CrabbyMcNab's Adventure with Blunderbuss

[stormlover]

Nice write-up and awesome build thread. I'm doing the same thing on my 6.0 at 90,000 miles with the same delete kit. It's all going back together so hope it starts. I also replaced the water pump since it was right there. Good thing, as mine had a broken impeller blade. The Ford gold coolant is also being swapped out for Shell ELC. I probably spent two days researching coolant flush options. In the end I decided not to put harsh chemicals in the engine.

I also made the same decision on the standpipe and dummy plug on the passenger side. The driver side had been replaced when I had an injector crack in #6 cylinder. But the passenger side is much more labor intensive. You have to lift the motor and remove the engine mount and lower it back down to gain access to the head. Anyway, I figure I'll need an injector in the next couple of years or 50,000 miles so will do it then rather than now. Just keeping the fingers crossed that the O-rings on the dummy plug holds up.

And I hear you on the alternator. I went aI went with a 250A from DCpower.

 

[djbonsu]

Nice work! I agree that workig on these vans are no joke! Pulling the body is defintely a better option IMO as I will do so when it's time for injectors. Are you sienna cloths seats the recliner ones?

 

[stormlover]

Nice work! I agree that workig on these vans are no joke! Pulling the body is defintely a better option IMO as I will do so when it's time for injectors. Are you sienna cloths seats the recliner ones?

Pulling the body takes on new meaning if it's been subject to a camper conversion. Cargo van yes but seems like pulling the engine is the easier option. Either way, stuffing a diesel in there doesn't leave much room. If you don't do your own work it really pays to find someone who actually likes to work on vans because it is a labor of love. Or lack of hate.

 

[djbonsu]

Pulling the body takes on new meaning if it's been subject to a camper conversion. Cargo van yes but seems like pulling the engine is the easier option. Either way, stuffing a diesel in there doesn't leave much room. If you don't do your own work it really pays to find someone who actually likes to work on vans because it is a labor of love. Or lack of hate.

Agreed! Campers have all kinda wires and plumbing going through the body/floor. For now i am still in cargo van mode but a local mechanic also told me the diesel motors do slide out like drawers after yanking the turbo and oil pan/sump.

 

[CrabbyMcNab]

I had bought standpipe and dummy plugs, but decided not to replace at the moment. Way too much work involved for me to lower the motor. Maybe in the spring or summer. How often do these fail?

I was going to flush the coolant by removing the two plugs in the block and adding quick drain valves, then using the Restore product. But once I took a look at the easily accessible plug, it looks as if someone had attempted to previously and the hole for the allen wrench is completely rounded. Therefore, I did a somewhat flush of the system using the 15 gallons of distilled water and removing hoses, drains, running the system...the replacing coolant and water as close to 50/50 as I could. I'll check with a tester in a little while.

Added a sinister remote coolant filter as I was at it. Very well made unit and easy enough to install.

So, with my super awesome Unicorn Creation tires, I spun in my driveway with an inch and a half of snow. Forget about getting up the hill to actually get to the main road. I know that a LSD or locker with good tires and chains will work. It's just a matter of finding the right combination and how much money to spend up front versus in the long run if a full 4x4 conversion is planned.

 

[mgmetalworks]

How have the new seats been working out? Got all of them installed yet?

 

[CrabbyMcNab]

How have the new seats been working out? Got all of them installed yet?

The driver side is in, which I have had in for a while now. The seat is amazingly comfortable over the stock seat. I love the firmness of the cushion and the ergonomics. I should finish the passenger shortly.
Question on mounting the rear cloth seats, though. When I get around to ordering the brackets from Ujoint, do they mount in the current bench seat bracket holes? Or do I need to drill new holes and adding a backing plate? If possible, I would like to gain a little more leg room for the second row passengers.

 

[CrabbyMcNab]

And for the heck of it...

 

[mgmetalworks]

You will need to drill some holes for the rear seats regardless of where you put them. In VANdiana, we were able to utilize two of the factory holes in each bracket and the seating arrangement worked out pretty well. Check here for pics...

http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...The-Legacy-Continues/page4?highlight=vandiana

 

[CrabbyMcNab]

Did you need a plate for the new holes, or washers sufficed?

 

[mgmetalworks]

Did you need a plate for the new holes, or washers sufficed?

With the seats mounted in that location, the bolts went through the under body cross members. If you choose a different location, you should consider something under the floor when fastening.

 

[CrabbyMcNab]

For those with lifts on their vans, how do you clean 10 inches of snow off your roof?

 

[stormlover]

For those with lifts on their vans, how do you clean 10 inches of snow off your roof?

climb up the ladder. Pretty handy item if you have a roof rack. http://www.aluminess.com/ford/ford-vans-1992-2007/ladders/

 

[tgreening]

For those with lifts on their vans, how do you clean 10 inches of snow off your roof?

About 65 mph on the highway...

 

[CrabbyMcNab]

About 65 mph on the highway...

If I could even make it to the highway! My 1WD keeps me close to home.