I am looking for a step by step for lifting the cab off of an E350. For those of you that have followed my previous threads, the conclusion is that the engine in my '97 E350 is a goner. I have located a donor and as a bonus it is attached to a Quigley 4x4 chassis. So, I am going to transplant my '97, nearly perfect, 49k miles 15 passenger body onto this '99 E350 extended cargo chassis with a V10.

So far, from all that I can determine, it should be a fairly straightforward transplant. Is there anything that I need to be concerned with as far as compatibility?

I am hoping someone might have a step by step that I can follow for this, since this is a common approach to engine work.

If anyone has any advise, I'm all ears.

Thanks!

 

Well, to start make sure all the wiring, hoses, cords, etc are unplugged from the 97 chassis. And then undue the body bolts. I can only imagine that the body is fairly heavy so I'm not sure how u plan to lift it off, just be cautious to no bend any metal. About the only experience I have with removing bodies is transferring cab, doghouse and bed off a 97 Chevy 1500 and taking the cab off an 06 superduty to do head studs (which I will NEVER do again)

 

If I was going to do it I would jack up the body and roll the chassis out and then roll the new one in its place, the hardest part is getting the rear tires to clear when the chassis are being switched. That is how I used to switch my fully loaded utility bodies on my work trucks.

Denny

 

How hard would this be to do with a car lift, like those in a mechanic's shop? You gotta be careful though, I'm not sure the body is stiff enough to take too much torsion without wrinkling the roof, floor, or anything else.

 

I have devised a hoist method that I am comfortable will work pretty well. It will be a four point lift with the front points at the reinforcing ribs right below the back of the front doors, and the rear point being through or just in front of the rear wheel wells. I will be able to lift very slowly and carefully, so I think I can do it without undue stress on the body.

And, since the body needs to come off of the donor van first and is of no significant value to me other than salvage, I can test the method on it and not have to worry about damage, if it were to occur.

Yes, as rvpuller suggested, I will lift the body and roll the chassis out from under it. Then, I will lower the donor chassis onto a flatbed trailer. Then, lift the good body off of its chassis, roll it out, and roll the donor, Quigley chassis under it and lower it back down.

I'm gussing that the body weighs about 2000 - 3000#. With a four point lift, that is only 500 - 750# per lift point. If I need to lighten the load on the passenger van body, I can always remove all of the seats (the donor is a cargo body, so it will already be empty).

I plan to take plenty of photos and document the work. I might even have my son do a time lapse video of it all...we'll see how motivated he is.

What I really would like to get my hands on before I attempt this is a service manual step-by-step guide so that I can make sure that I disconnect all that is necessary. But again, the first one (the donor) is expendable, so I can learn as I go. As long as I don't damage anything important that is attached to the chassis side of it, I'll be fine. I suspect by the time that I get to the 2nd one, I'll have a pretty good idea of what mistakes to avoid .

But, if anyone has a manual that covers this process, I'd really love to benefit from it.

 

I have no real info to share other then these two pics...
the second one was my old van getting a new motor.

 

 

The OP did go on to complete this swap, its detailed here: E-Series Body Swap

Do pay attention to the posts where he has issues with a slight incompatibility between wiring harnesses---its good to know that's a possibility during a swap like this.

HTH

 

Just wondering how you made out with your van? Did you get the body off? I am also in the process of doing the same thing. I can't find any step by step either and was wondering if you found something.

 

Hey….how are you doing with your project??? I have pics on here….just saying….I’m taking longer than I thought….mine is a 2006 gas body I am putting on a 2000 7.3 frame with a 2009 Dana 60 under the front end and a 2009 chrome nose…..save everything….in my case I have to use 3 wire harness’ from the diesel and possibly a 4th from the B pillar to the rear lights…good luck…these are well worth the effort…Al