Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 10-14-2012, 09:09 AM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: La Verne, CA (Los Angeles area)
Posts: 92
'12 E250 RB 5.4L w/ SMB penthouse custom build

Picked up the new van yesterday. 2012 E250 RB 5.4L with tow and power package (windows, locks, cruise).

Taking to Action Van in San Clemente end of this week for lift, shocks, steering stabilizer, wheels, tires, rear wheel spacers, and 4.10 limited slip.

Following week I'm taking to SMB in Fresno for penthouse install (manual - no roof racks).

Immediately after that it's likely going to RV Interiors & Custom Cabinets in San Diego to get finished out. RB 50 type floor plan.

Side and rear glass swapped for ones that open. Any idea if this glass can easily be converted or do I need to buy new windows.

Driver side window install over galley. Large passenger side window by bench seat in back.

Swivel captains.

3.6 cu ft Norcold
Suburban furnace, stove, and water heater
Indoor/outdoor shower in the back
25 gallon (hopefully) h2o holding tank
5 gallon gray water
Inverter (not sure which) Zantrax, Magnum, etc?
4D battery - undermount (minimal electronics)
Solar system (single panel, not sure which charge controller)
Insulation and Decor paneling
Sound proofing, sub floor, and dura ceramic tiles
LEDs
Outside porch light
Awning (not sure which one)
Aluminess rear bumper w/ spare holder and large box (bike racks on top)
XL under storage
Fender flares (not sure which ones)
Cabinets (likely bamboo)

I've wanted a SMB for 20 years and have come close to buying a few times. Last week I came really close to buying a used one but the mods and compromises became too much. Instead, I've decided to do it exactly as I want. I hope to keep and use this thing for 20 years.

I rock/mtn/ice climb, mountain bike, surf, etc. Wife is 11 weeks pregnant with our first and she too is excited for this project. Hoping to have it all completed by Christmas.

This site and it's members have been invaluable in my pursuit of fulfilling this dream.

Peace
Attached Thumbnails
Back empty new.jpg   Front view new.jpg   Side view new.jpg  

JimHefner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2012, 09:11 AM   #2
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: La Verne, CA (Los Angeles area)
Posts: 92
Re: '12 E250 RB 5.4L w/ SMB penthouse custom build

I feel really fortunate and quite happy my dream is coming true.
Attached Thumbnails
53 miles.jpg  
JimHefner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2012, 09:24 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
86Scotty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,222
'12 E250 RB 5.4L w/ SMB penthouse custom build

Cool, congrats on the new toy. It looks nice. Keep us posted!

Btw, the only one if your questions I can help with is inverters. I've had great luck with my Tripp-lite 1250 Rv model.
86Scotty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2012, 10:18 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
KTMRIDER's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 560
Re: '12 E250 RB 5.4L w/ SMB penthouse custom build

Jim,
Looks like a great starting point and sounds like you have done your homework. Your list of items sounds good. Are you getting an inverter/charger combo or just an inverter? Make sure the inverter will unbond the neuteral and ground wires when on real shore power or you will find yourself tripping GFI outlets at home. Most 30amp RV park services don't have GFI but at home it is likely you do.
Had a 5.4 in my old Supercrew and it was a nice motor. Very reliable and good overall power, although it likes to rev when towing. If you plan to do a lot of towing you might consider 4:56s but if you aren't that would be overkill. I put 4:10s in my Supercrew and found it wasn't quite enough, but my Supercrew was 4wd and towing a 20ft trailer. Troyer Tunes out of Texas does very good custom tuning for the 5.4 as well. That combined with an intake and exhaust really helps wake up the motor.
What are you doing for a toilet?
Eric
__________________
2006 Ford E-350 V10 Agile 4x4 SMB EB50

2000 Ford E-350 7.3L Quigley 4x4 hard top with custom interior by Xtreme Fab - Sold
KTMRIDER is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2012, 10:28 AM   #5
Site Team
 
BroncoHauler's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,177
Re: '12 E250 RB 5.4L w/ SMB penthouse custom build

Since you're getting the suspension stuff done first, make sure you let them know of your other plans and any possible estimates of weight you'll be adding to the van, so they can compensate for the extra mass.


Herb
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
BroncoHauler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2012, 11:09 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
BajaSportsmobile's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rancho Nuevo (Cabo/Todos Santos) B.C.S. and San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,952
Re: '12 E250 RB 5.4L w/ SMB penthouse custom build

Quote:
Originally Posted by JimHefner
I've wanted a SMB for 20 years and have come close to buying a few times. Last week I came really close to buying a used one but the mods and compromises became too much. Instead, I've decided to do it exactly as I want. I hope to keep and use this thing for 20 years.

I rock/mtn/ice climb, mountain bike, surf, etc. Wife is 11 weeks pregnant with our first and she too is excited for this project. Hoping to have it all completed by Christmas.

This site and it's members have been invaluable in my pursuit of fulfilling this dream.

Peace
Why no 4X4 given your lifestyle?
__________________
Four time Baja 1000 winner, four time Baja 500 winner. Solo'ed the Baja 1000 to LaPaz/Cabo twice.
4-Wheeling since 1972, Desert Racing since 1989.

AgileOffRoad.com
BajaSportsmobile is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2012, 12:14 PM   #7
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: La Verne, CA (Los Angeles area)
Posts: 92
Re: '12 E250 RB 5.4L w/ SMB penthouse custom build

Thanks for the tips on the inverters. I'll check into the Tripp-lite as well as the neutral thing. I'm still getting up to speed but I'm taking pages of notes.

I don't expect to be towing but simply wanted the larger cooling capacity of the 'tow package'.

For the head we'll likely have a little porta potty for only in 'worse case' scenarios. Local facilities and the original outdoor outhouse are first choices.

No 4x4 as I really don't need it. The only place I'd probably wish I had it is the sand of Baja. However, I stopped surfing down there about 5 years ago after all the cartel nonsense starting happening. Yes, I know many people that still go but it ain't for me. 4X wasn't worth the extra weight, expense, maintenance, mileage, for the .1% of the time usage.

Thanks for all the replies!
JimHefner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-15-2012, 08:04 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Scalf77's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 2,490
Re: '12 E250 RB 5.4L w/ SMB penthouse custom build

There have been reported issues plugging a Tripp-lite into a GFI plug. These units do work with a GFI plug. You need to follow the procedure outlined in this thread: http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/vie...hp?f=14&t=8212. It is not well defined in their documentation.

greg
__________________
-greg
__________________________________________________ ______________
"Goldilocks" 2020 Ford Transit High Roof Extended 3.5 EcoBoost AWD Homebuilt
Scalf77 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 10-15-2012, 10:03 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
SCBrian's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Coastal South Carolina
Posts: 369
'12 E250 RB 5.4L w/ SMB penthouse custom build

I can second Eric's recommendation on the Tripp Lite. In fact I bought mine on on his recommendation. I have the RV 1500, only because the 1250 was out of stock at the time. I haven't had any GFCI issues with mine. Actually at home that's what it's plugged into. It's been installed several weeks. Just pay close attention when buying because they have many similar models.
__________________
2001 E350 V10 Homebrew

My Build Thread
SCBrian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-15-2012, 10:54 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
86Scotty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,222
Re: '12 E250 RB 5.4L w/ SMB penthouse custom build

Me neither Brian. in fact, this is the first I've heard of this issue. Can someone with an SMB tell us which model Tripp-Lite they usually use? I think mine is an RV1250ULHW or something like that.
86Scotty is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:41 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.