looking for info on building a 4x4 van.

[jcfuzzdog29]

Hey guys Im new here. Im from PA I have been doing some research and what not but getting mixed reviews. Im looking and buying a passenger van E350 2wd diesel in the near future that I plan on converting to 4x4 as funds allow me... and most likely using ujoint for one of the kits he has.I am wondering is there a better year compared to other to start with. I have owned a 7.3l powerstroke in the past so im not new to diesels but here are my questions. Im not scared of getting a 6.0l powerstroke but i know the 7.3 is a more reliable but how is the 6.0 in the e350s. I hear they are not as bad as the ones in the super dutys. Next question is coils or leavs. I would say the van will be used 80 percent on road with light to mild off roading.. Next would be 4in or 6 in suspension?. Can you fit 35 in tires on a van with a 4in suspension lift? My overall goal for this van is to be a truck when i need to be a truck, a camper, people hauler, and of course and expedition rig. Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance for any replies. Im pretty excited to travel the world with my wife in this thing...

 

[ujoint]

1st off welcome to Expo! If you get a 6.0 I would recommend to set aside 3-4k for preventative maintenance and upgrades. Could be more depending on mileage. A 7.3 could need work too, don't know until you get it. coils vs leaves... never ending discussion there. I obviously say leaves since thats what I do and we've removed a bunch of coil sprung 4x4 suspensions for a massive improvement in ride & handling. You can find testimonials all over the web about this. 35's on a 4" will require fender mods, our 6" kit is the best performer all around.

 

[ujoint]

6.0 progress. Rhino, flares, rear bumper, few other add ons. Next we have to cut some windows, sound deadener and some front Seinna swivel seats!

 

[GNTY]

Everything you'll get from these questions are going to be personal opinions. People have good and bad experiences and then that usually sticks with them. So here's my PERSONAL opinion. I agree with chris on the 7.3 vs. 6.0. Good chance the 7.3 is good to go with little to no fixes and overall an amazing motor. I own/owned a number of them. With that said, we have now a couple higher mile 6.0 that have been gone thru and all preventative measures done and these rigs run amazing and should last and be as reliable as the 7.3. But it cost a lot of money to do that, and i likely wouldn't have done it if we didn't have a connection to wholesale parts and a 6.0 guru at a fraction of the normal cost. Cost to make them reliable is a major factor.

Coils vs. Leafs. I have owned 6 different 4x4 conversion vans from 6 different manufacturers, coils and leafs, and my experience is that my leaf sprung vans have a far superior ride. I currently own a 4" ujoint and 6" ujoint and they ride amazing, especially on road. I'm putting the miles daily on my 6" van now that i just completed and it puts a smile on my face every day with how smooth and comfortable it drives and handles, Ujoint kits are seriously as good if not better ON road than off.

I will say that out of the coil conversions we own/owned the Quad van system has been the best ride and handling. I cannot speak for the Agile offroad or Clydesdale conversions as i have not experienced them.

 

[ert01]

I have a 7.3 van and I'm happy with it. Simple PM work keeps it running happily. It's 14 years old now and there's bound to be a few things that are old and tired (alternator/belt/starter/batteries) but I don't mind changing those parts out because I know it'll last another 250 000km after I do them.

The 6.0's in my family are not quite as simple... alongside the regular tired parts, there's a whole slew of fussy parts that just casue headaches. My father spent $5K bulletproofing his 6.0 2 years ago and it just blew another head gasket last week. My brother did his 6.0 injectors a year ago but his FICM went kaput recently and took the injectors with it so he's installing new ones (again) this week.

In my experience, I'd avoid the 6.0. My dad still swears by the 6.0 though... Don't know why... Haha

 

[jcfuzzdog29]

Thanks for all the info guys.. I was already thinking about sticking with the 7.3 since i have had one in the past.. was just wondering about the 6.0l cause there is still a big fan base for the engine ... most likely will be looking for a 2000 to 03 e350 12 passenger van.. im thinking i wanna do the ujoint 4in lift and trim the fenders to fit 35s... im thinking that would be better for towing and what not and still have good off road capabilities with 35in tires.... maybe im wrong but so far thats my thoughts...

 

[SHAFT]

if you end up going with a 6 liter, be ready for all the haters, but don't be scared off by a bad reputation. Like chris said, if you chase down known problems, you'll like the engine in the end ( i know i do). Welcome to the obsession......

 

[tgreening]

I have/had 2 6.0s, 1 6.4, and a 6.7 and this is what I have to say. The 6.7 so far has cost nothing. The 6.4 cost right around $8k to fix when the high pressure fuel pump went out. The first 6.0 cost $4k to fix the HPOP when it went, an egr or 2, and about another $7-$8k bullet proofing and replacing fuel injectors that actually went kaput when the HPOP went, but Ford didn't know/care enough to check. The second 6.0 went straight to the garage for the usual "bulletproof" stuff right after purchase, just to get it over with. Another $7-$8k, this time in a preventative way.

All those engines ran like bears and have it all over a stock 7.3 anything power and torque wise. They also have it all over a 7.3 when it comes to expense to repair. No engine is bulletproof, I don't care what you do to it, and when one of those late model power strokes needs repair it can take a second mortgage to get it done. They. Are. Expensive. Period. Price a set of injectors for an idi or early power stroke. Now go price a set for any of the 6.x series. Yeahhhhh.

Unless you need a big power diesel because you tow often, tow heavy, and or need it to make money, stay away. Repairs WILL be needed sooner or later, no matter what youve done to it, and when they come large 4 figure ones are very easy to get.

 

[jcfuzzdog29]

thanks for all the info guys.. like i said i have owned a 7.3l before that ran like a top and never was in the garage for repairs.. so I would never count out the 7.3l also thought about swapping a 12v cummins in to one... or still looking at 6.0l vans.. for me its diesel all the way.. i sold my 7.3l for a gas truck and I will never do that mistake again.