VANifornication!
- Thread starter SoCalChaos
- Start date
steelheadbum
Adventurer
Van looks great bud! Congrats on the find and welcome to the club..
Steelheadbum
2002 E350 7.3 PSD 4x4 8inch lift pop top conversion....
Steelheadbum
2002 E350 7.3 PSD 4x4 8inch lift pop top conversion....
SoCalChaos
Observer
bushwackers
bushwackers came in. took about 4weeks but wasn't in a rush.
slider side
don't have a pic of the clearance, but my slider will definitely clear with no modification needed if the tires didn't stop it.
but as someone mentioned on another forum, these make your tires 'look' smaller :iagree:
now a question for the masses...
found this pic on one of my local mt bike forums.
can someone tell me how these doors open so wide?
this is Ford E-series right?
bushwackers came in. took about 4weeks but wasn't in a rush.
slider side
don't have a pic of the clearance, but my slider will definitely clear with no modification needed if the tires didn't stop it.
but as someone mentioned on another forum, these make your tires 'look' smaller :iagree:
now a question for the masses...
found this pic on one of my local mt bike forums.
can someone tell me how these doors open so wide?
this is Ford E-series right?
BajaSportsmobile
Baja Ironman
Push the little spring clip on the door limiter and lift the limiter arm off the pin.
You know what is funny is that I didn't realize they opened that far until I seen you do it the night my wife and I stopped by to check out your van there in San Clemente
. I haven't had a chance to do much to my van lately Nice build so far SoCalChaos:drool:
SoCalChaos
Observer
WOW! thanks, that was easy!
had no idea that was built in. I sold a Thule T2 hitch rack because i could get access to the back with rack on
SoCalChaos
Observer
new fuel tank
I had ordered a fuel tank shortening kit as I thought I couldn't swing a new fuel tank.
After a couple of different estimates from local fabricators and welders to do the fuel tank mod I was stunned at the costs!
For the record... I really have no clue the time and effort it takes to fab and weld anything... I have no reference.
As an example.... when I had the rear skid plate system from UJOR installed it cost me about $500. Good deal? I don't know.
But the van was already on the lift and the shop was already doing the suspension/axle install, so I gave the go ahead for the rear skid plate install.
Fast forward to present day... the estimates I got for shortening the fuel tank ranged from $600-$650, needless to stay I got sticker shocked.
I thought why would it cost more than my rear skid plate install? I don't know, didn't ask for justification... it is what it is.
Left the shops to contemplate what to do.
Later that day I turned to my local mountain bike forum as there were a group of off-roaders on the site.
Asked for some advise and suggestions... a couple people suggested to look into a local [SoCal] shop that specialized in custom fuel tanks.
Talked to the shop owner over the phone for rough estimates and timelines, then contemplated my options.. for a few hundred more I can gain about 10gal
or spend $600 to mod the stock tank and lose ~3gals??? what to do?
To make a long story short... I got a custom 45 gal fuel tank made, with skid plate, installation, fuel transfered and old tank disposal for just under a $1k.
great shop to work with, they do a lot of work and have many different application.
Easy and quick 1.5 days turn around.
Waiting now on the transfer case shifter assembly from UPS, should be in tomorrow then its off to the transmission shop for the final steps of the conversion.
So I've got a fuel tank shortening kit that I'll offer up for cheap as I have no use for it. PM me if you're interested in it.
I had ordered a fuel tank shortening kit as I thought I couldn't swing a new fuel tank.
After a couple of different estimates from local fabricators and welders to do the fuel tank mod I was stunned at the costs!
For the record... I really have no clue the time and effort it takes to fab and weld anything... I have no reference.
As an example.... when I had the rear skid plate system from UJOR installed it cost me about $500. Good deal? I don't know.
But the van was already on the lift and the shop was already doing the suspension/axle install, so I gave the go ahead for the rear skid plate install.
Fast forward to present day... the estimates I got for shortening the fuel tank ranged from $600-$650, needless to stay I got sticker shocked.
I thought why would it cost more than my rear skid plate install? I don't know, didn't ask for justification... it is what it is.
Left the shops to contemplate what to do.
Later that day I turned to my local mountain bike forum as there were a group of off-roaders on the site.
Asked for some advise and suggestions... a couple people suggested to look into a local [SoCal] shop that specialized in custom fuel tanks.
Talked to the shop owner over the phone for rough estimates and timelines, then contemplated my options.. for a few hundred more I can gain about 10gal
or spend $600 to mod the stock tank and lose ~3gals??? what to do?
