My First Van -- Starburst E350

[UHAULER]

I've always wanted a van. My grandma bought a new , green E150 in 1975 and back then I thought it was cool. Growing up riding dirt bikes I wanted a moto van but was always a pickup guy. After having two different Northstar campers on an 02 f350 and a small toyhauler before that, it was time to try a van.

Originally I wanted a 10' srw box van but decided that a fiberglass high top would work. Watching craigslist for a while this van kept calling me back, I'm not sure I should have answered:sombrero: First things are to paint it, basic camper interior and make sure it is reliable. if I still like it then possibly a 2wd lift and 33" tires or TTB dana 50.

1998 Ford E350, V10, 200k miles. I bought it from the second owner, he bought it in 1999 and had it converted into tour bus.

THE GOOD: V10, high top EB, decent condition, power windows,seat,pdl, cruise control

THE BAD: ugly paint, very dirty, fuel gauge not working right, OD button not working,

THE UGLY: just look at it

 

[RememberTheFallen]

Awesome Van! Be cool to see what you do with it!

 

[dar395]

Had to get my shades on for this one, great looking platform to start with and with a few minor changes to the outside it will look outstanding!

 

[Weldtec Designs]

Originally I wanted a 10' srw box van but decided that a fiberglass high top would work. Watching craigslist for a while this van kept calling me back, I'm not sure I should have answered:sombrero: First things are to paint it, basic camper interior and make sure it is reliable. if I still like it then possibly a 2wd lift and 33" tires or TTB dana 50.

One sweet paint job! let us know if we can help when it comes to lifting your 2 wheel drive van.

 

[Deshet]

I think the paint looks pretty good if you can remove the words. Sahari colors

 

[Ironhead]

Sadly lots of people are having their vans broken into. You may be further ahead to leave the paint the way it is to deceive the criminals into thinking its something other than what it is.

 

[Timjim]

I see lot's of potential!!

 

[UHAULER]

Today I took the seats out, started to peel/scrape off the logos and started sanding it. My wife is pretty easy going but she doesn't want to be driving around in a safari wagon.

 

[Eaglefreek]

Cool, hope you enjoy your first van. I'm on my 8th van. I also see a Trooper hiding in the first pic.

 

[UHAULER]

Cool, hope you enjoy your first van. I'm on my 8th van. I also see a Trooper hiding in the first pic.

That is my yard beater, I had a really clean 91 that I sold to a nephew last year

The clean one



The beater

 

[UHAULER]

Finally, a little update. We have had a long, wet winter. Over 100" rain/snow.

I bought some moog cs880s front springs and bilstein shocks from fellow expo member FROADER a couple of weeks ago. they lifted the front about 2 1/4"
For the rear I just used some 2" blocks that I had lying around. For now the caster/camber bushings were adjusted using my old eyeballs until it goes in for alignment. Also took off the running boards and scraped off most of the decals. The plan is to run some 285/75/16 tires, I think they will fit with some fender/bumper trimming.

 

[FROADER]

Looking good! I'm curious to see how well the 285s will fit with that much lift.

 

[UHAULER]

Looking good! I'm curious to see how well the 285s will fit with that much lift.

I'm kinda going for this look, he is running the same springs with 305/70/16, about the same height.

 

[UHAULER]

I picked up the Tires and wheels from tirerack, 285/75/16 Yokahama's on 16x8 American racing wheels. Next I can start trimming the front fenders.

 

[Navi]

Those tires look mean on it. Hopefully you dont have to do too much trimming.