2013 E350 Quadvan Build and Adventures

[Redheddedwonder]

Picked up this 2013 E350 Quadvan 15 passenger in January.

I have always been a Jeep guy, and a couple years ago built a trailer with RTT to haul behind my Jeep.

(Trailer is for sale without RTT, would be great for extra space/kayaks/etc)
The concept was great, we really enjoyed it, but wanted something with little to no setup. My wife is a teacher so we would like to get out of town on Friday nights, pull into camp and practically be set up. With the trailer we felt a few days of camping were needed at minimum to make it worth it, since with our dogs we always needed to set up the annex. Also my 1999 Cherokee I got after I sold my Jeep JK didn't enjoy towing the trailer as much.

That's why the van search started. It took awhile, and a lost a few due to not getting to the van first. But we finally got one! Plan is to keep it simple, dual battery for our fridge, one bench seat and a bed platform. We want to be able to quickly convert it back to a cargo van style to haul stuff if needed.

Started the teardown and ordered all my parts, previous owner stated he enjoyed the rubber floors cause he could hose it out. During tear down I discovered the fiberglass matting was wet (actually frozen since its been cold in Eastern WA) and there was some surface rust, and even some slight bubble of paint in spots. So thats what I addressed first.

It seemed like it started from these stainless plates? Anyone know how needed these are? I pulled them out and painted them with rust killing paint just in case. Cleaned up all the rust, taped it up and got some good primer and paint. I didn't need it to look pretty, just get the job done since it will be covered up anyways.

Forgot to get an after picture but it actually turned out looking better than expected. But all the rust is gone and ready to proceed, just waiting on parts now!

 

[Redheddedwonder]

A little progress update! I leave a lot for work, gone 3-4 days at a time. But home about the same. So I get 3-4 days of steady progress then have to just think about whats next when I am gone! We are to the point of assembling everything! Just a few little items to grab.

And now a bunch of pictures!
Welding up the bed frame/learning to weld with a buddy of mine!

Bed frame finished and painted with plywood deck. Ended up being a little shorter than I hoped, but we aren't tall so it will work fine!

Starting to build my dual battery box and fridge mount




Next update it will be completely finished and all set up for our first camping trip in it April 1st!

 

[Raul]

Nice. Looking forward to see your progress

 

[Redheddedwonder]

It’s not about the size of the driveway, it’s how you use it

 

[Redheddedwonder]

Some more progress pictures! Let me know what you think or suggestions from experience!
Genesis Dual Battery and Dometic fridge mounted in place! Leaves plenty of space to get away from the weather if needed. Vanrug installed as well, not a huge fan of the fitment, I am sure they work better in blank cargo vans, I felt I was cutting out a lot and trimming to fit.

Bedframe installed with Lucid 5" foam mattress from Amazon. Width is same size as a full mattress, length is 67 inches. Feet go right into the window so that give a few extra inches if needed, but I don't think we will.

Sheets and solar/privacy shades installed. Might use some scotch tape to really secure them till I figure out the best way to secure them.

And last our movie theatre! ? Not a priority, but planning to wire this to the second battery, and comes from an aux cord so we can just use a portable speaker. Anyone know how much power this would use? Not worth it if its gonna kill our battery every time we use it.


Van is in at a shop getting battery cables made to hook up the dual battery and it will be pretty much finished. Spring break we are headed to the beach for 5 days so we will see how everything works!

 

[Redheddedwonder]

Just got back from the beach and the van performed flawlessly! Just a few minor things to add but for now we are super happy. The van cruises nicely down the highway at freeway speeds (2,000 RPM at 72 mph), no complaints there. We came from a RTT on a trailer and I know they are super popular but way more setup compared to this. We showed up the first night after dark, not a problem with no setup needed. We camped at Fort Stevens Campground on the Oregon Coast and had a blast, some rain showers and a lot of sun which wasn't forecasted, only hard rain on the last day.

Cooking breakfast with the pupper!

Setting up for a campfire on the beach

We got this popup off amazon for when we camp at the same spot for awhile, sort of a base camp. Works well and sets up fast.

The wreck of the Peter Iredale!



Great first outing and I can see us keeping this van for a long time!

