolator they want to let go for cheap?

the roof had a popout sunroof in its earlier life, the previous owner removed it because it was leaking and just riveted a plate over where it went and covered the whole mess in some sort of RV roof tar to stop the leaks.
Would it be an awful idea to buy a sunroof larger than the one that was there before and just cut out all the crap work this guy did and replace it with a sunroof? or am i asking for more trouble than it is worth?

thanks in advance

7/16/2010 8:01:46 AM

Wow, pimptastic! Wraparound couch/bed? Wonder what that thing has seen...

Sounds like a fun project though, gl.

7/16/2010 8:53:12 AM

FTW!!

7/16/2010 9:40:37 AM

Is this what you mean by roof basket?

7/16/2010 2:16:24 PM

Interesting trades considered?

7/16/2010 2:18:58 PM

lift it

7/18/2010 11:19:56 PM

Outfit it to kill zombies.

7/18/2010 11:52:25 PM

Took it to the beach this weekend with no problems at all. put about 500 miles on it, got about 12mpg. Prob would have done better if i hadnt driven 80mph the whole time on the highway

^^^^ That is similar to to what i am looking for. Just want some space up top to put camping stuff/tailgating supplies. I have also looked at the racks that attach to the trailer hitch, but i would rather have the roof rack so i can still tow stuff.

7/19/2010 12:05:28 PM

I'll sell that one. It seems like the straps were looking pretty old and I was planning to replace them before I put any weight on it, but the rack itself was pretty sweet. I'll pull it out today or tomorrow to see what kind of condition it is in and let you know.

7/19/2010 12:36:41 PM

Bought an electric foldout seat/bed on CL to replace the old dry rotted plywood bench seat. Next i need to find a 30A polarity reversing switch to run it. Any ideas? do you think a junkyard window switch will do the trick? I have found some online but they run 10+SH for a cheap plastic switch. I also got a roof basket for $50, but it mounts to factory roof racks. Does anybody have any gutter mounts for roof racks or ladder racks?

gonna hit the junkyard in the next couple days and start scouring for interior stuff to convert this into a camper/tailgating machine. Anybody know if they have RVs or a bunch of conversion vans out at LKQ?

thanks

7/22/2010 7:45:05 AM

I don't know but wat day are you planning on going? I'll join ya. Free today and tomorrow. Lmk

7/22/2010 8:19:02 AM

I was going to go today or tomorrow after i get off work. pm sent

7/22/2010 8:24:00 AM

Tore out the old moldy interior to find no rust damage at all surprisingly. Installed new plywood floors and new carpet. I have never done interiors before, but the carpet was easy to install. It was more difficult removing the 8000000 staples and rusty screws than it was installing the carpet.

up next: wiring a second battery(deep cycle) with an isolator to run electronics/speakers/tv/camping gear.

Where is the cheapest place to get wire for the interior. I planned on using 14G stranded from my second fusebox to about 8-10 dc applications. anybody know a good source for spools of it. very rough estimate of 200 ft. i would prefer two separate colors, but spray paint can solve that problem if it is cheap enough.

if anybody has some for cheap or knows a source let me know.

also looking for 20-30 ft of 12g 3 conductor romex if anybody has some they would like to part with. was thinking of locating a couple AC outlets while i have the interior out

7/26/2010 5:01:56 PM