VANdiana Jones sequel: The Legacy Continues
- Thread starter mk216v
- Start date
mk216v
Der Chef der Fahrzeuge
I'll let you know Joe. I'm not aware of any OEM van brake upgrades in '08+, that would fit my '07 with '04 F350 4wd front solid axle. Back in '04 for the F350 4x4 front axle, according to SSBC's site, supposedly there were 13" front rotors on the trucks with 3.73 / 4.10 & 4.30 ratios built on or after 3-22-99, and 14" front rotors on the trucks with 4.88 / 5.38 ratios built on or after 3-22-99. I've spoken to both UJOR and MG about swapping parts onto my van to allow for the 14" rotors to work but the knuckles(IIRC) are too vastly different and it won't work. And no one makes a BBK. We looked at designing a BBK but when trying to use an OEM 14" rotor(1.5" thick), there is only 1 aftermarket caliper in the industry that would work and it's WAY too big to fit under a 17" or even 18" wheel.
stormlover
Adventurer
Ah so. I find it all confusing and would have to dig deeper. I have a Dynatrac60 front axle but would need to switch from 16 to 17" wheels to fit the bigger rotors. So, I have 13" now. But at least on the vans I thought in 07 or 08 Ford went with bigger brakes and 14" rotors but maybe that was Sportsmobile. Sorry, don't want to muck up your thread. But I too would need new knuckles.
I've cooked the brakes pretty good coming down steep stuff. Not up to the task on a 10,000lb van. They can't hold the weight when dropping down ledges either. Don't really notice it as a big deal when it comes to stopping distance on pavement.
sixstringsteve
Explorer
I'm looking forward to seeing this new bumper on the older front ends. I need a new bumper in the next month or two, and this may greatly sway which way I go. I'm not too crazy about the looks of most of the existing bumpers.
Is this new bumper steel or aluminum?
Is this new bumper steel or aluminum?
mgmetalworks
Explorer
The ARB bumper is steel. It's pretty light though. strong where it needs to be, formed parts for rigidity. I was surprised how light it was actually. There are interlocking/layered/welded features inside around the winch area. ARB did a nice job designing it and the manufacturing is top notch.
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mk216v
Der Chef der Fahrzeuge
LMK if you find anything.
I agree on the braking down steep stuff. Coming out of Murphy's Hogsback on the WhiteRimTrail was puckering. Now a Hydroboost retrofit might help this, but that'll be stg2 for the brake mods if I'm still not thoroughly impressed with the SSBC upgrade(which is supposed to be darn good).
mk216v
Der Chef der Fahrzeuge
Doh! MG let the cat out of the bag.
Steve, MG's working on bumper bracket adapters for early and late vans to be able to bolt the Aussie bumper right up, making it super straightforward. Just wait until we fit mine this month!
guidolyons
Addicted to Gear Oil
Doh! MG let the cat out of the bag.
Steve, MG's working on bumper bracket adapters for early and late vans to be able to bolt the Aussie bumper right up, making it super straightforward. Just wait until we fit mine this month!
That is an awesome idea MG. I thought that's where this was going when you posted the bumper, then brackets. Very cool. :sombrero:
montanawild
New member
You have an interesting project. I had a Ford-F350 and just couldn't deal with having to crawl around all of the time.
mk216v
Der Chef der Fahrzeuge
VANdiana did an awesome job as troop transport for my SAR teammates recently.
Loving the Toyo M/T's--didn't even have to lock the hubs while others with newer Tahoe's and pickups were slipping around on the AT's.
PS--Fellow ExPo member in the white 4Runner behind me. <thumbup>
Loving the Toyo M/T's--didn't even have to lock the hubs while others with newer Tahoe's and pickups were slipping around on the AT's.
