Gather ’round kids and let uncle Brian tell you about a time when pickup trucks didn’t arrive from the factory with the capability to tow excavators or make 900 lb-ft of torque right out of the box. This mythical time was called the 1980s and during it, people had to actually build some customized stuff that was tailored to the needs of customers that had heavy duty items which needed to be towed. We’re kidding around of course but this was actually the case before the diesel power war broke out in Detroit. This truck would have been one bad Larry at the time it was introduced and we’re still kind of in love with it today.
Featuring a heavy duty chassis, an E-350 nose with a custom built sleeper section, bed, and fifth wheel hitch, this was a truck designed to eat up the miles with a load on its back. The engine is a 6.9L Powerstroke that has been stiffened up with the Banks turbocharger kit. It is still no match for today’s bruisers but it was surely a player back in the 1980s because the Cummins was not in a Dodge yet and the GM 6.2L engine was not exactly burning down the interstates either.
It is amazing how well this thing has held up for nearly 30 years, right? Yes, there is some wear on the interior parts which seems to indicate that there were plenty of long hauls across the country in this sucker. The interesting thing is that even though there is wear, the level of cleanliness is insane. The seller claims only 70,000 miles and who are we too refute that?
The thing that really makes this truck neat is the bed. 100% custom made by National Coach Corporation it looks really finished and cool, especially with the dual rear tires tucked under the flared bedsides. There are storage compartments, nice stainless rails, and even a classis canvas cover that rolls down to protect the fifth wheel and whatever else you might be hauling in the little bed.
We have seen some photos of these trucks before but we have never seen on in person. We’re guessing that they went for big bucks when new and that might have kept the production numbers down. The looks, the paint, and the level of nice that this one is really blew us away when we saw it.
Sure It might get out worked by a modern truck but those modern trucks do not have the style and flair that this one does. They also lack the awesome swivel captain’s chairs up front and lay flat back seat for sleeping! This thing rules.
Scroll down to check this 1980s-tastic hauler out!
CLICK HERE FOR THE EBAY AD FEATURING THIS ECONOLINE E-350 HAULER
Apocalypse ready – no electronics required to run that one! Already priced out of my range.. Not to put too fine a point on it, but the 6.9 was an IDI International, and I don’t think they actually called them a Power Stroke until the electronically controlled turbo’d DI 7.3 came out in ’94?
I’m on the fence with the sleeper. The abrupt change in width of it screws with the symmetry of the van. Reminds me of a baby Freightliner from roughly the same era or maybe an airport shuttle. Interesting find though!
Correct, the Ford diesel didn’t wear the Power Stroke name until 1994.5 when they switched to the DI turbo diesel.
I have seen a few 1 ton heavy duty vans turned in to flatbed work trucks. I have even seen a few with a short camper cab like that.
6.9L was not a Power Stroke. a 6.9L non Turbo is just Slow. a old Non turbo 7.3L is also Slow. 1 tyon dually wreckers with a ZF5 speed and 5.13 gears with a 6.9 or 7.3 N/A is just torque. You will eventually get to 66 MPH, yet not to 70, unless yourgoing down hill pulling a way heavy load.
a 6.2L with the Pump clocked and a good tight timing chain runs much better then you would expect. Try one.
7.3 pre 99 vs 6.5TD Ill take a 6.5TD 6.5TD vs 99 up 7.3PSD I bought the PSD. with a low+4+od 6 speed. I also got the F-450 fender badge.