diy 2008 e350 rb?

[chainsaw5vent]

i stopped at the ford dealer the other day and discovered that they were
'red tag sales' on the 2008 e350 rb/w v-8 gasser. the prices on the lot ranged from 13k to 15k. miles on vehicles ranged from 12,000 to 20000.

interested in a diy project for the first time and saving $$$. may not do 4wd but will seriously consider the camburg type suspension for the adventure part of life. this would replace the '01 chevy 15 passenger family bus.

what are necessary drive train upgrades for 4x2 capability for light offroading?

[LeadDoggy]

Well, if said vans have the Advance Trac RSC on them, then pass.... A lift will only cause problems with the traction control system.

Advance Trac RSC is standard on passenger vans. Not sure about cargo.

[jage]

A winch.

[BroncoHauler]

Originally Posted by chainsaw5vent

i stopped at the ford dealer the other day and discovered that they were
'red tag sales' on the 2008 e350 rb/w v-8 gasser. the prices on the lot ranged from 13k to 15k. miles on vehicles ranged from 12,000 to 20000.

interested in a diy project for the first time and saving $$$. may not do 4wd but will seriously consider the camburg type suspension for the adventure part of life. this would replace the '01 chevy 15 passenger family bus.

what are necessary drive train upgrades for 4x2 capability for light offroading?

If you do go with a different suspension system, keep in mind a vehicle lift can get complicated and expensive very quickly depending upon the amount of lift. At a certain point (not sure what that is on a van), you might need to get the driveshaft modified, a drop pitman arm might be required, and other steering geometry modified. A rear locker wouldn't be the worst thing, and depending on where you plan on traveling, traveling with another vehicle wouldn't be the worst thing.

I've seen 2wd vehicles safely go places I didn't think they belonged, but the most important factor is what's between your ears.


Herb

[LeadDoggy]

I went with a 6" suspension lift from Action Van, http://www.actionvansuspension.com/ It is a complete bolt on system that has everything needed.
If you look at the front I beams you will see that molded into the beam states "do not heat" and "do not bend". To the best of my knowledge, Camburg bends the beams to get the required lift.