PS--Fellow ExPo member in the white 4Runner behind me. <thumbup>
mk216v
Der Chef der Fahrzeuge
Driving the van to pick up the front bumper later that day, I was hearing some sort of rattle from the left rear, sounded interior--I despise rattles. Of course we had just taken a trip and the rear passenger never mentioned anything, so I thought that it must be something in the interior that got moved after we unpacked the van. So I made a mental note to ask someone to ride in it and try to pinpoint the rattle. Well later in the day on the way to get the bumper I was hearing more of a light thudding/tapping from the left rear side. What the heck is that? I look in the side view mirror and I see the Maxtrax set bouncing up and down. So I eased around the block and had a look;
Hmmm, that's not good. The frontmost bracket of the Maxtrax bracket pair completely sheared off, leaving only the rear bracket to keep the Maxtrax from crashing to the ground! We're thinking the front bracket(single mild steel flat bar) might have had a microfracture in it from drilling the hole in it, and then over time the jounce off-pavement stressed the bar enough to where it eventually snapped/sheared. The rear appears fine as it has a double foot on it where it attaches to the FrontRunner rack.
So the fabricator next door welded up a strengthener and we'll give it another shot.
Had some time after work to take care of a few odds and ends on the to-do list;
--Since I had to remove the rear Smittybuilt step for the recent snowmobile hauling, the OEM Mercedes felt I had on it tore off, due to water/moisture getting in the rear hitch opening, and attacking the adhesive on the felt. So time to clean, re-paint, and re-insulate rear with more OEM Mercedes felt, so that it doesn't rattle in the hitch socket.
--Wipe down and plastic weld some good used Ford side cargo door panels to prep for fitment(rest of missing panels should be here within a few weeks. Jeez these are near impossible to find used. I had to bite the bullet and get some new units where I still couldn't find used).
--Upgraded from the FirstAlert ~1.5lb A/B/C fire extinguisher to a 5lb Amerex Halotron unit(MUCH cleaner in case of fire, and no cloud when using it). So I had to felt the areas on the extinguisher which touch any metal, and then mount the heavy duty bracket to the RamMount laptop bracket pole. We had some extra t-bolt clamps at the shop so I used 2 of them. All secure and should remain quiet!
Hmmm, that's not good. The frontmost bracket of the Maxtrax bracket pair completely sheared off, leaving only the rear bracket to keep the Maxtrax from crashing to the ground! We're thinking the front bracket(single mild steel flat bar) might have had a microfracture in it from drilling the hole in it, and then over time the jounce off-pavement stressed the bar enough to where it eventually snapped/sheared. The rear appears fine as it has a double foot on it where it attaches to the FrontRunner rack.
So the fabricator next door welded up a strengthener and we'll give it another shot.
Had some time after work to take care of a few odds and ends on the to-do list;
--Since I had to remove the rear Smittybuilt step for the recent snowmobile hauling, the OEM Mercedes felt I had on it tore off, due to water/moisture getting in the rear hitch opening, and attacking the adhesive on the felt. So time to clean, re-paint, and re-insulate rear with more OEM Mercedes felt, so that it doesn't rattle in the hitch socket.
--Wipe down and plastic weld some good used Ford side cargo door panels to prep for fitment(rest of missing panels should be here within a few weeks. Jeez these are near impossible to find used. I had to bite the bullet and get some new units where I still couldn't find used).
--Upgraded from the FirstAlert ~1.5lb A/B/C fire extinguisher to a 5lb Amerex Halotron unit(MUCH cleaner in case of fire, and no cloud when using it). So I had to felt the areas on the extinguisher which touch any metal, and then mount the heavy duty bracket to the RamMount laptop bracket pole. We had some extra t-bolt clamps at the shop so I used 2 of them. All secure and should remain quiet!
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mk216v
Der Chef der Fahrzeuge
Even though I currently have an aftermarket bumper(a custom stubby JCR Jeep bumper fab'd by Brad to fit the E350; a very well done fab job I must say), I was looking for something a bit different, and with full width protection.
As many of you know, the options for Econoline front bumpers are slim pickin's;
--UJOR aluminum tube; http://www.ujointoffroad.com/bumpersextras.html
--Aluminess; http://www.aluminess.com/ford/ford-v.../front-bumper/ http://www.aluminess.com/ford/ford-v...-front-bumper/
--TrailReady; http://www.trailready.com/bumpers/ford_econoline.html
--Buckstop; http://buckstop.biz/vans.html
None of them were quite what I was looking for aesthetically(ok, I'm really picky).
