24" bubble top for daily driver?

[chasespeed]

Okay, found a van, and I am still on the fence, so... trying to work out a few more details...

Original thread

Anyway, I dont know how some use their fixed hi tops, but, this would be replacing our car, making it out daily driver.

I will be shooting Chris @ Ujoint an email, but, I am hoping to hear from others how this top affected the drive-ability of this van. I know its not going to get 20 mpg, and drive like a sports car, and, I know my particular driving habits will have the greatest affect on the mileage.

On my test drive, I did feel the weight up there, BUT, I also think that it was more the 2ft of snow still up there, than anything.

Anyway, how is this going to be driving it every day? Realistically... cross winds, windy roads, and fuel mileage.

Thanks,
Chase

 

[RocKrawler]

Here are the pics so everyone doesn't have to click back to the original thread:

They will only last as long as the ad remains active, but hope this helps.

 

[dsw4x4]

It will not be to bad driving it daily about the only time you will really notice it is with heavy cross winds other than that you will get used to it and life will go on. Shocks will go a long way in controlling it as will new front springs the ford ones are way to soft. You can also add a sway bar to the rear if you are really wanting it to never be noticable. Your suspension will need some tweaking to get the most out of the ride but other than that you should be good to go.
Derek

 

[ujoint]

Sorry I missed the original thread, van looks nice!

 

[chasespeed]

Thanks all.... I am still on the fence. I need to make a decision, and, I want to make sure its a sound one.

I think right now, it'll depend on the wife being comfortable with driving this van..... and, the real world abilities of it, until I can sling a Dana under the front. From my conversations, and emails with a few, that seems to nothing but better the situation....

SO....

With a 351, and OD trans...... and moderate weight MOST of the time(wont be loaded for bear until it is time....... should work.... I think....

Been digging, trying to find some ideas for interior layout(needs to be somewhat modular).......

Chase

 

[dhally]

We had a 1988 Ford E150 van with 24" bubble top, 302 engine, 4-spd transmission, and 3.31:1 rear axle. I didn't see what weight rating the OP is asking about, but our van had a couple shortcomings.

1. The axle ratio is way wrong for the loading and high top. Should have been a 4.11:1 for the 302 engine. 3.73 might be OK with the 351 motor.

2. We upgraded the front springs, rear springs, the shocks, and had the I-beams bent to align it. It drove OK but still pretty mushy and lots of body roll. Wind buffeting wasn't a problem.

Even with these shortcomings, my wife used it for a daily driver most of the time we had it (about 6 years). It was great to carry 2 little kids and all their stuff. I will say we lived in a rural area. It would be less nice in a city.

No McDonald's or Starbuck's drive-throughs allowed! (ask my wife how she knows).

 

[chasespeed]

Sorry, its a 1 ton... felt plenty of kick, and shifted pretty quick, so, probably at LEAST 3.73.... should be a 4.11 though, especially being equipped w/ OD.

The ride was overall pretty good. More stable than I would have figured, especially considering the amount of snow still on the top.

We dont eat junk, and even when on the road, if we stop, due to convenience, we GET and get our food.

I think, what I wondering at this point... is, how thirsty will this thing be... realistically?

There IS a powerstroke for sale in my area, but, it has a billion miles, and is pretty beat... so.....

This will be our first.... oh.. excuse me, 2nd full size rig w/ a gas engine(the last was a FSB Bronco, 302, auto, and 4.10s)... everything else is diesel...

Thanks for all the info...

Chase

 

[RocKrawler]

there is a powerstroke for sale in my area, but, it has a billion miles, and is pretty beat... So.....

which motor, and exactly how many miles?

 

[chasespeed]

7.3, with 250k, one a PMR engine, WITH a tuner, and NO gauges(equates to a billiion miles in my book).... STAY AWAY. Didnt even take the time to look at the blowby... waste of time. I KNOW 250k isnt bad on a typical well cared for 7.3....

