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05-25-2018, 04:38 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 385
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What may be a never ending conversion story…
Our journey with our 2012 Ford E350 EB began a little over a year and a half ago when I finally purchased a fifteen passenger van with the intention of building something like our pop top VW Vanagon, except that it could pull our Jeep. My first project was to put a 2” suspension lift on it, and then to strip out the seats and reposition two of them.
The repositioned seats allowed me to build a permanent platform in the back for a mattress with storage underneath. 2” of Dense Foam, with 2” of Memory Foam over it made a pretty comfortable bed.
Building a cabinet for the door added some much needed storage.
From the Vanagon era I had a portable camp kitchen and an Engel fridge which both continued to serve their purpose. I mounted a 100W Renogy Solar Panel on the Roof, with 2) 105AH Deep Cycle Batteries on a custom mount under the side doors, and a Renogy Solar Controller. I also wired in a continuous duty, 60A relay between the Van battery and the Aux batteries to help charge the deep cycles while driving. The relay is wired so that it is not energized while in starting mode, only while engine is running.
Under the Engel I built a sizable food storage box.
Also from the Vanagon I pulled the 10' awning with LED lighting.
After purchasing 2 swivel mounts from 1der here on the Sportsmobile Forum, we were ready to camp.
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Tim Potts
2012 Chevrolet Express 3500 6.0
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05-25-2018, 04:42 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 385
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Then a buddy gave me his old back bumper as he upgraded to an Aluminess one. I liked the Aluminess features, but liked the price of the used bumper even better. So I built a couple of swing arms for the back bumper.
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Tim Potts
2012 Chevrolet Express 3500 6.0
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05-25-2018, 04:45 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 385
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Then another buddy wrecked his E350 and needed a new front bumper, so I sold him my stock one and built my own replacement. I’ve still not finished with that project, still have a little welding to do.
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Tim Potts
2012 Chevrolet Express 3500 6.0
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05-25-2018, 04:48 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 385
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Recently, one of my buddies stripped his interior and started building what I think may be the perfect interior. It inspired me to strip my interior and start over with a clean slate as well. New Engel fridge, sink, water tank, etc.
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Tim Potts
2012 Chevrolet Express 3500 6.0
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05-25-2018, 04:53 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 385
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As I am installing it all , I have added 12V and 110V outlets throughout the van, with a 110V plug on the back bumper to feed the van. Permanently wired in a CTEK 4.3A Trickle Charger for those times I have shore power. My old Engel fridge has ran non-stop for over a year with the existing battery/solar setup. And the new Engel fridge has similar specs for power, but the trickle charger allows me to make sure the batteries are 100% before I pull out of the driveway.
I found a conversion van seat/bed in the salvage. Once I've decided it is adequate for our needs, I'll have it reupholstered.
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Tim Potts
2012 Chevrolet Express 3500 6.0
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05-25-2018, 04:58 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 385
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We went on a camping trip before the interior was completed and the new layout is far superior use of space and convenience.
Currently on the lookout for a fiberglass high top to allow us to stand up inside. Once the camping components complete we would like to put a more substantial lift on it.
Its a fun obsession
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Tim Potts
2012 Chevrolet Express 3500 6.0
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05-25-2018, 05:34 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,382
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You obviously have the "van bug" - looks like quality workmanship! Great job on the bumpers (both front & back). Have to say though, really like the wood box with the stove on it (first picture) - thats very cool!
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TwoXentrix
"AWOL"
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05-25-2018, 07:34 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 1,258
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Looking good and I really like the choice of flooring, would you mind telling us what type of flooring that is?
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Rob.
Current:
2001 E350 PSD w/ a bunch of stuff.
And had three other E350s...
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05-25-2018, 07:58 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 385
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Thanks guys,
It’s a sheet vinyl from Home Depot. 12 ft wide. My buddy bought enough to do the length of the van and had enough left over to do my van.
Search Home Depot for Traffic Master Scorched Walnut Charcoal.
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Tim Potts
2012 Chevrolet Express 3500 6.0
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05-25-2018, 08:11 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Livermore, Ca
Posts: 356
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I like it.
I'm ready to tear into our 98 Club RB for use as a weekend warrior.
Looking at your interior gut job, did you just remove the ducting along the floor and leave the business end still intact?
I'm debating whether or not to just leave all the plastic panels in place and build off from it or tear it out.
Looks good . Keep going
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Peace, Regis
2011 Express 1500
I'm a camper not a glamper
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