Vans!

[The Letter J]

Originally Posted by eakins

thanks! i sent you a PM

who has lifted a e350 a few inches w/o adding 4x4???
how hard it that to do?
i figure a rear locker and a lift and i could get most places.

I've put coil spacers (1 1/2" or 2", can't recall) in the front of an e350 years ago (not mine), that was at the limit of adjustment for the alignment cams, anymore and you will need to bend the beams or use drop brackets. Spacers are cheap (~$100) and take a couple hours to put in, but you will definately need to have it aligned afterwards. I believe we put 275/75/16 BFG all terrains on that and it looked pretty good. There are a few companies making quality kits specifically for 2wd e-series vans but you would be out that money if you ever decided to go 4x4 later.

I am trying to sell a truck or two of mine to buy a van myself and have thought about going the same route that you mention. Locker selection is somewhat limited with the goofy 32 spline dana 60 but they are available. Another option would be to swap in a sterling 10.5" rear or you can use a 35spline dana 60 carrier and have axleshafts made to match (I haven't found a 35spline dana 70 shaft with the same width as the van 60 yet, otherwise it would be a junkyard upgrade.)

Even with my modified 4x4's I find myself going 95% of everywhere that I point it in 2wd and then locking the hubs for 1 obstacle. I think that with a winch on the front of a locked 2wd you would still have that margin for error like I did when I locked my hubs. This way you would have much better suspension than your typical straight axle conversion (twin I beam) and with just spacers up front, you wouldn't be out much money if you later decided to convert it.

For the cost of a nice 2wd setup, you could do a partial 4x4 conversion, meaning your suspension/steering/axle in place but no t-case/fuel tank mod/driveshaft in place. This is an easier way to get to 4x4 in stages as money allows, but you would have a dummy front axle until funds allowed you to finish.

My question is: why can't I just bolt in a TTB setup from a 4x4 f150 (dana 44 coil sprung) or early f250 (dana 50 version, would need to add lower coil buckets and radius arm mounts for these)? I know that the van beams are wider, but there are a ton of reputable shops here in so-cal that widen TTB's. Trust me, I appreciate a solid front axle more than your average guy, but in this application, I think the TTB setup is better suited. If they can be made to fit, they could be installed "dummy" just until the t-case was installed but you would have the benefit of big wheel travel and ground clearance for the time being.

[a1fa]

WOW!!! A modern Wesftalia clone on a Ford Platform! Good find Eakins!!! Good find!

http://www.pleasureway.com/traverse.php

If it only wasn't costing $60k....

[a1fa]

1995 $2500 -- 7.3 IDI Turbo-Diesel...



HOLLY SHIT!!! This would be a bad ass platform.

[klinquist]

Originally Posted by eakins

thanks! i sent you a PM

who has lifted a e350 a few inches w/o adding 4x4???
how hard it that to do?
i figure a rear locker and a lift and i could get most places.

I've got an Action Vans lift kit on my E350.

[Hayduke]

Originally Posted by a1fa

WOW!!! A modern Wesftalia clone on a Ford Platform! Good find Eakins!!! Good find!

http://www.pleasureway.com/traverse.php

If it only wasn't costing $60k....

I want that pop top on my van.

[eakins]

a LSD differential like this?
http://www.justdifferentials.com/ind...oducts_id=3897
or
http://www.justdifferentials.com/ind...oducts_id=3898

will these handle the higher weights of this van/rv vrs a regular van?

and of course this bad boy
http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-289...4-10-down.html

question?
the above LSD are listing 96-01 for the e-350 vans. what about older than 96 or newer than 01 vans? are they still 32 spline dana 60 diffs? seems plenty of 35 spline dana 60 locker options.

Originally Posted by The Letter J

I've put coil spacers (1 1/2" or 2", can't recall) in the front of an e350 years ago (not mine), that was at the limit of adjustment for the alignment cams, anymore and you will need to bend the beams or use drop brackets. Spacers are cheap (~$100) and take a couple hours to put in, but you will definately need to have it aligned afterwards. I believe we put 275/75/16 BFG all terrains on that and it looked pretty good. There are a few companies making quality kits specifically for 2wd e-series vans but you would be out that money if you ever decided to go 4x4 later.

I am trying to sell a truck or two of mine to buy a van myself and have thought about going the same route that you mention. Locker selection is somewhat limited with the goofy 32 spline dana 60 but they are available. Another option would be to swap in a sterling 10.5" rear or you can use a 35spline dana 60 carrier and have axleshafts made to match (I haven't found a 35spline dana 70 shaft with the same width as the van 60 yet, otherwise it would be a junkyard upgrade.)

Even with my modified 4x4's I find myself going 95% of everywhere that I point it in 2wd and then locking the hubs for 1 obstacle. I think that with a winch on the front of a locked 2wd you would still have that margin for error like I did when I locked my hubs. This way you would have much better suspension than your typical straight axle conversion (twin I beam) and with just spacers up front, you wouldn't be out much money if you later decided to convert it.

