Hot Wheels

[Balzer]

Hmmm I seam to remember some older 4x4 Ford vans that had a really wierd front axle with 2 differentials and 2 front drive lines. But perhaps those where a lot older models?
-
I have always had a strange facination with 4x4 vans but have never owned one. Maybe someday I will convert an AWD astro to real 4x4.....

 

[Heading Out]

460s have a widespread reputation for averaging 10mpg no matter what you do. Uphill, downhill, towing, headwind, tailwind. I've had a bunch of them, and yea...the rep is pretty much right. The OD should help some on the highway though - never had one so I dunno.

I have a friend who had a 2wd. E350 club wagon very much like that van, 460 w/ a C6, and it got 11MPG no matter what, so I believe that's true.
it was an awesome van. 460's are a great engine.

congratulations on a nice find.

John

 

[Fergie]

OK - Prelim plans (not necessarily in this order)

1. Third battery in a batt box. Solar charge controller inside. I'm going to figure out the optional factory battery box under the van and the water exposure it can have...might have to make it all internal . I'll keep my panel on a rack against either wall or slung from ceiling so I can place it out from the van and move for max exposure.

2. Sound System. This needs to be done after battery system. I'll try to put a manual switch between the engine bay batteries and the camp battery so I can recharge while driving since I'd like to hook the stereo into this house battery for camp tunes. I'm going to do it right with 4-6 speakers, amp and woofer. (same setup as my Westy which could run for hours).

3. Water tank. For now, I have water cans which I like, but an onboard tank might be nice to have. This is debatable.

4. Tow points. I have a rear hitch. Need to figure out the front. I think I have some kind of D-ring holders, but I haven't seen how they are tied in.

5. Carpet cleaning. It smells like an old airplane. Musty. I hope to finish that up tonight.

6. DC plugs for front and rear power for Engel and charging stuff.

7. "FREE CANDY" graphics for side of van.

8. Porthole rear side window.

9. Azteca mural for rear...must include scantily clad women and a siberian tiger.

Nice van dude!

 

[SWbySWesty]

I did a fun fire road up in Santa Barbara this weekend. She handles really well when fully loaded with gear!

 

[adi]

That cot looks similar to my teton cot. I also have been trying to figure out how to get the same kind of sleeping platform without the legs. Most of what is bouncing around in my head is similar to awnings, where you have one side solidly attached, arms fold out to support the other side, with legs for additional support (and probably triangulation).

This way it you can break it down instead of just folding it up, but at the same time it removes the need for the legs.

 

[Heading Out]

I did a fun fire road up in Santa Barbara this weekend. She handles really well when fully loaded with gear!

View attachment 94450

Haha, drove by and saw your van at the beach on Sunday just before noon., looks nice.



We should meet up next time your up this way.

John.

 

[SWbySWesty]

Haha, drove by and saw your van at the beach on Sunday just before noon., looks nice.
We should meet up next time your up this way.
John.

Hey John, sounds good to me! Watch the CA & NV section for the next Hot Springs trip which will likely be soon since we had to detour to the beach. (Not a bad detour...)

 

[SWbySWesty]

Away

we

go............

​

.

 

[Maximus Ram]

Nice ..Like the color.

As for the sleeping accoadations, how an old military evac gurney...they colapse small. Maybe put a couple of hooks or bracket on the wall and a couple of removable legs...just a thought.

 

[SWbySWesty]

So I laid down some indoor/outdoor rear carpet that I can roll up at night to lay down my stuff. The idea is that my gear/motorcycle can drip and be muddy and when I want to go to sleep, I simply unload, roll up the gray dirtiness and have a clean surface. There was enough to put a strip under the rear passenger feet and the front passenger footwell since we're going to have MUD in Mojave this weekend.


There really is a lot of space back here! I have about a foot of extra feet space, plus about 3 feet on the side for either gear or a bunkmate.

 

[scoutkid]

I friggen LOVE this van!

 

[SWbySWesty]

Mojave Road was a blast. I don't have a lot of photos because as we were pulling into camp on day 1 (Saturday), I hurt myself. I was on the roof scouting the road apparently (I don't remember it) and I took a tumble off. I fractured my femur.
Before that, we shattered the passenger front window and cracked the windshield due to the weather stripping giving out. So those need to be replaced. Then I'm talking to my fabricator (www.dirtboundoffroad.com) about custom building some aluminum bumpers, roof rack and ladder. But all that will take time as it seems my medical bills may be kinda high (medivac from the desert)

 

[bknudtsen]

Whoa! I wish you a speedy recovery!

 

[haven]

My sympathies for your bad luck. I hope it was a simple fracture, and that you're stumping around in a cast already.

When you're feeling better, it would be helpful for the rest of us to learn how you summoned help, how your care was handled while you waited for help to arrive, and how the evacuation took place. The Mojave Road is pretty remote!

 

[SWbySWesty]

Thanks, but it wasn't bad luck. All my own fault. I'll be the first to admit that. The story is told in the CA & NV section if you care to read about it! We had a good team with us, and another portal guy (or at least Rover guy) was out there with active duty status (according to my brother) and he led the first response.

The van has has sit since then , but there's no way I'll be able to get in and out of it for a few weeks. I hope to make a camping trip Memorial Day weekend!