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Old 04-20-2019, 05:19 PM   #1
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2002 E350 7.3 Supreme Corp box van soon to be 4x4

Hello,
I’m building a 2002 E350 7.3 Supreme Corp box van into a 4x4 (MG Metalworks) camping slash maybe living in for months at a time rig. I’m an old backyard hacker circle track guy, so it may not be pretty but hopefully it will function well. I’m new to the whole 4x4 scene so any and all help will be greatly appreciated. I’m not looking to rock climb and get crazy, I just don’t want to get stuck in sand and I want to be able to just go a little bit farther off the beaten trail when boondocking as not to be in crowds.

I just received my MG Metalworks kit (it sure is nice), my axles are in, and my transfer case.

I started tearing the van apart and realized I don’t have the 6 slot lug nut key, I ordered one and wouldn’t you know it I ordered the wrong size. The front suspension is all loose and ready to come out I just can’t get the front tires off to remove everything.

This project is going to take time, I will be doing little by little. We want it done for June of 2020 that gives us around 13 months or so. I first want to finish all the running gear and then focus on the buildout.
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Old 04-20-2019, 05:27 PM   #2
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This should be a fun one to watch. Good luck.


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Old 04-20-2019, 05:42 PM   #3
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Man, great find. That's a sweet platform to work with.
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Old 04-20-2019, 06:31 PM   #4
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Lot of work to undertake - you're a better man than I in taking on such a project. Always interesting to see different vehicles developed, look forward to following yours.
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Old 04-21-2019, 08:01 AM   #5
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Thanks for the well wishes..

I finally found a lug nut key so I removed the front suspension, removed the I beam mount from the frame, and mocked up one of the new radius arm mounts. No turning back now.

Just for fun I set the new 35” tire next to the Van for a rough idea of what it will look like.
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Old 04-22-2019, 10:14 PM   #6
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Got a little more work done. I used a 4-1/2” angle grinder to trim the crossmember, the cut off piece was under a little tension and sprung slightly while I was cutting it. I decided I may as well brace the crossmember while I was under there. I was trying to decide what with and how to brace it while I was looking at the cutoff piece. I flipped the cutoff piece over and it looked like it would fit pretty well upside down, I trimmed it up and welded two pieces of angle iron to it, then welded the piece into place. I’m pretty happy with the way it turned out and hopefully it will brace the crossmember a little bit.
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Old 04-22-2019, 10:21 PM   #7
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I also got the track bar mount mocked up.
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Old 05-01-2019, 09:12 PM   #8
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Just got done with the worst part so far “drilling the frame” then I cleaned, painted everything, and bolted all the mounts on.
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Old 05-02-2019, 01:48 AM   #9
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Nice work, I'd love to have a shop like yours to work in, very nice!
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Old 05-02-2019, 05:55 AM   #10
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Looks good under there.
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