 

[Redheddedwonder]

....and here are some pictures of our puppy making friends

 

[Redheddedwonder]

Went camping again over the weekend and a few things are becoming apparent that are needed. The big one, a front bumper and winch! We got up in the mountains this weekend and into the snow, got to an area that was really soft and slushy, but were not in a position to back up. It pushed us toward the side a bit too close for comfort. There was about 6 inches of gravel that the snow was melted and I was able to use that to get us back on track. Wasn’t a good feeling and a winch would have easily solved the problem. Lesson learned, so that’s on the list!
Other things are cubbies or storage bags by the bed for glasses, phones and such. We tried out Gaia gps over the weekend and need to mount the iPad, thinking pro clip on the dash. And a few other little things!

Overall we have been happy with how well everything works for us.

 

[Redheddedwonder]

As we go into summer I have been thinking about how to keep the van cool. I have been thinking a lot and have a few questions.

Right now we just have the mosquito nets for the front windows. so it has been fine but as it gets warmer I think we will need another window that opens in the back for airflow.

1. I would like rear door pop out windows, do they have any aftermarket or just have to get lucky in a junkyard?
2. For airflow what do most people use? Our dual battery only runs our fridge now, if we installed a fantastic fan would that drain the battery too much? Has anyone used the battery powered fans and are they worth it?
3. If I can't get rear pop out windows I have thought about replacing one of the rear side windows with metal, then I could put in a aftermarket camper window in that opens. Have people done this? doesn't seem like it would be too hard.

 

[Raul]

I like the rear pop outs and a maxfan. So far i haven’t used the fan to sleep, but just keeping it open with the pop out windows worked well.

If you camp in areas where is not a big deal to keep the rear doors open, you can build a mosquito screen for the back. I used that on my previous van and worked quite well.

More on my my thread: The Rig Runner

 

[marret]

Nicely done.

How are you charging your house batteries? Did you connect them to the starter battery to use the alternator? If so, did you use an automatic control relay, like a BlueSea 7620 or 7622 or some other brand? See bluesea.com: ACR. If you are not aware, these devices combine batteries for charging and separate otherwise so you don't discharge your starting battery. If you want to run more items off the batteries, most do, you may need a recharging source in addition to the alternator. Solar?

1. For pop out windows, ebay is another source. There are a number of people on sportsmobileforum who are switching to pop out windows. Here is a recent discussion about buying them: http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/f14/wtb-ford-van-rear-door-pop-out-windows-23954.html

2. Many people feel the fans are worth it.

Many of us also have bug screens for the rear side doors or back doors. One source of pre-made screens: https://theskeeterbeater.com/

3. I haven't heard of someone replacing a window with steel and then installing a camper window, like CR Laurence, but many people do have some sort of side camper windows. I don't see why you couldn't do what you are saying.

 

[Redheddedwonder]

Sorry guys for the late response had a small house fire Sunday so I have been busy!

Thanks for the ideas on the rear screen, I would like to be able to keep my doors shut and still have ventilation so that’s why I like the rear pop outs. I have a connection at local junkyard that can get me popouts from a early 90s van. Would I have any problems with those or would they bolt right up to replace my windows?


My dual battery setup is controlled by the Genisis Offroad smart isolator. I have a solar setup and charge controller but not installed yet.

 

[Raul]

I have a connection at local junkyard that can get me popouts from a early 90s van. Would I have any problems with those or would they bolt right up to replace my windows?

92 was the first year of this van body. Anything after that should fit. The back door still have the holes for the pop-out windows (at least on my 2010) I didn't have any issues.
If you look at my picture above you can see the holes and slots for the pop out latch at the bottom of the window. Make sure you get the plate that goes inside the door to bolt the latch.

 

[Redheddedwonder]

Gotcha, yah they didn’t have any at the local lot but he found them online and is getting them for me for $65 a piece. I think it was a 92 or 93 he said. Would anyone think due to the age of the glass that it would be a problem?

 

[Redheddedwonder]

92 was the first year of this van body. Anything after that should fit. The back door still have the holes for the pop-out windows (at least on my 2010) I didn't have any issues.
If you look at my picture above you can see the holes and slots for the pop out latch at the bottom of the window. Make sure you get the plate that goes inside the door to bolt the latch.

So the autowrecking yard didn't grab that plate that goes in the door. Does anyone know of a part number or where to get them? I am having them check again to see if they missed the part or not.

If I have no luck I might make something, could use a picture of what its supposed to look like though if anyone has one?