E350 EB Canadian Build Eh!

[WestyManBC]

Hi - I'm Mike from Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. Having owned Westfalias for 20 years, and spent lots of money on them, I finally sold the Westy and found a great 2003 Ford E-350 Extended body van. Looked around for a while as a lot of them have been driven hard. Found a 15 passenger van for $9400 CDN that was used to transport seniors around Parksville BC, and had been government inspected every year. 90k km (about 50k Miles) on it and in great shape inside. As soon as I got it the high top was put on by TufPort out of Delta BC for around 4300$ CDN. Here are some initial pics. I will try and post some details as I build it, including where I get some of my parts as it is a much small selection in Canada than the USA for parts. Cheers

[rallypanam]

That looks like a good start!

[Abitibi]

Nice to see another Canadian on board! Van looks great, looking forward to see what else you'll come up with.

Cheers
David

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[WestyManBC]

Here are a few more items. We order a swivel seat for the front passenger. Ordered it from Shop4Seats. Great service. They said approx 4 weeks, we had it at our door in 2 weeks. Also we used a service SeaWings express where you have the company ship to Blaine Washington, then they bring goods over the border, for just a small charge, and we save a lot on shipping.

The seat installed really easy. Just had to cut into the carpet a little bit. Very well made seat base, swivels nicely. Just like the old Westfalia.

Here are some pics of getting the seat belt bolts, and seat brackets out. The seat bracket bolts use a TP55 Torx bit, the seat belts use a T50 Torx bit. I managed to get all but 2 bolts out - and broke 2 T50 bits so far on the remaining 2 !

[gcvt]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the van eh!

[Pntyrmvr]

Love that swivel. And the top. Painting the top?[emoji1063][emoji481][emoji106]


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[gnty]

Welcome! Very excited to see another Canadian van project. Very nice top. I to will also be watching the progress.

[WestyManBC]

Thanks for all the nice replies.

I have to take some pics tomorrow. Managed to get a bench seat that folds down into a bed from an auto wreckers in Vancouver BC for $275. Happened to be out of a similar van - 2003 E150 conversion van. Got the seat brackets as well. Was able to use 2 of the original seat bolts, and had to drill 2 new holes. Took the seat to Tommy's upholstery in Victoria to replace the foam - just got it back - feels great. Also had them make me a 60" x 32" covered foam piece for the extension in the back. The bed when folded down is 60" wide by 74" length.

Just got my Norcold NR751 AC/DC fridge today as well as a solenoid for the auxiliary battery.

Cheers

[WestyManBC]

Anyone know the best way to wire up a solenoid on a 2003 Ford E350 ? I am not sure where or how to wire in my trigger wire from the fuse box to the solenoid. I took a look at the fuse box inside the van under the steering wheel but have not spent the time to see how I can actually access it and add a trigger wire. I also noted there is another fusebox inside the engine compartment for larger loads, maybe one can wire into this somehow. Basically need a trigger to turn on when ignition is on to open solenoid. Thanks

[dhally]

Originally Posted by WestyManBC

Anyone know the best way to wire up a solenoid on a 2003 Ford E350 ? I am not sure where or how to wire in my trigger wire from the fuse box to the solenoid. I took a look at the fuse box inside the van under the steering wheel but have not spent the time to see how I can actually access it and add a trigger wire. I also noted there is another fusebox inside the engine compartment for larger loads, maybe one can wire into this somehow. Basically need a trigger to turn on when ignition is on to open solenoid. Thanks

I've got a 2009 and the wiring diagram book. On mine, there is a Smart Junction Box under the hood. I would use SJB fuse F42 (upfitter switch) or F44 (Aux battery diode). Don't know if 2003 is the same. There is another box under the hood called Battery Junction Box which has bigger fuses and relays.

However most vans use an RV-specific voltage sensing relay to separate the batteries, which should prevent the house battery draining in case of alternator failure. Typical brands are Sure power and Blue Sea. Make sure to fuse the house battery charging wire!

AND maybe check to see if it already has an aux battery... It would be on the frame rail under the side door step. If so, it already has an aux battery fuse and solenoid. Mine did, but they were 50 amp which could be light with a big house battery bank.