UJOR Build Thread

mgmetalworks

Explorer
Transit is looking good! That's the tire size I'm going for with mine (265/70-17). Just in the last couple months the number of wheel choices for the Transit has shot up. I just ordered a set of Method wheels for mine.
 

ujoint

Supporting Sponsor
Transit is looking good! That's the tire size I'm going for with mine (265/70-17). Just in the last couple months the number of wheel choices for the Transit has shot up. I just ordered a set of Method wheels for mine.

Sweet. Nice to see support from the aftermarket.
 

ambocamper99

New member
Thanks. It is time but I'd like to finish the inside first. We keep making changes.
Hopefully we'll have the driveshafts in mid next week and get it dirty. The only great things about the paint are that A: the dirtier it gets the better it looks and, B: It's painted with a polane urethane so it's super durable with great adhesion. It's also supposed to top coat well. Gonna be fun.

We're calling it simply The Beast. Gotta either get steps or parachutes for getting out.
 

ujoint

Supporting Sponsor
What kind of intake did you use on this rig? There is literally nothing for Vans unless it gets custom made in a garage. That one is slick, has the heat shield....scoops up cool air...I like it!

We made it all since we added the intercooler. It wouldn't work on a van with the regular 7.3 intake.
 

ujoint

Supporting Sponsor
Customer stopped by a few weeks ago, said his SMB conversion drove like crap, too stiff. I drove it, definitely over sprung and the Rancho shocks were toast in under 25k miles. Instead of doing all new springs and spending a ton of $$ on springs & shocks I told him to 1st try the SMB tuned Fox 2.0s they now use 1st and then we can look at softening up the springs. We installed he shocks today, waiting to hear if he feels a big difference.

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Railvan

Adventurer
Customer stopped by a few weeks ago, said his SMB conversion drove like crap, too stiff. I drove it, definitely over sprung and the Rancho shocks were toast in under 25k miles. Instead of doing all new springs and spending a ton of $$ on springs & shocks I told him to 1st try the SMB tuned Fox 2.0s they now use 1st and then we can look at softening up the springs. We installed he shocks today, waiting to hear if he feels a big difference.

Chris, would you agree that on a SMB conversion, where you have about 2" of up travel before the springs hit the bumpstops, that the only way to get a softer ride ride would be to add maybe 2" more of lift and softer springs? Softer springs without more lift would seem like you would bottom out often. Just curious on your opinion on this. My 2006 SMB has a ride that is fine on pavement and gravel but is rough on potholes and washboard. I switched last year from the OME shocks that came with it to the Fox shocks now sold by SMB but really didn't feel much difference. The rig weighs 10,000 pounds so there may not be much that can be done about the ride.
 

ujoint

Supporting Sponsor
Chris, would you agree that on a SMB conversion, where you have about 2" of up travel before the springs hit the bumpstops, that the only way to get a softer ride ride would be to add maybe 2" more of lift and softer springs? Softer springs without more lift would seem like you would bottom out often. Just curious on your opinion on this. My 2006 SMB has a ride that is fine on pavement and gravel but is rough on potholes and washboard. I switched last year from the OME shocks that came with it to the Fox shocks now sold by SMB but really didn't feel much difference. The rig weighs 10,000 pounds so there may not be much that can be done about the ride.

Softer springs and shorter shocks to make sure all of that travel can be used up. Your van only has 2" of up travel on the shock? We have re done a few of the SMB West 4x4 suspensions to add some lift with springs and wound up with a better ride quality.
 

ujoint

Supporting Sponsor
Coil axle ready to go! Stage 2, 4.10s, True Trac.

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Delays delays delays! My paint/body guy was supposed to be done on the 1st. That didn't happen. Then Rhino promised me a 1 day turn around, that didn't happen. So I brought it back for a tear down. It's frustrating to deal with delays, especially when we have a finish date picked and customers that come from all over the country. It gets expensive to change flights/travel plans/etc. The UJ crew is ready for a van attack though! We'll be calling this one SteelBlue7.3

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ujoint

Supporting Sponsor
More nice parts from Van Compass installed today, front receiver on this 4x4 Sprinter.

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Day 1 on the SteelBlue 7.3! Tranny & fuel tank out, F axle in, hooking everything up now. Underside cleaning and undercoating in the am, then rear springs, OBA, we'll keep going until its done or we run out of parts!

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