UJOR Build Thread

[ujoint]

Hey, I found a ujor van in my area for sale. It has a 4:* axle in the rear and a 3:* in the front. (* forgot the actual ratios).
What does that mean?
Will the back wheels have more torque than the front?
Spin at different speeds?
Thanks!

It means breakage.

What he said!

Or it means the drivelines are not connected yet and one of the axles has yet to be regeared.

Or that it is driven exclusively on ice rinks

Is this van part-way-through a conversion?

We need more info, its most likely a partial conversion that needs to be finished up. Do you have a link to an ad or more info?

 

[cjken]

http://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/4212410510.html

 

[cjken]

It looks like he never finished the regear. The first time I saw it posted it said the gearing was different front and rear. He tried to sell it as " being a benefit in snow and sand"
That pretty much took any interest I may have had away.
Just be honest and say it needs to be regeared!!!

I'm on LI so if someone is seriously interested in it. I could probably look at it and take detailed photos for you after the holidays.

On a side note I saw a leaf sprung ford conversion with plumbing logos on it. It looked really nice. Is that your handy work chris???
It was in smithtown near the car dealerships. Looked like it was sporting 35s

 

[ujoint]

We only have a few in ny. Don't think the plumbing van is one of ours, but this camo van definitely has our kit. There's one on the island being put together right now though. Islip!

 

[John W]

Yes, it's the camo one on Long island.

Wow, i'm glad i asked.

I'm in Brooklyn and was gonna look at it this weekend.

Not digging the camo color, but liked that it was a 2003 7.3.

Wondered if it was done at the shop or if he bought a kit and did it himself.

Lots of mods;
Currently at 131k
Purchased at 116,000 miles and immediately did aux Racor fuel filter.
4k mile 4r100 F350 trans
nv271 transfer case
F250 front & rear axles
U Joint off road 4x4 conversion parts (Google them, they make the highest quality conversion parts out there)
Auto Meter Pyro and Trans temp gauge
White HIDs
Class 3 hitch
trailer controller
Fresh windshield
Fresh ball joints
Fresh Brakes on all 4 (calipers, rotors and pads)
Windows all around, legal on parkways
I have 10k miles on the 4x4 swap, it drives great
DP Tune 80 horsepower tune
4:10 gears in the rear with torsion limited slip
3:73's still in the front. Does not matter in snow or on the beach (it actually helps)
Trans cooler with fan behind rear axle
Front hitch for cooler or whatever
This is a 2003 e350 extended van with a 7.3l diesel. 132k miles. 4 rows of seats. This is the perfect snowboarding vehicle or camping vehicle. Very good at road trips. 17 mpg. Mechanically in great shape. Body is not perfect. Service records and title in hand.
$13k
What do you think?

 

[John W]

I want to make a back country camper van with solar panels on the roof.
This is a 15 passenger setup inside, I believe, so I'd have to gut the interior, and repaint the exterior for stealth (low key) city camping during travels.

 

[crazy]

Or it means the drivelines are not connected yet and one of the axles has yet to be regeared.

Or that it is driven exclusively on ice rinks

Is this van part-way-through a conversion?

I don't see any of those expanations in the ad.:wings:

 

[John W]

How big a deal would it be to regear the axle?
For $13k asking price, maybe it still might be worth while, instead of trying to source a 2003 extended with the 7.3 diesel and adding the UJOR goodies?
Then again, if the install was botched...

 

[Abitibi]

You can find very decent used gears (especially the front ones, less used) for cheap. Installing them may run you $3-500? I would still check and maybe change the rear ones as well, especially if he's been using it with different gear ratio! Who would do this?!?

 

[John W]

Wow, thanks!
I'm really glad I asked!

 

[89s rule]

My concern would be that it is in the NE, which means salt and rust. Looks like a decent deal, but I have had rusty vehicles and I would much rather spend more $ or build myself as I need/want and start with a rust free vehicle. Not only does rust suck to work on but it also kills resale.

 

[John W]

I live in the NE, so not much I can do, except wash the winter salt off the van frequently.
Gonna check it out this weekend, and will report back in a new thread;
I apologize for hijacking this one, new here, still getting my bearings.

 

[ujoint]

13K is a great deal. He's a good guy.

And no worries on the hijack! This is what we're all here for, to help guys out.

 

[John W]

Chris, you just plain rock dude. Looks like i'm going to have one of your kits. :wings:

Went out and saw him today, and he is a good guy and a professional mechanic.

We made a deal which involves putting matching 4:10 gears on the front.

The front axle is a Dana 50, the rear a Sterling.

The way he explained, because the gear ratio mismatch, the front pulls faster than the rear on loose sand and snow.

On the street, it threatens to break, obviously, and is never used that way.

I'm very stoked to be getting this van, and have a feeling i will have lots of questions on the forum.

 

[cjken]

Awesome!!!
Sounds like a nice deal with the gear swap included. It looks great in the craigslist pictures.
Is the camo painted on or is it just a wrap??
Hope to see updates on your project soon!!!