For the cost of a nice 2wd setup, you could do a partial 4x4 conversion, meaning your suspension/steering/axle in place but no t-case/fuel tank mod/driveshaft in place. This is an easier way to get to 4x4 in stages as money allows, but you would have a dummy front axle until funds allowed you to finish.

My question is: why can't I just bolt in a TTB setup from a 4x4 f150 (dana 44 coil sprung) or early f250 (dana 50 version, would need to add lower coil buckets and radius arm mounts for these)? I know that the van beams are wider, but there are a ton of reputable shops here in so-cal that widen TTB's. Trust me, I appreciate a solid front axle more than your average guy, but in this application, I think the TTB setup is better suited. If they can be made to fit, they could be installed "dummy" just until the t-case was installed but you would have the benefit of big wheel travel and ground clearance for the time being.

[eakins]

Originally Posted by Hayduke

I want that pop top on my van.

i'm sure GTRV would install one just fine.
http://www.gtrv.com/models
they do westy conversions on ford vans and just about anything for that matter.
like sportmobile, i'm sure they do as little or as much as you want done.
cost of course could be ugly.

you could also get a raised roof
& even install it yourself.
http://cyclevan.com/hightops/index.htm
http://www.conversion-vans.net/parts...s-hi-tops.html

i thought about a raised roof with a bunk built up higher in their where you could have bikes in the back yet still be able to sleep above them at night. there are also split platforms that fold down to each wall when not in use (to load bikes) and then go up to form a bed platform at night.

hell you could built that out of heavy duty hinges bolted to the wall and wood framing. each side folds down and then at night comes up with some center leg supports and say a futton mattress on top to sleep on. ed is using some kind of metal DIY kit stuff http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...postcount=2238

[eakins]

sweet!
starts getting pricey ($2K) vrs those coil spacers

Originally Posted by klinquist

I've got an Action Vans lift kit on my E350.

[eakins]

Originally Posted by a1fa

WOW!!! A modern Wesftalia clone on a Ford Platform! Good find Eakins!!! Good find!

http://www.pleasureway.com/traverse.php

If it only wasn't costing $60k....

they do show up used
http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2004...erse-104348852

[broncobowsher]

Originally Posted by klinquist

I've got an Action Vans lift kit on my E350.

Didn't I just see that van in Vegas at the convention center parking lot Friday afternoon?

[seriousracer]

Originally Posted by eakins

a LSD differential like this?
http://www.justdifferentials.com/ind...oducts_id=3897
or
http://www.justdifferentials.com/ind...oducts_id=3898

will these handle the higher weights of this van/rv vrs a regular van?

and of course this bad boy
http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-289...4-10-down.html

question?
the above LSD are listing 96-01 for the e-350 vans. what about older than 96 or newer than 01 vans? are they still 32 spline dana 60 diffs? seems plenty of 35 spline dana 60 locker options.

for a little more ... ok twice the price i would rather have an ARB and not take the chance of having the diff lock on me in snowy conditions.. bad enough with an open diff at times..

[RAZR]

this might have been posted before, but how did you set up the inside of your moto van?

i have a 1999 Ford E350 cargo van and i've kept it bare bones. i do want to add some shelving or gear nets or some compartments for gear, tools, food, a fold down cot etc. right now i just have wheel chocks for 2 bikes and i toss my gear inbetween the bikes and the cooler goes in back.

thanks for any helpful tips.

[Devo 1]

Originally Posted by RAZR

this might have been posted before, but how did you set up the inside of your moto van?

i have a 1999 Ford E350 cargo van and i've kept it bare bones. i do want to add some shelving or gear nets or some compartments for gear, tools, food, a fold down cot etc. right now i just have wheel chocks for 2 bikes and i toss my gear inbetween the bikes and the cooler goes in back.

thanks for any helpful tips.

I removed the shelving but kept the cabinet behind the driver. Taped fiberglass insulation to the walls and screwed pegboard on. I also built boxes over the fenderwells Gives me a good place to sit and change into riding gear. The wheel chock is from harbor freight. Be careful drilling holes on that side (fuel tank). A 12v air compressor is fastened to the cage.
I installed Air Lift air bags in the front for a little lift and it makes it more stable.

[Devo 1]

This is the cabinet I kept for storage.

[hyperboarder]

^ Looks kinda like mine, I've got the same pegboard. The PO of mine used a truck toolbox as a chock of sorts (cut ABS pipe and big eyebolts) as well as storage and a seat. Works like a charm, well designed setup and leaves a nice little cubby behind the drivers seat for some electronic gizmos.

For those that camp in their vans, what do you use as a heat source for the chillier nights? I know Geek has a nice fancy diesel heater, but my budget is notably lower. Thinking of a small Mr. Heater, possibly setting up an external tank on one of the frame rails.