UJOR Build Thread

[derjack]

Possibly never…. !!! We'll see.

I guess the era of vans with a separated letter frame is over. In Europe since years, in the range of up to 3.5 tons. Note that these trucks can load the same abound of weight as these construction is much lighter!

In the range above that, 4.5 to 7.5, are real trucks, like a Ford F 550 or so. These are not usable as we are seeing for E250/350 (like for 12/15 passengers).

As globalization exceeds manufactures use more and more one platform to scale different vehicles. As we will see with the ford transit. Take a look what vw is doing and their business has worked very will in the last 10 years!

When you take a look at the new f150 engine development, you can see, that they are downsizing and numbers tell them they are right. They sell much more of the Eco engines. Translated to the van era: diesel engines will have the same amount of power out of a 4/6 zyl engine. No grey iron 1000lb engines any more.... sadly.

Don't get me wrong: noticing the world's change does not mean I like it! But that's the way life goes.
The unibody vans will not be useful offroad. As I "downgraded" to a E350 the truck style works good for me.

 

[devo 1]

What is involved to install your under floor storage? How tough is the lid? I haul motorcycles in mine. Thx.

 

[ujoint]

What is involved to install your under floor storage? How tough is the lid? I haul motorcycles in mine. Thx.

We always install it along with our rear skid system. Lots of cutting for that and the underfloor storage install just requires the floor to be cut and some holes drilled. The underfloor box is made from 3/16 Aluminum, including the lid.

 

[ujoint]

All done & ready to go home, full specs on the website.

We still have this rig for sale!

Moving along nicely on the flat black 08 van, will be on the ground Monday!

 

[ujoint]

Monday has started wide open, this 03 E350 7.3 has arrived for a major conversion in a very short period of time. 6" lift, dual shocks, transmission rebuild/4x4 conversion, Sterling 10.5 rear, whole shebang.

We've got it on the rack & stripped, 4 guys can get a lot done in a few hours. Tomorrow the plasma comes out and I hope to have the axle in by the end of the day.

The matte black 08 E350 5.4 EB is now a roller! We're still waiting for some parts (bumpers, fuel tank & transmission) so everything is on pause until next week.

 

[mk216v]

Price for the tan SMB top van?

 

[ujoint]

Price for the tan SMB top van?

Asking 35k but I just got permission to lower the price.

 

[ujoint]

Fun week. What I thought was a 6.0 coming in was actually a 7.3 so I didm;t have the parts ready to go! Besides that it was already an extensive build with the Sterling & dual front shock upgrade. Van went on the rack Tuesday, came off Thurs! Big thanks to my crew for pulling it off and a few vendors for helping us make it happen. Now the van is off for the next build stage!

03 E350 7.3, 6" lift, 35" Toyo AT2's, Stage 2 front axle with RSC parts upgrade, Stage 2 Sterling 10.5 rear, both with 4.56's. Dual Bilstein 5160's up front, singles in the rear.

 

[onemanarmy]

nice...keep pumping them out so I can pick one up 'used' when the current owners move onto something else....

 

[CrabbyMcNab]

If anyone has a stock set of wheels similar to these they may want to part ways with after the conversion, let me know. I'm in MD, VA, DC area. Possibly along the beaches of NC this upcoming week.
It'll be a while till I go full blown awesomeness.

Keep up the inspiration for me Chris!

 

[ujoint]

Found a few hours to work on the Sherpa, the clock is ticking! Debut at the Overland Expo East in Oct. We finished up the kitchen, the stove comes out and attaches at 90 degrees, will make more sense later.

Our next video is underway, going to show how we build our axles. This D60 will go from ugly to beautiful over the next week or so.

 

[fielder441]

I just scrapped a set. had them on craigslist for a few months with new tires for 150 and no interest.

If anyone has a stock set of wheels similar to these they may want to part ways with after the conversion, let me know. I'm in MD, VA, DC area. Possibly along the beaches of NC this upcoming week.
It'll be a while till I go full blown awesomeness.

Keep up the inspiration for me Chris!

 

[89s rule]

Fun week. What I thought was a 6.0 coming in was actually a 7.3 so I didm;t have the parts ready to go! Besides that it was already an extensive build with the Sterling & dual front shock upgrade. Van went on the rack Tuesday, came off Thurs! Big thanks to my crew for pulling it off and a few vendors for helping us make it happen. Now the van is off for the next build stage!

03 E350 7.3, 6" lift, 35" Toyo AT2's, Stage 2 front axle with RSC parts upgrade, Stage 2 Sterling 10.5 rear, both with 4.56's. Dual Bilstein 5160's up front, singles in rear.

Does this guy have a build thread or on expo? It looks just like my build. White EB 7.3 and same window on the side. Would love to see more of the build out.

 

[ujoint]

He Doesn't, not sure if he's even a member. The interior isn't done. He wanted to get all of the mechanical dialed in before tackling that.

 

[r_w]

The interior isn't done. He wanted to get all of the mechanical dialed in before tackling that.

A thinking man. Where's the fun in that?