The Ute II: E350 RB 7.3 ZF6

[tgreening]

What I want to know is how you convince your wife to go on all those cross country mini hikes so you can have some action shots of you behind the wheel. My wife would tell me to pound salt.

 

[drobb]

What I want to know is how you convince your wife to go on all those cross country mini hikes so you can have some action shots of you behind the wheel. My wife would tell me to pound salt.

X2

 

[Pinnacle Campers]

What I want to know is how you convince your wife to go on all those cross country mini hikes so you can have some action shots of you behind the wheel. My wife would tell me to pound salt.

The key here is she isn't his wife. BIG difference.

Awesome pics and video Nate. You might consider putting the output (tailpipe) of the exhaust just in front of the rear wheel. Can't remember if that was done on mine before or after you were here but I damaged my rear tailpipe exhaust the first time out on trail.
Also curious as to the ride height differences between your 6" heavy van and my (relatively) lightweight 4" van.

 

[naterry]

Looks like taking an EB on those trails would be a bit of a challenge...

Great pics and video!!

Yeah unfortunately there aren't many (or any) options for alternate angles on some of the obstacles given how narrow the trail is. You're left with getting a bigger lift or physically filling in the trail with rocks if want to get back there.

Awesome!

I noticed that your front lower shock mounts are stock F series, my new brackets that come with the trac bar kit drop that lower mount another 1.5" so that will help with the travel.

Good call, I'll be in touch. Thanks!

The key here is she isn't his wife. BIG difference.

Awesome pics and video Nate. You might consider putting the output (tailpipe) of the exhaust just in front of the rear wheel. Can't remember if that was done on mine before or after you were here but I damaged my rear tailpipe exhaust the first time out on trail.
Also curious as to the ride height differences between your 6" heavy van and my (relatively) lightweight 4" van.

Haha, yeah not wifey. I actually didn't know she was filming some of it, but I know I would have been happy to get out and walk a while given the pace of some of those days. It's funny when she was giving guidance. I couldn't hear a word she said. hehe

10-4 on the exhaust, it looks cleaner too. My only concern would be diesel soot down the side of the van. I'll put a tape up to my frame rail for ya!

 

[drobb]

I had my exhaust exit in front of the rear wheel on my old Dodge. It ended up ruining the finish on the wheel. Not sure if that's a common problem.....but thought I would pass it on.

 

[mk216v]

Wow, little Teapot short and stout!

 

[QCAuto]

That adapter boss is it a slim little ring on the outside of in center of flywheel?

 

[cjken]

Great pictures!!!

 

[naterry]

That adapter boss is it a slim little ring on the outside of in center of flywheel?

It's a heavy ~1" thick cylinder/ring of steel that looks like it is part of the crank itself. I tapped it at all angles with a hammer until it separated.

Edit: Here's a pic-

 

[QCAuto]

Huh, i didnt find it, looked at the donor truck motor, didn't see this part, just a long roll pin and crank flush to the pan. then found it was still on flywheel. Project on temp hold as I bought a/ sold my gfs house, trying to finish my shop

 

[naterry]

Electric Fuel, CAI, EBP Delete & CCV Mod

Given the sardine can-like nature of our engine bays I figured some people might like to see what the top of a 7.3 looks like sans turbo, intake, fuel pump and filter bowl. I had a fuel pump seal go out shortly after purchasing the van and vowed to never repeat that R&R. It sucks. So, this and the benefits of electric fuel have me shoulder deep behind the dog house again, and I'm ticking a few additional items off the list while I'm at it.

So here's the hidden valley:

The obnoxious exhaust back pressure valve removed:

The crank case vented to atmosphere (this is what International does, ford dumps it back into the intake):

 

[89s rule]

Looking forward to seeing what you have for CAI and electric FP. I'm wondering if I might should have done a bowl delete and electric FP conversion when I had mine apart last time. Down in the valley is definitely not a good place to be dealing with issues.

 

[phenopd]

In regard to your trans swap, does that tail housing unbolt and the transfer case just bolt up? I'm seriously interested in the swap because that would be in lieu of gear ratio changes. That seems to be the best of both worlds. Highway gears , but enough gearing for off-highway. My van is '03 w/ 3.55 gears and 33" tires.

 

[naterry]

In regard to your trans swap, does that tail housing unbolt and the transfer case just bolt up? I'm seriously interested in the swap because that would be in lieu of gear ratio changes. That seems to be the best of both worlds. Highway gears , but enough gearing for off-highway. My van is '03 w/ 3.55 gears and 33" tires.

I wish I knew the definitive answer but I purchased my tranny and T-Case assembled as a unit. AFAIK it is a standard NV271. Here's a picture of mine:

 

[guidolyons]

Thanks for the updates, pics, and video...awesome van. :sombrero: