Looking at a 2003 V10 SMB

[adventureduo]

Anything i should take a look at in particular? Its a 2003 Ford EB "Photographers Edition" E350 V-10 4x4 w/48,000 miles on the clock.

Anything wrong with that motor i should ask about? Heard something about spark plugs with not enough threads but they changed that in 2003.. ?

Drove the truck tonight and it ran like a champ. Everything looks perfect on it. Nothing seems wrong. The entire truck is in great condition and only offroad 4 times in 4 years.

Here's a photo of it. Love the color.
http://www.sportsmobile.com/z_preowned/po_calif_files/colby1.jpg

Any pointers would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

[LexusAllTerrain]

Anything i should take a look at in particular? Its a 2003 Ford EB "Photographers Edition" E350 V-10 4x4 w/48,000 miles on the clock.

Anything wrong with that motor i should ask about? Heard something about spark plugs with not enough threads but they changed that in 2003.. ?

Drove the truck tonight and it ran like a champ. Everything looks perfect on it. Nothing seems wrong. The entire truck is in great condition and only offroad 4 times in 4 years.

Here's a photo of it. Love the color.
http://www.sportsmobile.com/z_preowned/po_calif_files/colby1.jpg

Any pointers would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

It looks very nice, however I would look for a diesel engine, the V10 is known to be a gas gassler!

[AlpineSMB]

got a 01 V10 and we love it. The V10 is a pretty reliable motor, tons of power, quiet. Yeah your mileage will avg around 12ish mpg's but the above poster didn't mention that it's actually cheaper to run the V10 over the noiser, trouble-prone diesel. They only get maybe 15mpg.

Van looks good!

-d

[adventureduo]

Yeah i would go diesel if i could afford it.. but i can't. The v10 will have to do.

[kjp1969]

Do you mind that long overhang in the back? The short bodies look like they have a much better departure angle. I have trouble picturing that big boy climbing a hill of any real size.

[adventureduo]

Yeah im fine with it for what we do. Love the extended amount of room outback.. always felt the SMB's were cramped for space.. this one feels just right. It has dual spares on the back too. It's quite the beast.

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/2599/pict0009copywc5.jpg

[olympiccop2002]

That is a really nice looking rig there! Good luck with the purchase! :smiley_drive:

Bjorn

[adventureduo]

Yeah its a great rig.. hopefully we'll get it.... Here are the specs....

Photographers model PH w/Bed, “50”, Leather Capt Seats, Upgraded Stereo w/ Pioneer Nav. System, Back up Camera, AM/FM/XM Radio, 12 Disc CD Changer, Upgraded Speakers, CB, Sink, Refrigerator, Two One Burner Portable Stoves, Porta Potti, Propane Furnace, Portable Inverter, Two Tables, Large Sized Under Floor Storage, Warn Winch, Portable Air Compressor, Roof Racks, Front & Rear Aluminum Bumpers w/ Fog Lights and Back Up Lights, Bushwackers, Custom Wheels & Tires, Custom Grill, Scan Gauge, Prodigy Trailer Electric Brake Controller, 46 Gallon Fuel Tank, Black Power Coated Running Boards, Six Bridgestone LT285 75R16 Tires W/ Six American Racing Wheels and Correct Track, Snow Chains, Tow Hitch, Rancho Shocks, Sleep 4, Seats 5

What's the Correct Track??? Is that just wheel spacers? I did a search on the net and looked at the SMB website but couldn't find info on it.

[adrenaline503]

That thing looks great. Does the pop top roof have the ability to hold any weight? If I could carry 2 bicycles that would be one of my dream rigs.

[ron86toy]

I had an '02 v10....just need the proper torque wrench when swapping plugs.Other than that yes they like fuel.I would also look for some used coil packs to keep with you.....can usually find a hand full for 100.00 or so.I ran a diablo tuner on mine....did not notice performance that much....but loved the change in shift change and firmness.

[adventureduo]

That thing looks great. Does the pop top roof have the ability to hold any weight? If I could carry 2 bicycles that would be one of my dream rigs.

Yeah, you can store a kayak up there along with some bikes. Stay away from my deam rig! I might have to go put a deposit on it today to keep the vultures away! LOL!

[adventureduo]

I had an '02 v10....just need the proper torque wrench when swapping plugs.Other than that yes they like fuel.I would also look for some used coil packs to keep with you.....can usually find a hand full for 100.00 or so.I ran a diablo tuner on mine....did not notice performance that much....but loved the change in shift change and firmness.

