SMB Ford E-350 Cut-away w/fiberglass body

[BrianW]

Well, sure, they had to come up with something like this to keep their bread-and-butter business of converting E-vans to 4x4 using the cutaway chassis that will still be available for the next few years of Transit transition (tm).

[Greg In Austin]

I have some more photos of the fiberglass SMB.... will post soon.

It is certainly an effort to extend the life of the E-body and all of the efforts they have put into it in the past. When you look at the other 4WD options for SMB to go to, well, you can see why they want to extend.

The Fiberglass body is what looks to be about an inch wider on both sides, but I heard that the interior volume is increased by more than that. I suppose this could be accomplished via shape or thickness, but looking at the empty interior that part was not apparent.

It was also said that it shaves 500lbs off the metal body. That is nothing to sneeze at.

[carringb]

Originally Posted by Greg In Austin

The Fiberglass body is what looks to be about an inch wider on both sides, but I heard that the interior volume is increased by more than that. I suppose this could be accomplished via shape or thickness, but looking at the empty interior that part was not apparent.

The double wall construction of the stock van bodies eats up space. SMB even cuts out the interior panels for sideways beds. There's at least 2" inches between the wall panels IIRC. That from each side, plus an extra inch each side in exterior width, and that's 6" right there.

[Foxmaster]

It eat about 4 inches total. Body really wide inside.

[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by Greg In Austin

I have some more photos of the fiberglass SMB.... will post soon.

[Greg In Austin]

OK OK.... I will try and get them loaded tonight...

I am still on the road, the new laptop does not have an SD card slot, and I am working from the hospital where my mom had brain surgery on Monday...

BUT I have the camera and the necessary cord, now I just need the time.

[gerrym51]

Originally Posted by BrianW

Well, sure, they had to come up with something like this to keep their bread-and-butter business of converting E-vans to 4x4 using the cutaway chassis that will still be available for the next few years of Transit transition (tm).

the chassis/cab is not going away. to mnay other rv's use it and the 450.

[Greg In Austin]

I think the concern is that the cutaway chassis for the F body can be used in a very similar fashion to the E Body, and we can already see Ford wanting folks to move that way, and some are.

Ford has already shown that they are abandoning the regular E Body.

The replacement van, the full size Transit, won't have the same ruggedness or capability the E Body has had. The lower floor will make ground clearance an issue while the higher top and more vertical sides makes for more volume.

If for will keep the E body cutaway, that leaves a framed platform for SMB to use where they have decades of experience already.

The F Body cutaway is an option, but it is different and thus all the experience would not apply.

It looks like SMB is working to stay on or ahead of the curve as the changes flow their way.

[dhally]

It looks like the fuel filler has been relocated to the rear. That would make a propane refrigerator possible in an RB50. Could also locate the furnace up front.

If the body was just enough bigger to sleep crossways, it would open up a lot more layout options.

[dhally]

Here's another photo from the Expo