2006 E350 6'' Ujoint - European Build Thread
Finally I have managed to get my dream van!
I live in Poland and I think this van is a one of the kind over here.
It is a 2006 E350 6.0 4x4 diesel with 6'' Ujoint conversion and a CCV pop-top.
It also has a front end swapped from newer van, done also by Ujoint.
I have been long time in 4x4, since I have a two kids now and we all love camping in remote places selling the Jeep and getting the van was the obvious choice. Many thanks to all members of this forum as that was my main source of information when making decision as what rig is going to be right for our family adventures.
I would like to take a chance to say BIG THANKS to Chris form Ujoint - the way he is running his business allowed me to make conversion remotely from overseas and have full control of the process. This is what I call professional approach to the client! Everything done in Ujoint workshop is top quality and made to the highest spec.
The CCV experience was not that flawless but the pop top they offer was worth it. My impression is that the pop-top is very specious and robust and there are only minor details which could be done with some more attachment to details.
So what are the plans for the van?
Full interior camper conversion in European style.
Reimo Variotech seat bench – this German made seat will be fitted on Reimo rail system. This allow the seat is moved all the way along the rails and include two set positions for travelling. It seats three adults with fully integrated seatbelts and it converts to comfy bed in a minutes. If needed it can also be easily removed.
This is the link to the movie showing the seat. I am also planning on making similar style cabinets like in this movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5yLfq70tU4
Cabinets will be made from extruded aluminium and will include ARB 50 l fridge, small sink and portable cook top.
Secondary battery system hooked via solenoid and fitted with solar charging system
Interior diesel heating with hot water system
Auxiliary fuel tank
Front curved led bar above front bumper, Rear led lights, Rock Lights
Rear steel swing with tire and box carriers (will keep the original bumpers due to European law restrictions)
Warn 16,5 ti under OEM front bumper
Fiamma awning
As the 6.0 powerstrokes are nearly not existing here in Poland it is hard to get the parts with short notice. My plan is to make a stock of all parts that could possibly fail to be able to quickly make repairs.
Most of the stuff for conversion has already been ordered and I am expecting lot of good things happen to the van during March, when I am back home.
I will try to make as many photos and keep updates to the thread as the things are progressing.
Any input and advice to the thread will be more than welcome guys.
This is the van when it was delivered to Ujoint
And this is when it was being shipped from Ujoint to CCV
With CCV poptop
Van is home. My wife's Commander doesn't look big anymore
Removing dead batteries and attaching C-tek charger quick connect cable. Did not have a jack and it was -16 Celcius (3 F) outside. The van does not fit to the garage unfortunately.
Got the front end painted as it was only primed.
Changing headlights - I bought Hella headlights (Part no 1AE003 427-021) very good quality lights which are originally for European jeep Cherokee. I have installed H4 Bosch + 90 bulbs and what a difference to the sealed beams! It is not so obvious on the picture but there is a huge change in output power and colour of the light. On the picture right light is the hella with bosch bulb and left light is sealed beam. Another benefit is that those lights are asymmetric and EU rated so they are street legal here in Europe.
Orange direction lights. Also had to convert the rear lights as in Europe we use orange direction lights instead of the red. Installing high intensity orange led bulb did the trick had also to convert the cabling.
Finally I have managed to get my dream van!
I live in Poland and I think this van is a one of the kind over here.
It is a 2006 E350 6.0 4x4 diesel with 6'' Ujoint conversion and a CCV pop-top.
It also has a front end swapped from newer van, done also by Ujoint.
I have been long time in 4x4, since I have a two kids now and we all love camping in remote places selling the Jeep and getting the van was the obvious choice. Many thanks to all members of this forum as that was my main source of information when making decision as what rig is going to be right for our family adventures.
I would like to take a chance to say BIG THANKS to Chris form Ujoint - the way he is running his business allowed me to make conversion remotely from overseas and have full control of the process. This is what I call professional approach to the client! Everything done in Ujoint workshop is top quality and made to the highest spec.
The CCV experience was not that flawless but the pop top they offer was worth it. My impression is that the pop-top is very specious and robust and there are only minor details which could be done with some more attachment to details.
So what are the plans for the van?
Full interior camper conversion in European style.
Reimo Variotech seat bench – this German made seat will be fitted on Reimo rail system. This allow the seat is moved all the way along the rails and include two set positions for travelling. It seats three adults with fully integrated seatbelts and it converts to comfy bed in a minutes. If needed it can also be easily removed.
This is the link to the movie showing the seat. I am also planning on making similar style cabinets like in this movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5yLfq70tU4
Cabinets will be made from extruded aluminium and will include ARB 50 l fridge, small sink and portable cook top.
Secondary battery system hooked via solenoid and fitted with solar charging system
Interior diesel heating with hot water system
Auxiliary fuel tank
Front curved led bar above front bumper, Rear led lights, Rock Lights
Rear steel swing with tire and box carriers (will keep the original bumpers due to European law restrictions)
Warn 16,5 ti under OEM front bumper
Fiamma awning
As the 6.0 powerstrokes are nearly not existing here in Poland it is hard to get the parts with short notice. My plan is to make a stock of all parts that could possibly fail to be able to quickly make repairs.
Most of the stuff for conversion has already been ordered and I am expecting lot of good things happen to the van during March, when I am back home.
I will try to make as many photos and keep updates to the thread as the things are progressing.
Any input and advice to the thread will be more than welcome guys.
This is the van when it was delivered to Ujoint
And this is when it was being shipped from Ujoint to CCV
With CCV poptop
Van is home. My wife's Commander doesn't look big anymore
Removing dead batteries and attaching C-tek charger quick connect cable. Did not have a jack and it was -16 Celcius (3 F) outside. The van does not fit to the garage unfortunately.
Got the front end painted as it was only primed.
Changing headlights - I bought Hella headlights (Part no 1AE003 427-021) very good quality lights which are originally for European jeep Cherokee. I have installed H4 Bosch + 90 bulbs and what a difference to the sealed beams! It is not so obvious on the picture but there is a huge change in output power and colour of the light. On the picture right light is the hella with bosch bulb and left light is sealed beam. Another benefit is that those lights are asymmetric and EU rated so they are street legal here in Europe.
Orange direction lights. Also had to convert the rear lights as in Europe we use orange direction lights instead of the red. Installing high intensity orange led bulb did the trick had also to convert the cabling.