Coil pack noted. I appreciate your insight.

[ron86toy]

What's the Correct Track??? Is that just wheel spacers? I did a search on the net and looked at the SMB website but couldn't find info on it.

They may have added spacers to the rear axle to match the front axle width.....that is the only thing I can think it being.

Yup...found it

http://www.mrtruck.net/spacer.htm

[adventureduo]

I was leaning towards them being wheel spacers. Alright thanks for finding that out for us. Another thing to maintain and keep on top off. Yae. Not a deal breaker though.

[Momrocks]

I had an '02 v10....just need the proper torque wrench when swapping plugs.Other than that yes they like fuel.I would also look for some used coil packs to keep with you.....can usually find a hand full for 100.00 or so.I ran a diablo tuner on mine....did not notice performance that much....but loved the change in shift change and firmness.


Good call on properly torqueing the plugs. Some of the first V10s had a reputation for spitting the spark plugs. I think Ford resolved that issue, I am not sure what year models were prone to blowing out plugs. My neighbor has a V10 in his in his F250. It accelerates up hill pulling a 26 foot center console with twin 200s. He loves that engine, but like us all he hates feeding it. He gets 11 MPG empty.

[ujoint]

Does that year V-10 have the 2 valve heads or 3 valve? Also, is is a Quigley conversion or SMB?

[adventureduo]

Ok, just put a deposit on it. Just need to sell the cruiser and trailer.

Ujoint, you askin' me or momrocks? Ours is a SMB for sure. Checked the axles and the Atlas... and even have the original work order.

[kjp1969]

Just need to sell the cruiser and trailer.


:Wow1:

[cellularsteve2]

Wow that was fast Dave! I just saw you a few days ago and you are moving forward.

I see you want to upgrade:
http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/album_mod/upload/34058af439c42278a5868eb3a08df019.jpg

As far as V10 goes. I have one and am very happy with it. Several other owners I know have the 6.0PSD and it has been one problem after another. The diesel costs more and so does the fuel. Even with the crappy gas mileage of the V10 it will take years and tens of thousands of miles to even break even.

As far as the penthouse top goes, electric makes it easier to put things on top. I have carried a Yakima Box and a foldable boat with no problems. The manual tops are harder to raise with stuff up there but less to go wrong.

steve

[cellularsteve2]

One more thing:
I tow my XJ on a flatbed trailer with absolutely no problem in the power/torque department:

http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/album_mod/upload/78113336add8c44a7400d45667dcd199.jpg


I have a lot of advice for you. Call me if you want. I am in the office right now.

steve

[cellularsteve2]

Sorry for all the posts but you got me excited here.

Verify if it is the Quigley Conversion or the SMB 4x4 Conversion. There is a big difference here including components used, turning radius, etc.

Depending on price, I would go for the SMB 4x4 conversion which includes the Atlas transfer case and Dynatrac Dana 60 front end. The turning radius makes a huge difference.

steve

[ujoint]

Ok, just put a deposit on it. Just need to sell the cruiser and trailer.

Ujoint, you askin' me or momrocks? Ours is a SMB for sure. Checked the axles and the Atlas... and even have the original work order.

I was askin you!! Cool, it's a SMB conversion, mucho better!! You should have no problem selling the 80, with so many people drooling over it. Now you'll see who will step up to the plate & buy it! Congrats on joining the van club, time for a trail run..... ;)

[OverlandZJ]

Congrats on the SMB purchase Dave! I'll look fwd to your mods to make this a beast as well.

I wouldnt think you'll be sitting on the 80 and AT for long.

[adventureduo]

Please no congrats yet!.. You never know what may happen.. i'd hate to jinx it!

Yeah the trailer is pretty much sold already.. and im checking to see if the buyer wants the 80 to go with it. If they do not, the 80 will be sold ASAP for a move to sell price and the vehicle being "AS IS".

[adventureduo]

What are you guys paying for insurance on these things? Im going to call up Costco pretty soon here and find out. Im 30 with no accidents or tickets.

[olympiccop2002]

Very cool! :victory:

Bjorn

[wesel123]

What are you guys paying for insurance on these things? Im going to call up Costco pretty soon here and find out. Im 30 with no accidents or tickets.

Hey bud,

Im picking up the 94 SMB that olimpiccop2002 posted a while ago (this weekend to be exact) and in my search for insurrance I found to be all over the board!!!!

