Boomer the Quadravan 4x4 Camper

[RIDGE]

I forgot to address the Gear Vendors. I've put a lot of miles on one. It was problematic in my application but I was towing a ton of weight, like 14 tons! I liked it for the gear splitting. It will add more electronics to your van. I did have a couple of small problems with mine in that regard. When it failed, I was always able to get home (it never left me stranded). I just think there is more dependable solution, one that doesn't require electronics or another unit to maintain.

Are you against a manual trans? Econolines did have manuals as an option so a factory clutch pedal assembly is available. It sounds like a 5 or 6 speed would be perfect for Boomer.

I'm not sure you could adapt an AOD trans to the 6.9...or if you could get the shift points correct. I *think* it was offered behind the 7.3 for a year before they went with the E4OD. It is a decent trans and can be built with lower than stock 1st gear. It's the only Ford overdrive trans I know of that doesn't require a computer. I put a lot of miles on one in my moto van when I was following the circuit.

I'll post a pic of that van because it was special to me! I bought it for $150. I was in a wheelchair for a couple years due to breaking both legs, so all I did was build this van. It kept me focused during some hard times!


Got a ticket for 116 in Montana...had been cruising at that speed for about 100 miles (since state line) because I didn't think there was a speed limit. The cop said they generally pull over anything going over 100, especially vans! LOL. I was stoked!

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

I have been reading and following your posts as well.

A couple of quick points because I only have a minute...

The FOX Performance Series shocks are aluminum bodied and dissipate the heat really well. They are not an emulsion shock as they have an IFP (Internal Floating Piston) and are fully rebuildable and retail for $130 (cheap) - a reservoired version is available.

It is difficult to "package" a coilover shock in a van without significant ride height because of the overall length of the shock.

Factory offered coilovers (FOX,King, Sway-A-Way...) will need significant revalving including addressing free bleed to work well in your van.

Let me know if you need help with ideas or shocks.

 

[spencyg]

Got a ticket for 116 in Montana...

Hilarious! I've had Boomer up to 75 one time down a 10% grade with a 30MPH tailwind. Not fun.

We've got plans to head out west in a couple years. We have a ton of exploring on the East Coast which we've been putting off for too long, so after we address that, westward ho.

Good point on the mounting stress. This was one of the first questions I asked of FOA when researching my options because they shock mounting options all listed 1/2" rod ends. 1/2"!! Clarification was required, and apparently their spacers are 1/2" id, but the rod ends themselves are 9/16". Better I suppose. A Grade 8 9/16" fastener in double shear is rated to just over 22k lbs, so I guess that is ok as long as (to your point) the mounts on each end are rated to this as well. Small engineering exercise that won't scare me off

Fox are awesome, arguably the best. I'll go FOA for the first round purely due to the monetary investment of this "experiment". If it works out I'll likely upgrade to Fox units later on.

I've heard both sides on the GV issue. I don't love the idea of adding electronics to the drivetrain, but I love the idea of adding a manual or E4OD less. I actually had a ZF trans for an IDI in the shop for awhile and it was just too much, and going in the wrong direction. Mind you, I love driving manuals, but for Boomer it will be an Auto. E4OD doesn't have a great reputation out the gate but I know they can be built to be reliable. That being said, the C6 is absolutely bulletproof. If it could have been killed, I would have done it 10x over by now. The C6 will stay with a upgraded torque converter, and I will likely try my luck with a GV. For the few people I've heard of who have had problems, there are 3x that amount who have never had an issue. I'm hoping to be in the latter club...

Thanks for the feedback. Really good stuff.

SG

 

[spencyg]

I have been reading and following your posts as well.

A couple of quick points because I only have a minute...

The FOX Performance Series shocks are aluminum bodied and dissipate the heat really well. They are not an emulsion shock as they have an IFP (Internal Floating Piston) and are fully rebuildable and retail for $130 (cheap) - a reservoired version is available.

It is difficult to "package" a coilover shock in a van without significant ride height because of the overall length of the shock.

Factory offered coilovers (FOX,King, Sway-A-Way...) will need significant revalving including addressing free bleed to work well in your van.

Let me know if you need help with ideas or shocks.

