Spaceball 1: 1997 E350 V10

[philos]

I put F150 front bucket seats in my middle row. They have integrated belts, kids are happy.
A cot is cheap, foldable, and comfy. I had a platform and tore it out in favor of the cots.


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[FROADER]

What might be best is maybe a sienna reclining bucket in the back
Behind the driver, then Wesley could even sleep in it since it fully reclines.

Or even a short 2 person bench like a shuttle bus would have. Would be easier to move around in there.

As for hauling bikes inside with a bed platform, I struggled with this concept early on, grant it, my 650 is a lot bigger than the pictured pw50 and what looks like a ttr90 or 125 small wheel, but I decided to toss mine on the back. If I wanted a convertable space, I'd box in my wheel wells 6' long and hang some vertical e track to the plywood boxes, you could then make a stowable platform that set into some e track fixtures and toss the mattress on top.

Yeah, it's a TTR110. I borrowed it from work to putt around with him. I may have to ditch the platform idea with how I really want to use this thing.

I put F150 front bucket seats in my middle row. They have integrated belts, kids are happy.
A cot is cheap, foldable, and comfy. I had a platform and tore it out in favor of the cots.

I saw someone else used the F150 seats (maybe OG Vandiana?) and thought about that route. I think I'm going to have to ditch the platform idea as well and probably look into the cots. I almost bought some before this trip, but I already had the air mattress, and new it would fit. Thanks!

 

[FROADER]

So the trip to the desert on the highway and back on the curvy mountain roads with a couple of days around town, I got just over 400 miles to the tank which is an average of 14.8 mpg.

 

[Betarocker]

 

[FROADER]

"Ah buckle this... LUDICROUS SPEED, GO!!"

 

[villageidiot327]

Colin, that mpg is pretty good. With my van, I get 13-14 around the city, and maybe 16 or so on the highway, I havent had it out much, just Death Valley once so far, been a wild year.

 

[FROADER]

Small update:

I changed directions again, and just ordered the WeldTec Designs Ocotillo Cruiser 4" kit with the full length rear add-a-leaf. I'll be getting it in about a week. Another customer that lives in Newport Beach will be bringing it back up for me when he picks his van up from them. After that, I'm waiting for my friend to have room in his shop and we'll get it installed. I'll be running 285/75/16s on the stock Alcoas and I'm looking forward to getting it done!

On another note, I randomly decided to make a DIY PVC (3) bike rack tonight. A quick trip to Home Depot, $40 and about an hour later...

 

[FROADER]

I met up with rick1919 (WeldTec Sema Build owner) who brought my parts from WeldTec up, and now I'm just waiting for my friend to have space and time at his shop. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks, I'll be able to get in there and install the kit.

Thanks, Rick and thank you Jeremy for the kit and great customer service.

 

[UHAULER]

You wanna sell those parts too ?:sombrero: I just put the springs and shocks on mine.

 

[FROADER]

You wanna sell those parts too ?:sombrero: I just put the springs and shocks on mine.

:shakin:

Just saw your thread. It's looking good!

 

[FROADER]

Update!

Yesterday after my son's t-ball game, I headed to a friend's shop and we got to it.



The WeldTec Designs Ocotillo Cruiser 4" kit

I cheated the radius arm mounts forward about a half inch from the specified measurement, to keep the tires away from from the back of the front fender. I still have decent clearance between the front beam and the engine cross member as well.



Tomorrow is tires and alignment after work since Allen Tire is closed today. I'm going with 285/75/16 Cooper AT3s on the stock wheels.

 

[gtbensley]

Looks good!

 

[FROADER]

Looks good!

Thanks!
________________________

Got it to the shop for tires and alignment today after work. I'll probably get some spacers for the rear wheels since they have some room to come out to the be flush with the fenders. A little trim on the plastic bumper valance and there is no rubbing lock to lock on it or the radius arms.

I've only driven it about 15 miles, but so far I'm already happier with the gearing. It's got 3.73 with the v10. The 225/75s were ridiculous and I thought I might want 4.10s right away with the 285s, but I'm going to have to drive it a little more before I make that decision.

I'll be getting some better pictures tomorrow, but I'm pretty stoked with how it looks and rides!

 

[UHAULER]

Looks good. Even with only 2" of lift, the 285's on mine look "normal" after being on for a couple of weeks.

 

[Weldtec Designs]

Its looking great with the new wheels and tires! I Look forward to you putting some fun miles this Octillo Cruiser suspension Kit. Send me lots of pics for our site!
We want to start a new photo gallery of WTD van adventures.

Thanks again for the business.

Jeremy