The Moose – Luxury Stealth Vanlife Camper/RV Class C Motorhome
After some renovations, finally ready to sell The Moose. Built in the back of a 1995 Ford E-350. Runs on the famous 7.3L Power Stroke engine (produced from 1994 to early 2003) renowned for its durability, featuring forged connecting rods and a tougher metal alloy used until early 2002 models. I lived for nearly a year out of this and drove it nearly 4,000 miles around the country. After settling in Phoenix, it makes little sense to keep as it doesn’t get any use. Formerly an ambulance in NJ, then my home for a cross-country adventure, The Moose is an incredible home away from home and I will miss working on it. But diesels thrive in action, and I feel bad letting this amazing vehicle sit idle. So I did some renovations and will put it for sale. Best offers welcome. No trades.
Vehicle Features It’s an old boy that needs TLC, but still runs great.
- Mileage: just under 115,000 miles. VERY low for a 95 7.3 L PowerStroke.
- Tires: 6X – Very new BF Goodridge All Terrain T/A KO2 | Off-Road Tires
- Vehicle Batteries: 2X new vehicle batteries as of 2023. Minimal use since then.
- Engine: 7.3L PowerStroke Turbo Charged Diesel. Turbo charger prevents this 5-ton beast from feeling sluggish at all. He moves! This 7.3 L turbo charged engine is famously reliable and should get you at least 500,000 miles. Built before Ford changed to a softer (less-reliable) metal allow around 2002.
Camper Features
Because I do a lot of digital work, I wanted more power than I thought I would need. I went a bit overboard on the electrical system. I also wanted a comfortable living space that could adapt to avoid feeling claustrophobic while providing tons of storage and features. Check out my conversion specs here:
Solar & Electrical System
- Solar Panels: Over 12,000 w of solar (3X LG 425w)
- House Batteries: 420 Ah or 5,376 Wh of battery storage (4x Lion Energy UT 1300)
- Inverter: Victron MultiPlus 12v 3,000 Wat. This is also tied to a 20 amp input plug so you can connect to shore power anywhere to either run the camper and its equipment or top-up the batteries when needed.
- MPPT: Victron 250 | 100 Smart Solar Charge Controller and battery monitor.
- Vehicle Charger: Victron Orion DC/DC Charger. Can be connected to vehicle batteries but I have never needed this given how much solar the system generates. Entire electrical system can be controlled and monitored by Bluetooth apps from Victron.
- Heat/AC: Heat-Pump: EcoFlow Wave 3 with dedicated 100Ah battery. This runs off its own battery and charges off vehicle’s solar batteries either through a 12v accessory charger or 110v outlet. Vents directly to bed/dinette part of the van. Can be controlled by Bluetooth app.
- Vent: Maxair fan & remote
- GPS Tracking: Equipped with a wired in GPS tracker from Silvercloud. Requires a monthly subscription but can be activated or de-activated as needed. Peace-of-mind against theft.
Cab Upgrades
- Wireless Android Auto Touschreen Tablet: navigate using google maps, use the voice assistant to control the system. All synced to wireless Bluetooth steering-wheel controllers that are customizable and easily recharged every few months.
- Wolfbox Digital Mirror/Dashcam: Optional 24/7 recording or record when driving for front and rear cameras. Automatically locks files in the event of emergency. Includes a touchscreen interface and GPS tracking.
- Side Mirror Cameras: In addition to upgraded RV mirrors for easy visibility, each mirror also sports a camera, displayed left and right of the driver position. These work great day and night to eliminate all the vehicles blind spots. I simply stopped using the mirrors because this addition proved so useful.
- Sounds System: Upgraded JL audio system. Thumps.
- Lights: Has new LED headlamps and additional LED off-road high-beams when needed. Amazing visibility
- Scene Lights: The original control panel on the dog-house works to control the flood lights when the vehicle is running. These scene lights were the only thing that was allowed to remain from the original ambulance build. Incredible when you need to light up an area with dedicated controls for left, right and rear scenes. They could easily be switched over to run off the solar batteries, and upgraded to LED.
Kitchen Features
- Cooking: 110v induction stove.
- Fridge/Freezer: Iceco dual box fridge/freezer. Can run on 12v or 110v. Hidden in slide out drawer under stove.
