Ford Econoline upgrades

[Hound]

Thanks, Buck, that's a pretty compelling endorsement for steel bumpers being the "Toughityest". Glad you were able to walk away from what sounds like a truly horrific crash. I'm not going to be able to fully convert the interior on this beast until the kiddos are older so it's going to be a while. Considering this I would gladly take the additional weight if it meant a higher degree of safety. Scary to think that my MPGs could actually get any worse

How about seat covers? Do you guys have any recommendations?

 

[Hound]

I never intended for this to be a "build thread" but the more I think about it, the more I think it would be beneficial to get your guys' input on where I want to go with this van even if it will be a slowwww process. As I mentioned earlier, the van will mostly be used a family roadtrip vehicle for the foreseeable future. That means that I can't gut the interior until the babies are old and ashamed to ride in Dad's van (Hopefully at least a decade).

Be that as it may, I will be setting out on a lengthy expedition with my Dad this summer. After appealing to my father for years, he has finally relented and decided to join me for our second cross-country expedition. The purpose of our journey will be to hopefully find me a new home. I have lived in New England for far too many years and I have had about all that I can take and so, I am in search of greener pastures. I plan to thoroughly explore the MT, WY, ID area as I seem to think that this would offer what I am in search of (land and like-minded people). Even if I don't find my utopia, I am really looking forward to spending time with my Dad and seeing this beautiful country of ours.

We plan to do a lot of camping along the way, so I am open to any and all suggestions as far as outfitting the van and places to visit. As far as outfitting the van for our expedition, since I really can't modify the interior that much at this point, I was figuring that we would each take one of the two front benches to sleep and if that didn't work (mostly thinking of my Dad since he's older and a little taller) I could inflate an air mattress in the back. I hope to travel pretty light (3 day pack) and do laundry along the way, rather than take up all the cargo room with bags. We usually do coolers, but I am thinking hard about investing in a fridge. I am an amateur carpenter, but the thought of building out platforms and storage shelves/drawers doesn't really appeal to me, since the van will have to transform back to our family carrier when we return. If you have made it this far, thanks for your patience and I am open to any and all advice concerning my travels, my van, or anything else you might feel helpful (or not) to share.

Thanks fellas. Hound standing by.

 

[Hound]

Tuffness? No not a word. Toughity is the scientific term. The relative toughity of any bumper is limited by what it is bolted to. Our vans have a pretty significant crumple zone built into the frame rail right behind the horns, so the more rigid the bumper, the more energy is transferred to the frame. Aluminum is still a viable option for the front.
.
What aluminum doesn't like is being cycled over and over. I would be more cautious with an aluminum tire carrier if the weight of the combo causes the mount to wobble.

What kind of Tire carrier/rear bumper are you rocking? Love the look of your van, man...you've definitely achieved that toughity look

 

[mgmetalworks]

....The purpose of our journey will be to hopefully find me a new home. I have lived in New England for far too many years and I have had about all that I can take and so, I am in search of greener pastures. I plan to thoroughly explore the MT, WY, ID area as I seem to think that this would offer what I am in search of (land and like-minded people)...

Don't rule out the great state of Oregon...
.

In my previous van I did the air mattress thing and it worked fine. I've never had a good restful sleep on a bench seat though...That wouldn't be the option I'd choose.

 

[Hound]

Don't rule out the great state of Oregon...
.

In my previous van I did the air mattress thing and it worked fine. I've never had a good restful sleep on a bench seat though...That wouldn't be the option I'd choose.

Oh I won't rule Oregon out yet. I can't wait to explore your beautiful state and from what I hear I will feel right at home driving the van

Admittedly, I am a little skeptical about sleeping on the bench, but I have slept in much worse conditions...

MGM, what direction have you gone/going with regard to bumpers? Making your own? Also, any ideas on roof racks?

 

[mgmetalworks]

...what direction have you gone/going with regard to bumpers? Making your own? Also, any ideas on roof racks?

