Small Gasser The Right Fit?

[awilder]

I'm still in deep with my Ford e450 at the mechanic, but this popped up online from a private seller nearby. Wondering thoughts on a 2006 Ford E350 5.4L V8 as a home platform. 84K miles, no rust. Apparently mechanically issue free.
Wondering in general if a small gasser would be better for me, mainly because this e450 has drained my bank account and I've heard diesels are more expensive to repair. I know I've also read a little gasser can be underpowered for what you need to make it a home. But, if I literally do not have 10K in the bank saved for repairs, would a gasser like this be a better idea?
Thank you.
Oh, also this person is asking $10K... I was thinking 4 would be reasonable?

 

[peteg59]

Looks clean underneath from that angle.
A 4 window bus is small inside and if you're living inside with more than just you, it'll be tight and bumping elbows will be a common occurrence. (Ask me how I know!)

10K for that is crazy money, unless it's fitted out inside with high end appliances and gold plated fixtures!
Good luck.

 

[musigenesis]

Looks clean underneath from that angle.
A 4 window bus is small inside and if you're living inside with more than just you, it'll be tight and bumping elbows will be a common occurrence. (Ask me how I know!)

10K for that is crazy money, unless it's fitted out inside with high end appliances and gold plated fixtures!
Good luck.

As somebody cramming just himself into 10 windows, I don't see how even a single person could live in a 4 window bus. Vanlifers definitely keep me humble about my downsizing.

 

[peteg59]

I don't see how even a single person could live in a 4 window bus.

It's definitely a learning experience, and one quickly figures out what is essential and what won't fit in the limited space of a shorty!

While I'm not full timing in it I make it work for the times I do use it, and still think it's far better than the Mini-Winnie it replaced, for its rugged "bones".

 

[awilder]

Yes, I'm still figuring out if this will be full time or part time living, but on the small side for sure! Usually will be myself and 4 year old. I have to compromise enough space with sometimes street parking in a city. I am currently in a one bedroom with 4 people and two cats, so, downsizing has taken place! Although likely not enough for a 4 window bus. Also as I will convert alone I think it makes sense for at least my first build to be small and manageable.

The person selling this bus apparently converted a van and then another short bus and was going to convert this one but life changed, so, I think she knows she's asking a lot and shooting for the moon. Fair enough.

 

[rossvtaylor]

Shorty asking prices have definitely gone up. There's a nice 5-window E450 on ebay with an asking price of $9500. I think the days of cheap short buses, in general, are gone...for a while. $10 seems quite high - if you can actually get it for 4, you are the master negotiator indeed!

 

[EastCoastCB]

Shorty asking prices have definitely gone up. There's a nice 5-window E450 on ebay with an asking price of $9500. I think the days of cheap short buses, in general, are gone...for a while. $10 seems quite high - if you can actually get it for 4, you are the master negotiator indeed!

Shorty prices are sky high right now. I almost caved and sold mine but would be a tough time to replace it in this market now.

 

[Ronnie-SKO]

I am going to say I generally do not like ford, however have heard good things about the 5.4. Gas engines are cheaper to repair in general, and modern gas engines have a long life. Good care and you can get 200,000 easy and 300,000 miles is not unheard of.

 

[BeNimble]

It is bigger than a van, and plenty of people (well one for each van lol) live in those. But $10k are you kidding?
Do I need to post all the motorhomes (READY TO LIVE IN) you can buy for less?

Lately I've been looking more at trucks with cabovers. Working on those pretty easy, motor swaps no problem.. Look at the video I posted on 2020 christmas thread, sweet as honey diy camper. And you can remove it at the camp spot and then have a truck to explore local area.

 

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

i personally would stay away from that version of the 5.4.
i had one in a work truck that was a garage king. if it wasnt in there because it was dead it was in there for its religious oil change.
had to have the entire top end rebuilt at 110,000 miles and the dealer told me that i got lucky and most got rebuilt around 70-80,000.
my son is also a ford mechanic and i just asked him about this specific year and what its in and he said NO were not buying that dad.
told it wasnt for us and he said you remember your old work truck, the exact same motor in a bigger body on a hard to work on van chassis.
i bought a chevy 5 window earlier this year for 3500$ so i would say just hang on and keep looking.
they are out there.
wish you luck

 

[EastCoastCB]

Those 5.4's can be real bastards to work on I've heard.

 

[awilder]

Thanks. So, in terms of gas, a 6.0, 7.4 or 8.1 Chevy/GMC would be preferable to a Ford.

 

[EastCoastCB]

IMO yes, absolutely.

 

[awilder]

I always get lured by these little ones but talk about small. This one's for sale, btw:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJsR-8dB4po/

 

[#1FordFan]

To me it has 3 strikes against it.

1 It use more fuel per mile that ANY other kind of bus. This is somewhat related to #3
(A standard length diesel bus gets right at 10 mpg)
2 its a Van chassis
(harder to work on engine and electric no matter gas or diesel.)
3 Van chassis buses are overloaded For rated capacity from factory
(They wear suspension components, tires, and brakes much faster. Imagine a F250 that IS NEVER unhooked from a 10k Trailer)