- Location
- Grantsville, Utah
Ford Build Thread: FrED the Ford. '98 E350 7.3 4x4 The More We Explore's Adventure Van
- Thread starter sixstringsteve
- Start date
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
looks nice, but I'd lose my glove box/compartment I've got up there and I love that thing.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
I've decided to go with a 6" UJOR kit, which means $$$, parts, down time, and late build parties at my place. 
It also means I need some different axles. I'm on the lookout for the following:
99-04 Ford F250/350 & Excursion front axles. I'd prefer a Dana 60 over a 50. I want an axle that's complete with u-bolt plates & a sway bar if possible.
10.5" sterling rear axle. From a 99+ F250 or F350
My mind is set, you can't change it.
It also means I need some different axles. I'm on the lookout for the following:
99-04 Ford F250/350 & Excursion front axles. I'd prefer a Dana 60 over a 50. I want an axle that's complete with u-bolt plates & a sway bar if possible.
10.5" sterling rear axle. From a 99+ F250 or F350
My mind is set, you can't change it.
BlueWolfFab
Running Behind
- Location
- Eagle Mountain
Mitch at UFAB might be your guy for axles. I'm down for build parties.
TJDukit
I.Y.A.A.Y.A.S.
- Location
- Clearfield
I'll be sure to jump on a plane to get in on one of those parties. Can't wait to see how it turns out.
jentzschman
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Sandy, Utah
Yes, the build parties continue. Count me in.
- Location
- Bountiful, land of rocks
I've decided to go with a 6" UJOR kit, which means $$$, parts, down time, and late build parties at my place.
It also means I need some different axles. I'm on the lookout for the following:
99-04 Ford F250/350 & Excursion front axles. I'd prefer a Dana 60 over a 50. I want an axle that's complete with u-bolt plates & a sway bar if possible.
10.5" sterling rear axle. From a 99+ F250 or F350
My mind is set, you can't change it.
Not at all trying to change your mind but why those over what's already under there?
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
They're the only axles compatible with the lift kit I'm getting.
Honestly, the thought of a big build at this stage of my life is a bit stressful. But I want this rig solid, with no issues when we hit the road, and I'm willing to do what it takes to get it there.
Honestly, the thought of a big build at this stage of my life is a bit stressful. But I want this rig solid, with no issues when we hit the road, and I'm willing to do what it takes to get it there.
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AddictedOffroad
The Yota Specialists
- Location
- Windsor, CO
I run the supertech 2T as well. One large bottle per tank.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Whoa, are you feeling ok? I've been trying to get you to come down here for years.
It'd be great to see you again, it's been too long.
Maverick
old-school
- Location
- Anywhere, thanks to my geeky droid
Are you lifting it more? or will that keep it the same height? I can't imagine lifting it more, especially if you are towing.
(reposted below from your axle thread)
Excursion were D50 only, as were I think the F250s, so you are looking for F350 for the front. My '02 X has the 10.5" sterling rear. I think most did. Diesels got the 3.73 gears. 5.4s and V10's got either 3.73 or 4.30. 4.10 will be a unicorn.
Have you also selected springs? Rear anti-sway bar? Air-bags? Good WD/anti-sway hitch?
Unless you go big tires, 3.73 will be your friend. I tow 12,000 lbs with 3.73 and 35s. 7.3 with cold air intake, 60hp tune, Walter BTM muffler
I just went back to 33s (34s?) for my summer tires. Mainly because they were cheap (they were Falken discontinued). They look better than I thought they would. 325/60R18, so they are nice and fat. I haven't towed heavy yet with the 33s. I still have 35" Duratracs for winter.
I thought about 4.30s until I did the tune. Depending on your 7.3, it may be a good call for your van with 35s, it will make OD that much more useful overall, basically like a stock 7.3 with 3.73s and 31s. You'll still turn 2000rpm at 70mph, which is pretty much where every stock 7.3 X and SD are (assuming most have 3.73s).
