UJOR Build Thread

[ujoint]

Took my dad and V4 up Hurricane Creek here in NC today, fun little trail. For years people have told me it was too tight for one of my rigs, I finally decided to just go for it. I definitely wouldn't take a full bodied van up there unless I didn't care about the paint at all. Picked up a few scratches with V4, mainly on the roof. I think most will buff out but it had to happen eventually. Some scars that tell a story. I only used 4wd a few times, overall the trail was easy. Beautiful place I live!

Almost forgot! Took V4 to cars & coffee yesterday, met some cool people and saw some cool cars.

I spent more time talking to the kid with the Ranger than anything. It was his grandpas truck and they swapped a 2.3 turbo engine from a Thunderbird, love to see stuff like that.

 

[kccourtney]

Power Steps

Chris,

I'm in the market for some of those AMP/Bestop Powersteps (it was part of the negotiation to get authorization to raise the van another 2") and I know you've installed some. Which is the vehicle I should spec when purchasing them as vans are not on their list of compatible vehicles? I have a '99 E-350 RB. I'm assuming you mounted them on the frame and if you did, did you have to make any custom brackets to mount them? Anyone else, feel free to chime in here as well if you've got good info. They're corporate office is here in So Cal so I suppose I could possibly go swing by and see it's all desk jockeys or if there's someone who could shed light. Anyway, thanks.

 

[mgmetalworks]

Chris,

I'm in the market for some of those AMP/Bestop Powersteps (it was part of the negotiation to get authorization to raise the van another 2") and I know you've installed some. Which is the vehicle I should spec when purchasing them as vans are not on their list of compatible vehicles? I have a '99 E-350 RB. I'm assuming you mounted them on the frame and if you did, did you have to make any custom brackets to mount them? Anyone else, feel free to chime in here as well if you've got good info. They're corporate office is here in So Cal so I suppose I could possibly go swing by and see it's all desk jockeys or if there's someone who could shed light. Anyway, thanks.

There is a guy in CA who makes the bracket kits for the vans. PM me your email and I'll send you the info about what to buy. There is also a set on the SMB forum classifieds right now with the brackets. Pretty good deal too.

 

[ujoint]

What MG said. AMP never made a van application and they're not to happy to accommodate us van guys. I'm not sure if Bruce still has frame mounts but the step kits we used were put together by him utilizing pieces from several AMP applications.

Saw that SMB forum ad, it doesn't say if the stuff came from Bruce @ Specialized?

 

[kccourtney]

Thanks guys! I PM'ed you MG (like 4 times accidentally because the site was being glitchy. Sorry.) Anyway, I reached out to a Bruce that a SMBForum member directed me to who used to make the brackets and do install and he says AMP actually hit him with a cease and desist! Crazy! Guess you weren't kidding Chris. Totally bummer because he's totally local to me. Almost enough to make me go with the Bestops. Anyway, I'm sure MG is gonna fab me up a nice set of stainless brackets this morning ; )
I gotta figure something out though. Wifey is not liking the extra altitude.

 

[ujoint]

Thanks guys! I PM'ed you MG (like 4 times accidentally because the site was being glitchy. Sorry.) Anyway, I reached out to a Bruce that a SMBForum member directed me to who used to make the brackets and do install and he says AMP actually hit him with a cease and desist! Crazy! Guess you weren't kidding Chris. Totally bummer because he's totally local to me. Almost enough to make me go with the Bestops. Anyway, I'm sure MG is gonna fab me up a nice set of stainless brackets this morning ; )
I gotta figure something out though. Wifey is not liking the extra altitude.

Yea, he told me that when it happened and I said ******???

 

[ujoint]

Another employee picked up a van, got a stupid deal on this 95 E250 with a 300 I6. 4" build on 33s soon for it. I really want to see it on some 255/85s and stock wheels, we'll see what he decides on.

Started this SMB Monday, will have it driving today!

 

[ujoint]

AlphaVan battery tray, these are the chassis batteries that will mount to the pass side frame rail. House battery is on the rear skid.

 

[Sheep Shagger]

That is the stoutest battery box/tray I have ever seen, looks awesome. Looks like you could use it as a jacking point....

 

[DzlToy]

255/85R16 is a 33" tire, exactly 33" by the math. If you went with a 17" wheel, then it would be a 34" tire.

Please don't ruin your nice vans by using $#)#@ Chinese Optima batteries. Hawker/Odyssey, Braille, Lifeline and many others make quality AGM and Lithium batteries without cheap Chinese lead and poor quality control. This has been true for about 20 years now, since Johnson Controls bought Optima. They are a marketing company selling a mediocre product and trading on their name.

What was done to the inline 6? They are great motors! Makes you wonder why Ford stopped using them or at least, did not replace it with something similar.

 

[ujoint]

That is the stoutest battery box/tray I have ever seen, looks awesome. Looks like you could use it as a jacking point....

Yes maybe!

255/85R16 is a 33" tire, exactly 33" by the math. If you went with a 17" wheel, then it would be a 34" tire.

Please don't ruin your nice vans by using $#)#@ Chinese Optima batteries. Hawker/Odyssey, Braille, Lifeline and many others make quality AGM and Lithium batteries without cheap Chinese lead and poor quality control. This has been true for about 20 years now, since Johnson Controls bought Optima. They are a marketing company selling a mediocre product and trading on their name.

What was done to the inline 6? They are great motors! Makes you wonder why Ford stopped using them or at least, did not replace it with something similar.

I hear ya, will give them a shot and replace if needed. The I-6 is stock for now, such great engines. Cheap to fix/maintain, run forever! Ford probably killed them for the same reason every other good engine has been killed. Emissions.

 

[4x4pair]

Will that battery box be for sale on your website soon?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Chris that battery tray is RAD!

 

[ujoint]

Will that battery box be for sale on your website soon?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

Don't think so. A few guys have asked about it but this tray would require a lot of work to the existing cables. Since we're starting from scratch on AlphaVan it doesn't matter.

Chris that battery tray is RAD!

Thanks!

 

[Bbasso]

And with so many different types and sizes of batteries, placement of wiring, mounting point differences,,, how could any one possible keep up with demand and still have any sanity at the end of the day.