How about mounting the heat switches on the dashboard, maybe near or in the climate control area? 'Course, that doesn't solve your problem fitting the telescoping switches. However, since those are "rarely-used" functions, how about mounting both on the lower left (or somewhere) of the dash? This would leave just the usual suspects to make room for.
'08-current Super Duty truck mirror conversion for E-Series
- Thread starter mgmetalworks
- Start date
mgmetalworks
Explorer
I just tried to build a 2008-current door panel on eBay. It's an ooey-ouchey kind of thing, meaning $. The panel is upper $200's and by the time all the switches, p&p, and other behind the scenes things are bought, I bet it'll knock the heck out of a $500 bill (if there still was such a thing).
Iridium is the seller and is only offering flint (gray). If you want tan like I do, I guess Motorcraft is my only source new. If I could find a salvage van w/ XL or XLT trim with an undamaged front ANYWHERE in the Southwest salvage area, I'd probably buy it sight unseen. Sadly there are none, at least per car-part.com and confirmed by my local salvage guys.
JC
Iridium is the seller and is only offering flint (gray). If you want tan like I do, I guess Motorcraft is my only source new. If I could find a salvage van w/ XL or XLT trim with an undamaged front ANYWHERE in the Southwest salvage area, I'd probably buy it sight unseen. Sadly there are none, at least per car-part.com and confirmed by my local salvage guys.
JC
mgmetalworks
Explorer
They're out there... you just have to be patient and persistent in your searching. I'll keep my eye out for them since I do a lot of salvage yard hunting for my own stuff.
dentedvw
Wire twister
Regarding swapping door panels:
I tried swapping door panels in the junkyard. If you are willing to rewire it all, it works. It will be extensive and fiddly.
If you have manual windows and locks, it works.
If you have the older style power locks and windows, and are willing to fab new panels for them, it works.
If you just want to swap one for one, in an afternoon without hassle, you can forget about it.
I spent an hour and half figuring that part out, so you don't have to. You are welcome.
I was also hoping for a slightly updated and neater door panel, and in the end, I put all back where I got it and left empty handed. I put new carpet on the bottom of the door panel and called it good. Also, why do these older door handles get so dirty. Ugh.
The junkyard closest to me has a few with the grey panels in them.
I tried swapping door panels in the junkyard. If you are willing to rewire it all, it works. It will be extensive and fiddly.
If you have manual windows and locks, it works.
If you have the older style power locks and windows, and are willing to fab new panels for them, it works.
If you just want to swap one for one, in an afternoon without hassle, you can forget about it.
I spent an hour and half figuring that part out, so you don't have to. You are welcome.
I was also hoping for a slightly updated and neater door panel, and in the end, I put all back where I got it and left empty handed. I put new carpet on the bottom of the door panel and called it good. Also, why do these older door handles get so dirty. Ugh.
The junkyard closest to me has a few with the grey panels in them.
dentedvw
Wire twister
Also, I love these mirrors, but they wouldn't last long on my van. I have already scraped one off on a tree, and bashed them up on rocks in the desert. :Wow1: I just have to stick to the cheap models that are in every junkyard, because they are practically a wear item.
Great work, by the way!
Great work, by the way!
mgmetalworks
Explorer
Regarding swapping door panels:
I tried swapping door panels in the junkyard. If you are willing to rewire it all, it works. It will be extensive and fiddly.
If you have manual windows and locks, it works.
If you have the older style power locks and windows, and are willing to fab new panels for them, it works.
If you just want to swap one for one, in an afternoon without hassle, you can forget about it.
I spent an hour and half figuring that part out, so you don't have to. You are welcome.
I was also hoping for a slightly updated and neater door panel, and in the end, I put all back where I got it and left empty handed. I put new carpet on the bottom of the door panel and called it good. Also, why do these older door handles get so dirty. Ugh.
The junkyard closest to me has a few with the grey panels in them.
Thanks for the details. I wasn't sure how it would all work out. Now I know...and I don't have to spend a bunch of time or money figuring it out.
.
