Motovan--2000 Ford E350 ex-wheelchair van

Here's his truck and camper.

I already talked him into aggressive mud tires, the same TrailHead deflators, compressor, and traction boards that I have.

Yeeehaaa, just sold my Kreitler rollers to the guy that owns "The Van Guys LLC " for $250. The trip fund just increased $800 in the last two nights!

Gonna be an awesome trip! Sorry I missed you, I spent too much time at the Napa in Redmond... Almost tried to find your garage..

In reply to java230:

Uh oh. I was on the other side of the Cascades at my mom's house for Christmas anyway. Are we going to be reading about the carnage in the ski bum mobile thread?

In reply to Petrolburner:

Yeah at some point here... Fuel pump on the generator decided to quit

I pulled the trigger on the 5 Star tune. I just loaded the 87 octane performance tune. Heading up into the mountains skiing in a bit to test it out. I'll refill the tank and check gas mileage too.

Does the tune account for the altitude change?... Watch your knock and if you get a lot, put some prem in there...

Petrolburner wrote: I pulled the trigger on the 5 Star tune. I just loaded the 87 octane performance tune. Heading up into the mountains skiing in a bit to test it out. I'll refill the tank and check gas mileage too.

Please keep us updated. I have looked at it many times, but its a lot of $$ to make up for in gas milage.....

Have you gotten around to the exhaust yet? I had been thinking about doing the same to dads 2v 5.4 expedition for years with the y pipe.

Mad_Ratel wrote: Does the tune account for the altitude change?... Watch your knock and if you get a lot, put some prem in there...

Fuel injection accounts for air density already, and they have tines for different octane levels. I ordered the 87 performance, 87 towing and 87 economy. It was $20 more to get three tunes instead of just one, as opposed to I think $100 each later on. I will use the performance tune almost all the time I think.

I did two trips into the mountains with 87 performance tune loaded this weekend. Pretty much unloaded. It certainly seems to be making more power and seems it hunts for the right gear less. It still shifts out of overdrive for hills that I wish it didn't, but it keeps the torque converter locked up longer, I think. It passes people at highway speed better. It's not a replacement for changing the ring and pinion gears however. I will let you all know what gas mileage I got when I fill the tank.

chiodos wrote: Have you gotten around to the exhaust yet? I had been thinking about doing the same to dads 2v 5.4 expedition for years with the y pipe.

I spoke to an exhaust shop that is very familiar with that E36 M3ty junction. He told me how he builds a new y pipe and that it does make a noticeable difference. He said on trucks that play in the mud it usually packs on that joint, holds the heat in, and then cracks. To do the y pipe plus a new exhaust all the way back would be in the $600 ball park. I haven't decided if it's worth it or not yet. It will probably be after the trip if anything.

I'm wondering how much body modification I would have to do to fit 35s. Also, are there any 35s narrower than 35x12.5R16?

Petrolburner wrote: I'm wondering how much body modification I would have to do to fit 35s. Also, are there any 35s narrower than 35x12.5R16?

How about 255/85R16? 255mm is 10" wide.

http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/tire-selector/size/235/85/16/tires

Oh, wait. They're only 32" tall. Sorry.

Interco SSR has a version that's 35x10.50R16LT

http://www.intercotire.com/tires.php?id=9&g=1

In reply to Petrolburner:

Why?? 35's are going to be pushing that motor to turn them IMO. (well without regearing) If your going that hardcore, why not park and take the bikes?

I'll also ask, "Why??"

FWIW, my '95 Dodge Cummins couldn't clear 35's when turning. I eventually swapped them for 265/70-17's. Still a big-ass tire. Even lifted, van's aren't known for their huge wheel wells.

Looking for more sidewall to absorb the sharp edges of potholes, rocks etc. Also, larger diameter tires roll over objects more easily due to the lower approach angle. Larger tires also have a larger contact patch when aired down. This is off-road 101 guys. I think the engine needs a re gear with the stock sized tires. If I'm going to change one, I might as well change the other at the same time. While the differential is apart, may as well install an ARB locker. 255/85-16 is the sensible compromise, but if changing gears anyway, what body modifications would it take to go the next step? 35s look great on the 4x4 converted vans. 35s come stock on the Raptor. Unfortunately there isn't much out there for skinny 35s.

In reply to Petrolburner:

Oh I understand the idea of bigger tires, but i thought the van was a bike mover, not so much off roader.

35's take about 6" lift to clear. There isn't much wheel well to start with, so hacking the body won't help too much. If your regearing, go for larger tires! I want bigger ones too :) more offset to stick the tires further out and cutting the wheel wells out to the inside size of them, I bet you could get 35's on wiht 3 ish inch lift. Might be limited on uptravel though....

for the front end, 3" flare, 2.5" taller opening.

http://glassworksunlimited.com/products/ford/econoline-van/1992-2007-ford-econoline-van-fenders-3-flare-2-5-rise

I got 3.5" of lift out of the front already, not sure how much the rear add a leaf gave me. There is a company that makes fiberglass front fenders that look pretty good for only $400 a pair. I've seen box flares on other lifted vans that don't look bad.

The van is still the bike mover, and it's way better than stock already, but who here in this asylum is one to leave well enough alone?

Those ones up above this post?

If you have that much lift find someone local with a 35 and try it! Should be able to see what needs trimming.

Yup those same ones you posted while I was typing. The trouble is the bolt pattern. Older, pre super duty F250 and F350 are supposed to fit. Maybe a Craigslist wanted ad is in order.

8 on 165 isn't it? That shouldn't be too hard to find. IIRC all the F250/350 until mid 2000's are that.

Yes, as someone who has owned a truck with 35's (and larger), I totally understand the benefits of larger tires when off-road. I'm just not sure I'd want them on a van. Or to do that sort of off-roading in a 2WD van. That's why I removed them from my Cummins. Partly because I didn't want the added aero/MPG hit and partly because for the kind of off-roading we have here on the east coast (re: generally tight trails), and extended cab, 8' bed diesel truck (that weighs 6000 lbs) would be a tad out of its element. After that, it's basically a bro-dozer. That's why I ran snow tires on it. As a snow-beater I didn't care about, it was a champ.

That was an odd era for Ford bolt 8 lug bolt patterns. The trucks were 8 x 165mm, but I think the vans (essentially a chassis from the early 90's) were still 8 x 6.5". I'm not sure when the E-series vans switched to 165mm, if ever.

Ian F wrote: Yes, as someone who has owned a truck with 35's (and larger), I totally understand the benefits of larger tires when off-road. I'm just not sure I'd want them on a van. Or to do that sort of off-roading in a 2WD van. That's why I removed them from my Cummins. Partly because I didn't want the added aero/MPG hit and partly because for the kind of off-roading we have here on the east coast (re: generally tight trails), and extended cab, 8' bed diesel truck (that weighs 6000 lbs) would be a tad out of its element. After that, it's basically a bro-dozer. That's why I ran snow tires on it. As a snow-beater I didn't care about, it was a champ. That was an odd era for Ford bolt 8 lug bolt patterns. The trucks were 8 x 165mm, but I think the vans (essentially a chassis from the early 90's) were still 8 x 6.5". I'm not sure when the E-series vans switched to 165mm, if ever.

You're totally right, I forgot they were 8x6.5.....

I don't spend much time in tight trees. It's mostly desert, and I'm after maximum speed and comfort on rough roads. At least the best bang for my buck. I might already be there. The next step is bigger tires, lower gears, possibly body modifications, and possibly am air locker. I'll be giving it more thought during this next trip.