Dog House Removal?
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Elder User
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Dog House Removal?
I'm new to the Econoline world and recenlty picked up a 1990 E350 based class C motorhome. How does the dog house come off? I released two latches (one on each side) and it seems to be stuck. I doubt it has ever been off, for it only has 24,000 actual miles. I'm glad it's a tight fit for heat and fumes, but perhaps you gurus have some tips....I want to do a tune-up!
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Outside of Memphis, TN
Last time you'll willingly admit that!
There should be two latches on the sides, in the foot wells, and two latches on the front lower area of the dog house. 4 latches total. I recommend unbolting and removing the front seats to make room to work. If you don't, you will be working and contorting much harder than you have to, its already a pretty crummy job to do plugs and wires on these bad boys!
There should be two latches on the sides, in the foot wells, and two latches on the front lower area of the dog house. 4 latches total. I recommend unbolting and removing the front seats to make room to work. If you don't, you will be working and contorting much harder than you have to, its already a pretty crummy job to do plugs and wires on these bad boys!
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,298
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From: South central, Minnesota
The older vans don't have lower latches. They have a couple metal 90 degree brackets. These brackets are bolted to the floor.
If there is carpet you may have to pull it back to find the bolts.
If there is carpet you may have to pull it back to find the bolts.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
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I've also never taken out the seats just to remove the dog house. Yes, it's a tight fit & you need to be careful about seat upholstery. However, when I tried to remove the seat bases I ran into great difficulty with rusty bolts. These 4 special bolts thread into captive nuts on the underside of the floor & the extra threads are exposed to the elements. They can be a bear to get out, even if you bathe them in penetrating oil in advance.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: South central, Minnesota
Yup, that's the way my '85 dog house was removed.
I've also never taken out the seats just to remove the dog house. Yes, it's a tight fit & you need to be careful about seat upholstery. However, when I tried to remove the seat bases I ran into great difficulty with rusty bolts. These 4 special bolts thread into captive nuts on the underside of the floor & the extra threads are exposed to the elements. They can be a bear to get out, even if you bathe them in penetrating oil in advance.
I've also never taken out the seats just to remove the dog house. Yes, it's a tight fit & you need to be careful about seat upholstery. However, when I tried to remove the seat bases I ran into great difficulty with rusty bolts. These 4 special bolts thread into captive nuts on the underside of the floor & the extra threads are exposed to the elements. They can be a bear to get out, even if you bathe them in penetrating oil in advance.
Yes it's like wrestling an elephant at times. But I've always been able to pull them out with the seats in place.The only reason I see to pull the seats would be to do some major engine tear down. With the seats out you've got plenty of room to lay down on the job!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
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Would like to add that I've had OEM seats & suspect that certain aftermarket & conversion seats/bases may take up more real estate than FORD originals, making it more difficult to remove dog house.
As you say "some major engine tear down" work would be greatly facilitated by removing the seats/bases. However just doing plugs/wires is EZ enough w/seats in place. Did I6 cylinder head on '85 & 302 exhaust manifold on '92 w/o removing seats.
As you say "some major engine tear down" work would be greatly facilitated by removing the seats/bases. However just doing plugs/wires is EZ enough w/seats in place. Did I6 cylinder head on '85 & 302 exhaust manifold on '92 w/o removing seats.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,298
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From: South central, Minnesota
You don't need to pull the seats and bases to work on the engine. It just gives you a lot more room if you do. But like I said I'm too lazy to do that unless it's something I'm going to be spending quite a bit of time working on. I'm in Minnesota so the seat base bolts don't come out very easy!
I will also add this comment. The dog house on my 96 it much more of a pain to remove then any of my 91 & older vans are/were.
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i left the seats in place for a complete engine rebuild in my 87, but i pull the seats out to change spark plugs in vans from around 2000.
and my seats aren't stock, so its rather challenging to wiggle the doghouse out with them in place, especially with my crap pile between them.
and my seats aren't stock, so its rather challenging to wiggle the doghouse out with them in place, especially with my crap pile between them.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
I use to pull the doghouse up and out without touching the seats, but I got tired of wrestling it, and i'm a clean freak, can't stand having the seal hit the dash or door panels.
It takes 2 min to remove the passenger seat, and then the doghouse comes out no problem and you have more than enough room to work on the engine for whatever.
Save your self a hassle, at least remove the passenger seat. It's 4 bolts.
And yes, the older vans had 2 latches and 2 bolts on the floor.
Best of luck to ya, doing a tune up on that EFI 460 in a van!
It takes 2 min to remove the passenger seat, and then the doghouse comes out no problem and you have more than enough room to work on the engine for whatever.
Save your self a hassle, at least remove the passenger seat. It's 4 bolts.
And yes, the older vans had 2 latches and 2 bolts on the floor.
Best of luck to ya, doing a tune up on that EFI 460 in a van!
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Two bolts on the floor, a latch on each side. You may be dealing with a Coke or Milkshake seal. See the prior thread about pulling the passenger seat to get more "room to dance".
Double check your bolts and latches, then apply brute force. Maybe some heat along the rubber seals to start.
Double check your bolts and latches, then apply brute force. Maybe some heat along the rubber seals to start.
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