Round 2!!!! A build thread

[nely]

Well i figure its about time i post a build thread. :victory:

My first build.... Well most of you know what happened to the first van i started converting. The good news is although i didnt get every penny i was seeking, and took the check out of neccessity, ive gotten a replacement van and couldnt be more thrilled. I also kept the old van for the next build.

It just so happened i struck up a deal with Terry (RocKrawler) for the aquisition of his van which helped us both out getting to our "perfect" vehicle. So after the drive home i noticed the lil things the van needed and busted those out the day after i purchased it.

4/3/11
1 Airbag light on. Repaire wiring to the passanger seat belt. Fixed
2 Oil change

4/6/11
Mounted the Passenger side E450 mirror. (Man, love those blind spot mirrors :wings

4/12/11
Replaced the front bumper with an undamaged used replacement. (Thanks toolman)

I sent my DP tuner to be reprogramed for the new ECU. Something about boosting at 28-30 PSI makes me miss it on this van. :coffeedrink:

Any ways on to the pics

Heres my fleet. Im gonna miss the ext van, but the shorty is easier to park and will have a better departure angle.

The damned, as i call her now

The "new" aquisition. 1997 7.3 PSD Econoline

Stickers

Its good to have a van worthy of the U-Joint Testimonial page now. (I just felt the other van wasnt up to snuf with the others that are on there)

Heres the run-down of the parts i have so far.


6" ujoint offroad kit. (Most parts useable from the old van)
17x9 Procomp alloy rims with 37x12.5 Goodyear MTR's (OLD tread pattern)
2004 Dana 60 Front (On old van now)
2008 10.5 Ford rear axle (came with purchase of van, currently on the floor at my shop)
Bilstein 5125 Shocks (Currently on the old van)
NV 271 Transfercase with rear driveline (Pulled from a junkyard on half off day :victory


Im sure im leaving other stuff out but i will keep this thread updated. Sorry its so bland, im more of a hands on person and prefer pics. Althought there really isnt much to photograph at the moment. Hopefully this build thread will help me with my creative writing.

 

[Toolman]

I look forward to the progress.. It was good meeting ya the other night.

 

[nely]

Nice meeting you aswell. And i have found a possible starting point for the issue you have on your van. We will be intouch to discuss it

 

[RocKrawler]

It looks downright tiny next to your old beast - cant wait to see it take shape! Dont forget to shoot me a quote on the new expojetta - we need heat...

 

[ujoint]

EVERY van with the UJOR kit is eligible for the testimonial page! Look forward to you starting the swap.

 

[nely]

I was bored. A customer happened to wanna replace there tires with a size that fits and i still had my 2wd lift so this happened.. It works till i get the rest of the parts to do the 4x swap.

Tires are 315 75 16 on stock alloys, ft-129 fabtech lift springs in front, stock worn out rear leaf spring in the rear.

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[Toolman]

It's growing....

 

[blupaddler]

Excellent!

There is something nice about the RB vans.



Odd question... Did the vans stay with the 8x6.5 bolt pattern until 2000 or so as well?

 

[Jeffh555]

Tires are 315 75 16 on stock alloys, ft-129 fabtech lift springs in front, stock worn out rear leaf spring in the rear.

What is the application for the FT-129 springs? I can't find any info. I'd like to do something to my van while I'm collecting part for the 4x4 conversion.

 

[nely]

As far as i know the vans are still 8x6.5 till this day. The pickups and explorers got the metric bolt pattern change.

The front springs are from a pre 97 i-beam ford truck. actually the ft-129 is for a gas engined pickup. the one for the diesel engine have a heavier spring rate i was told. not sure of the part number on those springs, but mine are holding up just fine.

They might be hard to find. i dont think fabtech makes them anymore. I found the springs at the junkyard years ago. my friend took them and when i had my van we decided to try them while i saved up for my 4x swap.

 

[dsw4x4]

If your looking for springs that will lift your 2wd van pm me. I can sell you a set of new coils that I use to lift 4wd conversions I am not sure if there is enough adjustment in the I beam front end to keep everything stellar on an alinement rack or not. But your welcome to try.
Derek

 

[nely]

Im pretty sure the alignment is off, without bending the beams and going with new/custom radius rods its going to be.
I used new alignment cams, set as much negative camber as possible and adjusted my tow. The places i go to all say they cant align it on there machines.

Its not to bad.

But then again its not permanant. Only temperary till i get the rest of the 4x parts. Maybe a month or 2 at most.


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[nely]

Well as much as i hated to, I sold my project diesel rabbit pickup.

But now i have the funds to pay off some bills and buy the 4x parts to get this project rolling.

Chris, there should be an email from me in your in box.

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[nely]

That also means the 2wd front springs, shocks and alignment cams will be for sale shortly. $100 for anyone that wants them.

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[4X4TOUR]

I didnt know they even made those VW's. I understand why it was hard to part with.