Ian F (Forum Supporter) said:
In reply to ProDarwin :
I've seen a lot of Promaster builds in the mtn bike world. They seem to be generally reliable and substantially less expensive than the Ford or M-B options. You can still get an E-series van, but only as a chassis-cab so you'll need to find a vendor selling a box version to DIY convert.
I haven't priced a detailed build, but new they are all starting within <$2k of one another. New it would seem the Sprinter would have a lower TCO due to less depreciation.
If not hauling weight, the fwd Dodges seem interesting. Most interesting because they have a Grand Caravan, 3.6L running gear. Time tested engine with service-ability everywhere. What scares me about this choice is the Italian body/electronics it is wrapped in.
Speaking of weight, if you do a full build-out of the interior, you will be hauling a lot of weight and the Dodge may then loose some of its attraction.
Transit is probably the answer.
Also a comment about reliability...if the van your living in stays at the mechanic (like up on the lift) overnight then you have no "house" for that night either.
In reply to ProDarwin :
The difference seems to be when you actually sit down to buy one - the Dodge seems to get discounted quite a bit more than the Fords (some) or the M-B (any at all?).
As far as the weight, it will depend... these are cargo vans after all and were designed to carry a fair bit of weight. DIY builds tend to be lighter than factory RVs as most DIYers skip a lot of the complex plumbing or cabinetry.
I want to like the Dodge vans, especially because of the low loading height, but have heard the FWD becomes an issue in the RV versions. Mostly problems with traction on dirt/gravel roads, especially hills. If she is staying on paved roads, shouldn't be an issue.
Multiple class action lawsuits against Bluetech equipped diesel Sprinters. A/C issues causing water intrusion, multiple emissions devices repeatedly failing, emissions cheating scandal, etc, etc.
mdshaw
Reader
3/15/21 10:11 a.m.
I like the Fwd idea but really don't like Dodges. Unless it's more like a Fiat. In Brasil Fiats are very popular & good cars.
The 3.2 diesel in the Transit sounds interesting except for the pdf & regen issues. Too bad the only way to get them reliable it seems is to remove all the smog & disable the egr. Then it's as polluting as my 7.3 Powerstroke. The power & mileage really increase though.
Ian F (Forum Supporter) said:
In reply to ProDarwin :
The difference seems to be when you actually sit down to buy one - the Dodge seems to get discounted quite a bit more than the Fords (some) or the M-B (any at all?).
Ah, yes. Have I mentioned I hate this? 
Hunt up an old Ford ambulance with a 7.3, and leave this modern junk on the lot.
mdshaw said:
I like the Fwd idea but really don't like Dodges. Unless it's more like a Fiat. In Brasil Fiats are very popular & good cars.
It's the Fiat parts that make the truck a pain in the ass. Mostly, the lack of service parts or information.
Take stabilizer links. They were only available from the dealer, as a sway bar assembly for $lots. So you get the whole bar assembly, and then you have to unbolt one of the links to slide the new bar into place. The only reason for selling as an assembly is reduced inventory and increased revenue.
Or brake pads that run near $500 an axle. Hopefully the aftermarket has picked that up!
Or the ambient air temp sensor which is part of one of the side mirrors. You failed emissions because your mirror is bad, sir. (The Fiat based Jeeps do this too, and the fun part is, in both cases, the service information does not even acknowledge that the mirror based sensor exists. You just gotta know)
I had a few customers with them, one with a carpet business and a 1200l water tank mounted permanently in the back.
Streetwiseguy said:
Hunt up an old Ford ambulance with a 7.3, and leave this modern junk on the lot.
Except that any 7.3 Powerstroke E-Series is now old, clapped out, and 300k miles on the clock. I've been there, a clapped 300k mile 7.3 is not a shining pillar of reliability and greatness like the internet would suggest.
Pete. (l33t FS) said:
Or brake pads that run near $500 an axle. Hopefully the aftermarket has picked that up!
I had to go check; options seem to start at about $15 for a 2018 Promaster 2500...
Stabilizer links are also available a la carte for about $18 now, though clearly not through the dealer.
mdshaw
Reader
3/15/21 5:11 p.m.
In reply to newrider3 :
I would rather have a 7.3 powerstroke. Mine has @300k on it & I would not hesitate to drive cross country many times. In fact I did 4 times 2 years ago. Albeit I spent a winter upgrading everything along with a rebuilt super strong transmission. I now know too much about them.
The 7.3 ambulance is a good idea.
mdshaw said:
In reply to newrider3 :
I would rather have a 7.3 powerstroke. Mine has @300k on it & I would not hesitate to drive cross country many times. In fact I did 4 times 2 years ago. Albeit I spent a winter upgrading everything along with a rebuilt super strong transmission. I now know too much about them.
The 7.3 ambulance is a good idea.
Love my 7.3 ambulance! I picked it up for only $4k (pre 4wd) with 155k on it.
It's also one of only 3 manual (ZF5) swapped econolines that I know of.
One of the big benefits when building an ambulance camper is that the walls are straight and square. In a van everything is rounded which makes construction a pain. The ambulance is all 2" square aluminum tubing, framed like a house with insulation in between.
In reply to Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) :
It's the U-Joint Offroad conversion kit with a 2003 F350 Dana 60 axle in the front. OE Dana 70 in the back. I used a ZF5 transmission with a BW4407 manual transfer case. Leaf springs on all 4 corners.
mdshaw
Reader
3/15/21 10:24 p.m.
That's really cool & she also dreams of 4wd
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
Yes... Rockauto appears to carry Promaster brake parts for typical "US car prices".
No rear stabilizer link is shown, but the front link is $17.41.
ProDarwin said:
Ian F (Forum Supporter) said:
In reply to ProDarwin :
The difference seems to be when you actually sit down to buy one - the Dodge seems to get discounted quite a bit more than the Fords (some) or the M-B (any at all?).
Ah, yes. Have I mentioned I hate this?
Not sure what you mean... you hate how car dealers are car dealers? 
