sixstringsteve
Explorer
I like the way you think!
MG Metalworks Van Build
- Thread starter mgmetalworks
- Start date
mgmetalworks
Explorer
As I get closer to finalizing all of the integration of the electrical circuits in this Cummins swap, I'm often confronted with "well how am I going to pull that off?" scenarios. Case in point.... The 6-speed Allisons have a 'manual' mode where the driver can push-button select through the gears if they so desire. The problem with the van is that there aren't any buttons on the dash or the column that can be re-purposed for such a use. And, I've come this far with making things look factory, I'm not about to put two cheesy buttons on the dash for something like this. Hmmmm...
So I had this idea after sitting in a newer Super Duty truck, not so long ago. The trucks have a shift lever with a tow/haul button AND up/down buttons. I ask myself "How similar are the designs of the truck shifter and the van shifter?" Short answer...not even close. At the connection point, they don't even look like distant cousins and the shape is different. Damn you Ford!!
FEAR NOT my friends! I have a few tricks up my sleeve and from time to time, I've been known to make the seemingly impossible, possible.
Let's start with the comparison...
Truck shifter on top, van on bottom. Van lever = ick... Truck lever = :drool:
(insert montage - machining, welding, grinding, test fit, tweak, test fit, etc....)
To be honest, as dissimilar as they were, it only took me an hour to get this far...
Yes....I have two spare '09-up steering columns sitting on my bench. I told you I've been having a bit of a hoarding problem lately...
DONE!!!! Now I have a factory-look shift lever with tow/haul and shift up/down buttons and you can barely tell it doesn't belong there.
Bring on the next challenge! (technical challenge I mean...the biggest challenge I always face is getting time in the shop. My wife is involved in that challenge so there's little hope of progress on that front) :sombrero:
So I had this idea after sitting in a newer Super Duty truck, not so long ago. The trucks have a shift lever with a tow/haul button AND up/down buttons. I ask myself "How similar are the designs of the truck shifter and the van shifter?" Short answer...not even close. At the connection point, they don't even look like distant cousins and the shape is different. Damn you Ford!!
FEAR NOT my friends! I have a few tricks up my sleeve and from time to time, I've been known to make the seemingly impossible, possible.
Let's start with the comparison...
Truck shifter on top, van on bottom. Van lever = ick... Truck lever = :drool:
(insert montage - machining, welding, grinding, test fit, tweak, test fit, etc....)
To be honest, as dissimilar as they were, it only took me an hour to get this far...
Yes....I have two spare '09-up steering columns sitting on my bench. I told you I've been having a bit of a hoarding problem lately...
DONE!!!! Now I have a factory-look shift lever with tow/haul and shift up/down buttons and you can barely tell it doesn't belong there.
Bring on the next challenge! (technical challenge I mean...the biggest challenge I always face is getting time in the shop. My wife is involved in that challenge so there's little hope of progress on that front) :sombrero:
naterry
13 Cheeseburgers
jjohnny350
Adventurer
yeah dang!!!
mgmetalworks
Explorer
I've decided that, along with the complete transformation of the drive train, I want to go a different direction with the interior of my van as well. So, to that end, I am going to sell all of my Sienna grey leather recliner seats with their mounts.
Two pairs of seats have the flat mounting base. They were brand new seats when I got them, still in excellent condition. $800/pair.
The front seats are also in great condition and they will come with the mounts (driver non-swivel, passenger swivel) AND seat belt pre-tensioners already installed. Will bolt-in to E-series '97-newer (older vans would need some mods to make work). $1200 for the pair.
Two caveats... 1) I can't let the front seats go until I get the parts to put in my new seats (parts are on order, should have them within 10 days). 2) If at all possible, I want to avoid crating and shipping. If I have to do it, buyer pays all packaging costs plus my time involved and from previous experience, shipping will be no less than $250. Possibly more depending on where you're at.
Here are some older pics. I'll take more photos when I get the rest of the seats out in the daylight.
For the record, I'm not moving away from Sienna seats in my van. I got a pair of '15 seats with the grey leather and black trim for the front and I'm conceptualizing another bench/bed transformer seating solution for the back.
Two pairs of seats have the flat mounting base. They were brand new seats when I got them, still in excellent condition. $800/pair.
The front seats are also in great condition and they will come with the mounts (driver non-swivel, passenger swivel) AND seat belt pre-tensioners already installed. Will bolt-in to E-series '97-newer (older vans would need some mods to make work). $1200 for the pair.
Two caveats... 1) I can't let the front seats go until I get the parts to put in my new seats (parts are on order, should have them within 10 days). 2) If at all possible, I want to avoid crating and shipping. If I have to do it, buyer pays all packaging costs plus my time involved and from previous experience, shipping will be no less than $250. Possibly more depending on where you're at.
Here are some older pics. I'll take more photos when I get the rest of the seats out in the daylight.
For the record, I'm not moving away from Sienna seats in my van. I got a pair of '15 seats with the grey leather and black trim for the front and I'm conceptualizing another bench/bed transformer seating solution for the back.
sixstringsteve
Explorer
Man, I wish I had the budget, those are beauties.
Rovertrader
Supporting Sponsor
Interested in the whole shebang!! PM sent, thanks!
Rovertrader
Supporting Sponsor
Sorry, missed the 'two sets' in back, offer amended...