E350 project

[alaskantinbender]

The van project is finally off the ground. It will probably progress slowly (baby steps) but sometimes its the trip and not the destination that's important. Two of my sons and I installed longer stiffer springs to the front end 2 weeks ago (on another thread) and I will get the rear lifted this next break.
A fellow Alaskan was kind enough to work on the bumper project for me while I'm at work. I like the looks of the fancy store bought ones but the price tag is too much of a stretch for me.
So Dansvan is extending the bumper and mounting a husky 10 as well as adding a brush guard for me.


Regards,

Jim


http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj129/alaskantinbender/P1010226.jpg
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj129/alaskantinbender/P1010220.jpg
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj129/alaskantinbender/P1010227.jpg

[Clark]

I can't wait to see the pics. I need a new front bumper, but thats on hold for now.

[alaskantinbender]

I managed to add the pictures using photobucket to the original post.


Regards

Jim

[alaskantinbender]

Here are a couple pics of the brush guard being fitted.
Its a warn winch brush guard combo that I found on craigs list.
It was modified to fit a 1987 suburban and now its going on a ford. Who knows what it originally came from.

Regards,

Jim

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj129/alaskantinbender/P1010230.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj129/alaskantinbender/P1010229.jpg
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj129/alaskantinbender/P1010231.jpg

[BigAl]

Have you considered a simple 2x6 box tube bumper of the same shape, with longer returns. Matterial would be $30-50. You could put expanded metal on the top to make a step/platform to access under the hood. That stock bumper looks a little odd sticking out that far. Please don't take offense, just a redneck opinion:bigbossHL:

[alaskantinbender]

I’m tickled pink just to get the winch and brush guard on.
It does look long in the pics but its only 12 inches. The winch is 10 inches deep and needs a little wiggle room. There is a piece of channel behind the bumper identical to the one bolted to the frame horns. If approach angle becomes a problem, it can always be modified to suite later
Dan is going to cover the top with some type of plate for a step or platform.
I plan on using the extra space for adding a two bicycle carrier in front of the brush guard later.

Regards,

Jim

[alaskantinbender]

Here are some pics of the brush guard and winch area.

Regards,

Jim

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj129/alaskantinbender/P1010240.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj129/alaskantinbender/P1010242-3.jpg

[Clark]

I'm starting to see where you're going with this. Depth perspective is really hard to tell from photos.

[alaskantinbender]

Here is a link to some more pics of the finished bumper.
Dan is a great guy to work with. I would recommend him to anyone in my neck of the woods.
It turned out great, now I need to go out and get stuck........:smiley_drive:

http://www.alaska4x4network.com/showthread.php?p=376070&posted=1#post376070


Regards,

Jim

[alaskantinbender]

Took the time today for the shackle flip.
Was going to do it last fri but it decided to snow again. We recieved 2 feet of sloppy spring snow. It all melted now so back to work.
Scored the rivets and knocked the heads off with my rivet gun and chisel. Flipped over the brackets and relocated them 2 inches foreword to get the proper shackle angle over the spring eye.
Unfortunately I miss judged the bolt length (used 1 inch)and need to swap them out for longer ones.
By flipping the spring hangers over I gained 2 1/2 inches of lift in the rear to compensate for the longer springs in front and leveled out the van.
More lift can be achieved by locating the spring hanger lower or using longer shackles with the flipped hanger.
Now I have to actually make a decision on the size and type of tires.:smiley_drive:


Regards,

Jim

[Clark]

The vans looking good! I just bookmarked this for the shackle flip. It seemed to work out well and I bet it improves the pinion angle (I'm a little worried about this when I shorten my drive shaft to get the transfer case in). Is there any down sides to a shackle flip?

[DaveInDenver]

Cool! That van is a beast, really digging it.

[alaskantinbender]

The vans looking good! I just bookmarked this for the shackle flip. It seemed to work out well and I bet it improves the pinion angle (I'm a little worried about this when I shorten my drive shaft to get the transfer case in). Is there any down sides to a shackle flip?

I added a pic of the left side rear shackle for you Clark.
The flip doesent seem to cause any problems I am aware of. I will let you know if something presents itself.
Dansvan drove his with a shackle flip on an extendid trip from Alaska to the lower 48 with no problems.
He didnt flip his spring hanger but modified it to allow the shackle to rotate to the lower position and moved it foreward 2 inches for proper angle.

Regards,

Jim

[Clark]

Thanks!

[alaskantinbender]

We discoverd the stock rims are only 7" so It slowed down the tire upgrade. The largest that will fit is a 285X16. So for now a cheep (for Alaska)set of mudstars will have to do. The money is going for a rear tire and gas can rack next week.
I also took off the bumper valance to help the approach angle a bit.


Regards,

Jim

[alaskantinbender]

Ran across a cheep set of 35X12.5 BFG AT's with 16.5 rims.
The rim offset really made a difference in the way the van handles. Its more stable both on and off road. The rear end felt a little squirly with the narrow rims and tires.
The rear bumper build is going a little slow. Finding heavy enough spindles for the swing away hinges is a problem The readily available 1000 lb wont be heavy enough. Also with the short summers in Alaska some projects are taking priority over the van.

Regards,

Jim

[Clark]

Why wouldn't the 1000 lb spindles be enough. The way I normally see them installed is with the spindle on the axle and the top attached to the top hinge (they drill out the hinge pin and bolt the whole assemble to it)

[alaskantinbender]

Dan has had some snap under load in single shear applications.
I saw some 1700lb that we might try.
I havent had time to really come up with a design, we have been doing concrete work all last week.
Possibly using 2 in a double hinge setup might work with a rectangular swing away rack?
Now its time to get ready for the trip back to work monday night.

Here is a pic of what the single sheer looks like.
Also a double hinge set up that looks interesting.

Regards,

Jim

[Clark]

I was checking out a sportmobile at the dealer (I just got a service engine soon light so I'm having some codes pulled) and I was checking out their setup. In addition to using the top hinge they had a side support.

[FROADER]

Looks great with the 35s. So is that about a 4" lift total then?

[ujoint]

Are they rubbing under flex? When turning?

[alaskantinbender]

Looks great with the 35s. So is that about a 4" lift total then?

I would say about a 3.5 inch lift or so.
I trimmed 2 inches off the lower rear of the front fender well's to clear the tires. You can see it on the side pic of the van. The drivers side running board had to be moved back 3 inches and the passenger side moved back and trimmed to fit.
No rubbing at all yet, but I haven't done any aggressive off roading either.
Lots of room left for trimming if required.



Regards,

Jim

[Rezarf <><]

Hello-

I thought I would throw this out for you...

I used this spindle from Iron Pig Off road and it is working flawlessly.

Tire carrier swing out Spindle (http://www.ironpigoffroad.com/fab/diy.shtml)

Scroll down a little it is a super heavy duty 1.5" shaft and bronze bushings and a weldable sleeve.

For the price it is a good deal, IMHO.

[alaskantinbender]

Hello-

I thought I would throw this out for you...

I used this spindle from Iron Pig Off road and it is working flawlessly.

Tire carrier swing out Spindle (http://www.ironpigoffroad.com/fab/diy.shtml)

Scroll down a little it is a super heavy duty 1.5" shaft and bronze bushings and a weldable sleeve.

For the price it is a good deal, IMHO.

Thanx for the info, I will check it out.
What size tire are you carrying with your rack? Is it the full size spare listed on your sig line?

Regards,

Jim