1998 E350 ClubWagon build thread

[Seattle E350]

Thought I'd start a build thread. Due to finances I don't know how often I will update but I have jumped into some big stuff right off the start. Bank account will be at zero by the end of the month. I purchased this E350 Club Wagon for $6700 with 150k miles last month to build into a motohauler camping rig.

First thing I did was gut the previous owner's horrible attempt at "Vanlife".

Second thing I did was order a Grocery Getter kit with custom leaf springs for Weldtec. Some with Jeremey yesterday to finalize the leaf spring order and he's saying he's hoping everything will ship in two weeks. Hopefully his estimate stays on track. I have an event Feb 12th I'd like to drive the van too with the kit installed. It will close I know.

Third thing was to get on the schedule at a local shop to install the kit, KO2's on Method 701's.

This week I'll be changing all the fluids and getting some insulation done of the inside. I won;t be adding a ton of weight with an interior build. My plan is insulation, some simple storage solutions, multiple tie down locations and a fold down bed. I will want to haul anywhere form 1 to 4 bikes inside so I'm leaving it pretty open.

Most of my social media is on Instagram and I can be found here https://www.instagram.com/buckharness/

These are some before pics at spot near home. Once the kit is done I'll back and take after pics.

 

[i bike]

I like the plan, I’m working on something similar with my EB cargo van. I’m jealous of your high top. Sweet Beta, btw. I’ve got a KTM 250XC-W.


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[Seattle E350]

I like the plan, I’m working on something similar with my EB cargo van. I’m jealous of your high top. Sweet Beta, btw. I’ve got a KTM 250XC-W.


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Thanks, took my awhile to find a van with tall back doors built into the hightop. Had to have it.

 

[wera917]

I like your roof, taller but not too tall. That's the only thing I'd like to change about the inside of my e350 club wagon, taller roof. My roof was rusting, almost cut it off and put a top on but decided to fix the rust instead.

Mine is a moto van/camper. Not much done to it honestly just a wall and few amenities for sleeping at the track, double battery, water tank, little bed etc . I try to keep it completely under the radar, nothing to show bikes are inside.


First pic is at work, I have three dirt bikes in the back, would never know it, windows are blacked out. Eventually took the fmf sticker off the front, nothing says bikes. Paranoid, I have a magnet sticker sign for my wife's Bridal Shop I'll use also.

Eventually I'd like a little lift, would help with some clearance issues getting up into the mountains. But, honestly for national forest roads and getting to ride spots the van does ok. Biggest thing for me was good tires and learning really what I could get away with. Washboard roads would be better with good suspension though.

I'm curious what you end up with for the lift, good luck with the build!

Mike

 

[Seattle E350]

I like your roof, taller but not too tall. That's the only thing I'd like to change about the inside of my e350 club wagon, taller roof. My roof was rusting, almost cut it off and put a top on but decided to fix the rust instead.

Mine is a moto van/camper. Not much done to it honestly just a wall and few amenities for sleeping at the track, double battery, water tank, little bed etc . I try to keep it completely under the radar, nothing to show bikes are inside.

View attachment 494917View attachment 494922
First pic is at work, I have three dirt bikes in the back, would never know it, windows are blacked out. Eventually took the fmf sticker off the front, nothing says bikes. Paranoid, I have a magnet sticker sign for my wife's Bridal Shop I'll use also.

Eventually I'd like a little lift, would help with some clearance issues getting up into the mountains. But, honestly for national forest roads and getting to ride spots the van does ok. Biggest thing for me was good tires and learning really what I could get away with. Washboard roads would be better with good suspension though.

I'm curious what you end up with for the lift, good luck with the build!

Mike

Awesome man! I’ve got some stickers on mine but all the windows are blacked out so noble knows if there’s bikes in there or not. I’m using the Weldtec Gocery Getter kit with the custom leaf springs. That’s and some 285’s the ride should be pretty plush. I’ll be posting pics and a short review once it’s done and I’ve got some time on it.

 

[Seattle E350]

I gotta say, I’m super impressed with @weldtecdesigns and @xofab_offroad
First of all, Weldtec took my order and custom made leaf springs plus put together their Baja Grocery Getter kit for me super fast. From day of purchase to the day everything was on my door step was less than two week. ?
Then, I dropped the van and parts off at XO-Fab. They worked through some issues with the van and got the kit, wheels, tires, alignment and everything done in 2 days.
It’s really hard to find shops that hold to their prices and their lead times. I’m blown away I just dealt with two on the same project who have such great follow through.

Something I didn't know was that the van was already lifted in the back. The frame was cut off and widened just in front of the rear axle. I assume this is because it most likely had a wheel chair lift in the back when it was new. It's all very well done I just wasn't aware before ordering my Stuff from Weldtec. The back is a tad higher than I want it to be. XO-Fab did their best to adjust the shackles but there was only so much they could do. I am going to install some insulation, tie downs, flooring and paneling so I think it might settle in to perfect after I'm done with all that. If not Jeremy said I could pull a leaf out. Drove it on a gravel road at around 30mph. Drove it on I-5 at 80mph. Drives super straight and smooth.

I'd like to install a trutrac in the rear axle too. I've been researching that.

Pretty stoked with where it's at for now though.

 

[Seattle E350]

Before and after pics.

 

[Seattle E350]

Started the insulation and sound deadening. I put some sound deadening on the inside of the outer body panels, filled the cavities with insulation and then covered all the interior body panels with sound deadening. In the interior sound deadening doubles as something that hold in the insulation too.

 

[eblau]

that wheel/ tire/ lift combo looks gnarly!!!

 

[Seattle E350]

that wheel/ tire/ lift combo looks gnarly!!!

Thanks, I’m really happy with it.

 

[Seattle E350]

Got some sound deadening and insulation done this week. Used it to haul the dirt bike to some trails today. Snow was pretty deep. Got some riding in and then drive through a big puddle for fun.

 

[Seattle E350]

Update, I ended up having a local shop install 4.10 gears, new spindle, axle shafts and a Trutrac in the rear axle. The van can cruise at 75mph pretty comfortably.

I put some MLV on the floor under the stock flooring mat. I will do more to the floor later.

I made curtains. I used black out fabric folder with Reflectix and insulation fabric sandwiched inside. Eventually I will make these custom fit to the windows but for now I hung everything from hooks or the bolts that are around the windows. I needed it usable for last weekend and next weeken so I did the minimum.

Last weekend I did 600 miles and two motorcycle races. Camped two nights. I’m super stoked with it so far. A lot more to do.