Finally Getting Started!

SCBrian · 07-08-2012, 02:03 PM

Been around looking for a long time, posted a few times, and finally bought a van.

Time to post up some pics and start a long, slow build thread. Brought home the van a couple of months ago and since then put about 4000 miles on her. Just finished a Florida road trip, cleaned her up and took some pics.

The Start!

2001 E350 V10 Window Van.

So far not much has been done. She only came with one bench (all the way up front). I have 3 children so that wouldn't work so I moved it back to row #2 by re tapping the seat frame for the brackets. Scored some buckets off of Craigslist and added them to row #1. Interior pics to come soon, not much to really look at. Next weekend the seats will be pulled for the "New" vinyl floor for the front and either Van Tread or Ply floor for the rear.

86Scotty · 07-08-2012, 02:18 PM

I have some more benches if you need them. I have the same van, except an 02 in blue, well, and mine's a 5.4 Anyway, is your interior gray? If so, I have some bench seats in Knoxville Tn. if you need them. I took out all of my benches and put in 2 more buckets as well. I also just completed a long summer road trip and the bucket setup proved far better than the previous bench setup.

Welcome aboard!

SCBrian · 07-08-2012, 02:33 PM

Thanks for the offer! Right now the bucket setup is working well (Yes I have the grey interior). My son rides behind the passenger seat (still in a car seat) and the girls alternate in between the other bucket and the bench. I looked for a long time for a van and passed on a few that I should have bought. I knew I wanted a gasser and talked to a lot of contractors that I do business with which helped make my decision. I also bought the V10 for towing. My daughter rides horses and we will be towing the horse trailer from time to time. Right now I'm averaging around 14 mpg's. How's yours?

SCBrian · 07-08-2012, 02:40 PM

Couple of additions to the van.

86Scotty · 07-08-2012, 03:09 PM

Nice additions! I get about the same with the 5.4, with much less power to spare I kick myself often for not buying a v10.

jage · 07-11-2012, 09:00 AM

LOL love the hybrid. I want to make a "Solar Powered" logo/sticker for mine.

BrianW · 07-11-2012, 09:30 AM

I love the burgundy color. Very nice!

We have a 98 E250 with the 5.4. Just got 17.2 mpg (hwy) on a road trip to Maine from Philadelphia, fully loaded, so I was pretty happy with that.

Ultrasport12 · 07-11-2012, 09:53 AM

Nice van, nice color also.
I dig the Hula girl and the hybrid sticker.
Jage I like the solar powered idea too.
I too have a V10 and I am very happy with it.

SCBrian · 07-11-2012, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianW

I love the burgundy color.

The color is what sold the van. We have 2 other burgundy vehicles at home. I also like the silver vans, but when I found this one I had to have it.

I started to tear out the back half in preperation for this weekend. Back half seatbelts and panels are out. The vinyl floor for the front should be delivered today. Still on the fence about the van tred or the plywood for the rest of the van.

http://www.bedrug.com/products/cargovanproducts.php

Ultrasport12 · 07-11-2012, 10:31 AM

I bought a bed rug for my van when I bought it and it is great. It really helps the noise from the floor.
I put plywood over it in the front of our bed so I could have a flat floor.I left just the bedrug under the bed area. Its great for our Action Packers bins because they can slide in and out with a bit of a push but also stay in place during a trip.

A few things I will say about it.
Its good padding but It grips your knees when you are getting in and out.
Fibers ball up in heavy use spots.
It melts easy when hot items drop on it.
Well made but mine could have been a little longer.
Easy to take in and out for cleaning or working on the van.
Really good for noise and heat.