Jaleo 2- Building a 2012 E-350 4x4-Third time is the charm

[Raul]

Meet the Storm Trooper. Just a minor modification but I wanted to paint the shrouds for a long time. The full glass headlights look a lot better, but these have to option to use DOT-approved LED sealed light and they are a huge improvement.

I used Duplicolor Ford Oxford White (In theory the original color) but it was too white. I tried Rustoleum blossom white and it seems to be a better match so both the grill and the lights are finished with this color.




Other things :

Done:
* Rear brake pads and calipers. One of the caliper pistons was broken. It seems that my mileage has improved.

Ongoing.
* 5Star tune. I bought the tunes, received the tuner, and waiting to receive the actual tunes. I'll update on the performance
* On boar air. After removing the whole CNG system and tanks, I'm fitting a 5 (8?) gallons tank.
*Tool Box. Just got a 36x18x19 undercarriage toolbox that I'll be fitting to replace the current laundry basket.
* Rear diff's main seal seems to be leaking

 

[ITTOG]

That looks great. Huge improvement.

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[Raul]

Time to remove the laundry basket I had in the swing out (proof of concept) and replace it with something better looking. Since the aluminum box is very light-duty, I built a support frame. If I ever need to carry two spare tires, it will work for this too.
Two camping chairs, a folding little table, 1 jerry can fit inside the box with extra space for trash and other staff. This will free space inside, especially since those items are a pain to find a place inside the van.

36" Amazon Tool Box

 

[Raul]

Long due update. I've been struggling with the rear springs. For the "Frankenstein" set I did mixing the master leaf from the van with some high arch from an F350, didn't work. It sagged over time a lot creating a lot of vibrations. After several trials, I used a similar approach to the one I used on the RigRunner. Shackle flip , this time from Bronco Graveyard, New set of springs 43-1157 and an extra leaf 0.401 Thickness from ATS and drop shackles form Ebay. Drop shackles provide lift as the shackles are inverted.



The spring perches were so off that I had to cut them and weld a new set.

From the enjoying the van stand point. This summer we went to Utah and Colorado. Good times.



Cheap $30 tarp from Walmart. Works great.


Tin Cup pass.



American Basin. I think I'll not change my rims to 22". Three weeks old Suburban ripped two tires.

 

[Raul]

In September, we went to the Ozarks. Driving up there (10 hrs) I noted that I still had the vibrations that bothered me in Colorado. Early in the trip, 70 to 75 mph was shaky. Towards the end of the trip, the vibration was much worse, even at 40 mph.

I guess September is not the best time to enjoy the water crossings in the Ozarks. This is one of the big water crossings.



This is a beautiful region. I need to come back.



No only the van had problems, I was running a fever. After one day in the camp, it was still quite hot (the weather and me), I decided to get back to Houston. Removed the rear drive shaft and returned as FWD.



My drive shaft was too long and the ball between the two U-joints on the upper CV wore out, causing the vibrations. I ordered a new shaft from Tom Woods Driveshafts. Excellent service and I received it within a week. Here it shows the difference in length.




Another couple of projects are the bike carrier for the swing arm.



And an Anderson plug on the front grill for the compressor and the jump starter (I have a small electric loss that drains the battery if I do not run the van for a week). I replaced the alligator clamps on the Jump Starter and the Compressor with an Anderson connector so I do not even have to open the hood to connect them.

 

[Raul]

Since my daughter needed her winter clothes, her bicycle, and a bunch of other things for her new life in Boulder, I took advantage of the occasion and did a little detour on the way back through Montezuma, CO.


Fresh snow onthe trails.





The nights were pretty cold. The water tanks didn't freeze, but I had to wait for the faucet to thaw.



The new connector on the grill simplified tremendouslly the airing up process. No more opening the hood, climb to reach the battery. clamp the aligators...





Chihuahua Lake was spectacular. 2 Miles of challenging 4x4 trail and another 2 miles of hiking with some boulder "climbing" at the end.



I was only able to use the diesel heater one night and it was nice. The rest of times, it smoked like this. I just got a new one that supposedly can adjust for elevation.


It always amazes me the trails you can take with these vans with the right mix of vehicle performance, skills and stupidity. This is the Chihuabhua trail it's a dead end trail so what I climbed before, I was descending it now.

 

[RVflyfish]

Wow that Chihuahua descent pic! Reminding the forum you push Jaleo harder than a lot of guys push their Jeeps. Nice form.

 

[Snydmax]

In September, we went to the Ozarks. Driving up there (10 hrs) I noted that I still had the vibrations that bothered me in Colorado. Early in the trip, 70 to 75 mph was shaky. Towards the end of the trip, the vibration was much worse, even at 40 mph.

I guess September is not the best time to enjoy the water crossings in the Ozarks. This is one of the big water crossings.

View attachment 855927

This is a beautiful region. I need to come back.

View attachment 855928

No only the van had problems, I was running a fever. After one day in the camp, it was still quite hot (the weather and me), I decided to get back to Houston. Removed the rear drive shaft and returned as FWD.

View attachment 855929

My drive shaft was too long and the ball between the two U-joints on the upper CV wore out, causing the vibrations. I ordered a new shaft from Tom Woods Driveshafts. Excellent service and I received it within a week. Here it shows the difference in length.

View attachment 855930


Another couple of projects are the bike carrier for the swing arm.

View attachment 855931

And an Anderson plug on the front grill for the compressor and the jump starter (I have a small electric loss that drains the battery if I do not run the van for a week). I replaced the alligator clamps on the Jump Starter and the Compressor with an Anderson connector so I do not even have to open the hood to connect them.

View attachment 855932

Definitely not this September… we had about 2 months straight with no rain

 

[nelstomlinson]

I put those 175A Anderson connectors on several of my vehicles, and on my jumper cables. The connectors on the vehicles have gotten too corroded to function over a few years. They're great while they last, for sure.

 

[Raul]

A few days in the Ouachita (OK, AR border). Great people, nice place. Used the new diesel heater and I love it. LiPoFe battery gave up, devouring all the YouTube videos on how to resuscitate it.
If there is a bypass, of course, I'll take the obstacle.
Stoped by Paris in the way back


Sometimes you make the weirdest friends in the Camping showers.

 

[ITTOG]

I love the Ouachita's. Great area for outdoor fun.

Did you see the scorpion before or after your shower?

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[RVflyfish]

Yikes! Scorpions give me the heebie-geebies.

 

[Raul]

Did you see the scorpion before or after your shower?

Yikes! Scorpions give me the heebie-geebies.

The little guy was in the shower itself. I saw him when I stepped under the water. He didn't seem to be bothered so I just showered.