Stumpalump
Expedition Leader
Link to company that makes screens for Vans:http://www.skreenz.com/products.htm
Expo 4x4 Camper Van Project
- Thread starter toyotatruckjunkie
- Start date
toyotatruckjunkie
Adventurer
AWESOME. Thanks for the link.
Might still make my own, but I like the idea of having double screen.
Might still make my own, but I like the idea of having double screen.
BlueBomber
Adventurer
I am @$$-uming your engine is a 351 Windsor. I you want I can look for some gas saving upgrades for ya. I love the Ford 351s. My favorite is the 351C (but its not the same as a "W"). Is underhood heat a problem for you? I know alot of vans get pretty hot. A cheap way to cut underhood heat is to wrap your exaust manifolds in that insulation on F-250 and F-350 Diesels (the stuff that kinda looks like tinfoil). It also wont rust your pipes out like the fiberglass wrap will.
toyotatruckjunkie
Adventurer
Heat and noise issues
Yes, it puts out a lot of heat. I haven't even addressed that problem yet, but I was going to put additional sound deadener/heat insulation on the motor side of the motor doghouse. Manifold wrap wouldn't hurt either.
The motor/trans/van body also generates a tremendous amount of engine noise at take off. Makes me think the fan clutch isn't engaging/disengaging correctly. Until you get up to speed, then the clutch lets go (or kicks in) and the noise level goes down. Anyone know if this is characteristic of the breed? My '98 E350 company van w/5.4 and E40D, don't make this much noise.
Going to try and get it ready for it's maiden voyage to the TX coast next weekend. This will be just a shakedown cruise. Trying to get a feel for it and see if we like it enough to invest the $ to convert to 4wd.
Yes, it puts out a lot of heat. I haven't even addressed that problem yet, but I was going to put additional sound deadener/heat insulation on the motor side of the motor doghouse. Manifold wrap wouldn't hurt either.
The motor/trans/van body also generates a tremendous amount of engine noise at take off. Makes me think the fan clutch isn't engaging/disengaging correctly. Until you get up to speed, then the clutch lets go (or kicks in) and the noise level goes down. Anyone know if this is characteristic of the breed? My '98 E350 company van w/5.4 and E40D, don't make this much noise.
Going to try and get it ready for it's maiden voyage to the TX coast next weekend. This will be just a shakedown cruise. Trying to get a feel for it and see if we like it enough to invest the $ to convert to 4wd.
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deserteagle56
Adventurer
underhood heat
Back when I was a firefighter/EMT, all our ambulances were Ford van conversions running 460 V8s. The underhood temperatures were such that we had to go to special silicone radiator and heater hoses to keep them from bursting. Our solution was to have the hoods louvered - multiple small louvers cut into the hood surface. It looked good and was very effective - and it sure kept the windshield clear of ice and snow during the winter!
Back when I was a firefighter/EMT, all our ambulances were Ford van conversions running 460 V8s. The underhood temperatures were such that we had to go to special silicone radiator and heater hoses to keep them from bursting. Our solution was to have the hoods louvered - multiple small louvers cut into the hood surface. It looked good and was very effective - and it sure kept the windshield clear of ice and snow during the winter!
BlueBomber
Adventurer
I just replaced the fan clutch in my G/F's 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee and it makes the same noise. If I drive about 1/4 of a mile, the noise goes away. I'm gonna wait a few months to see if the clutch breaks-in before I look at it again. hope this helps
toyotatruckjunkie
Adventurer
Well, we made it to the Texas coast and back. We burned a LOT of fuel; 8-9 mpg, 974 mile round trip @ ~$2.15/gallon. You can figure it out. Expensive 4 day trip. Good thing I enjoyed it. Could've burned less fuel, if I had slowed down. I have a problem with going less than the speed limit, and becoming a hazard to navigation.
