I've been reading up on motorhomes recently, and a Class B (van conversion) motorhome sounds like just what I've been wanting. Not having the cash to just go out and buy one, I'm considering the option of buying either an extended length Aerostar or an E-series van, and converting it when I have the cash, which I figure should be cheaper. (Or so I hope!)

If I have read the forum posts on conversion aerostars correctly, they sound like just what I would need for one person to live in comfortably. They come with all the basics, do they not? Bed, shower, toilet, sink, cooking facilities, fridge, table, storage, etc.

Living in smaller quarters is not a problem for me, and the idea of eventually not paying rent sounds too tempting to pass up. Also, living in Florida with this would have the decided advantage of being able to easily pick up my entire home and move it out of the path of severe weather - A luxury many people can never have. Having been through the 2004 storm season with multiple hurricanes threatening me, I am acutely aware of the flexibility having such a home would have given me.

I'd rather convert an Aerostar (If it can be done properly to basically replace an apartment in functionality) rather than an E-series van due to parking ease, fuel mileage concerns, and insurance concerns.

With all that in mind, some questions.

As I understand, extended length Aerostars were not available until the 1989 model year, correct? If so - Are 1989 model year extended vans any less mechanically sound than their later model year counterparts? I can get over the odd-looking dash (and maybe even learn to like it) but I must have a mechanically sound platform on which to build a conversion van, and I know nothing about the track records of earlier model years.

If I were to get an '89 it would come with a 3.0 engine, and not the 4.0, which didn't debut until 1990, correct? A 3.0 would be preferable, as I understand, since the 3.0's have fewer mechanical problems, are slightly easier to work on, and get better fuel mileage. Losing 10hp and 10-15 ft/lbs of torque wouldn't seriously impact the van as used in a motorhome conversion, would it?

About how much can i expect to spend on the van itself when I am ready to buy it? My '93 XL only cost me $800 cash from a private owner, but that may have just been because I was lucky. To get a general idea of what '89-'97 Aerostars were selling for, I went to eBay and ran a completed items search on those model years. I came up with an average selling price of $1475.82 over the last 30 days. Does that seem to be a fair price?

Once I am ready to have the conversion done, are there any companies in the US that can do it? I recall having read of one such company, but they were in Canada, and have since gone out of business. What ballpark price am I looking at to have the conversion done?

Anything else you can add to this thread would be appreciated.

Thanks...

 

I raised this question a while back. I don't recall when it was but maybe you can pull it up if you search the site.
I have seen an Aerostar with a raised roof, and also found an outfit that used to make a camper comversion for sale, but he's now no longer in business.
One respnse I got suggested that a 6-cylinder E-150 van would be roomier and if set up right would be as easy on gas as an Aerostar. I tried several times to find such a rig on ebay but never found a 6-cylinder.
Trouble with a van is, for full-time use it gets cramped awful quick.
I'll do some more digging.
Good luck.
Ray Mac

 

Depends what kind of millage, body condition, ect. I almost picked up a '95 4.0L AWD with quad captians chairs, 138k mi for a grand. But the rockers were bondod and the PS rack needed replaced. Check out your local free papers to see what is for sale locally. Remember that the listing price is the asking price, not the final price. Almost every Aero I looked at, the first thing the Dealer did was nock the price down by $600-$1500 before I started to even hint to haggle.

As for converting it to a mobile home. It depends on how handy you are? If you are very good with plumbing, wood working, and a little sheet metal, you could do it yourself for under a grand.

Check out www.jcwhitney.com they sell tons of stuff to convert your van. Then you could check out garage sales or the classifieds for cheap stuff (beds, rugs, ect.) and you can customize it yourself to your liking. I would estimate that it would cost you no more than a grand to do it depending on what you want.

 

Seems to me that roomwise, you'd be better off going with a fullsize than an aerostar. As much as I love my Aerostar, and as much room as it has, after adding the necessities for living there wouldn't be much room for a bed. The other thought you have to consider with the 3.0 is that it's adequete for an Aero before the conversion, but with all the extra weight, you may be pushing the limits of the engine's power. Just playing devil's advocate

 

I often camp for days and even weeks in my extended Aerostar. Seat-Beds are a must and make up the bedroom. Underneath the bed is a large box or drawer that carries a grill, stove, pots and pans, etc. A 10 x 10 Easy-Up awning set-up beside the van, make up the Living and Dining room. Folding chairs and a roll-up table fit on the floor, under the front bench. If the weather is bad, the galley can be under the rear lift door. The bathroom is in the woods. (although I have seen a toilet seat that slides into the hitch receiver)

For a real conversion, check out GTRV.com. They mostly do conversions on E series Fords, but I have seen one of their conversions on an Aerostar. It was for sale on Ebay.

 

id say to go with a 4.0 extended aero. 2WD.

ive had the 3.0 and have the 4.0 now. the difference in HP and Torque is amazing and i think with the extra weight of a conversion would be a wise investment.

what i wanna do is take the rear of my van off past the front doors, and mate it to the front of my 17 foot travel trailer. the trailer weighs 3200 as it sits, and ive hauled 3700 lbs of newspaper INSIDE my 2WD 3.0 shorty aero on a stock suspension. I know a 4.0 with air shocks could do it no problem. minus at least 500 pounds for trailer frame and axle.

get an aero for cheap, and get a small fixer upper travel trailer, hook em up dude!

 

You might go to http://www.countryhomescampers.com/aerostar.htm#6 as they convert Aerostars. They look great!