New E-350 Project: VANdiana Jones!

[bknudtsen]

Well, I just picked up my new van yesterday. I could go on and on about the trials and tribulations of finding and purchasing a decent diesel van these days, but most of you have already been there, done that. So, pics first...

2007 Ford E-350 6.0 Passenger van, 65k miles, power windows, power door locks, rear A/C, basic vinyl interior and floor

The pics are from the dealer as my camera is dead.















My plan is to first work on the engine's reliability and longevity. I will be installing a Sinister Diesel coolant filter and working on a bypass oil system that won't get in the way when I do a UJOR 4wd conversion. I will also do a Sinister Diesel EGR delete and SCT tune. While I have the turbo out, I will have it cleaned. Finally, I will install a 4inch turbo-back exhaust.

After that is done, I will begin the UJOR conversion. I found a set of F-350 axles that are local, but have had no luck finding a manual transfer case locally. I am hoping to start the conversion this summer since there is a very small window of dry weather here in the lovely Seattle area. I have decided on the following specs; 6" UJOR lift, 35" BFG All-Terrains on 17 inch black wheels(undecided on steel or aluminum). More to come.... Brad

[bknudtsen]

Kitting out the interior will be a much longer process. First, I plan to remove everything and give it a good once over. Then I will install a sound deadening product on most of the surfaces. I am looking at BedRug's VanRug as a possible replacement for the current vinyl floor. The 3 bench seats will come out and get sold. I would like to find a nice captain's chair for my son, and some type convertible bench. I am also planning on replacing the front vinyl seats with something more comfortable. The goal here is flexibility. I would like to be able to change up the layout depending on what I need the van to do at the time. It needs to be a daily driver, go to the dump, pick up lumber and materials at Home Depot, travel around the USA, serve as a short term camping vehicle, be a base for astronomy and photography, and a towing vehicle for the Jeep TJ. As of right now, I do not have plans to install a permanant galley, toilet, or pop-top type tent.

[bknudtsen]

I am thinking along the lines of something like this van from the Aluminess site.


I would like a roof rack that can function as a deck and platform for a telescope or photography equipment, as well, as a possible roof top tent.

I plan on having the spare tire on a bumper swing-out and sliders along the sides. I would really like to build the bumpers, sliders and roof rack myself, so these may come at a slower pace. We'll see how much time, energy and money I have after the UJOR conversion. I am not a fan of the window vans, but I made a compromise for the sake of the passengers riding along on future adventures. I like the vinyl wrap on this van, as it does a lot to minimize the church van look, while still allowing visibility through the rear windows. I might have to look into that as well.

[ujoint]

Nice!!! You're right on track with the engine mods, got it all covered. Don't think you'll fit a 4" down pipe, its tight in there!

And congrats again on finding a diesel wagon, they're not very common.

[Railvan]

Looks like a nice clean van to start with and it sounds like you have your priorities right too. Good luck on the project. I'm up in B'ham. Maybe I'll see you and the rig around sometime.

[bknudtsen]

Nice!!! You're right on track with the engine mods, got it all covered. Don't think you'll fit a 4" down pipe, its tight in there!

And congrats again on finding a diesel wagon, they're not very common.

Thanks Chris! Yeah, I'm still investigating the whole exhaust thing. Since there aren't any kits for this van, that I can find, I will obviously have to mod one from a truck. Thx for the heads up on the down pipe. I have yet to pull the dog house and take a look. Maybe I will just swap out the muffler and kill the cat. I gotta do something about how low the tailpipe is though. I will call you soon and we can figure out what and when to order my conversion kit. Brad

[bknudtsen]

Looks like a nice clean van to start with and it sounds like you have your priorities right too. Good luck on the project. I'm up in B'ham. Maybe I'll see you and the rig around sometime.

I bought it up in Anacortes, so I was pretty close to ya already!

[bknudtsen]

So, after owning my new-to-me van for less than a day, I now have its first mods on the way. I purchased a coolant filter kit from Sinister Diesel along with 3 extra filters. They recommend changing out the first filter at 500 miles, then again at 3000 miles, and again at the year mark. After that they recommend to change it once a year. I plan on cutting the filters open and taking pictures of what is caught inside. I will post a write-up when I install it. I also bought a used black grill for $25 on ebay. No chrome on this sucka!

[bknudtsen]

This post is dedicated the the guy that invented that super heavy, ultra slick, disgustingly greasy, spray-on dressing that the dealership detailers are so fond of......

[bknudtsen]

I spent the last couple of hours just tinkering with the van. I started by removing all the bench seats and checking out how they are mounted. Man! Those things are heavy! The mounting brackets are seriously built. The metal is more like plate steel than sheet metal.

The brackets and latching system on the seat are pretty beefy too.

I have the beginnings of a plan to use these brackets and latches on a cargo stowage system so that it is removable, yet securely attached. More on that later...
On to the interior...As you can see, this is pretty basic stuff. All plastic. No bins or cool retractable cup holders.


I haven't decided if I will leave the plain old black plastic interior door panels, or try and find the nicer XLT interior versions. It will work for now.