A wide array of overland vehicles is posted to our forum every day, ranging from a few thousand dollars to the best part of a million. However, it’s the affordable rigs that impress me the most, as they serve as a reminder that we don’t need to spend a fortune to see the world and that money is much better spent on experiences. With this in mind, today’s 2003 Ford E-250 145,000 miles) is a gem and represents an impressive value at $24,500. This may be a 2WD, but a lot of work has been done to make this build more capable with all-terrain tires, a 6-inch lift, rear locking differential, and much more. When you consider 4WD alternatives, such as this $115,000 2013 Ford E-250, you could comfortably convert today’s van and still be at a fraction of the cost. However, I’d assume the existing 2WD build is more than sufficient for most applications, considering its extensive travels on the owner’s Instagram.
From the Seller:
“This van is quite possibly the ultimate adventure van with a list of features almost never found in this size and style of vehicle. We have owned it for six years and have driven up and down the West Coast from mountains to deserts, Nevada, Utah, Baja, Montana, Wyoming, Arizona, and beyond. Snow, mud, dirt, gravel, back roads, interstate, and everywhere in between, this thing is at home and puts a massive smile on our faces any time we jump in to take a trip. No, it isn’t a luxurious Instagram influencer, vanlife, full-time living type of van, but it does have a lot of the same creature comforts, and it serves the purpose of being everything you could possibly need in an adventure van for weekend trips as well as multi-week adventures.”
2003 Ford E-250
The E-250 is fitted with a 5.4-liter Triton V8 that produces 258 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. This may not be the most economical engine, but they are long-lived, with many owners reporting the best part of half a million miles with just basic servicing. Today’s E-250 may be a 2WD, but thanks to a wide array of premium upgrades, including a 6-inch lift, Dana Spicer Trac-Loc locking differential and re-gear to 4.10, all-terrain tires, armor, and more, it will get you most places you want to go. Inside, the Ford showcases the following driver comforts:
- Aftermarket Kenwood stereo
- Air-conditioning
- Power steering, windows, and locks
- Captain’s chairs
- Dual-view rear camera
Distinguishing Features
- Aluminess front bumper with internal storage and rear bumper with internal storage and tire swing out and storage box
- Fiamma awning
- Freshwater (20 gallons) with Acuva UV water filter
- Battleborn 100-amp-hour self-heating lithium battery, 2,000-watt Xantrex inverter, and 100-watt solar panel
- Dometic rooftop air-conditioning and fridge
- Driver-side rack for surfboards or paddleboards
- American Racing wheels with BFGoodrich A/T KO2 tires
This 2003 Ford E-250 is listed for $24,500 and is currently located in San Diego, California. Check the full vehicle specifications via the original Expedition Portal forum post here.
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