Van platform

[vanderpooch]

I have a great opportunity to pick up a super clean 2008 E150 w/V-8 passenger van for real cheap.

My family is outgrowing or VW Syncro(any one looking to trade??) and looking to build a homebrew type SMB.
First thing I would do is have it converted to 4wd.
Is there any differences between 150/350 besides suspension? (can I simply upgrade suspension and be in buisness)
And lastly, is the V-8 to small an engine for a 4wd van? I don't have any plans to crawl or anything extreme just looking to build an expedition vehicle.

Thanks guys,
John

 

[wanderer-rrorc]

yes...well...the number and thickness of the springs...and the e150 will have a 8.8 rear end..the 250/350 have MUCH heavier duty axles/bearings..and will carry much more than the 150...

you can put a 8 lug suspension under the e150 using the stock rear springs and possibly front coils if you want..you can buy them in diffrent heights/weights for whatever hauling capacity and suspension height you want...base them off the 350 stock lifts..

v8=good...

what year for better opinions/comments?

 

[vanderpooch]

I added the year to the original post. 2008 yr.

 

[wanderer-rrorc]

ooooohhh....

the newer stuff has better axles than the days of old..(half tons being able to haul almost a ton!)

the 350 stuff is still gonna be more durable...but depending on yer finished weight the 150 rear might do just fine...

look into 77-79 f150's for the solid front axle (same width and bolt pattern as your van I beleive)...

otherwise its back to 8lug axles...:smiley_drive:

 

[stevenmd]

Excellent question and I hope you don't mind me adding on:

In my search for an E350 van I noticed all the passenger models are gas while the work model comes with the diesel option. Did the passenger model ever come with the diesel option too?

Also, what mpg can be expected from both the gas and diesel models?

 

[dsw4x4]

They are harder to find but they are out there in e350 passenger you can get diesel mine is 7.3 I do not know if you can find a diesel in a E250 though.

 

[wanderer-rrorc]

the clubwagons (e250/350) did come with a diesel...

mines an 85 e250 club with a 6.9 turbo (turbo aftermarket)..

 

[78Bronco]

You need to watch your weight with a 1/2 ton platform regardless of any suspension and axle swaps. The vehicle will come from the factory with a GVW rating that you cannot change without consultation from an engineer.

I would look around more and find an E250 or 350.

 

[ujoint]

The E150 frame is almost identical to the 250's & 350's. The leaf springs are narrower. I wouldn't recommend the 4.6 engine if you're going to 4wd, especially with the whole family & gear on board. It is possible to swap the rear axle when doing the 4wd swap, and have the springs built custom to what you need. So if the deal is right, do it.....!!!!

The best donor axle for the van is a 99-04 Superduty. They have a 38" spring pad width, which fits nicely under the van frame. The earlier (77-79) axles are 32.5", and the shackles would have to sit inside the frame, interfering with exhaust, fuel filters, etc (depending on yr/model)

 

[stevenmd]

They are harder to find but they are out there in e350 passenger you can get diesel mine is 7.3 I do not know if you can find a diesel in a E250 though.

I followed your top build closely. I am hoping to do something like that but have a slide out in the front as well.

 

[78Bronco]

The E150 frame is almost identical to the 250's & 350's. The leaf springs are narrower. I wouldn't recommend the 4.6 engine if you're going to 4wd, especially with the whole family & gear on board. It is possible to swap the rear axle when doing the 4wd swap, and have the springs built custom to what you need. So if the deal is right, do it.....!!!!

The best donor axle for the van is a 99-04 Superduty. They have a 38" spring pad width, which fits nicely under the van frame. The earlier (77-79) axles are 32.5", and the shackles would have to sit inside the frame, interfering with exhaust, fuel filters, etc (depending on yr/model)

How do you deal with the need for a higher legal GVWR? Regardless of the axles and springs you need to deal with the law and the legal GVWR.

 

[surfgeek33]

IMO the V8 will be under powered for a 4x4. After all is said and done with your convrsion, the Weight of your van will hinder the V8. A 6.0 or 7.3 deisel, V10 will suite your convrsion better. Just my 2cents. Good luck.

 

[ujoint]

How do you deal with the need for a higher legal GVWR? Regardless of the axles and springs you need to deal with the law and the legal GVWR.

I've never had an issue with that. If the frames are the same, and you add a 1 ton axle and appropriate springs, you just made the van a 1 ton.

 

[78Bronco]

I've never had an issue with that. If the frames are the same, and you add a 1 ton axle and appropriate springs, you just made the van a 1 ton.

Not according to the door sticker and VIN#. Prove that the frame is the same in the eyes of the law. I'm just saying it's better to be safe than sorry after going through all the work to build a half ton platform and then have the DOT say "Sorry but you're over the GVW rating of your vehicle and we are going to tow you."

I hope that you are up to speed on this issue before giving advice to do so.

 

[ujoint]

Not according to the door sticker and VIN#. Prove that the frame is the same in the eyes of the law. I'm just saying it's better to be safe than sorry after going through all the work to build a half ton platform and then have the DOT say "Sorry but you're over the GVW rating of your vehicle and we are going to tow you."

I hope that you are up to speed on this issue before giving advice to do so.

I see your point, and this may be common in your neck of the woods. I just don't realistically see this ever occurring in a real world scenario. Do people get randomly pulled over and have their GVW checked? Sure, in big rigs..... The responsibility of the vehicles capacity & safety is in the owners hands.