Another E350 build thread

[witt]

Van Weight

I've seen a few posts in various threads asking about van weight. I'm going to try to keep the total weight of ours under the GVWR, so first I need to know how much it weighs empty, which I did today using a commercial truck scale (the weigh cost $9)

The van in question is a 2001 Ford E350 extended body 7.3L PSD with a Salem Kroger 4x4 conversion installed. It's a cargo van with a sliding door, and it was completely empty when I weighed it. I estimate about 20 gallons of fuel in the tank at the time.

Front axle weight: 3760 lb
Rear axle weight: 2880 lb
Gross weight: 6640 lb

For reference, the sticker on the door shows:
Front GAWR (gross axle weight): 4050 lb
Rear GAWR: 6084 lb
GVWR: 9400 lb

So if you add me, my wife, a center seat that we're going to install for our son plus our son, I'll bet we're already over on the front axle weight. Looks like no brush guard for this van! I imagine I can thank the 7.3 and the 4x4 conversion for the heavy front end.

[BIGVAN]

Yep, that’s why Sportsmobile only uses aluminum bumpers (Aluminess Brand). The conversion adds weight but it also adds to the front axle GAWR. You can look at all the 4x4 Van sites on the internet and find conversion vans slightly to massively over the GVWR all day long.

[Gooseberry]

I'm at 4600 lbs front and rear. So I'm betting my bumper is not far from 600 lbs with winch.

[witt]

So what are the consequences of a mildly overloaded vehicle? After reading this article posted on expo, it sounds like safety (mostly increased stopping distance) and reliability are two of the main ones. I do plan to upgrade the brakes on our van.

Sportsmobiles seem to have a pretty good reliability record (though most tend to not be driven much), so can I assume that the E350 platform can handle a bit of overloading without falling apart?

Anyone have experiences with maintenance problems stemming from being overweight, or have you heard of anyone having such problems?

I guess what I'm really trying to ask is, how much should I worry about it?

Thanks!!

[BIGVAN]

Remember that Ford uses an independent twin I-Beam coil spring setup in the stock front end when they calculate (and "to err on the side of caution") come up with that number. A 4x4 conversion is going to use a solid front axle. Set up properly (including “E” rated tires) you should have no problems at all with a great bumper and a big winch with a steel cable. Sportsmobile stopped using steel bumpers because of Ford parts warranty concerns. I have used many kits over the years starting back in the day with “Pathfinder”. My experience is that leaf spring front ends work the best with Ford vans. If I build another one, I’m thinking of using a U-Joint kit.

[witt]

That definitely eases my mind a bit. Thanks for the information!

[Hoosier Daddy]

Hey witt, great van you picked up and sounds like you have serious plans to put it to good use. I am van shopping myself and wondered if you you could share your thoughts on the sliding door. I have heard to stay away because they won't clear the rear tire when doing larger rubber. Obviously the offset of the wheel plays a large part in this equation, but can you tell me if yours still clears, and by approximately how much?

[BIGVAN]

Hey Mat, My current Van has a slider. The sliding door has less squeaking and rattling than the barn door type. It is also easier to use in everyday life like in parking lots. The barn door type will give you options like Sportsmobile uses like a box or table on the inside of the doors. As far as the slider clearing the rear tire, it will open all the way but just touch the tire sidewall with the stock rear axle and 285/75/16 tires max. If you install the 2” wheel spacer kit, use wider tires, or have a wider axle built, you need to have the slide hinge lengthened and moved forward in the door. The best guy I have found to do this is John at Northwest Quadvan. A higher lift suspension will also give you enough room. If you don’t mod the hinge and use a wider rear end, the door will open approximately 2 ½ feet, Still enough to get in and out but not the best setup.

[Hoosier Daddy]

BIGVAN,

Thanks for the feedback. I agree about sliders. I used an Express van as my shop vehicle before I bought my Excursion. I really missed having one (man that sounds weird), that's how I ended up searching 4x4 van stuff. My van will be my daily, and I had the same experience with a slider in the past, parking lots etc. so it's good to hear the specifics. It's going to be tough enough to find the right van, I just wanted to know if I could keep my options open to these.

[BIGVAN]

Matt, forgot one more thing ………… As of last year “Bushwacker” discontinued the right rear fender flare for the sliding door (Lower profile). The one for the barn door type is the same profile as the other three flares so the sliding door hits it. You can still find places that have the slider style flares in stock if you want them.