:beer:
89s rule
Adventurer
Is the door a complete swap over? I have a '95 and manual windows and locks. I would prefer to upgrade everything at once. I wondered if the '97-'08 or '09+ door panels had any issues fitting up with the dash. I'm not too worried about exterior color at this point as I may end up painting the van eventually. I understand I would need to wire in the PDL, PW, and PM. Any tips on how much wiring, etc I would need to pull at a JY or someone parting it out? I haven't seen a '09+ in a pull a part JY yet, while many other yards seem to charge a premium for things. I have also found a few parting out vans on Craiglist, thier prices are usually cheaper than pullapart. Would I be better off trying to find a certain year?
djbonsu
Adventurer
there are a couple of ways you can attack this. 1) IF you have wiring already present in your kick panels, you can get two complete front doors and your should be able to plug and play IF your existing wiring is functional. How do you check if the wiring is functional?? I don't really know however I also have manual locks, windows, etc and thought I was going to be able to get some harnesses and plug and play but I was wrong about that. Some people have been able to and some haven't, clearly I was the unlucky one of the bunch lol
2) You can source the OEM door lock actuators and mounting brackets, window motors and door harnesses/switches from a junkyard if they are reasonably priced. This was my approach however I had a hell of a time getting my door locks to work. In the end, I ended up modifying the door harness a bit and adding relays to get my door lock actuators (once I installed them) functioning properly. I used this circuit --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR_r4sPNwF4 It still uses the factory wiring and switches OR you can make your own harness and use after market switches. I have yet to complete the windows as the door lock actuators took so much time, most of it trouble shooting, that I was content with the operation of them once they were working properly with my alarm system (keyless entry) I will also say the EVTM (wiring diagrams for the E350, I have it for my year, 2000) was a big help!
3) There are a few good after market kits to get power door locks and windows out there. One that I know has worked on these vans is the SPAL kit for the locks and/or windows.
Last edited:
Abitibi
Explorer
Not sure if this can be helpful? Wiring kit for those mirrors.
http://m.ebay.com/itm?itemId=330713440668
Cheers
Mr. D
Sent from my iPorn using TapaChat
http://m.ebay.com/itm?itemId=330713440668
Cheers
Mr. D
Sent from my iPorn using TapaChat
mgmetalworks
Explorer
Most connectors in the vans and trucks can be found on Mouser (or digikey or Newark) for a couple bucks or less. The crimp terminals are pennies too. The challenge is finding them.... you have to remember that Ford wants to sell you their "repair kit" pigtails for $40 so they don't make it easy to find stuff to do it yourself. I've sort of figure out a system for how to search for connector housings based off of what I know of the terminal and the series of connectors Ford likes to use.
.
Many of the connectors in the ford harnesses use the same terminals so even if you don't find exactly what you're looking for, there is some interchangeability that you can do to make everything work. I think it is easier to start from scratch with this conversion than to try to modify a harness from another vehicle.
.
Many of the connectors in the ford harnesses use the same terminals so even if you don't find exactly what you're looking for, there is some interchangeability that you can do to make everything work. I think it is easier to start from scratch with this conversion than to try to modify a harness from another vehicle.
mgmetalworks
Explorer
Well, the battle continues. I got some parts cut on a waterjet to make up the base. First set of parts was just a little bit off on one angle. Had the mirror rotated a couple degrees too far downward. In my own defense, this isn't easy... tough to get it right on the first try. If I were making a one-off set, I wouldn't worry about stuff like this and I'd just make it work. But since I'm going to try to make multiple sets, I want it to be as easy to manufacture as possible and I have to get everything dialed in before moving on to the next step. A small change to one piece affects pretty much the whole assembly. Yes, there have been a lot of curse words over the course of this project...
Once I got it all assembled, I noticed that I have a small interference with the plastic shroud around the lower arm (more cursing). Not a big deal to correct for the next set but the prototype set might have some issues.
Progress photos...
Once I got it all assembled, I noticed that I have a small interference with the plastic shroud around the lower arm (more cursing). Not a big deal to correct for the next set but the prototype set might have some issues.
Progress photos...
steelheadbum
Adventurer
I would like PayPal info for 1st set when done bro.
Buck
The Redneck Mexican
2002 E350 7.3 PSD 4x4 8inch lift pop top conversion....
Buck
The Redneck Mexican
2002 E350 7.3 PSD 4x4 8inch lift pop top conversion....