I have Farmers and they wanted $850 a year :confused:
I finaly looked a Progressive and was quoted $445... cant figure that out but oh well.

So Costco sell RV insureance???? If so let me know what they are chargin'

And CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!! We live close enough Im sure we can share Ideas!!!!

[Fergie]

Poo on both of you!

I'll be swinging by on my way in from Moreno Valley to check it out once you have it in your possession.

[Northern Explorer]

Congratulations on the new rig. It seems there are a few of us now that have moved up to more luxurious (camping) accommodations. I’ll have to look on the Sportmoblie website to see what the Photographers Edition is all about. If I had put as much work as you have into a rig (your 80) I think I would have to take it to my grave.

[charlieaarons]

[QUOTE
I finaly looked a Progressive and was quoted $445... cant figure that out but oh well.

[/QUOTE]

In my experience with Progressive it is called "you get what you pay for".

Charlie

[LandCruiserPhil]

How about Gieco?

[wesel123]

How about Gieco?

Geico dose not currently insure RV's in the state of California. They sadi maybe soon.

[chop]

Please no congrats yet!.. You never know what may happen.. i'd hate to jinx it!

Yeah the trailer is pretty much sold already.. and im checking to see if the buyer wants the 80 to go with it. If they do not, the 80 will be sold ASAP for a move to sell price and the vehicle being "AS IS".

I hear that. I'm waiting on the 05 I recently purchased. Until I have it firmly in my possession I don't want my excitement to jinx me.

In fact I'm almost afraid to post this.

But congrats nonetheless.

[adventureduo]

Here's a silly question..... where do you guys dump the porta potti? And is there a hose that goes alone with it?

We've had RV's in the past with holding tanks and had to take them to dump stations... but never owned a porta potti.

[chop]

Oh no...you mean you don't know and they didn't tell you?

Can you get your deposit back?


J/k, actually I have the same question as I've never had to deal with one either. So much to learn but it will be fun...well, except for the answer to this question:sombrero:

[pskhaat]

I have Farmers and they wanted $850 a year :confused:
I finaly looked a Progressive and was quoted $445... cant figure that out but oh well.


What is wrong with AZ? I pay that easy on a 96 Ford Probe liability only. Bloody AZ...

[Northern Explorer]

Here's a silly question..... where do you guys dump the porta potti? And is there a hose that goes alone with it?

We've had RV's in the past with holding tanks and had to take them to dump stations... but never owned a porta potti.

I just ordered this one (http://www.thetford.com/HOME/PRODUCTS/PortableToilets/PortaPotti735Marine/tabid/158/Default.aspx)for the FWC.

I think dumping it would follow the same procedure as the cassette toilet.

Taken from EarthRoame web site

Waste Management
The EarthRoamer XV-LT uses a cassette toilet waste handling system popular with European camper designs. By using a cassette toilet, exposure to waste is minimized and waste disposal is greatly simplified. The waste holding cassette is accessible via an access door from the outside of the camper and can be emptied into a dump station, conventional toilet or pit toilet. The cassette tank has a capacity of five gallons which for two people will need to be emptied approximately every two to three days. The convenience of emptying the cassette far outweighs the need to dispose of waste more frequently and an additional cassette can be carried in the rear locker for additional capacity. With the cassette solution, there is no large waste tank to empty and no sewage hose to handle. This is an elegant solution that allows for convenient waste disposal in remote locations and during the winter, when traditional RV dump stations are not available.

[Ridgewalker]

We have a built in cassette toilet in our '94 Lance camper. We dump it either in normal RV disposal dumps (some located in roadside rest areas); RV park sight waste disposals, pit toilets (use the biodegradable Blue Chem) and in our home toilet. No problems. Normally only the wife uses it (I prefer the woods). Ours has worked great for 14 years.

BTW your future rig sounds excellent. I have a '99 diesel which was great in '99 until the price of diesel skyrocketed. At that time I only needed to drive it 160,000 miles to break even. Today you almost have to hit the life of a diesel to break even. Maintenance (oil, filter, fuel filter, etc) is more expensive along with initial cost and fuel. If I get a new one, it will be gasoline.

Best of luck!

[adventureduo]

Just got off the phone with Costco (ameriprise).

$342.00 every 6 months for the SMB. 21 foot, Class B motorhome as SMB told me to tell them it is.

That's $30 cheaper than the Cruiser LOL!

[cellularsteve2]

Here's a silly question..... where do you guys dump the porta potti? And is there a hose that goes alone with it?

