Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 07-15-2010, 08:59 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
cyberspaeth's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 18
Garage
Where do SMB's (and dreams) go to die?

Today I found that my nice 2001 EB350 4x4 SMB has terminal cancer (rust) throughout the undercarriage. Almost all brake components, fuel system (lines and 2 tanks), drive train components, power steering lines, frame, exhaust system and on and on are rotten and failing or near so. The repair estimate for the brakes alone was $3200 (full system replace), similar for the fuel system, and the prognosis if these fixes were implemented is a never-ending series of repairs. A thousand here, a few thousand there and soon you’re talking real money.

I’m looking for options and would really appreciate any suggestions. Here are a few things that I’ve thought of. A few might actually be worth considering:

1. Since the body and interior are in very good condition, get a new chassis and transplant, if that’s possible.

2. Mechanic suggested (sheepishly) that I could remove the body and sand blast all the rusted components.

3. Terminate life-support. Part-out everything of value.

4. Donate to a worthy charity and take the tax break.

5. Insurance fraud (Kidding. Really, I’m kidding.)

6. Sell as-is for whatever I can get. Understand this is a brake-less, soon to be gas-leaking potential death trap. I won’t do to anyone what was done to me, so there WILL be full disclosure.

7. ?

I really don’t know what is technically feasible, and what costs would be justifiable. But I’m pretty sure I could never feel confident, safe and secure either on the highway or in a remote area without some pretty radical surgery, if ever.

Suggestions appreciated.

Thanks.

cyberspaeth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2010, 09:14 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
UJOINT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: AVL NC
Posts: 1,008
Re: Where do SMB's (and dreams) go to die?

Where do you live? is it really that bad? For an 01, that's crazy.....
__________________
Chris Steuber
02 E350 7.3 (V4)
17 Focus RS, 90 SHO, 49 CJ2A, 89 LSC, 20 T250 AWD
ujointoffroad.com
UJOINT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2010, 09:30 PM   #3
Site Team
 
daveb's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Turlock Ca
Posts: 10,407
Garage
Re: Where do SMB's (and dreams) go to die?

I'd run, but I'm sure there are body folks out there that would be interested. I have a buddy that cuts different vans into, and makes campers out of them. I just would be wary of stuff like that but for the gifted few it might be a gold nugget. Or maybe a bronze nugget.
__________________
2006 Ford 6.0PSD EB-50/E-PH SMB 4X4 Rock Crawler Trailer

Sportsmobile 4X4 Adventures..........On and off road adventures
daveb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2010, 10:41 PM   #4
Site Team
 
WVvan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,293
Re: Where do SMB's (and dreams) go to die?

I don't know enough to comment on moving the body to another chassis but probably the next best thing is to do an interior transplant. All the Ford vans are near identical inside so buy a newer van. Then using the old van as a guide, disassemble everything from one and reassemble in the other.
Anyway, my $.02.
__________________
Open the pod bay doors Hal.

Once I exit Hal, this is what I do.
https://larry.wvnet.edu/~van/pics/lic...late-small.jpg
WWW.WVBIKE.ORG
WVvan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2010, 01:34 AM   #5
NRL
Senior Member
 
NRL's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 477
Send a message via Yahoo to NRL
Re: Where do SMB's (and dreams) go to die?

Quote:
Originally Posted by WVvan
I don't know enough to comment on moving the body to another chassis but probably the next best thing is to do an interior transplant. All the Ford vans are near identical inside so buy a newer van. Then using the old van as a guide, disassemble everything from one and reassemble in the other.
Anyway, my $.02.
I second this option. Both for interior and exterior.
Cabinets, swivel chairs, bumpers, 4x4 components, the penthouse; make it stronger, better...
__________________
96 RB E-350 460v8 4x4 Custom RestoMod
Warn12kWinch,FFloater,LSlip,Pwtrx Locker 4.10 305x70x16 ToyoMTs,Eagle Alloys,Stove,4CF Ppane Fridge, Air CompTank,Supersprings, Bilstein Shocks,Deavers,CastIron Diff Case, Bullet Proof ReBuilt Transmission, Tubulator DeRale Trans Pan Cover, SSExhaust, KyoceraSolar, Tripplite UPS, 8D AGM, TivoHD, 24in HDLED
95 FJ80 ARB/Kaymar/Emu
2005 AMG CL65 691hp 875tq
NRL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2010, 09:20 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Ford_6L_E350's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Washington - Ridgefield
Posts: 4,728
Re: Where do SMB's (and dreams) go to die?

Since you say the body is in good shape, I would think it would be much easier to replace the complete frame. A good full service wrecking yard would be a place to start looking for a donor.

Mike
__________________
Alaska to Key West, Labrador and more
Prostate cancer survivor. See Thread Prostate cancer and Sportsmobiles
2015 VW GTI 2020 Fiat 124 Spider
2012 E250 Hitop camper
Ford_6L_E350 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2010, 09:25 AM   #7
Junior Member
 
cyberspaeth's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 18
Garage
Re: Where do SMB's (and dreams) go to die?

Quote:
Originally Posted by UJOINT
Where do you live? is it really that bad? For an 01, that's crazy.....
I'm in Ohio. The van spent its life in Vermont and PA. I suspect big snows, road salt and neglect but it's still crazy. Mechanic said it looked more like a rough 25 years old.

Thanks for the response.
cyberspaeth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2010, 09:31 AM   #8
Junior Member
 
cyberspaeth's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 18
Garage
Re: Where do SMB's (and dreams) go to die?

Quote:
Originally Posted by WVvan
I don't know enough to comment on moving the body to another chassis but probably the next best thing is to do an interior transplant. All the Ford vans are near identical inside so buy a newer van. Then using the old van as a guide, disassemble everything from one and reassemble in the other.
Anyway, my $.02.
Certainly beyond my abilities to cut-in a penthouse top, install the fresh and grey water systems, the electical etc. Maybe something to explore, but I wonder how much would be saved vs. just starting over. Hey, maybe I'll give Sportsmobile inc a call and see what they suggest.

Thanks for the suggestion.
cyberspaeth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2010, 09:37 AM   #9
Junior Member
 
cyberspaeth's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 18
Garage
Re: Where do SMB's (and dreams) go to die?

Quote:
Originally Posted by daveb
it might be a gold nugget. Or maybe a bronze nugget.
Neither gold nor bronze rusts, so either would work!
cyberspaeth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2010, 12:54 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
jage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 7,643
Re: Where do SMB's (and dreams) go to die?

You all need to have grown up in Indiana. Unless the frame rusts through (even if) then it's nothing. If the body isn't rotting off the frame and doesn't have cancer, then you probably just have normal underbody rust. Seriously, I've looked at year old Jeeps on the dealer lot that were already rusting. I can see a mechanic out West freaking out about something like this, but I doubt your problems are nearly that bad.
__________________
it was good to be back
jage is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:14 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.