Over My Head - A 06 E350 Build Thread

[shocku992]

Well, where do we start? I guess with introductions.

Hi. I'm Alex. I've had a 6.0 Quigley 4x4 e350 for 3 days and I'm probably already over my head. You see, I'm a Toyota guy. I've put 110k miles of cross country adventures on my 2015 Tacoma TRD Pro a Super Pacific X1 camper. It's got more mods than I can list in a single post, it's reliable and pretty simple. It just works.

For some reason, I've always wanted a van. Specifically a 4x4 e350 pop top. Why? Well, the wife and I don't like people. I mean, we love our friends, but people as a whole are the worst. So when we do our annual vacation we pick a state and I plan a set of offroad trails across the entire state. Usually around 1500 miles of offroad per trip. We don't always choose easy trails, in fact, many times they are really difficult trails because that's where the people aren't.

I wanted the e350 because I don't think it will be the limiting factor in the places we go. Sprinters are incredible and have lots of space, but I don't believe they are made to go the places we go. I also wanted a diesel for towing. The wife and I both ride motorcycles and I wanted to be able to tow them all over the country.

So on a whim I bought a the van. It was exactly what I wanted, for a good price. I flew to Baltimore and drove it home. Then I started the in-depth research and wow. There is a lot more to these vans than my simple Tacoma. The recommended maintenance schedules, coolant flushes, transmission fluid changes, 6.0l bulletproofing...

Then there is the interior. I am not a wood worker and I learned this weekend the floor isn't flat. Sooo, that makes it really fun to make a square box.

In short, I'm in over my head, and I can't wait to get going!

My first problem is the aftermarket oil cooler super nice, but right in the way of the winch mount in the Aluminess bumper. Winches are important for us as we travel solo most of the time, but oil coolers are also helpful since it has some really large vans, and we'll be doing a lot of slow offroad crawling.

Secondly I have a LOT of stuff we carry on our 6000 plus mile offroad trips. So I've got to find a way to carry that without having things rolling around or boxes every. I started that process this weekend.

Ok, you aren't here for the talking, you want pictures, so here ya go.

The new beast:


Old and new


The first boxes are in place. When I took the van down to visit my dad this weekend he wanted to help immediately. So we threw a set of drawers in, and then built an extension to the end of it with 10 gallons of water, the pump, and extra storage. I still need to wrap the shelves in the carpet, and add the bungies to keep the boxes for sliding out.






The next steps will be moving things from the Tacoma and finding homes for it in the van. Now if only it was 98 degrees here in the south...

[shocku992]

And for anyone curious, here is what I'll be replacing:

[marret]

Welcome Alex and congrats. You have come to the right place. And being from TN, you have 86Scotty in TN as you know.

[shocku992]

Originally Posted by marret

Welcome Alex and congrats. You have come to the right place. And being from TN, you have 86Scotty in TN as you know.

Thanks Marret!

So today I learned some things. The external oil cooler that I thought was an aux cooler, is actually the only oil cooler. And the little shop in Arizona that did the bulletproofing on the 6.0l work called Arizona Mobile Repair now goes by a different name, Bullet Proof Diesel. I was able to call them today and they found my invoice number and confirmed that the EGR cooler and Oil cooler were replaced, but that's it. So I should probably look into the other parts of the bulletproofing. I know the previous owner did the FICM power supply recently so that just leaves the water pump and head studs to complete the 5 main things that I've seen need to be done.

Still doing some measuring to find out how to make a winch fit with the current cooler, though I know a lot of people including the extremely knowledgeable @Twoxentrix, are fine using the oil to water cooler. So many options...

So far in the last 900 miles it's been running perfect and I've fallen in love with this beast. Now to convince the wife this is the correct vehicle for all future travels. Wish me luck.

Also, I'm going to try and remove some of the fluid film off the underside this week to get a better look at everything. From those up north, if you have any tips on that process I'm all ears!

[geoffff]

Congratulations, Alex! I can't wait to hear the comparison when you take this beast to the trails you've done with your truck in Utah.

