E350 Chinook Build

[willywalderbeast]

Test fit the GS on the back of the rig today so I could take some measurement for the custom rear bumper. This will be the bike I’ll bring when we hit the road full time in October.

 

[Weldtec Designs]

Weldtec,
Are you saying that this Van rides better lifted then it did stock? I have a had a few older lifted fords van and they rode like lifted trucks. Does this steering require constant input from the driver? I am trying to understand how the ride got smoother after being lifted. Did you do anything to the Steering Box?

Thanks

Hey guys, sorry i have been busy in the shop and no computer time.... Yes these ride much better in my opinion after the lift is on it. This is a combination of things such as better coils, Fox Shocks increased wheel travel and the rear leaf springs make a huge difference with the Fox Shocks in the rear. In a nut shell all of the parts we use in conjunction with each other make a great suspension team! Let me know if you have more questions or check out this video of an RV which is a very similar lift as the Chinooks.

 

[willywalderbeast]

Cut the driver side window in yesterday. Little nervious cutting into the new paint but it came out good.

 

[willywalderbeast]

Also ended up removing more of the interior then I wanted to but it is what it is. Going to redo the countertop since it was pieced together with scraps I had from a rental unit I was redoing. Scored 3 oak butcher blocks from ikea for $40 each and one will be going in the camper.

 

[bknudtsen]

$40 each?!?! Dang! That’s a score.

 

[willywalderbeast]

$40 each?!?! Dang! That’s a score.

Yea scored in the “as is” section!

 

[eporter]

Great seeing allllll that fiberglass work pay off! The angled concourse windows are cool and all, but not too practical. That tilt open feature is nice. I need to start dropping by the local ikea as-is more often.

 

[saleenlimited]

great looking rig!!! love it!

 

[andoor]

Just found your build.

 

[willywalderbeast]

Not much camper progress, kinda bummed it’s been down this long. Just to busy with other projects to work on her. Hopefully she’ll be back together in a couple weeks.

We did start the wallpaper and new storage unit tho!

 

[willywalderbeast]

Also realized how spoiled I’ve become with having the camper. Did some moto camping with a tent this weekend in VT and the whole time I was rolling around on my stupid loud Nemo sleeping pad all I could think of was my comfy camper mattress haha.

 

[Petrolburner]

Test fit the wheels today, need spacers in the rear.

View attachment 394206

How much of a spacer did you end up needing? Did they go between the wheels or inside of the inboard wheel? Anything required on the front wheels?

 

[willywalderbeast]

How much of a spacer did you end up needing? Did they go between the wheels or inside of the inboard wheel? Anything required on the front wheels?

I ended up not running any spacers. The inside wheel is very close to the leaf spring pack but does clear it. The tires do touch in the middle but it’s just the side wall lugs and seems to be fine. I was worried the first trip or two that they would get hot but I’ve put 20k plus on them now with no problems at all.

 

[brushogger]

This thing is turning out soooooooo schweeet!!! Great job dude.

 

[willywalderbeast]

This thing is turning out soooooooo schweeet!!! Great job dude.

Thanks man, scrambling to get it somewhat back together to hit Cape Cod next week for some beach camping.