MG Metalworks Van Build

[mgmetalworks]

That's a 55 gallon tank from a motorhome/ambulance/box van E-series chassis cab.

The 55 gallon tank fits in an EB chassis but not the RB. There is also a 40 gallon aft of axle tank available that is shorter.

Ford sells all the cross members and it will bolt in fairly easy. You need to install a second fuel filler door in the side and extend your fuel lines but all that is doable.

Buying new, there is about $2000 in parts though lately I've seen a couple new tanks on Ebay going for $500-600

 

[Backcountry Pursuit]

I'm assuming you'll have somebody standing by taking video when you do try to start it up... Don't deny those of us that have been checking this thread religiously that pleasure. :lurk:

+1

 

[derjack]

That's a 55 gallon tank from a motorhome/ambulance/box van E-series chassis cab.

The 55 gallon tank fits in an EB chassis but not the RB. There is also a 40 gallon aft of axle tank available that is shorter.

Ford sells all the cross members and it will bolt in fairly easy. You need to install a second fuel filler door in the side and extend your fuel lines but all that is doable.

Buying new, there is about $2000 in parts though lately I've seen a couple new tanks on Ebay going for $500-600

THX. I ve a military guy near by who has lots of ex US airbase trucks/ parts. There are no customers for tanks here, so if I find one, its probably cheap and used.

 

[depark]

That's a 55 gallon tank from a motorhome/ambulance/box van E-series chassis cab.

The 55 gallon tank fits in an EB chassis but not the RB. There is also a 40 gallon aft of axle tank available that is shorter.

Ford sells all the cross members and it will bolt in fairly easy. You need to install a second fuel filler door in the side and extend your fuel lines but all that is doable.

Buying new, there is about $2000 in parts though lately I've seen a couple new tanks on Ebay going for $500-600

Hey MG,
Does that mean that the 40 gallon aft tank will fit in a RB?

 

[colibri]

I've spent the better part of this day reading through all 103 pages of this, your work is truly inspiring to me. The attention to detail and dedication is amazing. Bravo sir! I stand in awe

 

[Bikersmurf]

Hey MG,
Does that mean that the 40 gallon aft tank will fit in a RB?

how much space do you have? I can measure the tank size.

 

[VOODOO7.3]

how much space do you have? I can measure the tank size.

FYI, I think the smaller rear tank is 35 gallons and will fit RB's. You should be able to find them on Rock Auto for comparison. IMO putting in one of these like MG did makes a-lot of sense for weight distribution front to back. More so, with 4wd conversions!

 

[Ranchero]

Alignment specs

Hey MG - what do you do for alignment specs for your swaps?

 

[mgmetalworks]

Hey MG - what do you do for alignment specs for your swaps?

The same specs as a coil/radius arm F250-F350 for toe and camber but then caster is going to be a minimum of 3 deg. Ford's spec for caster is 1.7-2.7 deg. I would up that range to something more like 3-5 deg. You can go as high 5.5 deg but I don't think that's necessary. My van had just shy of 4 deg before I tore it down for the engine work and it handled like a dream. Josh's van is just shy of 5 deg and drives/handles beautifully. Anywhere in the 3-5 range for caster and you'll be good.

 

[mk216v]

how much space do you have? I can measure the tank size.

I'm hoping it will as I just bought one from a SMB member. MG will be doing the install. Going for a factory fill look.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I really need a 55 gal tank, that would be SO nice.

 

[mgmetalworks]

I've spent the better part of this day reading through all 103 pages of this, your work is truly inspiring to me. The attention to detail and dedication is amazing. Bravo sir! I stand in awe

Thanks for puttin' in the time and coming up to speed here!

I appreciate the kinds words!

 

[mgmetalworks]

I'm sure some of you are wondering what the heck is going on with the Cummins project?? Well... progress is still being made but I've also had to pay some bills so not every day is 'work on your own van' day. I'm at the point now where tomorrow I'll be putting fuel in the tank, fluids in the engine, trans and transfer case and then powering up the fuel pump to check for leaks and good flow. The next step from there is hittin' the starter button and making some noise.

To be honest with y'all, I'm leaving a whole lot out of the story here because over the last few weeks, as I've gotten closer to the end goal, things that might be marketable and provide me with a competitive advantage over other Cummins swap companies are starting to pop up everywhere. The wiring and electronics integration is not trivial and the ECM calibration work that has gone into this are all pretty valuable bits of knowledge. You'll just have to take my word for it that a lot has been accomplished since the last update. I'm not sayin' much beyond that.

:coffeedrink:

 

[Hillbilly Heaven]

I understand completely the need to keep something private to protect your livelihood. This is one of the reason I have never posted complete details on my Bronco. It is all those bits and pieces you spent time designing and developing that anyone else doing this would need. Your time and ideas are valuable company assets. I am going to release one of my designs to open source simply because I don't want to spend my time doing customer service supporting user disregard to follow instructions. I may offer it as a package deal as a complete working unit that the user can just plug and play.

 

[Treenail]

...things that might be marketable and provide me with a competitive advantage over other Cummins swap companies are starting to pop up everywhere... I'm not sayin' much beyond that.

You do: Research and Development

They do: Ripoff/replicate and Duplicate