When I heard that Michael at MG Metalworks was looking to create his own bumper for the E-Series, I contacted him to see if he was going to offer one for the earlier vans like I have. Thankfully he was aiming to do just that! He had already started on bumper sketches, incorporating some very unique features which I also was looking for in my bumper. However, the cost of a full custom bumper built from scratch was starting to really add up--superior engineering & fab work isn't cheap.
We threw some ideas around and one stuck; take an existing bumper from one of(if not THE) highest quality, best engineered bumper companies in the world, and see about adapting it to the E-Series. After sorting thru a few possibilities on the ARB website, looking at schematics and measurements on Ford body builder, taking lots of measurements of my ('07) van and his ('13) van, an ARB bumper was chosen.
Take a look at the ARB bumper production video here. Impressive stuff!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yqHL7Uo4_s
Seems that the early '92-07 vans have frame horns that stick out further; '08-15 are tucked under the grille more. MG went to work CAD-designing a "starter" adapter plate to mate this ARB to the E350 frame horns;
Notice the truss design for strength, but also for proper airflow to the radiator/condenser.
He started by removing my stubby bumper;
Taking a look at the new ARB as is;
MG's CAD-designed laser cut adapter plate mounted;
Some modifications were made and round1 of test fitting for the '92-07 Econoline begun(I cannot tell you how excited I am to get this bumper on!! :wings: ).
MG went to work precisely measuring the proper depth of the bumper to the early front end. More of his adapter pieces were added;
Seeing how the 30" Rigid E1 looks;
While I could have fit a 40" E1 on there, it would stretch past the bottom of the grille, so it was decided to stick with the 30".
While ARB states that the Warn 16.5Ti(the winch I was originally thinking about, thanks to advice from Chris at UJOR), is meant to fit into this bumper, in my winch research I decided on what I feel is an even better option, the ComeUp Seal Gen2 IP68 Waterproof Series' 16.5S(bolt pattern is the same 10.0" x 4.5" as the Warn); http://shop.comeupusa.com/p/seal-gen2-16-5s-12v-winch?pp=12
ComeUp used to make many of the Superwinch's for Superwinch, and I'm told that ComeUp is the #1 winch line in Australia, and Asia too I believe.
One of my search and rescue teammates works at ComeUp USA and schooled me on some advantages of it vs the Warn 16.5Ti;
ComeUp 16.5S vs Warn 16.5Ti
5.8hp vs 4.6hp
343:1 vs 315:1
1/2"x82' synthetic vs 7/16"x90' wire
132lbs vs 138lbs
Contactors vs solenoids(pretty unique difference when it comes to long term reliability)
The ComeUp 16.5S fitted to the ARB(might be the first time this was done--was the first Chad at ComeUp had heard of one going into an ARB);
Whoops, having some contact issues with the T-handle up against the bumper, and thus the bolt pattern is a bit off;
Good thing this isn't MG's first rodeo! Taking matters into his own hands, the aluminum end cap was removed and re-clocked to put the T-handle at the bottom of the bumper(the only good option). Notice the beefiness of the gears;
There, that's a bit better;
He clearanced the bumper for the new T-handle position (ace fab work here by MG--watching this guy in his element is simply incredible!);
However, since the '92-07 bumper frame horns are sticking further out than the '08-15's do, and in order to allow the best approach angle possible on the '92-07, the bumper needs to suck in towards the van as much as possible, while also keeping in mind the correct aesthetic for the side bumper "wings";
But because the big beefy ComeUp winch is back there, MG's custom truss-bumper adapter needs to be further modified, leaving only a pair of bumper adapters to remain;
And that's where it's been left off for now. More to finish another day, more pictures to come...
If anyone is interested in these adapters to fit this ARB bumper to your E350, contact michael@ mgmetalworks.com for a set.
PS--the "old" stubby bumper has already been spoken for by another ExPo member.
As many of you know, the options for Econoline front bumpers are slim pickin's;
--UJOR aluminum tube; http://www.ujointoffroad.com/bumpersextras.html
--Aluminess; http://www.aluminess.com/ford/ford-v.../front-bumper/ http://www.aluminess.com/ford/ford-v...-front-bumper/
--TrailReady; http://www.trailready.com/bumpers/ford_econoline.html
--Buckstop; http://buckstop.biz/vans.html
None of them were quite what I was looking for aesthetically(ok, I'm really picky).