I will be making my own bumpers, roof rack, ladders, etc... I've looked over all of the available options for bumpers pretty good and none of them work in my plans for our family adventure van. I have a specific vision for how I want my van to look and I can't get there with what is on the market today. I'm a ways out from doing these though. Maybe this summer...maybe fall...could be winter...
.
Roof rack is even farther out on the schedule. I have some ideas for a pop-top and the roof rack will be an integral part of that design...but Cummins swap comes first. After I'm done bleeding from that exercise, I'll get started on everything else.

 

[bknudtsen]

Hound (if that's even your real name....),
.
I built my own bumper. First big welding project. I am not finished and will probably yank it off this summer and modify some stuff. I slept in the back last summer on an air mattress in Minnesota and it sucked too much for words. Bench seats?
.

.
That's my 11 year old son. He wasn't even 5 ft tall yet. Horrible, humid, bouncing, squeaky mattress, night.

 

[bknudtsen]

If you want to sleep in the back on an air mattress, a platform to get it up above the wheel wells is a must. Then and equally important, some way to ventilate the van and draw in/move fresh air, whilst keeping out the biting insects. You would be almost better off ground camping. You could also do cots, and remove most if not all of the rear seats.
.
I really like Montana and Idaho, especially the mountainous regions in the west. Good luck!

 

[Hound]

If you want to sleep in the back on an air mattress, a platform to get it up above the wheel wells is a must. Then and equally important, some way to ventilate the van and draw in/move fresh air, whilst keeping out the biting insects. You would be almost better off ground camping. You could also do cots, and remove most if not all of the rear seats.
.
I really like Montana and Idaho, especially the mountainous regions in the west. Good luck!

Thanks buddy, you should change your screen name to dream-crusher...

 

[Hound]

I will be making my own bumpers, roof rack, ladders, etc... I've looked over all of the available options for bumpers pretty good and none of them work in my plans for our family adventure van. I have a specific vision for how I want my van to look and I can't get there with what is on the market today. I'm a ways out from doing these though. Maybe this summer...maybe fall...could be winter...
.
Roof rack is even farther out on the schedule. I have some ideas for a pop-top and the roof rack will be an integral part of that design...but Cummins swap comes first. After I'm done bleeding from that exercise, I'll get started on everything else.

A Cummins swap...are you ********** kidding me? Looks like I'm going to need to get a poster sized picture of your van printed up to go next to the poster of the Countach in my bedroom. And I am sure my wife will be equally disapproving of it...

Which Cummins motor are you going to squeeze into this joke of an engine bay?

 

[bknudtsen]

http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=11910
I hope you read "Geek." Sorry MG... :ylsmoke:

 

[bknudtsen]

Thanks buddy, you should change your screen name to dream-crusher...

My old screen name on the Yamaha FZ1 Forum was bonecrusher. Close enough?

 

[mgmetalworks]

A Cummins swap...are you ********** kidding me? Looks like I'm going to need to get a poster sized picture of your van printed up to go next to the poster of the Countach in my bedroom. And I am sure my wife will be equally disapproving of it...

Which Cummins motor are you going to squeeze into this joke of an engine bay?

Nope...not kidding.
.
The engine bay only looks tight. There's plenty of room! haha!

 

[Heloflyboy]

Thanks for the compliment on the van, man

I'd love to see any Picts you have of your Reunel bumpers. I've heard they make some serious beef and that their rear bumpers are capable of towing quite a bit. Oh and by the way, your avatar flex shot is ridiculous!

Thanks for compliment on avatar. The pathfinder has been an evolving project.
I will take some pics of the bumpers tomorrow in the light. I believe the rear bumper is rated at 12k.
As far as camping in the back, I pulled the rear seats out of mine and used two cots the first time out with my dad and they worked pretty well but not very comfortable. The next time out I built a shelf and threw a futon on top and another futon partially going under the shelf it was a lot more comfortable. I also got an inverter and a small microwave which works great for a quick meal heat up.
I am just starting a more permanent and comfortable set up for my wife and kids and I.

 

[Heloflyboy]

Here are a few pics of bumpers and a few poser shots from behind the house.