The Scooby van did pretty well. It's a little small for the 2 of us and the 2 dogs. It was very hot down there and I got extremly sunburnt playing in the surf on Sat., so we had to run the AC most of the day Sun. It was a God send to have it. Can't imagine camping down there in the summer without it.
The temporary screens I made for the front side windows worked well enough. Will be engineering something more substantial before the next trip. Will be designing screens for the side and rear doors as well. Have the canopy screen room thing from Pep Boys, and going to modify it to work with the awning.
One of the most useful things turned out to be one panel of the $5 canopy wall thing I bought at Pep Boys. I fastened it to the awning to provide some afternoon shade. Made sitting outside much more possible.
We made use of the outdoor shower thing after coming back from the beach Sat. afternoon. That was pretty cool. For real showers, we used the campground bathhouse, but could have done it at the camper.
Cooked our meals on the trusty Coleman propane, outside the camper. Got the inside stove working, but it generates a LOT of heat.
Got the fridge working on 110 and propane. After years of camping out of a cooler, that's pretty neat. Even was able to have clean ice for our drinks. Little RV camping luxury that didn't go unappreciated.
The holding tanks both worked as designed. Did decide that I need to replumb the dump valves together into one valve. This will allow me to dump both tanks without removing the hose. I will incorporate this redesign when I raise the valves for better ground clearance. Hopefully will only need a Y before the valve.
All in all, we enjoyed the trip. Makes me want to go ahead and do the 4wd conversion. The van won't do what I ultimately want it to without being 4wd. Just need to start collecting parts for it.
As a side note, we stopped at Sportsmobile in Austin, TX on Monday. Spent quite a bit of time there. Boy, do they have some cool stuff. Very expensive stuff, but cool. Very nice people too. Decided I need to play the lottery, regularly.
Stay tuned for future updates. Another link to my website; http://web.mac.com/drjacobs2/Site/Solid_Axle_Toys,_Inc./Pages/1989_Ford_E250_Camper_Van.html
The Scooby van did pretty well. It's a little small for the 2 of us and the 2 dogs. It was very hot down there and I got extremly sunburnt playing in the surf on Sat., so we had to run the AC most of the day Sun. It was a God send to have it. Can't imagine camping down there in the summer without it.
The temporary screens I made for the front side windows worked well enough. Will be engineering something more substantial before the next trip. Will be designing screens for the side and rear doors as well. Have the canopy screen room thing from Pep Boys, and going to modify it to work with the awning.
One of the most useful things turned out to be one panel of the $5 canopy wall thing I bought at Pep Boys. I fastened it to the awning to provide some afternoon shade. Made sitting outside much more possible.
We made use of the outdoor shower thing after coming back from the beach Sat. afternoon. That was pretty cool. For real showers, we used the campground bathhouse, but could have done it at the camper.
Cooked our meals on the trusty Coleman propane, outside the camper. Got the inside stove working, but it generates a LOT of heat.
Got the fridge working on 110 and propane. After years of camping out of a cooler, that's pretty neat. Even was able to have clean ice for our drinks. Little RV camping luxury that didn't go unappreciated.
The holding tanks both worked as designed. Did decide that I need to replumb the dump valves together into one valve. This will allow me to dump both tanks without removing the hose. I will incorporate this redesign when I raise the valves for better ground clearance. Hopefully will only need a Y before the valve.
All in all, we enjoyed the trip. Makes me want to go ahead and do the 4wd conversion. The van won't do what I ultimately want it to without being 4wd. Just need to start collecting parts for it.
As a side note, we stopped at Sportsmobile in Austin, TX on Monday. Spent quite a bit of time there. Boy, do they have some cool stuff. Very expensive stuff, but cool. Very nice people too. Decided I need to play the lottery, regularly.
Stay tuned for future updates. Another link to my website; http://web.mac.com/drjacobs2/Site/Solid_Axle_Toys,_Inc./Pages/1989_Ford_E250_Camper_Van.html