"Vandit" A Build Thread

[Viajero69]

Amazing build! I too just binged most of it in the last couple of days. Well done.
I am curious as to if you have a link or name for the day/night window shades? Cheers!

[aarcaris]

Viajero69 - Thanks for the compliments! I bought the day/night window shades from Blindsgaolore. Unfortunately, they now don't show the RV pleated day/night shades on their websites so they might be discontinued.

[Viajero69]

Originally Posted by aarcaris

Viajero69 - Thanks for the compliments! I bought the day/night window shades from Blindsgaolore. Unfortunately, they now don't show the RV pleated day/night shades on their websites so they might be discontinued.

Thanks for the link. I saw something similar in IKEA yesterday so am going to explore that and other similar options. Cheers!

[aarcaris]

4x4 Update:

It is finally happening! We’ve started making the exciting and terrifying process of ordering pieces for our 4 wheel drive conversion! Given the state of everything we most likely won't really have all our parts together till July/August so I guess it's good, we are starting now. As I had posted before we decided to go with U-Joint Off Road DIY kit. Specs that we order below

4x4 Kit: U-Joint 6” lift kit

Front End:

Front Axle: Dana 60 Stage 2 w/ Hub Conversion and Brake Upgrade modified to work with RSC (Black SSBC Caliper)

(Typical Stage 3 axles parts are delayed by about 10-12 months so we had to pivot.)

Front locker: Eaton E-locker
Front Gears: 4.88
Front Shocks: 10" Fox 2.0 Reservoir Shocks w/ LSC

Rear End:

Rear Axle: Sterling 10.5 out of 2011 and ↑ F250/F350
Rear Locker: OX locker Cable Driven
Rear Gears: 4.88
Rear Shocks:11" Fox 2.0 Reservoir Shocks w/ LSC

Transfer Case: NV271 w/ 2 Pc Shifter Upgrade
Wheels and Tires:

Wheels: Method 701 Matte Black (17x9 4.6BS -12OFF)
Tires: Nitto Ridge Grappler 35/12.5r17

-Now It's somewhat of a waiting game. Still lots of things to order and sort out but I am excited to have things starting to move forward. In the meantime, I will be continuing to look at the possibility of building our own custom rear bumper. I have another thread dedicated to this (Rear Bumper Project), and as soon as I have some real updates about this idea I will add it to this thread as well.

[ibike]

Originally Posted by aarcaris

4x4 Update:

It is finally happening! We’ve started making the exciting and terrifying process of ordering pieces for our 4 wheel drive conversion! Given the state of everything we most likely won't really have all our parts together till July/August so I guess it's good, we are starting now. As I had posted before we decided to go with U-Joint Off Road DIY kit. Specs that we order below

4x4 Kit: U-Joint 6” lift kit

Front End:

Front Axle: Dana 60 Stage 2 w/ Hub Conversion and Brake Upgrade modified to work with RSC (Black SSBC Caliper)

(Typical Stage 3 axles parts are delayed by about 10-12 months so we had to pivot.)

Front locker: Eaton E-locker
Front Gears: 4:88
Front Shocks: 10" Fox 2.0 Reservoir Shocks w/ LSC

Rear End:

Rear Axle: Sterling 10.5 out of 2011 and ↑ F250/F350
Rear Locker: OX locker Cable Driven
Rear Gears: 4:88
Rear Shocks:11" Fox 2.0 Reservoir Shocks w/ LSC

Transfer Case: NV271 w/ 2 Pc Shifter Upgrade
Wheels and Tires:

Wheels: Method 701 Matte Black (17x9 4.6BS -12OFF)
Tires: Nitto Ridge Grappler 35/12.5r17

-Now It's somewhat of a waiting game. Still lots of things to order and sort out but I am excited to have things starting to move forward. In the meantime, I will be continuing to look at the possibility of building our own custom rear bumper. I have another thread dedicated to this (Rear Bumper Project), and as soon as I have some real updates about this idea I will add it to this thread as well.

Awesome. Looking forward to seeing it come together. Also curious to see how the 4:88 gears work out. I’m looking at the same setup with my 5.4 van and I think that’s the right gearing choice for the hills I drive. Are you doing a self install or having a shop do it?

[aarcaris]

ibike: Yeah like you said I think the 4.88s should help the 5.4 on the hills. It's also what both Justin and Chris at U-Joint are running in their 5.4 vans and what they recommended. I am planning on doing most of the installation myself, but will have a shop do a few parts like the transmission, rear locker/gear install, and exhaust. Hopefully, I'll be able to get the rest done without any other assistance.

[E-350]

Looking forward to see how the built is going!
Today I regret not going 4x4. But I had been afraid of the transmission work and welding.
Transmission would today be fine and welding could be solved I guess. But that‘s the way it is :-)

[Twoxentrix]

Congrats for finally committing aarcaris - certainly not a simple decision when you factor in the "expense" these days.
The added engine rpm's may concern you a little on level roads (more so highway speeds) ,but the 4.88's paired with your 5.4 should serve you well since it'll net an increase in horsepower & torque at those higher rpm's - when you need it most.

[aarcaris]

E-350: Thanks! I think part of the reason it's taken me so long to commit to this is I've been nervous to take it on, and obviously the expense of it. From what I have seen on your post it seems like you would be more than capable of it if you ever do decide to revisit the 4x4 option.

Twoxentrix: Yeah it's obviously been my plan for a while but it's hard to take the plunge when you know just how much money and work lies ahead. Also couldn't agree more about the gears. I think it's the right call for where we live and the areas that we like to spend time in.

[aarcaris]

Update:
After having the "Aero" headlights on for about a year we decided to upgrade the headlights to the Vantage Optics 2008-Current Ford Econoline LED Projector Headlights. I had looked at these originally, but last year Vantage optics wasn't offering these unless you could supply them with an OEM used headlight. Luckily for us, they are now building and selling complete headlights. After ordering them it only took about a week for them to show up at my house ready for installation. So far I have been extremely impressed with the light output on these and would say it was a well worth it upgrade to Vandit.

(Really need a new bumper)


Daytime running lights


Low Beams


High Beams