250 vs 350, 4x4 conversion? - Page 2

1der · 05-03-2015, 11:50 AM

Maybe I am missing something in this thread? Why not just buy an e350 that is already converted to 4wd? If you want a GMC product there are a few of those around but nowhere near as many nor the after market support.

I love our 2003 V10 TTB 4wd EB and accept that the gas mileage will be less than the 5.4. It cruises effortlessly with 3.73 gearing/265/75-16's. The TransferFlow tank providing 500 mi range is comforting/relaxing. I am not doing any towing now. On prior occasion I towed a 6500lb boat trailer combo and it was fine. If I were towing 7500lbs+ often I would likely consider a 4.10 gear set.

There are well cared for, very good condition rigs out there, gas/4wd RB already done. Is there something special you are looking to do?

rob_gendreau · 05-03-2015, 01:22 PM

I had Salem Kroger convert my E250 to 4WD. I have a penthouse, and a pretty normal layout, but no propane. Fulled loaded I just hit the max weight now, which is 8800 I think.

The van is a 2001 with semi floats. So it's doable, just depends on how you do it. One issue was that the gas tank had to be cut away a bit. And the front end they used included some parts that are sorta incompatible brakewise; to get front and rears to match up I have to go through a hassle every time with the rotors. But that probably is down to the front end we used; it can be avoided.

boywonder · 05-03-2015, 01:58 PM

...fixed my thread above to Dana 50 TTB.....I wrote that pre-coffee this morning......it was still rather early....

Bahamame · 05-03-2015, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1der

Maybe I am missing something in this thread? Why not just buy an e350 that is already converted to 4wd? If you want a GMC product there are a few of those around but nowhere near as many nor the after market support.

I love our 2003 V10 TTB 4wd EB and accept that the gas mileage will be less than the 5.4. It cruises effortlessly with 3.73 gearing/265/75-16's. The TransferFlow tank providing 500 mi range is comforting/relaxing. I am not doing any towing now. On prior occasion I towed a 6500lb boat trailer combo and it was fine. If I were towing 7500lbs+ often I would likely consider a 4.10 gear set.

There are well cared for, very good condition rigs out there, gas/4wd RB already done. Is there something special you are looking to do?

1der, you're not missing anything... I'm looking for a 4x4 RB forward facing seating (carseat compatible)... and I'm (perhaps a bit) impatient. I can't seem to find one... There's plenty EB's and there's plenty with the gaucho, there's exactly zero with the foward facing seating, 4x4, and a decent (2000+) year.

So... I'm expanding my search to 2wd - but I'm not a guy who turns a wrench, so I'm out of my element a bit... I'm trying to make sure I don't buy a 2WD with the intent to convert it, and find out I royally f'd up...

Thanks, guys! Good info -

eddyturn · 05-03-2015, 11:27 PM

A good lightly used RB 350 with the V10 engine is getting very hard to find these days. Make me start looking at a 250 but most all of them have that little engine the 4.6. Tons of 250s but with the smaller motor. Waited too long.

REF · 05-04-2015, 04:48 AM

I think the only thing you'll want to make sure of in your search is getting enough engine under the hood, I think the rest can be sorted with a change of springs/shocks and other bits. It's been discussed in other threads, but if you end up finding a 2WD rig, for gassers, go with at the least the 5.4L V8, stay away from the 4.6L

86Scotty · 05-04-2015, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REF

I think the only thing you'll want to make sure of in your search is getting enough engine under the hood, I think the rest can be sorted with a change of springs/shocks and other bits. It's been discussed in other threads, but if you end up finding a 2WD rig, for gassers, go with at the least the 5.4L V8, stay away from the 4.6L

I agree with that completely, though I doubt you would find or even think about a 4.6 to convert to 4wd. Chris, or any other converter, would talk you out of it I'm sure.

boywonder · 05-04-2015, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddyturn

A good lightly used RB 350 with the V10 engine is getting very hard to find these days. Make me start looking at a 250 but most all of them have that little engine the 4.6. Tons of 250s but with the smaller motor. Waited too long.

There is something in between.......E250s or E350s with the 5.4L......

boywonder · 05-04-2015, 09:24 AM

Bahamame:

FWIW the twin traction beam setup is basically 4WD independent front suspension; all of the other conversions Dana 60, Dynatrack, etc. are all solid front axle (your typical 4WD solid axle with the differential pumpkin located on the axle).

The solid axle setups all require lifting the suspension (which most of us want here anyway), since there is very little room for suspension travel after you stick a solid axle under there.

...so there are three basic configs:

Twin Traction Beam

Solid axle with coil springs

Solid axle with leaf springs

...and they all have their +'s and -'s.

**BroncoHauler** · 05-04-2015, 09:30 AM

'09 E250 Quigley with a 5.4L. There is a disclosed issue with the Title.

No affiliation.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-E-Series-V ... 859wt_1161

Herb