(reposted below from your axle thread)
Excursion were D50 only, as were I think the F250s, so you are looking for F350 for the front. My '02 X has the 10.5" sterling rear. I think most did. Diesels got the 3.73 gears. 5.4s and V10's got either 3.73 or 4.30. 4.10 will be a unicorn.
Have you also selected springs? Rear anti-sway bar? Air-bags? Good WD/anti-sway hitch?
Unless you go big tires, 3.73 will be your friend. I tow 12,000 lbs with 3.73 and 35s. 7.3 with cold air intake, 60hp tune, Walter BTM muffler
I just went back to 33s (34s?) for my summer tires. Mainly because they were cheap (they were Falken discontinued). They look better than I thought they would. 325/60R18, so they are nice and fat. I haven't towed heavy yet with the 33s. I still have 35" Duratracs for winter.
I thought about 4.30s until I did the tune. Depending on your 7.3, it may be a good call for your van with 35s, it will make OD that much more useful overall, basically like a stock 7.3 with 3.73s and 31s. You'll still turn 2000rpm at 70mph, which is pretty much where every stock 7.3 X and SD are (assuming most have 3.73s).
Maverick
old-school
- Location
- Anywhere, thanks to my geeky droid
Also, I don't know the bolt pattern of your 60s, but the SD/X axles are 8 on 170mm.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
I'm actually hoping the lift will lower it a bit, but chances are good it'll stay at the same height it is now.
I'll need new wheels too, since the axles I need have a different bolt pattern.
I'll need new wheels too, since the axles I need have a different bolt pattern.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
I'll be going with ujoint offroad's 6" progressive spring kit.
rustyjeep21
Member
Just to fill your mind with more good ideas, my friend has a 97 CC PSD, with axles and suspension from a 2008 super duty. It rides like a dream, couldn't be that hard to do on a van....
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
It'd be cool, but I don't have the skill to pull that off correctly. I know quadvan offers a kit for those axles. Quadvan suspension is supposed to be incredible. Agile offroad has a cool D50 TTB conversion they install. I think I'd prefer this for washboard roads and 90% of my driving, but they're super backlogged and tough to get ahold of. Unsure on price too.
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Maverick
old-school
- Location
- Anywhere, thanks to my geeky droid
I don't think I'd touch TTB with a 10' pole. BTDT with my '85 Bronco. Yuck.
How do the UJ 6" springs compare to the f*rd U, V & X code front springs? Same length? Springs rates? When you refer to 6" lift, what is that relative to? Stock 2wd van height? Do those springs work on the SD/X trucks too?
Seems like most of the 4x4 vans I see around (quite a few, actually) have flat front springs and they are plenty tall for anywhere you might be going to take it. Other than super deep snow, I've never dragged bottom on my X. Though maybe you are going to take it crazy places?
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
I have no idea how the UJOR springs compare to Ford springs. I believe the springs are longer, but I could be wrong.
I don't plan on deep snow, and I don't need the height other than to clear the crossmember. The engine crossmember hangs down pretty low on the vans, and even after you clearance it there isn't a ton of room, hence the need for the 6" lift to get good uptravel. I don't plan on taking it crazy places. I'll never even take it places like the maze. It's going to be roads like from tibble fork to pole line pass. Heck, a stock 2wd van could do that. But add mud and a bit of snow, and 4x4 will be nice.
So in other words, I don't need height other than to clear the engine crossmember.
I don't plan on deep snow, and I don't need the height other than to clear the crossmember. The engine crossmember hangs down pretty low on the vans, and even after you clearance it there isn't a ton of room, hence the need for the 6" lift to get good uptravel. I don't plan on taking it crazy places. I'll never even take it places like the maze. It's going to be roads like from tibble fork to pole line pass. Heck, a stock 2wd van could do that. But add mud and a bit of snow, and 4x4 will be nice.
So in other words, I don't need height other than to clear the engine crossmember.