The 808Van - 1971 Ford E300 4x4 Sportsmobile

Joe Arlo grew up with a father that always had a Van. Growing up and hearing about the vanlife, Joe always thought about having a retro rig, and really wanted one that was a 4×4. When he came across this badass 1971 Ford E-300 4×4 Sportsmobile, he knew it was the perfect van for his dream project.

The van was a Minnesota barn found that was purchased and shipped to Hawaii. While on Big Island, the van’s exterior was completely restored and repainted, along with engine and driveline updates (Hawaii’s area code is 808, thus the 808Van). From Hawaii, it was purchased by a collector in Palm Springs who could not climb into it, so it sat for most of 2016 until Joe found it.

After Joe got it home to San Francisco, he took the van to The Canvas Works in Sausalito California to get a new Sunbrella canvas top. The top has several screened windows around the exterior similar to the original. Joe has always been a fan of pop tops over fixed roofs. He likes to be a part of the environment while off grid, and not completely closed off. Sleeping up top with a canvas surround and the breeze flowing through is similar to a tent.

After getting the top done, Joe set out to upgrade the interior. He ordered new seats, and wanted the van to have a fun, retro interior with a Hawaiian feel. He chose a “Kona Ash” Hawaiian floral pattern that matched the van’s green base perfect and had white, yellow, and gray colors that would work well as the “accent” fabric. He then chose a matching Sunbrella green fabric to serve as the base of the seats.

The rest of the interior was gutted to make way for a new one.

Joe used white vinyl for the walls to match the pop top ceiling and keep it open and clean. He used light bamboo flooring in the rear, and dark green carpet up front. He removed the old rusty propane heater, and was left with holes in the side of the van. All of the exterior holes have been taken care of with lockable doors for power and water hookups, along with an outdoor shower installed to a custom panel.The onboard fresh water is stored in an 18-gallon fresh water tank that was enclosed under the rear seat.

The roof is home to a 160 watt solar panel that stores power in two Lifeline 6V 320 amp-hour golf cart batteries wired in series. Joe felt that these golf cart batteries would have a better life expectancy than typical AGM batteries. The batteries are stored in a custom steel box under the vans floor.

Joe built the darker Koa cabinets himself. The cabinet next to the bench has sliding doors and shelves inside for plenty of storage. The other cabinet features a sink, counter top, and an Isotherm Cruise marine refrigerator. The aluminum trim around the counter top is a nice touch, and helps make the fridge look right at home. The sink drains in to a 6-gallon gray water tank under the floor which fit perfectly between the battery box and frame rails. Joe did not install propane or a stove because he prefers to grill outside.

Up front, Arlo installed a sunroof above the driver and passenger seats as a throwback to the style of the 70s vans, and provide some airflow while driving.

The doghouse (engine cover) was also insulated with a custom cover that dramatically reduces the noise and heat coming into the cabin. The van drives like a completely new rig thanks to all the insulation and sound deadening added during the build.

The van received a new 370 hp 302 cu in. blueprinted V8 capped with aluminum heads, Edelbrock EFI and plumbed with an updated cooling system. A 30-gallon fuel tank helps give the van the fuel capacity it needs for Joe’s adventures.

An automatic overdrive transmission was added with a Dana Spicer 20 transfer case and a Dana 44 front axle. The van has a Dana 60 rear axle. 4 wheel disc brakes were added, along with suspension airbags in the rear to improve load stabilization.

The van also features KC off-road lights, a winch bumper and winch, and a LED lightbar above the cab. A spare tire and Hi-Lift jack is mounted to a swing out tire carrier on the rear.