It’s amazing to think that a Ford E-Series van could bring $25,000, but that’s a new reality when it comes to survivors and/or rigs that have been converted to 4WD. Of course, when you look at what it costs to build a new off-roader out of a Sprinter van or a similarly capable people movers plus off-road trawler, you couldn’t replicate for anywhere close to what is being asked for here. This 1989 Ford E-350 was used on a vineyard since new before the current caretaker got his hands on it, and it’s listed here on craigslist with 60K miles and the venerable 351 V8 under the hood.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Mitchell G. for the find. As we’ve discussed prior, a few different aftermarket companies have designed kits for converting vans from both GM and Ford into highly-capable off-road adventure machines. The trend towards overlanding and similar pursuits have made vans from both here and abroad quite popular, including the likes of the Mitsubishi Delica which is one of the more popular JDM models that we see imported. However, there are significant costs associated with modern conversions and their overseas counterparts, and then you factor in the complexity of tracking down the correct parts for such vehicles, which are obviously subjected to heavy use.
Of course, “heavy use” and crawling around a vineyard aren’t exactly the same thing. This E-350 may have been built for heavy use but it appears to have barely cracked the surface of its capabilities given it was used for unpaved roads but not beaten up on mountaineering expeditions. The interior is in great shape with red cloth upholstery that covers both the front buckets and rear bench rows. The listing notes it was used for tours around the vineyard property, and since I’m guessing it wasn’t an everyday affair, it seems likely this E350 saw much less use than your typical work van.
And, of course, being from California means it’s absolutely beautiful underneath. The seller doesn’t provide any info on the 4WD conversion or which company did it, and I doubt he knows unless there’s a paper trail included with the truck. The good news is these are simple rigs and most any company doing the work would have used off-the-shelf parts. The 351 is a tough motor that is good for about 150 horsepower in an E-350 like this one, and the overdrive-equipped 4-speed automatic will make a big difference in daily driving. While you may need to have a certain lifestyle to justify using a truck like this as intended, it’s likely fairly hard to repeat in today’s environment.
Thanks Lavery cool 😎 van. Install a huge basket style roof rack and load up the whole tribe for a trip into one of the beautiful California alpines ❄️ 🏔 for some spring skiing.
Oddly enough with it being jacked up so high, it looks less boxy. Would make a great party van or a camper with the rear seats taken out.
The CL listing says “Porterville” in the title, and shows a map of Porterville, California. The vehicle is listed on the Long Island, NY Craigslist, and there is a Porterville, NY east of Niagara Falls. which, like Porterville, California, is a wine growing area. But, it has a “clean California title” and what appear to be California plates (too pixelated to tell), so? Also, it was listed 17 days ago, so it may not be an amazing deal after all, or some people may be hesitant to spend money at present, perhaps.
Head to Whiteface mtn. Lake Placid for some spring corn 🌽 snow ❄️ Godzilla 🏂 ⛷️
I had a Sportsmobile camper on that platform. Same condition as well. Great rig but the dual fuel tanks made me crazy. Never did get them to work right. Other than that and around 16 mpg I liked it.
Looks like a Pathfinder conversion.
Decent in the day but not without drivability problems.
Low miles? So, what! That means all the seals and everything else will need replaced.
I have owned over 100 4WD vans over the years. Bought lots of oil field 4WD vans at auction. Many were Pathfinders. Decent for the 1980’s-early 1990’s. Archaic by today’s standards.
$10K maybe $12K on a stretch van at best given the condition shown in the pictures. The 4WD van craze with inflated prices left the building 2+ years ago!
We used to offer 4wd and rh drive conversions through a company called Quigley. I’m wondering if this is their work. Looks good on the long body. What’s it’s like to get this out on the road?
Quigley only built leaf spring conversions at that time on Ford Vans.
Pathfinder and Advanced 4WD conversions were using coil springs in their conversions.
Both were located out West therefore “I” suggest this is a Pathfinder OR Advanced 4WD conversion.
A Qugley conversion will have a “Quigley” badge on the front fenders. Quigley was the better of the two. You can still get a Quigley conversion on a GM van and it only lifts the front end about 3/4″. And driving one of their conversions back to ba k wirh a 2wd version. You feel no difference.
k out tgme