UJOR Build Thread
- Thread starter ujoint
- Start date
ujoint
Supporting Sponsor
Will do!!
I've been on the road for 2 days, picking up 2 vans. We left AVL Wed @ noon in our fine rental car (Chevy HHR) and headed north towards Washington DC. It's funny how this trip worked out..... A friend of mine in LA has been searching for the perfect van, and he's had a few slip out from under him over the last few months. Well, this one didn't! 09 E350 6.0, 76K on the clock, cargo, barn doors, located in Silver Springs MD. I offered to pick it up & keep it here in NC until he can come get it. We've been assembling parts for a few months, he's got everything ready to go for this major transformation. I'll start a build thread as he makes progress. (hint.... Vanaconda clone!)
So Mikey's van pickup has been on my schedule for a week or two. I've also been talking to a customer in TX, and he too was searching for the perfect van. Well guess what? He found it...... in northern VA!!!!! Just south of DC. 08 E350, brand new, still sitting on the lot. Someone had to order this van & then back out because of the options. It 's a cargo V10 with every option including rear air. Really nice van, I picked it up with 140 miles on the odo. The build plan is this: UJOR 4" conversion, stage 2 front axle, Sterling rear with an ARB, along with all of the other goodies.
I observed 13 mpg on the way home. Not 100% accurate. I didn't refill the fuel tank completely since I'll be dropping it for the 4x4 conversion.
And here's Mike's 09
This van impressed me, 19 mpg!!!!!!
Here they are together as I gave the V10 enough fuel to make it home
I've been on the road for 2 days, picking up 2 vans. We left AVL Wed @ noon in our fine rental car (Chevy HHR) and headed north towards Washington DC. It's funny how this trip worked out..... A friend of mine in LA has been searching for the perfect van, and he's had a few slip out from under him over the last few months. Well, this one didn't! 09 E350 6.0, 76K on the clock, cargo, barn doors, located in Silver Springs MD. I offered to pick it up & keep it here in NC until he can come get it. We've been assembling parts for a few months, he's got everything ready to go for this major transformation. I'll start a build thread as he makes progress. (hint.... Vanaconda clone!)
So Mikey's van pickup has been on my schedule for a week or two. I've also been talking to a customer in TX, and he too was searching for the perfect van. Well guess what? He found it...... in northern VA!!!!! Just south of DC. 08 E350, brand new, still sitting on the lot. Someone had to order this van & then back out because of the options. It 's a cargo V10 with every option including rear air. Really nice van, I picked it up with 140 miles on the odo. The build plan is this: UJOR 4" conversion, stage 2 front axle, Sterling rear with an ARB, along with all of the other goodies.
I observed 13 mpg on the way home. Not 100% accurate. I didn't refill the fuel tank completely since I'll be dropping it for the 4x4 conversion.
And here's Mike's 09
This van impressed me, 19 mpg!!!!!!
Here they are together as I gave the V10 enough fuel to make it home
Brad Kilby
Observer
So does this mean I should be keeping my eye out for similar vans here on the west coast for you Chris? That new '08 was a nice find!
ujoint
Supporting Sponsor
Always! I'm not looking for any, but someone else always is. Especially 7.3's.
And he scored a NICE price on that 08. Over 10K off sticker.
Brad Kilby
Observer
There's plenty of stuff out there to find.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/2194018383.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/2194018383.html
RocKrawler
Supporting Sponsor
Wow, Brads find ******! That would be a perfect build candidate. Long time no talk to Brad, good to see you on the forum - I heard you sold the Jeep biz, still doing the avaition thing?
Brad Kilby
Observer
Hey Terry! Long time no talk definitely! Yeah, sold the Jeep business and still doing the aviation thing. Got me an Astro Van I'm gonna start building pretty soon. I've been doing some work on it to get it in good mechanical condition and now that it is, it's time to modify. :wings: Gonna hit Death Valley in a couple of weeks first though! After that, we lift it. I'm not gonna go crazy on the interior stuff, but I do plan on making bumpers etc for it. Wanna help? 
Brad Kilby
Observer
Oh yeah, what is "******"?
RocKrawler
Supporting Sponsor
Hey Terry! Long time no talk definitely! Yeah, sold the Jeep business and still doing the aviation thing. Got me an Astro Van I'm gonna start building pretty soon. I've been doing some work on it to get it in good mechanical condition and now that it is, it's time to modify. :wings: Gonna hit Death Valley in a couple of weeks first though! After that, we lift it. I'm not gonna go crazy on the interior stuff, but I do plan on making bumpers etc for it. Wanna help?
Planning on bumpers and more myself, sure I can help if we can mesh our schedules - might give me some ideas and inspiration! Did you end up with the green poptop in the classifieds a while back?
For The Win!
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ujoint
Supporting Sponsor
Gonna hit Death Valley in a couple of weeks first though! Wanna help?
Have fun in DV! What's the route?
And don't plan too many mods, you'll want that full size E series as soon as you get back
Brad Kilby
Observer
Terry, No, I ended up buying a "hail damaged" rig out of Glendale Az. It was suppose to be a salvaged title but my title doesn't show any salvaged history on it. I got it pretty cheap so that was a good thing.
Chris, I just follow the leader. All I know is we're starting off in Big Pine and driving for 3 days. :smiley_drive: It'll be a good shake down run for the Mystro Van!
Chris, I just follow the leader. All I know is we're starting off in Big Pine and driving for 3 days. :smiley_drive: It'll be a good shake down run for the Mystro Van!
Brad Kilby
Observer
Nice!