We've had RV's in the past with holding tanks and had to take them to dump stations... but never owned a porta potti.

I have one and never use it since it takes up too much space. I will likely get the PETT toilet that uses wag bags. However the portapotti has a lower "tank" that you simply pull out and dump in a toilet. No hose, but it is very easy. Again, it takes up alot of space under the microwave on the 50 model. Of course you are getting the EB which is bigger.

steve

[adventureduo]

Yeah the EB model is a bit longer... but i noticed it's in the same spot as yours. We just don't have the microwave. So we can still keep the pooper :D

I'll keep the Zodi and Pett shower room instead of the bucket now i guess.

Thanks for the inside track on the poop 411.

[cellularsteve2]

Yeah the EB model is a bit longer... but i noticed it's in the same spot as yours. We just don't have the microwave. So we can still keep the pooper :D

I'll keep the Zodi and Pett shower room instead of the bucket now i guess.

Thanks for the inside track on the poop 411.

No problem, I just wanted to give you the straight s**t. :xxrotflma

[adventureduo]

yet another question.

I noticed many guys run solar panels.

How long can you expect to sit dry with the standard home battery? Lets say just running the outside porch light at night, fridge and then only using the overhead lights and stuff when your inside and you need to see what your doing.

2 days? 3 days? 1 day?

thanks guys

[kjp1969]

We have a proper RV-type camping trailer, and I can run lights, forced air furnace, propane fridge and water pump for 5 days on 2 6v golf cart batteries (wired in series). It's a seriously stout setup and cheap, but not light weight.

[AlpineSMB]

I've got the big 4D battery in my SMB. Usually running the fridge, lights and water pump every now and then I get a solid 2+ days before the level starts to get low. I probably could go even longer but I'd like to not run the battery down too far. Usually then I just fire up the van and let it idle for 20 minutes or so if I'm not going anywhere to top things off a bit.

If you're going to routinely stay at one spot boondocking for long periods of time, solar or a small generator is a great idea.

We're usually in a spot for 2 maybe 3 days max and a lot of the time only a day or so before moving on to the next spot. Not once had I wished for solar, besides the Yakima Mega warrior covers a bunch of the roof and I'd also be concerned about all the snow we get here in UT w/ solar panels up top....

-d

[adventureduo]

Alpine, perfect! Just the answer i was looking for. Thank you

[Chris]

Is it a done deal, you getting it,, got SMB heh! Just had too.

Congrats my friend, Wife and I just got back from four great days on the white rim. Bugs not so bad, heat well for us not so bad. Point is I run a 4D AGM house bat. And a 68 w solar panel. Two panels would be ideal, for extended stays; however I find myself moving more often....tankity-tank-tank. The solar gives just enough regen for the light routine stuff. Lights, phone, PDA, radios/GPS recharged and of course the priority item....Coffee pot and espresso machine. We just added a 2nd refer an Engle45 before the rim tour and power was always good, course we moved everyday but one, spent two days in the white crack. lol

If I was better at posting pics I would. :bigbossHL:

[Rexsname]

There is a saying in the RV world....." Drinks for 8, Dinner for 4, Sleeps 2!!"

[jammyauto]

I have one and never use it since it takes up too much space. I will likely get the PETT toilet that uses wag bags. However the portapotti has a lower "tank" that you simply pull out and dump in a toilet. No hose, but it is very easy. Again, it takes up alot of space under the microwave on the 50 model. Of course you are getting the EB which is bigger.

I never understood why SMB put the portapottie in the galley. I don't really want that near my food. I have the EB so I have a little extra room. My pottie is in the very back of the van. My layout is basically an EB50/EB51. There is about 20 inches of space behind the bed inside the van. The downside of coarse is that you either have to climb over the bed/seat or get out of the van and go around to use the pottie.

[adventureduo]

Ok, looks like we are set to pick up the SMB EB50 4x4 on Thursday night! I'll have to post pics when we get it! Thanks everyone for their help and wealth of knowledge in this area.

[slooowr6]

Congrats on the new SMB, can't wait to see your new DUO rig!!

[mightymike]

FWIW, we have a 2000 Excursion with the gas V10. It has 172,000 miles on it and we've had ZERO issues with the motor or anything else on the truck. It is a 2wd drive model and we get 13 mpg towing the boat. As an interesting aside, we did not have to change the rear brake pads until we had over 100,000 miles on the truck. It was more truck than we needed, but an Expedition with the larger motor would have acutally been more expensive. I hope you have the same results with your new rig.