- Pop-up shelf: for extra work-surface area or table with a view
Internet Connectivity: Includes a Starlink dish, router and ethernet attachment all included. Dish is stored behind driver seat. Mounts to a Pivot Mount over driver door. Stores 2 minute to install and get online. I have connected with 300mpbs speeds in some of the most wild, remote places in the country. A subscription service to Starlink is required, but the dish is tied to an RV plan from Starlink, and can be transferred to your account at time of sale. Activate a plan that suits your needs based on Starlink’s available plans.
Desk Features: 2X Computer Monitor floating arm mounts. Can be swapped out for 1 larger TV mount. 24″ Dell monitors not included but can be added for $300 (1 is a touchscreen). Entire desk surface pulls out and locks in place when you need additional work-surface. Includes some tie-down clips to hold a desk-chair in place when in motion. Features a 12v USB powered fan for air-flow. Desk features dedicated master-switch for computer and Starlink setup to save power when not in use.
Bedroom/Dinette Features: Bed is on a crank/pully system. Lift the bed in 45 seconds and lock it against the ceiling. This converts the bedroom into a comfortable dinette with tons of storage space in the right-side bench. This also means you don’t have to assemble or disassemble a bed everyday to get a dinette (nor do you even have to make your bed, just crank it up and the mess vanishes). Plenty of charging outlets and storage cubbies for your books and nick-nacks.
Plumbing
- Water Tank: 21 gallon fresh water tank Seaflow Pump with 2 gallon pressure tank Spare 16 Gallon Tank if you want to add more water storage (along with plenty of extra pex pipes/fittings.
- Water Heater: Bosch 2.5 gallon hot-water heater (110v). Customizable 2-stage filter system. Shower features a rain shower head and handheld shower head. Shower also can be opened up to nature for amazing views or outdoor showers.
- Toilet: Seperate composting/dry-flush toilet: is portable so move out of the way for more space.
- Shower Door: Features a water-proof, self-cleaning sliding door from Nautilus Doors.
- Gray Water Tanks: Small gray water tank for sink. No gray or black-water tank to deal with under the vehicle. Shower where permitted using bio-degradable soaps and drain outside. Will include a second 16 gallon water tank that could be used for additional fresh or gray water storage, along with spare pex tubing and fittings.
Storage:
- Exterior storage with tones of room. Telescoping ladder included for easier roof/panel access. Includes pass-through to access from inside camper.
- Water system storeroom – plenty of space for cleaning supplies
- Under desk storage – good for computer or tech
- Passenger side dinette bench – tons of storage for clothes or supplies in the bench, also extra cubby behind the bench
- 2 Kitchen cabinets – cabinet lights turn on automatically when doors open. Run on battery. Charged by USB
- Clothes cabinet (behind Moose cutout) – 3-shelves, but can be customized. Cabinet lights turn on automatically when doors open. Run on battery. Charged by USB.
- Shower Cubby – for soaps and towels etc.
- Unde-sink storage – includes small gray-water tank. Plenty of extra space for additional food or supplies
Other Notes from seller: I designed and hand-built this conversion for comfortable van-life, but stealth-mode. I’ve literally camped out everywhere with this thing. No one messes with it, even when parked where… it shouldn’t be parked. Blend in to any urban environment. I opted for the van rather than a truck chassis because being able to walk from the house to the cab was critical for me. No need to walk around in my pajamas in the cold, rain or heat.
Maintenance and Repair Notes: Some of the repairs and upgrades when first purchased before I began my road trip:
- New brakes, brake lines, pads, fluids, pressure tests, etc.
- New AC line and repairs
- New break booster
- New custom-built alternator
- 2023 2x new car batteries
- As an east-cost ambulance in NJ, there are rust issues that arise, but nothing major.
- Alternator wiring can be a bit finicky.
- Can jump start vehicle or top up the 2 vehicle batteries directly from the solar system’s batteries as the two systems are independent, but can be connected anytime you need to.
Final note: before completing the sale, I will bring Moose to a certified Ford Fleet service center for a final once over, inspection, change of necessary fluids, oil change at my expense. And of course I will give everything a good cleaning/wipe down/touchup as needed, and include a full tutorial on the vehicle’s systems and setup or transfer any necessary accounts for the buyer.
Questions, comments, offers, send me a message. Stop by to check it out in Laveen, South Phoenix.
