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09-24-2015, 05:25 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Bucks co. Pa
Posts: 214
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Re: Am I making a mistake?
I think it's a great van at a great price and will exceed your expectations especially jumping up from the Synchro. I also use my Sportsmobile as a sort of base camp for backpacking and I think it's the perfect vehicle for that purpose. I say go for it, you can always sell it later anyway ! 
__________________
2005 SMB 5.4 EB 6" UJOINT conversion
I consider myself a half-assed perfectionist
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09-24-2015, 06:05 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,241
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Re: Am I making a mistake?
Looks really nice! I think you'd be fine with this van in a 5.4 Keep in mind if you want a little more out of it that can be remedied with a tune. 5-star Tuning can do wonders with the 5.4 for less than $500 and no other mods. Also, if you're interested in checking out a lot of SMBs you should head over to Expo East next weekend. I was there last year and there were a lot more SMBs than I expected.
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09-24-2015, 07:55 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: So Cal
Posts: 4,070
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Re: Am I making a mistake?
The various handles/grab bars around the perimeter of the penthouse are interesting....
__________________
2008 E350 RB passenger 4WD SMB penthouse
2013 KTM 350 EXC
2008 KTM 250 XCF-W
2003 Honda Element
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09-24-2015, 08:02 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,005
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Re: Am I making a mistake?
Also remember that changing wheels tires or axles is easy, changing your displacement later is harder.
I have had 2 V10s (one a 2wd cargo van), drove a 5.4 cargo van, I can't really see any advantage to a 5.4, especially if you carry any kind of load.
__________________
Sportsmobile-less.
"A job worth doing is worth doing at least twice."
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09-24-2015, 08:19 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Sacramento Delta, CA
Posts: 1,024
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Re: Am I making a mistake?
Looks beautiful. The stock bumpers are the lightest bumpers. Keep your rig light. And drive it for a while to determine whether you really want to add weight.
An air dam below the front bumper will slightly increase your mpgs which have been reduced by the lift and 4x4 front axle. The following discussioins re air resistance are applicable to all vehicles:
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/13135 ... e-dam.html
http://www.powerstrokenation.com/forums ... p?t=281570
__________________
2002 E350 ext.; 160K; 7.3L; 4R100 (w/4x4 deep pan & filter); 4x4 conv. w/2007 F250/F350 coil frnt axle (oppos. dual Bilstein press. shocks cured DW) diff chg from 3.55 to 3.73 (bad!); BW1356 t.c. (bad!); LT265/70R17/E Michelin LTX M/S2; Engel MT60 Combi Fridge-Freezer; 4 BP 380J pv panels; Auragen 5kw AC gen. in top alt. position; Webasto Dual-Top; Voyager top. 1995 5.8L EB Bronco, bone stock.
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09-24-2015, 08:29 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 3,283
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Re: Am I making a mistake?
Quote:
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Originally Posted by boywonder
The various handles/grab bars around the perimeter of the penthouse are interesting....
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Handles for the Secret Service on the running boards?
__________________
Ray
Beastie 3: 2002 7.3 EB Cargo: Agile TTB, CCV High Top, Custom Walk Through, Lots of stuff added. www.BlingMyRig.com
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09-24-2015, 08:35 AM
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#17
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,179
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Re: Am I making a mistake?
Quote:
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Originally Posted by 1der
Quote:
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Originally Posted by boywonder
The various handles/grab bars around the perimeter of the penthouse are interesting....
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Handles for the Secret Service on the running boards? |
I've either seen this SMB before, or there's more than one with handles like that.
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
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09-24-2015, 08:44 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 478
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Re: Am I making a mistake?
Have you looked at this one?
viewtopic.php?t=17010
__________________
New Van: 2000 Ford E350 SMB RB42
Old Van(sold): 1995 Dodge B3500 SMB RB33
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09-24-2015, 09:04 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Sacramento Delta, CA
Posts: 1,024
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Re: Am I making a mistake?
Two good interior comparisons.
I prefer the open, minimalist, no cabinet design.
Others prefer cabinets.
__________________
2002 E350 ext.; 160K; 7.3L; 4R100 (w/4x4 deep pan & filter); 4x4 conv. w/2007 F250/F350 coil frnt axle (oppos. dual Bilstein press. shocks cured DW) diff chg from 3.55 to 3.73 (bad!); BW1356 t.c. (bad!); LT265/70R17/E Michelin LTX M/S2; Engel MT60 Combi Fridge-Freezer; 4 BP 380J pv panels; Auragen 5kw AC gen. in top alt. position; Webasto Dual-Top; Voyager top. 1995 5.8L EB Bronco, bone stock.
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09-24-2015, 09:19 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: boise idaho
Posts: 2,625
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Re: Am I making a mistake?
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Ben10281
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^^^ that one is beautiful, and rally is a straight shooter. if youve spent any time around here youd know he goes out of his way to make sure people dont get had on deals regardless of his affiliation.
that said. i bought a diesel with the intentions of towing a racecar all over. now that i have a camper, ive all but stopped racing. somewhat regret our noisy 7.3, but will never regret the 7.3's reliability record.
plus it is really nice to have no issues on hills and be able to utilize those rare passing lanes to get by all the lethargic rv's 
__________________
"understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of your car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of your car, horsepower is how hard your car hits the wall, and torque is how far your car moves the wall."
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watchtower, white whale, land yacht, big pig...
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