To make a long story short... I got a custom 45 gal fuel tank made, with skid plate, installation, fuel transfered and old tank disposal for just under a $1k.
great shop to work with, they do a lot of work and have many different application.
Easy and quick 1.5 days turn around.
Waiting now on the transfer case shifter assembly from UPS, should be in tomorrow then its off to the transmission shop for the final steps of the conversion.
So I've got a fuel tank shortening kit that I'll offer up for cheap as I have no use for it. PM me if you're interested in it.
SoCalChaos
Observer
you do make great looking stuff Chris! every shop I take my van to I get nothing but compliments on how great your stuff looks and how it all ties together so well!
if i didn't have to get a new fork for my DH bike I certainly would have.
I think it was the addition of the skid plate that makes it kind of an eyesore! lol
but oh how it pains me to have to go this route! don't forget the extra shipping costs to socal, then someone nickle and dimeing to install.
if i didn't have to get a new fork for my DH bike I certainly would have.
I think it was the addition of the skid plate that makes it kind of an eyesore! lol
but oh how it pains me to have to go this route! don't forget the extra shipping costs to socal, then someone nickle and dimeing to install.
Toolman
Explorer
You should probably contact me as I can help steer you clear of getting your wallet torn to shreds every time you need something done. $500 to install rear skid plate ? $600 to weld up a gas tank. It cost me $75 to cut of the end and weld the cap on the stock tank, it only took 3 tries for the guy to get it sealed but he got it right and only took about 2 hours total.
PM inbound.
PM inbound.
ujoint
Supporting Sponsor
I hear ya, shipping always adds a nice $$ amount. My tanks are ~2hr to install, all of the factory stuff swaps right over (vents, sending unit) It requires 2 holes to be drilled and thats it.
The rear skid is a lot of work, cutting everything out takes some time (if you remove the rivets and do it nice) And then there are 6 holes to be drilled. I estimate a 5-6 hr install.
SoCalChaos
Observer
HELP! HELP! HELP!
Need some help or suggestions here.
My van has been at a local transmission shop for the past month... yes a month! getting the transmission rebuilt, complete the 4x4.
We've had issues with scheduling [getting my van rack time], getting my new driveshafts [backordered, wasn't told], breaking bolts... etc, etc.
Just when I thought they were gonna finish the job they are running into new issues with the Electronic Ratio Adapter.
They've hooked it up but can't seem to get it right.
Van speedo is reading incorrectly, so van doesn't shift properly and speedo reads about 5-6x actual speed.
Chris[UJoint] has been kind enough to call and provide some advise and tips, but it doesn't seem like they are listening...
I hear nothing but uncertainty in their voices when I talk to them about the situation...
They have no real contingency plan if Chris' suggestions don't pan out for them.
So I'm here to ask if there are any local guys -Southern California, Orange County area that might have had a similar problem with their conversion and if you have any other suggestions
or things to look out for? I've email Chris for other suggestions as well, hoping he might have some other tricks up his sleeve.
Shop guy is saying that we could have a bad unit... any one know of local distributor or seller around here? I'd get one from UJoint but this has got be done by next Tues. June 23rd... trying to hit the road with my mt bikes up into OR and need to take my van.
Been patient and cutting them a lot slack as this is their first 4x4 van conversion they've done, but time is running out!
thanks.
Need some help or suggestions here.
My van has been at a local transmission shop for the past month... yes a month! getting the transmission rebuilt, complete the 4x4.
We've had issues with scheduling [getting my van rack time], getting my new driveshafts [backordered, wasn't told], breaking bolts... etc, etc.
Just when I thought they were gonna finish the job they are running into new issues with the Electronic Ratio Adapter.
They've hooked it up but can't seem to get it right.
Van speedo is reading incorrectly, so van doesn't shift properly and speedo reads about 5-6x actual speed.
Chris[UJoint] has been kind enough to call and provide some advise and tips, but it doesn't seem like they are listening...
I hear nothing but uncertainty in their voices when I talk to them about the situation...
They have no real contingency plan if Chris' suggestions don't pan out for them.
So I'm here to ask if there are any local guys -Southern California, Orange County area that might have had a similar problem with their conversion and if you have any other suggestions
or things to look out for? I've email Chris for other suggestions as well, hoping he might have some other tricks up his sleeve.
Shop guy is saying that we could have a bad unit... any one know of local distributor or seller around here? I'd get one from UJoint but this has got be done by next Tues. June 23rd... trying to hit the road with my mt bikes up into OR and need to take my van.
Been patient and cutting them a lot slack as this is their first 4x4 van conversion they've done, but time is running out!
thanks.