I'm sure you're used to having a winch, but as a data point: I don't have one. I travel alone (get away from people) to some super sketch places, but so far I have always gotten myself unstuck with my 4 Maxtrax, a shovel, and a hi-lift jack. I don't have friends along with me to winch from (or trees either, usually).

[shocku992]

Originally Posted by geoffff

Congratulations, Alex! I can't wait to hear the comparison when you take this beast to the trails you've done with your truck in Utah.

I'm sure you're used to having a winch, but as a data point: I don't have one. I travel alone (get away from people) to some super sketch places, but so far I have always gotten myself unstuck with my 4 Maxtrax, a shovel, and a hi-lift jack. I don't have friends along with me to winch from (or trees either, usually).

Thanks geoffff! I’m definitely excited to get out and use this thing!

You are of course right. The last three times I’ve used the winch I was helping friends, and not myself. The last time I was stuck in Utah there were no trees and the maxtrax saved my bacon. I guess it’s just what I’m use to. All my jeeps over the years and the Toyota had a winch. It was always the first thing I did, but rarely did I use it for recovering myself.

Also, that’s some impressive mud you managed to get out of! I’ve dealt with Utah’s clay/mud. It’s some nasty stuff!

[kbeefy]

Welcome!


We have alot of similarities.... we both hate people, both came from jeeps, Have done extensive remote truck camping, I have a tacoma, and my latest project is a 6.0 E350. I'm upgrading for a little more space inside than my Vanagon and a bit smaller footprint than my F350, but still having some towing capacity.



I'm not convinced your '05 needs headstuds. '03 and 04 maybe. I think the motor has to come out to do it, so doing them preventatively is a huge job.


I'm in Alaska for work right now, but heres my build thread...


https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/fo...ead-32221.html

[aarcaris]

Welcome, and congrats on the van purchase! There are definitely lots of differences from a Tacoma, but the positives of the van far outweigh the negatives (coming from a previous Tacoma owner turned 4x4 van owner)!

Looking forward to seeing what you end up doing on your build thread and the adventures you'll take the van on!

[Twoxentrix]

For the kind of wheeling you like to do Alex, I’d leave the oil cooler as is, and pursue the suggestion @arctictraveller mentioned on another Thread; install a robust front receiver hitch, and use your rear hitch to carry a winch…with Anderson connections at both ends you’d be able to move it to either location easily.
I’d recommend you also consider the auxiliary trans cooler (you know I like the Derale Hypercool), the 5-Star tune w/OEM fan engaging earlier (or blue wire mod), and low-temp thermostat (Mishimoto) - if your wallet will allow, I’d encourage the Mishimoto Radiator as well.
For the underside of the Van, I’ve been using the WD-40 Corrosion Rust Inhibitor for the last 9 years. Works fantastic, lasts about a Year and half (I do it yearly). Is not greasy or a ‘jelly’ like fluid film, and will make any surface rust literally disappear. Takes about 8 cans to do the undercarriage, and will have an odor for about 1-2 weeks (then goes away). I also use it on all bolts inside engine compartment, locks, shovel & axe, etc. just keep it away from the brake rotors and pads (I use a rag drenched with the stuff to get the calipers and other hard to spray areas like tops of differentials, tops of steering components, etc.
**Couple thread (use search function) with more details on the trans cooler and WD-40 which may clarify better.
If you don’t have it yet, get your Van weighed at a local CAT scale - your build isn’t yo extensive, so I’d guess you be around the 8,500-9,000lb but it’s good thing to know (especially for tire load ratings).

[shocku992]

Originally Posted by kbeefy

Welcome!


We have alot of similarities.... we both hate people, both came from jeeps, Have done extensive remote truck camping, I have a tacoma, and my latest project is a 6.0 E350. I'm upgrading for a little more space inside than my Vanagon and a bit smaller footprint than my F350, but still having some towing capacity.



I'm not convinced your '05 needs headstuds. '03 and 04 maybe. I think the motor has to come out to do it, so doing them preventatively is a huge job.


I'm in Alaska for work right now, but heres my build thread...


https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/fo...ead-32221.html

Man, Vanagon's are so awesome! Small, but awesome. I'll check the build thread today!

05 may not need head studs eh? Time for more research...