I am on 12v(cummins 6bta) number 2, had a pair of 7.3 PSDs, and a 7.3 IDI... SO... I also know a "beat" rig when I come across one...

There was a nice one, about a year ago, that I SHOULD have bought, but didnt....

While I would prefer a diesel... they just arent popular here. They are either worked halfway to death, or, owned by a kid, who is doing nothing but "rolling coal".

Of all the vans I have looked at thus far, this is my prime pick... there is another, that I do LIKE, but, it has 146k, and is only a half ton, and he wants a LOT more for it.... so....

It was painted over, in white, with heavy enamel(farm/construction implement) paint, which, I planned to do with my truck... tough paint...

If I snag this, I will probably pick up a superduty axle pretty quick...

Then, I will have to decide what to do, regarding the slider, and the affect it will have on rear track width....

Chase

 

[chasespeed]

Oh, BTW, anyone have any idea what I can put under a 2wd E350 for rubber? It has 245/16s now... I have 4 pretty decent(better than 50%) 265/16s in the garage..... would be better than buying 2 new tires for a year..., then having to buy 4 33s.....

Chase

 

[RocKrawler]

Oh, BTW, anyone have any idea what I can put under a 2wd E350 for rubber? It has 245/16s now... I have 4 pretty decent(better than 50%) 265/16s in the garage..... would be better than buying 2 new tires for a year..., then having to buy 4 33s.....

Chase

Depends on the profile size - I had 265/70R16's on mine when I got it, but I think the 75 series will rub (mine were way close) The difference between the 2 profiles is an inch. I'm sure Chris or someone else will chime in, but that's my experience.
As for the mileage, I bought mine with 256K on the 7.3, but it was maintained by the leasing company, and was used as a commuter transport van from Fredericksburg VA to DC for most of its life, then sold to a nice older lady who used it as a kid transport for her home daycare business. Then I got it, it had never had a ball installed on the rear step bumper, or a hitch under it - ever. So I was the first to ever put towing miles on it, and it worked like a dream. Currently getting 18mpg combined average back & forth to work, excellent in my book for a 1 ton rolling cinder block. If the other diesel was beat, then I completely understand passing on it - mine was (& still is) bone stock mechanically so I was pretty confident about the purchase despite the miles.

 

[dwh]

Mine has a 22" bubble top - 6'2" inside floor to ceiling. It's the first bubble top I've had. I love it. I've owned a bunch of vans and I don't notice that the bubble negatively affects the van handling much over the handling of a van without the bubble. Vans are vans...big slab-sided boxes, so it's not like they are all that sporty to begin with.

Mine has significant weight down low so that probably compensates some - the bubble might have more of a noticeable top-heavy effect on an empty van.

That white van in the pics looks to have a top almost exactly the same as mine, even the same side windows.

I'd jump on it.

 

[Accrete]

My wife and i have a chevy rb with 24" bubble top as a daily driver (she drives it most days).

We drove the van off the lot in late october, had the top put on in december. We really don't notice any difference in drive, feel, or mpg (usually runs between 16 to 18 with full time awd). we love it. you should be happy with the RB and top as a daily driver.

 

[chasespeed]

Great... I think I am leaning off the fence....

As long as things stay lined up, I think we are going to go for it.....

Great, just what I need... another project..... hahaha...

I am over on teh sportsmobile forum, reading about how to do the interior( I imagine, the bare metal walls wont last long AT all with 3 females, if my service vans are any indication)...and adding sound/thermal insulation....

The floor seems easy.... probably use some underlayment for a floating floor(not sure)....

Been doing a LOT of reading. I think there is more research going into this purchase, than, the purchase of my house....

So.... thank you all.... we will be deciding within the week... and if I bring it home... there will be a build thread(mostly for me to ask dumb questions)..... I am outta my league with a van, and gas engines are for racing, or cars... so...

Sort of one hangup.... trying to figure out where to put the receiver for my Sirius...... for some reason, that bothers me..... A LOT...

Chase

 

[RocKrawler]

do it, come to the dark side...


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