Thanks for this. I must be looking at the wrong Fox shocks...everything I've seen STARTS at $450 per corner and goes up sharply from there. I presume these $130 shocks are 2.0" body units? You've got a long history of success with these vans and I'm always willing to learn something new. I do like the idea of coilovers up front MAINLY because of the options I'd have for coil spring rates. If you've got a secret list of stock springs that I could chose from which would fit my application I'd love to know about it. The only springs I've been able to find are Stengel Bros. units which list a single spring set rated at #3650 (no lb/in available) with a free length of 19.5". These are likely direct replacements for what I've got. I need more spring rate due to the additional weight I'm carrying and the type of usage I'm putting the old girl thru. I think a 700lb/in unit with a 22" free length would be perfect. If I could find this spring and a good 6" travel rebuildable 2.5" shock for the front, I'd throw the coilover idea away without looking back.

Show me the way!!

SG

 

[spencyg]

So, a few more suspension developments.

Stengel Brothers has been extremely helpful with seemingly endless questions on various front coil spring offerings. They are willing to build me a custom set of front coils to my specified rate and free length for $400/pr. I did more digging with Fox shock offerings and *think* I've landed on their Factory series 2.0 with remote for front and back. I should be able to cram 8" travel units up front and 10" units in the back without worrying about hitting the physical limits on the shock bodies.



I've been chatting with Chris @ UJoint and though they don't have stock offerings for rear leaf springs for 3rd gen econolines, he is looking into having a set made for Boomer. I'm hoping most of this just bolts in to the stock spring and shock locations with very little if any physical modifications. I may take the opportunity to rework my rear lower shock mounts on the axle however...they were scabbed on by Pathfinder decades ago and are really the only low point on the van I consistently thwack on the trail.

Brake stuff is still slow to arrive and I don't have the full kit yet.

Another thing I'm working on is a cabin pressurization system to keep dust out. At this point I've just got a truck panel style air filter, a 270CFM inline blower, and some silicone hose couplers. More to come on this shortly.

SG

 

[4x4pair]

I just installed a set of the Fox Factory Series adjustable remote reservoir shocks on my Jeep. I had them custom valved by John at Agile Offroad and couldn't be happier with the performance. I'm going to have him do a set for my front next. He did the ones on my van also and they perform great but they're not remote res.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

[dmmcintyre3]

What front springs are you running right now?

 

[why3zx]

Used those exact fox 2.0 remote res shocks in my CDT dodge this winter and I will say its the single best upgrade i've done to the truck.

 

[spencyg]

Thanks for the feedback guys on the shocks. I think this will be the right direction to go, utilizing high quality equipment with as simple a setup as possible.

As for my current springs. They seem to be a mix and match of Ford parts from 1986. Coils up front, leaves out back. The rear lift is accomplished with a 3" block (which I don't like) and I think the springs are not factory 2WD rear leaf units with possibly a bit of lift built in. The front coils are from a different Ford application...19.5" free length with 0.875" diameter wire. The new rear leafs will hopefully have all the lift built right into the arch. The front coils will be custom from Stengel Brothers.

SG

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

The FOX 2.0 Factory Series Reservoir Shocks are not the best choice of FOX Shock for your van - for several reasons.

1) Cost a lot more than you need to spend and not worth it.
2) Factory valving is way off.
3) Wrong piston.
4) There is no good reason to have an external reservoir except for looks.

Have you looked at the MOOG Coil Spring Catalog? You should be able to find a coil that will fit your needs for much less than half of the $400.00 quoted you. I can help you with those.

PM me if you would like to hear my thoughts - we tune a lot of van suspensions.

Advice is free... We are a FOX Dealer and have good pricing on all their products and make sure you get the right solution.

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

The front coils are...19.5" free length.

What is the length at ride height?

We can extrapolate spring rate and spring options you can get for ~$100.00 a set.

 

[spencyg]

PM sent. Right height of the springs right now is 16" but that is with them sitting on 1.5" lift blocks which I want to get rid of while getting around 1" of additional lift.

SG

 

[Arctic Travelller]

Yikes, Ramseys advice is worth more than the cost of the shocks. What a deal.........

 

[spencyg]

Ramsey and I had a great conversation on Friday. He is truly a fountain of knowledge and is extremely generous with his time. He guided me toward a far cheaper front spring solution and will be providing the front and rear dampers when the time comes. ExPo at its finest....Boomer is turning into a crowd-sourced project!

SG

 

[justbecause]

What is the length at ride height?

We can extrapolate spring rate and spring options you can get for ~$100.00 a set.

I was going to PM you, but I thought others might be interested in this question as well: Can you get springs for any vehicle, or only vans?