Duality basically means that you can’t have good without evil or darkness without light or a van without a pickup box on the back.. er.. hey, wait a minute. This dually-equipped duality duo is a 1988 Ford E-350 Centurion, or van-pickup as I would have said. It can be found on Craigslist in Fredrick, Colorado with an asking price of $9,950 or offer. Thanks to Jack M. for sending in this dually tip!
As a lover of all things unusual, or at least things related to unusual vehicles, I have a soft spot for these creations. I’m always interested in an unusual vehicle to haul the oddball motorcycle collection around and this is something that a person could even sleep in if they had to. That is if they weren’t kept awake by the burnt-rose-colored fabric on the seats.
This unusual hauler appears to be in great condition. The Centurion conversion on vans typically meant that a person meant to haul a horse trailer or travel trailer so there would be a fifth-wheel in the box, but that wasn’t always the case. This is a graphics-heavy paint and tape scheme here, I might want to tone things down a notch if this were my van-truck.
The seller says that this rig has only had two adult owners since it was new. The interior sure is a churning sea of muted colors but it looks good in there. Compared to my tiny Dodge D-50 pickup this would be like piloting the Goodyear Blimp and I bet it would ride as smoothly.
There are no engine photos but this one has just “3,000 miles on Jasper 460 v8 gas motor. 5,000 + miles on professional c6 automatic transmission rebuild”, according to the seller, or the lister, who is a friend of the seller. It has had a good bit of work done including a new “oil cooler, exhaust manifolds, high torque starter, battery control modual, electric trailer brake control.” Have any of you owned a van-truck / Centurion conversion? Are they needed anymore with four-door pickups being as popular as they are today?
I never saw a van up with a camper top
luv these and the p/u cap is an extra (rare according to the research I been doin). I like the 4dors like this 1 the best. Think I could sleep on that (fold out?) couch in back.
Dangers: the electrics. Many have hacked the heck outta them. No schematics around.
I’d want the diesel but boy R they rare & hard to research in a van (did havem).
Some even put a modern cummins/alison in as (I believe) the 460 is really a race motor not something I’d want in this rig,
So cummins/alison conversion – the rest alone (cept may B those removable or below the bed 5th wheels) would B it 4 me !!!
I don’t see the advantage of this vehicle over the four door pick ups that handled the same duty.
I do believe Ford did have the four door dually available in 1988.
Comfort was the biggy. Conversion vans were much more plush than any pickup in that time period, and even on the same frame, the vans had a more comfortable ride than pickups.
And they are much more room inside, you can almost stand up to put clothes on, try that in a pickup.
And this one is an 1988 which means its EFI and the 460 w EFI is a very good motor, I have one of these E350 Chinook coach.
KILL IT WITH FIRE!
(or at least go with a better paint scheme.)
I wonder if they had to pay Buick to use the Centurion name?
My centurion is the F350 truck. It’s 1992 diesel 4×4 and smog exempt in CA thus the reason to own it.
This van Centurion would be awesome for blasting mileage in Texas/Kansas/Nebraska, etc
I’ve seen conversion van/pickup trucks like this. I’ve always been intrigued by them. They look like they could tow a 5th wheeler way better than an F250 could, or even an F350. For a vehicle like this, I would think a Powerstroke 6.7 litre Diesel engine.
First time that I’ve ever seen one with a cap, or topper as they call them here.I didn’t know that they made one for these. The 460 was not necessarily a race engine as it was a common Ford truck engine as well. Especially for pickups and RVs.
Kind of a reverse mullet. Party up front business in the rear
I think you’ll find that’s business up the front, party out the back!!
What a cool rig, would look good cruising the highways in Oz!!