New van Build - aka Vinnie da Van.

MSD · 02-01-2022, 03:15 PM

I’ve been MIA on here for a while… need to get back at it so what better way than a van build thread.

Vinnie da Van. I’ve had Vinnie for a few years he started life a state vehicle for Arkansas. Then was retired at about 275K on the clock. My initial goal turn him in to a weekend wheeler. He’s been beat on pretty hard but has always come thru the other end with me smiling. Vinnie now sits at 330,000 miles & the Ujoint 4x4 conversion was done at about 290k. Oh & no I’m not worried about the mileage at all he’ll keep running like a top with proper maintenance.

Vinnie’s current stats 2000 Ford E350 w 7.3L PSD
Dana 60 front axel 4.10 gears
Dana 60 rear axel full float 4.10 Yukon gears
Mile Marker locking hubs (recommended by Chris at Ujoint)
Detroit tru trac which will be moved to the front axel when I install the ox locker
Ujoint Off Road 6” lift
Ujoint Off Road nylon inserts (front hub needle bearing replacement)
Rebuilt 4r100 trans & Np271 transfer case.
35” Toyo RT tires, actually going to 37s but I had 5 new Toyos laying around the shop so that’s what is currently on the van.
Custom front & rear bumpers. Steel no aluminum
Aluminess rear tire carrier
Custom leather fold down rear bench seat (goal interior will be similar to a SMB RB50)
Rigid/truck lite LED head lights
Swapped out the stock windows with some vented windows out of a chateau
Chateau front seats
Homemade power lock window set up out of the same chateau done van.
Up graded tow mirrors
New IDM
New starter
New fuel pump
New red head steer gear
New high out put mean green 185 alternator
New vacuum pump
New batteries
New OEM Ford battery harness
New Alloy high performance radiator
New compressor
New sub floor & sound deadening throughout plus marine summit floor (water proof padded boat flooring)
New windshield wiper motor
UPOL raptor liner tintable - my base tint was Mercedes Gray for main body, UPOL raptor liner base black for the rockers
Front doors, front cab and all floors have dyno mate or similar sound deadening
All door planes redone with cappuccino tweed.
Bushwhacked fender flares.

Next on the agenda for Vinnie to go from beater wheeler van to Overlander. All parts are sitting in my shop waiting for install.

Add two more windows - one over galley for light & one behind barn doors so rear passengers can see out. Plus adding these windows (at least to me) make it less of a Chester the molester van. Plus brings in more interior light.
Diesel heater (Chinese knock off)
Insulation & extra sound deadening in the rear cabin walls. First layer is thinsulate & second layer is rock wool. This will give the walls R18 value which work great in my other van.
Wall panels with same tweed as door panels.
Water tank 10 gallon (which goes in side the van) under the storage box of closet. Better to have water in van for colder climates IMHO especially with a heater.
Maple kitchenette with sink
SMB RB 50 style rear closet & storage all made from maple.
Small galley box on inter Barn door.
Fiama F45 awning
Aluminess passenger side rear ladder
Carbon monoxide detector
210 amp hours of house batteries (scheduled 31 AGMs) lithium batteries don’t do well in cold climates. I’ll stick with tried & true battery system that will last 5-7 years at a fraction of the cost of lithium.
2 wall USB ports, 2 12 volt ports
4000 watt inverter with 3 110 ports (not that I needed this much but had it so gonna use it)
Last but not lease Colorado Camper Van pop top with custom cedar ceiling & tweed sides.

Here is where Vinnie is at now, the two paint booth shots. The other two pictures are what he looked like in different stages of his life.

marret · 02-01-2022, 03:33 PM

Nice, look forward to the transformation. Glad to see you back.

MSD · 02-01-2022, 04:24 PM

Gonna photo dump a little here’s as I’ve been working on Vinnie the last 3 weekends. A few weekends ago I was able to install the windows. As most of you know CRL has had major production issues for the past two years due to the pandemic… so after having them push me out for 9month I said forget it. So I bought some trailer windows on eBay & flipped the interior flange & they fit perfectly. I’ve done this many times before on a few vans for friends.

I also decided to do a little interior work on the doors. Going with cappuccino tweed and painting the interior door poop brown with some texture LOL. Also got the ladder installed, pic 4.

Twoxentrix · 02-01-2022, 06:03 PM

I think it great you decided to keep your 'partner' and invest to rehabilitate...most would just trade in for a newer model, but IMO they've missed the true experience of that eternal bond that develops through years of dedication & commitment - I can only hope my wife will do the same to me one day!

WhitH · 02-01-2022, 06:08 PM

Looks great, welcome back!

MSD · 02-01-2022, 07:38 PM

Since I’m on a roll, one last post. This past weekend was a big push. I no longer work for CCV but have a great relationship with Derek & the whole company, 37 people strong… & I get to use the shop on the weekends, which is huge, really huge. Shows what a great guy Derek truly is IMHO. Plus when Vinnie is done I’ll be doing a few trade show with him as well for CCV.

So on to the weekend. I’m doing this build solo just me no help & this past weekend I surprised myself… I install the top which consisted of building the frame, covering it in tweed, insulate the top, wire the top, install tweed on sides of top, install the cedar roof with lights wired in, paint the top, install maxair fan, cut the roof out of the van, mount the frame on van, mount the top on frame. Man I’m out of breath just thinking about it. Saturday I did 12 hrs, Sunday was 10 hrs.

One big note I forgot to add so this is an edit - CCV currently doesn’t offer what I’m doing with tweed & a wood roof. I’m sure it will happen over time but it will also cost a lot more, this takes a lot of time to do vs the current set up. Plus there are pros & cons to both the standard gray set up & a custom top like mine.

MSD · 02-01-2022, 07:47 PM

A few more…

**BroncoHauler** · 02-02-2022, 07:02 AM

Looking great Mark.

Herb

Lilnuts2 · 02-02-2022, 08:50 AM

Welcome back! Although, I've been waiting for my CCV top to be done for 3 months and have 3 more to go

Just teasing ya. I'll be watching your build and enjoy your input on here.

MSD · 02-02-2022, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilnuts2

Welcome back! Although, I've been waiting for my CCV top to be done for 3 months and have 3 more to go

Just teasing ya. I'll be watching your build and enjoy your input on here.

Thanks. Yes the company is busy, I retired August 1st & at that time I was selling jobs for April of 2022. They’ve made a few pushes to bring booking dates in but the biggest struggle is suppliers cause big delays. When you consider the volume of vans going out the door & the size of CCV they are actually killing it. I know people won’t believe this but CCV is the largest upfitter nation wide hands down…
Who is your sales rep - Caleb?