What may be a never ending conversion story…

[ShadetreeTim]

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.

 

[ShadetreeTim]

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.

 

[ShadetreeTim]

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.

 

[ShadetreeTim]

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.

 

[ShadetreeTim]

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.

 

[ShadetreeTim]

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:i6:

 

[Twoxentrix]

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!

 

[Bbasso]

Looking good and I really like the choice of flooring, would you mind telling us what type of flooring that is?

 

[ShadetreeTim]

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.

 

[regis101-SMB]

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

 

[86Scotty]

Really nice work Shadetree! You forgot the part where after you robbed all the parts off your Vanagon, wrecked it, pulled the engine and set it on fire you were still able to sell it for enough (in Socal) to fund this new project completely.......and you bought a yacht with what was left over.

:b5:

 

[boywonder]

Recently, one of my buddies stripped his interior .......

Then a buddy gave me his old back bumper ......

Then another buddy wrecked his E350 and needed a new front bumper, so I sold him my stock one.....

...you have a lot of van buddies


what kind of rear bumper is that?? Certainly doesn't look stock.

 

[ShadetreeTim]

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

In the kitchen area, pulling the plastics gave me more depth. In the bed area, not so much. But the trunk liner material is warmer feeling than the plastic.

The ducting is gone. The heater duct pulls off the plenum. I created a new duct that feeds through two vents in front of the seat. That area is shown in this photo. I boxed in the fender well to have a spot for a cup holder and electrical.

 

[ShadetreeTim]

...you have a lot of van buddies


what kind of rear bumper is that?? Certainly doesn't look stock.

Yeah, there are three of us that take our vans and families camping together. They’re both diesels. The bumper came off of a Crow’s Van, a San Diego based builder of substandard quality 4wd vans. My buddy has replaced almost everything on that van now, including the 4wd conversion.

Here we all are in Morro Bay recently

 

[86Scotty]

Nice to hear someone with experience slamming a Crow's van. Most just slam them because everyone else does which isn't helpful. It IS helpful, however, to see that firsthand and warn others.

Also, forgot to say, this thread title may be my favorite ever. I might have to steal it......5 or 6 times.

 

[ShadetreeTim]

Really nice work Shadetree! You forgot the part where after you robbed all the parts off your Vanagon, wrecked it, pulled the engine and set it on fire you were still able to sell it for enough (in Socal) to fund this new project completely.......and you bought a yacht with what was left over.

:b5:

Yeah, that Vanagon has been sitting in my back yard gathering spiders. It has a 1.8 turbo motor in it and we’ve driven it on many a camping trip. I need to clean it up and sell it though. Recoup some of the cash I’ve spent on this van.

 

[regis101-SMB]

Funny. I'm kicking our Vanagon to the curb for multiple good and bad reasons, too

 

[Bbasso]

Thanks for the info on the flooring, I would never thought of peel n stick for a van's interior!
Affordable, looks very good and eaay to keep up with... unlike the huge wall to wall wool carpet I did, its nice on the feet all year round but vacuuming and monthly shampooing to keep it halfway clean is for the birds lol
Again, thanks.

 

[larrie-SMB]

I love the post title, so true. Good work on the interior. It looks good. Getting the right interior layout in place is a real plus for family camping.

 

[ShadetreeTim]

Thanks for the info on the flooring, I would never thought of peel n stick for a van's interior!
Affordable, looks very good and eaay to keep up with... unlike the huge wall to wall wool carpet I did, its nice on the feet all year round but vacuuming and monthly shampooing to keep it halfway clean is for the birds lol
Again, thanks.

This is a solid sheet of vinyl, glued down, not peel and stick. BTW, I tried peel and stick years ago in a tent trailer. Not a good idea in the temps they can get to inside. It became a big mess.