When I heard that Michael at MG Metalworks was looking to create his own bumper for the E-Series, I contacted him to see if he was going to offer one for the earlier vans like I have. Thankfully he was aiming to do just that! He had already started on bumper sketches, incorporating some very unique features which I also was looking for in my bumper. However, the cost of a full custom bumper built from scratch was starting to really add up--superior engineering & fab work isn't cheap.
We threw some ideas around and one stuck; take an existing bumper from one of(if not THE) highest quality, best engineered bumper companies in the world, and see about adapting it to the E-Series. After sorting thru a few possibilities on the ARB website, looking at schematics and measurements on Ford body builder, taking lots of measurements of my ('07) van and his ('13) van, an ARB bumper was chosen.
Take a look at the ARB bumper production video here. Impressive stuff!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yqHL7Uo4_s
Seems that the early '92-07 vans have frame horns that stick out further; '08-15 are tucked under the grille more. MG went to work CAD-designing a "starter" adapter plate to mate this ARB to the E350 frame horns;
Notice the truss design for strength, but also for proper airflow to the radiator/condenser.
He started by removing my stubby bumper;
Taking a look at the new ARB as is;
MG's CAD-designed laser cut adapter plate mounted;
Some modifications were made and round1 of test fitting for the '92-07 Econoline begun(I cannot tell you how excited I am to get this bumper on!! :wings: ).
MG went to work precisely measuring the proper depth of the bumper to the early front end. More of his adapter pieces were added;
Seeing how the 30" Rigid E1 looks;
While I could have fit a 40" E1 on there, it would stretch past the bottom of the grille, so it was decided to stick with the 30".
While ARB states that the Warn 16.5Ti(the winch I was originally thinking about, thanks to advice from Chris at UJOR), is meant to fit into this bumper, in my winch research I decided on what I feel is an even better option, the ComeUp Seal Gen2 IP68 Waterproof Series' 16.5S(bolt pattern is the same 10.0" x 4.5" as the Warn); http://shop.comeupusa.com/p/seal-gen2-16-5s-12v-winch?pp=12
ComeUp used to make many of the Superwinch's for Superwinch, and I'm told that ComeUp is the #1 winch line in Australia, and Asia too I believe.
One of my search and rescue teammates works at ComeUp USA and schooled me on some advantages of it vs the Warn 16.5Ti;
ComeUp 16.5S vs Warn 16.5Ti
5.8hp vs 4.6hp
343:1 vs 315:1
1/2"x82' synthetic vs 7/16"x90' wire
132lbs vs 138lbs
Contactors vs solenoids(pretty unique difference when it comes to long term reliability)
The ComeUp 16.5S fitted to the ARB(might be the first time this was done--was the first Chad at ComeUp had heard of one going into an ARB);
Whoops, having some contact issues with the T-handle up against the bumper, and thus the bolt pattern is a bit off;
Good thing this isn't MG's first rodeo! Taking matters into his own hands, the aluminum end cap was removed and re-clocked to put the T-handle at the bottom of the bumper(the only good option). Notice the beefiness of the gears;
There, that's a bit better;
He clearanced the bumper for the new T-handle position (ace fab work here by MG--watching this guy in his element is simply incredible!);
However, since the '92-07 bumper frame horns are sticking further out than the '08-15's do, and in order to allow the best approach angle possible on the '92-07, the bumper needs to suck in towards the van as much as possible, while also keeping in mind the correct aesthetic for the side bumper "wings";
But because the big beefy ComeUp winch is back there, MG's custom truss-bumper adapter needs to be further modified, leaving only a pair of bumper adapters to remain;
And that's where it's been left off for now. More to finish another day, more pictures to come...
If anyone is interested in these adapters to fit this ARB bumper to your E350, contact michael@ mgmetalworks.com for a set.
PS--the "old" stubby bumper has already been spoken for by another ExPo member.
mk216v
Der Chef der Fahrzeuge
You won't regret it Pat. They are simply incredible bumpers for the money--very very fair price.
Thx Ward! Not as beefy as yours though. :drool: