Van Search Updates

I almost pulled the trigger on a 1995 Dodge high top conversion van last weekend but decided to hold off. Then it turns out the guy left after the weekend and is out of town for a month, so it may be out of the question altogether. It had a lot going for it, but also some drawbacks.

Pros

• Affordable ($5500)
• Low miles (36k)
• Spare tire carrier & ladder
• Minimal conversion already (could move into immediately without doing any work)

Cons

• Fuel economy (5.2L V8/3 Speed transmission = 11 mpg city, 13 mpg hwy)
• 3 Speed transmission (probably not good in the mountains)
• Lots of windows (more potential for break-ins and worse insulating properties)
• No vent fan (would have to install one)
• No ODB-II port for diagnostics

Ideally, I'd like a windowless high top cargo van with a partition between the cab and the cargo area. This would provide higher security. With my car I kind of feel like I dodged some bullets not having any break-ins or stuff stolen. At hiking trailheads I was constantly hearing about vehicles getting broken into. I'd like to have it so that if anyone broke into the cab they still couldn't get access to any of my belongings in the back. Windows on the back doors would be alright as usually they have a grate protecting them on the inside. If not, I could install some.

However, it seems that such high top cargo vans are very rare. I really liked the first one I saw but I didn't have money at the time and haven't seen anything like it since. It was the 2008 Ford e250 with 150k miles that they were asking $5999 for. It sold quick.

The only other one I've seen was a 1998 Ford e150 with 24k miles. It was a 1 owner government vehicle and looked promising. However, it was being sold by a dealer who was asking $8995 and would not move on the price. It looks like that one sold as well.

I've been keeping the search within California and Nevada primarily but maybe I need to expand. I'm not getting a lot of options at the moment. I've even kept an eye out for sprinters but they've always been really beat or ultra high miles in my price range. Also considering going with a normal cargo van, but I'd prefer not to. I suppose if I found one cheap enough where it would make sense to install a high top on it, that could be a possibility. Or I could go without the high top if I had to, but that would be more of a last resort.