Project: E350 Dual Sport

[RocKrawler]

An easier way to accomplish the same things is to use DE-STA-CO clamps... they are a lot lighter and cleaner looking and not to expensive.
Derek

The problem with those is the catch they need to attach to will stick up higher than the flush floor brackets the factory benches hook in to I believe - plus I already have all the brackets and catches so I don't need to spend a penny with my plan, and since they will be under the galley they will be invisible when installed.

I can't get my computer to show the picture of your van.:sombrero:

Yeah, I haven't posted one up yet, I'll work on that this weekend, but its definitely stock at this point - my "blank slate"

I've liked the idea of swinging the rear bench to the side to run fore and aft...but with the size of the Astro van, it works better for us to have the seat in normal position as it is a divider between living area and gear storage area. We tend to be a little gear intensive on our mountain bike, dirt bike, kayak, and/or 4x4 camping trips.

Maybe with the full-sizers it can work better, though.

Thought of that but the wife doesn't like that seating arrangement of fore/aft. My vision keeping her happy involves the quick release galley for the camping weekends Ala mega-Westy, and standard seating for the week and road trips not involving camping.

 

[Ozrockrat]

Make sure you document this one well please.

I was thinking along the same lines for my 96 4x4 E350 clubwagon. But mainly just the 3rd (or 4th) captains chair. Swapping in a removable kitchen on the passenger swing door side when there is only 2 of us.

On a side note - has anyone ever thought of using the quick release bench seat brackets and attaching them to a Westfalia style cabinet/kitchen assembly instead of the bench, then re-mounting the floor brackets along the drivers side wall. This would theoretically allow the van to pull passenger duty during the week, then pull the center seats and pop in the kitchen module for weekend camping. If this has been done please post pics of the layout, if not I'll be tackling it in a couple months for a winter project. My wife really liked the idea because it doesnt look like a camper for daily driving and use, but weekends it becomes a mobile mini retreat with some of the niceties she wants.

 

[RocKrawler]

I'd need a bigger removable unit for us and the 2 kids for now on the drivers side. When the kids fly the coop and its just us it will go full mega-Westy style

 

[loren85022]

I also have been think about a latch-down psuedo-kitchen for my e-150. This would allow the 2 of us to extend our road trips considerably. If/when we have kids, it doesnt go.

I have a wheelchair lift which would allow me to roll the cabinet in and out.

Would like to see you plan some day.

 

[RocKrawler]

Kinda been rethinking the kitchen scenario to a rear mount, when the van is lifted & converted to 4x4 the rear floor will be choice height for cooking outside with the back doors open. I already have an awning to cover that area that will be attached once a roof rack is built.
I keep wondering from another post that mentioned a body lift whether or not that would be a good alternative to add to a 4" lift, making the conversion less expensive (U-Joints 4" kit is less because it adds a leaf to the stock pack instead of a whole new leaf pack). I typically hate body lifts, but the engine bay is so tight that I think the body lift might make access a lot easier to maintain the motor and the rest of the drivetrain. Opinions?

 

[ujoint]

I say no go on the body lift. The only exception is for a wheelchair lift. Since the van body is so large, it's just too much force on the body mounts when twisted up.

 

[RocKrawler]

I say no go on the body lift. The only exception is for a wheelchair lift. Since the van body is so large, it's just too much force on the body mounts when twisted up.

Have you seen the mounts or lift pucks fail?

 

[dsw4x4]

I have never seen body lifts fail but I have seen the bolts rip through the body on rusty trucks. I never even thought of putting a body lift on a van. I can't imagine a 1 inch lift would bother anything plus like you said it would free up some valuable engine space. Beside that anything more than two inches you run into shift boot and linkage issues.
Derek

 

[ujoint]

Have you seen the mounts or lift pucks fail?

On a truck yes, but not on a van. Body lifted vans are pretty rare.

 

[RocKrawler]

On a truck yes, but not on a van. Body lifted vans are pretty rare.

I vote you try it, I want to see your van on 42's!

 

[ujoint]

I vote you try it, I want to see your van on 42's!

HA!!!!! I may have to lift it higher since 38's are getting harder & harder to find!!

 

[Herbie]

On a truck yes, but not on a van. Body lifted vans are pretty rare.

Technically most of the lifted Astro/Safaris are on a partial body lift. The usual mode is a 2" or 3" spacer between the front subframe and unibody, then the rest of the front lift comes from the torsion bars.

It is generally acknowledged that this setup is not ideal, too much preload on the torsion bars increases all the critical angles, etc. and has lead to premature wear. I don't know if anyone has experienced any problems from the "body lift" portion of the lift.

The guys going for "really big" lift on the Astros have to change the method and that's usually where new replacement subframes, etc. come into play...

 

[ujoint]

So Astro's are unibody?

My statement above was directed towards the Ford vans.

 

[dsw4x4]

yes Astros are unibody with a subframe (cradle) that stops around the front seats. The lift consist of putting body pucks between the subframe and the body lowering the subframe, raising the body. Then the rear is done with leafs, shackles or blocks to match.
Derek

 

[RocKrawler]

Pic finally added in first post. We took a drive today and randomly ended up at Lake Orange here in VA.