There are fundamental differences between an overland rig and an expedition vehicle. Generally speaking, the former provides the essentials for living on the road but little else, while the latter offers a more luxurious rolling home. I appreciate these are generalizations, and if you want to get into the real nitty-gritty, I recommend listening to Principles of Overlanding :: Expedition Campers on the Overland Journal podcast. However, there is also a small selection of desirable vehicles that find a sweet spot between these options. In other words, platforms that are better equipped than the average overland rig but way less cumbersome and costly than a full-scale expedition camper. A few examples that come to mind are the Iveco Daily 4×4, Mercedes 310 4×4, Volkswagen LT 4×4, and, of course, full-size trucks with a camper setup. Today’s 2003 Ford E-450 overland conversion (originally a Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle) is another perfect example and incorporates all the comforts of home without the excessive footprint and astronomical price point. In addition, it showcases a heavy-duty 4WD system from U-joint Offroad 4×4; a low-mileage (51,000 miles), “million-mile,” 7.3-liter Power Stroke diesel motor; and a fully outfitted four-season camper interior.
From the Seller:
“Sadly, the time has come to sell this one-of-a-kind beast, nicknamed ‘Haka.’ I am the second owner and only selling because I want to continue focusing on my pilot license and need to reallocate time and resources. I have owned the vehicle for 1.5 years, and it has taken my family on some incredible trips throughout the PNW and the Rocky Mountains. I purchased the vehicle from an ExPo member, who picked it up at an auction and spent over a year gutting the box and completing the initial build-out. The original details can be found here (please note that the $100,000 price listed was long before the build was complete). This was originally a Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle, so it never transported patients and had minimal idle hours. I have made many upgrades since purchasing the vehicle and redesigned some of the interior to better accommodate adults, a 150-pound Newfoundland, and allow for maximum living space. This is an incredibly rare platform as it has full-width rear doors and a 6-foot, 2-inch interior height. It’s basically a studio apartment with awesome off-road capability.”
2003 Ford E-450
The E-450 is fitted with the 7.3-litre Power Stroke that, in stock form, delivers 215 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque. This legendary diesel motor may not be especially refined nor powerful by modern standards, but it is exceptionally long-lived, with some well-maintained examples exceeding one million miles. A bulletproof engine and drivetrain are mated with impressive capability, thanks to a 4WD conversion from U-joint 4×4. This uprates the E-450 with 4WD, a 6-inch lift, high and low range, manual locking front hubs, Fox shocks, Atlas springs, and more. Inside, these rugged credentials are balanced with a well-equipped interior with driver comforts that include:
- Eonon head unit with JL Audio and Hertz speakers, Rockford Fosgate subwoofer, and A/D/S PQ10 amp
- Captain’s chairs
- Rearview camera
- Power steering, windows, locks, and mirrors
- Cupholders
- Air-conditioning
Distinguishing Features
- U-joint Offroad 4×4 conversion with 6-inch lift, Fox shocks, and Atlas springs
- Black Rhino front wheels and rear steel wheels with BFGoodrich KM3 tires
- Expion360 100-amp-hour LifeP04 batteries (2) with 300 watts of solar
- Freshwater 45-gallon tank
- Truma Combi furnace and water heater with thermostat
- Dickinson Marine 2-burner propane stove
- Winch mountable front bumper
- LED auxiliary lighting
- Samsung HDTV
- Roof rack with side ladder
- ASME 12.2-gallon propane tank
- Roof-mounted air-conditioning, 120-volt
- MaxxFan vent
- Shower room with Nautilus door and Thetford toilet
- Class IV hitch
- Ruvati sink with 6-gallon greywater tank
This 2003 Ford E-450 overland conversion is listed for $125,000 OBO and is currently located in Bend, Oregon. Check the full vehicle specifications via the original Expedition Portal forum post here.
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