UJOR Build Thread

[copescobra]

Roof Rack Question on the CopeCobra Conversion

Chris,

Must have missed seeing your new roof rack until I saw the Ambo build pics.

I know it will take awhile for you to do the Cummins swap and 4x4 conversion on my Copescobra SMB.

Roof Rack is perfect with the Tabs already in place for the Lights you are going to put all around plus if we do the solar.
How much does the rack weigh? Just want to be sure I can raise the SMB penthouse top given my physical handicap with my shoulder and arm.

Do you have 1 left from your 1st or have more before you finish my build ?

Copes

 

[mk216v]

Chris, I can't remember if I already asked, but for those wanting to put a RTT up on the rack(EeziAwn, Autohome, copies, etc), will they fit with your transversely mounted bars up there vs a fully flat/open surface?

 

[ujoint]

Chris, I can't remember if I already asked, but for those wanting to put a RTT up on the rack(EeziAwn, Autohome, copies, etc), will they fit with your transversely mounted bars up there vs a fully flat/open surface?

Sorry for the delay. It all depends on how they hinge since the floor is lower than the side rails.

 

[ujoint]

We just knocked out the lift on this 99 E350 7.3 for a local contractor. 4" lift, 33" tires. We just did the lift for now, it will be back in April to complete the 4x4 conversion.

 

[ujoint]

Great deal on a rare diesel 15 pass. Someone grab it and please deliver to my shop

No affiliation, etc..... but I do have a guy close to it that can ck it out.

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/ctd/3490659937.html

 

[CrabbyMcNab]

agh...If only it wasn't an extended.
Great deal though.

 

[Abitibi]

agh...If only it wasn't an extended.
Great deal though.

You could always look at this one, although that non extension almost double price but comes with a bunch of extra and very low mileage. Just the wrong engine for me...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford...rs_Trucks&hash=item460cb4a842#ht_13136wt_1165

Cheers
Mr. D

 

[Abitibi]

Chris, question for you...

With your last ambulance conversion, did you get to drive it a bit around? I'm curious how the long wheelbase of the E450 (158"?) feels compared to the regular one (138"?). Did it feel like a whale with the turning radius of a city bus getting ready to get high centered on the first trail or was it still decent?

Just asking as there's a very clean one for sale locally (although it's still a E350 but with the long frame) but I'm not sure that extra foot of interior space would overcome the whale effect. (Another benefit is that the overhang is a good 7" shorter on the LWB). If I was solely driving dirt road I wouldn't be bothered but I tend to push it a bit deeper...

Thanks,
Mr. D

 

[ujoint]

Chris, question for you...

With your last ambulance conversion, did you get to drive it a bit around? I'm curious how the long wheelbase of the E450 (158"?) feels compared to the regular one (138"?). Did it feel like a whale with the turning radius of a city bus getting ready to get high centered on the first trail or was it still decent?

Just asking as there's a very clean one for sale locally (although it's still a E350 but with the long frame) but I'm not sure that extra foot of interior space would overcome the whale effect. (Another benefit is that the overhang is a good 7" shorter on the LWB). If I was solely driving dirt road I wouldn't be bothered but I tend to push it a bit deeper...
Thanks,
Mr. D

I unfortunately didn't. We were down to the wire so I wasn't able to drive it past the parking lot. This isn't normal, I always test drive rigs as much as I can but sometimes the circumstances aren't ideal! The customer has since driven the van across the country and I haven't heard any complaints about the handling so I guess we're good! If body roll became an issue the rear sway bar could always be reinstalled.

 

[Ozrockrat]

I have a long wheel base one and went with it so that I could setup a bed between the side access door and the rear of the box. The shorter ones mean you need to sleep cross ways effectively blocking access to the read doors. I don't offroad my rig so break over is not as much of an issue (and having 35" wheels makes a difference there).

The turning circle is not as good as the E350 EB I had but not too much of a hassle. Also just for reference mine is a Quigley conversion with a Chevy axle. I understand that the newer ford axles have better steering angles but I will leave any comments on that for Chris (the ford axle guru).

Chris, question for you...

With your last ambulance conversion, did you get to drive it a bit around? I'm curious how the long wheelbase of the E450 (158"?) feels compared to the regular one (138"?). Did it feel like a whale with the turning radius of a city bus getting ready to get high centered on the first trail or was it still decent?

Just asking as there's a very clean one for sale locally (although it's still a E350 but with the long frame) but I'm not sure that extra foot of interior space would overcome the whale effect. (Another benefit is that the overhang is a good 7" shorter on the LWB). If I was solely driving dirt road I wouldn't be bothered but I tend to push it a bit deeper...

Thanks,
Mr. D

 

[rebar]

Do you have more details about this Cummins swap and what you're planning on including in a kit? Will it be possible to fit an intercooled 12V - 2nd Generation 1994-1998 Dodge Ram? What transmission are you going with? Is there enough room for a NV4500? Are you keeping air conditioning? Will you sell a wiring harness? Are you planning on posting in progress details on this thread? I want to make sure I don't miss anything!

Cant wait to see this.. Im guessing a kit might sell pretty well.

 

[ujoint]

Haven't decided on a kit, we'll see how the 1st one goes. Picking up the motor tomorrow or Monday!

 

[rebar]

Iv found 3 vans with 6bt's in them. One on ebay, another in Washington and finally this motor-home with a pretty good build thread.

 

[ujoint]

Here's a new parts that I'm excited about, its a jig for cutting the shackle sleeve holes. Once you have the front hangers drilled and installed this bolts in and slides up to the frame to ensure a perfect cut every time. It's setup for a plasma, keeps everything perfectly square. I'll be including it with every kit, a 2 piece design for shipping.



Still plugging away on the class c, front axle went in yesterday and we're waiting for the tranny to get done. Still plenty of work left!



We started to tear down the Russia Van yesterday. I sent it to Rhino Linings to have the rockers coated, and now we're ripping into it! 8" lift, 35's, OBA, dual front shocks, full 6.0 upgrade, fuel tank, the works.

 

[Dgurley2000]

Wow, I thought you guys were just doing the Cummins swap. Are you keeping the rear duals? Looks like a 27 footer? I'll be curious to hear the drive-ability and handling. Is it a 4" lift?

Still plugging away on the class c, front axle went in yesterday and we're waiting for the tranny to get done. Still plenty of work left!

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