UJOR Build Thread

[steelheadbum]

Chris,
I have officially named my van...
VATONKA the white Buffalo, ordered custom plates.
Buck

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 4

 

[bbdd]

Inconspicuous?

Well, this is a new one. It's not often that "inconspicuous" is used to describe a UJOR van with a 6" lift.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/adventures/featured-adventures/2354-overlanding-meets-film-making-in-the-southwest.html

"Since this is the Expedition Portal I'll talk a little a bit about our van. We started production using our Unimog 1300 Expedition Camper, but soon realized that space for equipment and people outweighed the creature comforts of the Unimog. So, we picked up a ujoint offroad van, which had the best of all the things we needed, lots of storage room, great 4x4 capability, and it gets us from one location to another quickly. Its equipped with a 7.3 liter diesel, 6 inch ujoint conversion, onboard air, 300w solar panel, two 4D batteries in the skid plate, custom Baja rack, and more. Plus, its a tad more inconspicuous than the Unimog."

 

[dcguillory]

Which van is he talking about. Have we seen picks?

 

[Kole]

Yep it's the Yeti van.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/82029-YETI-Interior-Build-Overview

 

[ujoint]

I'm a bit behind on my thread update! Lots going on, my 1st day off in 14. Running full throttle to get some rigs done and we have a big event next weekend. More on that soon....

V4's transmission said "no more" to reverse so out it came. The tranny was rebuilt last year when we built it but we did have some heat issues while out west with the camper. Bad timing for it to go out, but oh well, take it as it comes! Good opportunity to get V4 up on the lift and complete some general maintenance/clean up. I've also been working on a new interior, its 90% done.



New arrival, 2002 7.3 van that is getting the works. 8" on 37's here we come!



Put together these almost identical Stage 2 Dana 60's with 4.56 gears and the RSC upgrade.



SwissVan is back from the interior shop, time to finish it up! Front bumper, airbags and a few little things that need to be completed.



AdVanture Van has made its way west, big thanks to Jim & Amanda for sharing some great pics!



Finally..... Chad's 2013 V10 van is almost done! Just needs a roof rack and some miles before he picks it up next week. It's kind of weird driving a van with only 20 miles on it after we just did so much work. Here are the specs:

2013 E350 V10, 6" UJOR conversion, Stage 2 Dana 60 w/RSC, progressive springs, 35" Cooper tires on Fuel wheels, UJ Onboard Air, UJ Rear skid w/underfloor storage, Aluminess F&R bumpers, UJ fuel tank, AMP running boards, factory upfitter switches with all accessories wired to them. Aluminess roof rack is on the way and I'll post final pics once its done!

 

[mgmetalworks]

Chris,

Were you able to make the speedometer correct on the 2013 van for that tire size? Did you use an SCT tuner?

 

[ujoint]

Chris,

Were you able to make the speedometer correct on the 2013 van for that tire size? Did you use an SCT tuner?

Yes, custom tune by 5 Star.

 

[mgmetalworks]

Yes, custom tune by 5 Star.

Great! How's the other 2013 van with the 37's? Any issues with the Advanctrac/RSC?

 

[ujoint]

Great! How's the other 2013 van with the 37's? Any issues with the Advanctrac/RSC?

Not yet! I've only put about 10 miles on it, so far so good. We use an bigger sway bar on the RSC vans and sleeve the frame where it attaches so it corners pretty damn well. I'll put it thru the paces over the next few days (if I can find time)

 

[ujoint]

Here's the big boy! 8" on 37's. You'll be seeing a lot of 37" Toyo's in the next month, our next THREE vans are going 8" on 37's!

Pretty sure this is the 1st functional RSC van on 37's

 

[mgmetalworks]

Here's the big boy! 8" on 37's. You'll be seeing a lot of 37" Toyo's in the next month, our next THREE vans are going 8" on 37's!

Pretty sure this is the 1st functional RSC van on 37's

View attachment 186397

I'm happy to hear this is working out. I want to (eventually) lift my van and run 35s but I don't want any drivability issues with the Advanctrac/RSC. Just so you know, a conversion competitor of yours told me it wouldn't be possible to do what you've done here without disabling the whole system. Looks like it is possible, you just need some work-arounds like you mentioned above. I love what you're doing with these vans!!!

 

[#328]

V4

Any chance you (or anyone) have ever been able to take a picture of V4 next to a Unimog or VW Syncro? Not sure why I am thinking V4 as opposed to any of the other iterations. Something about V4 speaks to me. Not in the troop transport, farm implement, fahrvergnügen kind of way, more so in the what could I do with this platform kind of sense.

 

[chadlanc]

Here is the yeti next to our 1300

 

[#328]

Thank you chadlanc!

 

[ujoint]

I'm happy to hear this is working out. I want to (eventually) lift my van and run 35s but I don't want any drivability issues with the Advanctrac/RSC. Just so you know, a conversion competitor of yours told me it wouldn't be possible to do what you've done here without disabling the whole system. Looks like it is possible, you just need some work-arounds like you mentioned above. I love what you're doing with these vans!!!

Yea, I've heard it from more than one! It's not rocket science, not sure why everyone is so scared of it. If you switch to my setup and get the axle from me it will all work fine.

Any chance you (or anyone) have ever been able to take a picture of V4 next to a Unimog or VW Syncro? Not sure why I am thinking V4 as opposed to any of the other iterations. Something about V4 speaks to me. Not in the troop transport, farm implement, fahrvergnügen kind of way, more so in the what could I do with this platform kind of sense.

I don't, they all run away with tails between their legs when I try! j/k

The more I use V4 the more I love it. I think I'll keep it forever since its so versatile and unique. People are constantly freaking out about it, everywhere I go. They ask crazy questions like "what is that thing", "what kind of truck is that", etc etc. I have some new plans for it too, this winter will see a new engine, some larger tires, new wheels and a camping module for the flat bed.