Were you thinking about getting an RV last year when everyone was staying at home only to find out they were out-of-stock or overpriced? Well, if your budget is low and you’ve still got the RV itch, why not look at this 1985 F250 that is a camper conversion. Located in Redondo Beach, California, it’s had a lot of recent work done to make it roadworthy for any trip. It’s available here on Barn Finds Classifieds for $19,500.
The Ford F-Series of trucks and vans saw its seventh generation built from 1980-86, including the seller’s F350 from 1985, The F350 was a good choice for a van conversion for camping because of its carrying and towing capacity. While we don’t know the ins and outs of this conversion, it looks to be in good condition with just over 71,000 miles on it. It has a 6.9-liter V8 diesel engine which is known for covering lots and lots of miles.
Considerable effort and money look to have been spent to get this van ready to be sold. The checklist of services performed includes a tune-up and fluids change, new batteries for both the engine and passenger cabin, and wiring is done for a solar-power system that can be installed by the buyer. Other changes and improvements would fit into the amenity’s category, such as:
- New shower room and toilet
- New vinyl woodgrain floors
- New beds and kitchen facilities, including dining table
- New stereo system with Bluetooth capability
The camper also comes with a generator for those occasions when you can’t find someplace to plug in for electricity. We’re told the driver’s and passenger’s parts of the cabin are in good shape, although the captain’s chairs are a different color, suggesting they are from a newer model. Everything outside the van looks good although the area where the top fiberglass addition meets the metal portion of the van in the front might need a little attention down the road. And speaking of the road, we’re told this thing gets up to 20 mpg, a lot cheaper to operate than a big RV.
Not an F350, or an F250 either (both mentioned in the header and text)
This is an E-series, built on a Van chassis, not a pickup truck chassis.
I do see the 350 on the fender, and with the 8-lug wheels, yes it is almost certainly a one-ton. Many of these conversions were done on the 150, and it was the wrong thing to do. The 250’s were much better, and anyone opting for the heavier everything was rewarded with longevity.
The 350’s were built for real and constant use, driving even on rougher/unpaved roads. I don’t know the split between the gas (460) and diesel versions, but i suspect that many fewer of the diesel’s were built. I *almost* bought one (eBay) a number of years ago, but the seller was flaky about answering questions from across the country, and couldn’t seem to arrange a time for a local friend to have a look at it.
Edit: I’d be curious about the fuel used for the generator. Diesel would be very unusual. Propane requires a good sized tank, and I don’t see one here. Gas… Gotta carry a jug then.
I had old E 350 vans before and I don’t care if you had 300 straight 6 or a 351 v8 you get 10 miles to the gallon.
But this one is a Diesel that makes a huge difference. A diesel will get considerable better mileage. Gas engines suck a lot of fuel.
Outwardly, this is the exact van that would make anyone uncomfortable were it to park on their neighborhoods street for a bit.
Your daughter’s prom date gets out – forget it.
It seems to have wiring hanging out of the dash and it looks like the wall, (mid picture left) has part of the board torn off.
*amenities*
BIG concerns with this one. First, the seal between the lifted fiberglass roof and the rim of the Ford chassis looks suspicious. I’d want to know if it leaked, and if not, what did the owner do to solve the problem?
Also, the bare wires sticking out of the wall in the living area don’t leave me feeling too confident about who did and how did the wiring get done on this rig?
I sense this is more of a project that meets the eye.