The Ute II: E350 RB 7.3 ZF6

[naterry]

So what's the status update on the conversion, still working, still worth it?

Oh man, it's been too long! Apologies, it was a crazy summer, but I'm back stateside and digging into the van again. I took it on a trip up the lost coast this summer and still very-very happy with it! It's just bad *****!!! No issues with anything.

To make up for my slacker posting here's some westy cruising shots from Aug/Sep along with some interesting rigs I came across on the trip. 3k+ miles across the pond including some Autobahn terminal velocity testing

Cool rigs:

Since I've been back I've been working on a few projects... For the van I'm replacing the doors next. The original ones had issues from it being packed with eqpt that wasn't tied down. Next is paint (thinking MB blue gray? thoughts?), bumpers, recovery eqpt, and then on to the interior...

Bravo. Nice work and very ambitious of you to tackle such a task.

Thank you, the hardest part was committing to do it!

Very cool...tucking away in the files for later use. I was wondering about this same swap, I wasn't sure if the crankshaft for an auto with a flexplate would accept the flywheel, pilot bearing and clutch for a manual transmission. I love the 7.3L PSD with ZF5 that I swapped into my Scout, and would love to have the same drivetrain in a van/RV/ambulance, but all I've found are slush box autos. Excellent solution for the clutch master, too. When I was growing up, my Dad had a 1965 Ford Econoline "Super Van" with the three-on-the-tree.

Yes, not an issue, the cranks are the same. The AT flex plate, cast AL spacer, and crankshaft spacer all go, then you install the steel spacer that goes with the MT. After that the flywheel, clutch, and tranny bolt right up.

I had everything for a gas zf5 swap but sold van for an 01 PSD cargo..6bills, now sourcing zf6, will do a 5 if I can get the 6. Also who's chip are you running?

Do it! I went with the Tony Wildman 6 Pos chip.

Black tank dump! Very handy when someone is tailgating you. I don't even have, or want, a black tank but it might be worth having for that reason.

The perfect use, so pragmatic, stink prevention & spy hunter widget all in one... :chef: Thank you!

 

[Pinnacle Campers]

So you bought a v10?

 

[naterry]

So you bought a v10?

Ha ha, great to see you on here Bud! Nah those are good ol American V8's! Glad you got a Chateau, very regal

So what do you think on color? I like the recent non metallic grays MB is using. Blue Gray, Clay Greens, Stone Gray, etc... I want it to be different, but still blend in to the dirt, trees, and rocks from a distance.

Examples:

Stone gray-

Blue Gray-

http://photos.ecarlist.com/vb/e1/8K/I7/nQ/tV/M4/****/yh/zs/7A_640.jpg

Graphite Gray-

 

[ben2go]

I like that blue grey.I also never seen a Sprinter dually in the US,except the Sprinter cab and chassis RVs.

 

[QCAuto]

sweet, thanks. just bought a second EB 7.3 for under a G. will look into that chip

 

[bonecraft]

I see dually sprinters all the time the duallies are the same width as the singles.

 

[QCAuto]

Well closer to reality picked up complete 99 PSD zf6 F350 $600 plus gave a zf5, thanks for the "how to" glad I favorited!

 

[naterry]

Well closer to reality picked up complete 99 PSD zf6 F350 $600 plus gave a zf5, thanks for the "how to" glad I favorited!

Excellent! The low gear on the ZF6 is an improvement over the ZF5, and close enough to crawler for me...

In Ute news: She got dropped off for paint on Monday, Nardo Grey, very close to the MB Blue Grey above. I can't wait to have all the doors the same color again! Also, a decent pair of Sienna seats finally turned up on CL locally. $550 for the pair, stoked!

 

[86scotty]

very nice. Love the "anti slip" floor mats too

I have those too, and love them. Just FYI for those interested:

http://www.amazon.com/Highland-4604200-All-Weather-Black-Front/dp/B000BRMTDI

If you have a pre 97 van, like mine and the one in this thread, the passenger side doesn't fit as well, but fits ok. These are perfect for the 97 up vans. They make em in gray and tan too.


Naterry, love the e30 M3 as well. I've got a fairly rare e46 sport wagon 5-speed, white too. Love the older BMWs!

 

[QCAuto]

What are gears and tire size? I was thinking of leaving the 3.73 (I have second set of axles 4.10 if it seems like a slug) I have with 285/75r16s making sixth even better on highway but still have five for around town, how tight was the tank to transfer case? Doing some measuring and standard from bellhousing looks a bit long, compared to where the forward tank strap is?

 

[naterry]

What are gears and tire size? I was thinking of leaving the 3.73 (I have second set of axles 4.10 if it seems like a slug) I have with 285/75r16s making sixth even better on highway but still have five for around town, how tight was the tank to transfer case? Doing some measuring and standard from bellhousing looks a bit long, compared to where the forward tank strap is?

Yeah there's definitely a performance decision to make with gearing. Part of me wanted the punchier 4.10's but I ultimately chose 3.73's because I think a chipped 7.3psd has plenty of torque and I knew for sure that I wanted lower RPM's cruising on the freeway. The van rips on the road, and the granny gear is ridiculously slow.

35" Dia Tires: LT315/75R16 COOPER DISCOVERER S/T MAXX

ZF S6-650
Gear (Ratio)
1st (5.79 : 1)
2nd (3.30 : 1)
3rd (2.10 : 1)
4th (1.31 : 1)
5th (1.00 : 1)
6th (0.72 : 1)

The Fuel Tank gets cut and capped 1/2" in front of the front strap. This leaves a 1/2" gap to the Tcase. I'll take a pic when I'm back at the shop.

Hope this helps!

N

 

[QCAuto]

Ya. Helps lots, did u use the u joint kit for tank cut? Their install video looks father ahead than what u described. If I go 33" range I might consider 3.55 if I'm not happy with the highway rpms, but it has those now and feels a bit sluggy. Thx

 

[naterry]

Ya. Helps lots, did u use the u joint kit for tank cut? Their install video looks father ahead than what u described. If I go 33" range I might consider 3.55 if I'm not happy with the highway rpms, but it has those now and feels a bit sluggy. Thx

Yes, his end-plate works fine, you just have to cut the tank shorter. If I remember correctly I cut right at the edge of the recess in the tank where the support strap lays.

On 33's vs 35's & gearing;

You can calculate a difference in torque at the axle by taking the ratios of the tire radius's: (33/2)/(35/2)=0.94 , so a ~6% delta. Now, comparing that to the difference in gearing at said axle (3.55/3.73=0.95, so ~5%) shows that the smaller tire will net roughly the same change in gearing (i.e. 3.55's pushing 33" tires is close to 3.73's pushing a 35" tire).

Naterry, love the e30 M3 as well. I've got a fairly rare e46 sport wagon 5-speed, white too. Love the older BMWs!

Cheers! There's something about older BMW's that I love too, back when they still looked like a BMW! I rescued that car from the back of a stuffed shop. It was motor-less, needed a lot of love, and secretly wanted to be a track rat, so I stuffed 6.2L of apple pie up her skirt! :Mechanic:

In other news, the van is in the paint booth and Santa came early with camper parts! I'm gathering a rather large pile for the next phase, January will be fun

 

[QCAuto]

Nice units!

 

[dcguillory]

Which stove/sink is that?