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Old 06-14-2017, 08:30 PM   #1
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Betty Sue, the Motovan.

New to the forum. Not new to vans. I used to have a 99 Ford E350 7.3L cargo van.





She was a good van. Then at one time I ended up with 3 other cars in my lap, and I sold all but one. And the van was on that cut list.

Fast forward 4 years later. Looking on eBay, I casually bid on a van, not thinking I would win. But I did.

Here is what $2,177.00 buys you:



A 2000 Ford E350, 7.3L , 350K on the clock. Seats are beat to hell, the driver door and fender rub (which I fixed with a dead blow hammer), has a hole in the roof that has some plastic plug in it. All the door seals leak, The paint job is gone, and a bunch of other little stuff that's driving me insane.

First day home, Ripped the roof rack off. Painted the grille black, and gave it a wash. It needs a good detail and clay bar / polish.



But hey, it was $2k. Everyone knows, if the van has made it this far with those miles, 700k more will come worry free.

I already bought a bunch of crap for it. But I work on a boat and I'll be gone another week before I can install them, or try to start anyway.

eBay BRAND NEW Toyota Sienna seats for the ripe price of $250.



Current seat sitch:



2008+ Center console:



And a new head unit. I also ordered a backup camera, and L track to install in the back. Also getting a PitBull trailer restraint system for the bike.

After much thinking, I was gonna go 4WD, but I'm not because of it being harder to put a bike in the van.

I've built 2 teardrop trailers before, and wanna do the interior like that, with a portable AC unit and portable toilet. Folding bed, too.


Last but not least, I think I'm gonna paint the van. I was gonna just Plasti Dip it, but After the interior is done, I'm gonna paint it black.

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Old 06-14-2017, 08:58 PM   #2
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Headed home,

Drove 450 miles home with no problem. Wife and I did the Bourbon Trail on the way back.

At Bulleitt



Then 2 days later, I was called to work. I had to drive 800 miles to Louisiana.

2 hours from home, with everything going on, and getting called back early, my mind was in another place.

I pulled into the gas station, saw 2 different colored pump handles, one yellow one black. I automatically assumed the yellow was diesel. It wasn't, it was E85.

I put a half a tank of gasoline in my diesel van. I made it 2 miles before the van let me know.

I guess since it was a 50/50 mix, I didn't damage anything too much. BUT, I was stranded. My only option was to dump 30 gallons onto a very old beat up abandoned parking lot and drop and clean the tank.





I know it's not right to dump like that, but my only other (and expensive) option was to bring it to the dealership.

Since I was 10 hours away from work when now, I had to be there in 12 hours, wasn't an option.

I dumped the tank, purged the line by cracking the fuel filter and turning the key to ACC, then waited until new diesel came out.

After about 5 trips with my gas can and a half mile walk, I was rolling again.

I got a little white smoke for 15 minutes or so, then nothing. I did 75 mph for 700 more miles, let it idle for 2 while I slept with the AC running, and had 0 problems.

Talk about a close call.
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Old 07-02-2017, 07:30 AM   #3
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Started working on the interior.

Ripped the rubber floors out. What a mess!



All clean!



The front was just as bad.



Buffed, used rust inhibitor, primed and painted all the rust spots.



Wood sub-floor in:



Reflctix in the front:



New outdoor carpet in:



Vinyl flooring in:



Threshold plate between the two:



New center console and head unit with backup camera:



Now I need to trim the exposed plywood with aluminum and install the L-Track and the new seat
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Old 07-02-2017, 09:48 AM   #4
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Welcome. Good score on the low price and nice work so far. Are you planning on hauling the bike inside or always on the rear? Just curious on your build plans for a Motovan...
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Old 07-08-2017, 03:01 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KTMRIDER View Post
Welcome. Good score on the low price and nice work so far. Are you planning on hauling the bike inside or always on the rear? Just curious on your build plans for a Motovan...
I plan on keeping the bike inside. I am going to install L Track recessed in the floor to anchor stuff down.

Update:

I drove 12 hours back to work...

Why I have trust issues. Same color as E85 handle.



Only one van in the whole junk yard. At least I was able to get a new arm rest I needed.



Hammock pit stop:




Next is going to be adding a new driver door, patching the hole in the roof and building nerf bars. And some interior work. Then getting prepped for paint!
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Old 07-08-2017, 03:34 PM   #6
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bummer about the gas mixup.

awesome job on the floor replace!
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Old 07-12-2017, 05:22 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by achop View Post
bummer about the gas mixup.

awesome job on the floor replace!
Yea it sucked. And I hated dumping fuel like that. That's never cool. And thanks!

I've been kicking the idea around of adding power windows and door locks. After looking and planning around, I think I'm going to do it. I'm not going to try to wire it into a harness that isn't there. And I want keyless entry, which isn't possible even if I had the power harness in the van.

I'm still planning, but here is the general idea.

My windows will use OEM window motor / regulators, wired to a ACC power source.

I ordered 2 of these:



Once I figure out the up/down on the door switch, it should work.

Then for the door locks, I'm going with a aftermarket keyless entry system with OEM door actuators.

I already bought some door switches off eBay:



I'm looking for electric door panels too. Just need to go boneyard hunting.

While I'm at it, I'm going to fiberglass some component speakers in the door and cover up the original speaker grilles. And then spray the whole door panel with OEM interior paint.


My first order of business is building the seat mounts once I get back in from offshore. Next will be the doors and building a gas air compressor.
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Old 10-04-2017, 07:00 AM   #8
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I haven't posted here in a while so get ready for a lone one.

Former owner decided to drill holes by the rear A/C for some reason:



Fiberglass patch:





Bondo:



And finished:



Built a rear cabinet (that's currently out of the van):

Mockup:



Finished:



I was having a oil leak I needed to fix:



Lewww:



All clean. I removed the AIS also:



Then added a tuner, Wicked Wheel 2, and 4" exhaust:







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Old 10-04-2017, 07:04 AM   #9
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Added gauges:



Front headliner with LED light bar dome light:



Working on rear headliner, adding speaker pods. First mockup. Didn't like it.



Under the first set of vents:





Put up:



Gonna put new fabric down when I get in from work again.
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Old 06-09-2019, 11:46 AM   #10
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I think it's been a little bit since I've updated with progress......

I installed Toyota Sienna seats. Not a fan of them after having them about a year. I'll be switching back to some new stock seats with a pass swivel.



I bought a $300 junkyard high top:



Yea buddy:



All on!

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