MDV (Medium Duty Van)?!?
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MDV (Medium Duty Van)?!?
So, I am curious. Has anyone every taken the body from a late 80's/early 90's van and put it on a F-600 or larger chassis and front end from the same era?
I know the body lines would line up on the sides because the doors are the same on the pickups/vans/mdt from this time period. I don't know about the width though or the hood/cowl but it seems to me it would be an interesting and unique build. I know it would always suffer from the lack of a decent hitch (depending on how it is built) but I think it would be cool.
I know the body lines would line up on the sides because the doors are the same on the pickups/vans/mdt from this time period. I don't know about the width though or the hood/cowl but it seems to me it would be an interesting and unique build. I know it would always suffer from the lack of a decent hitch (depending on how it is built) but I think it would be cool.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,027
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Well.. there were aftermarket companies that made f600s into somewhat vans.. armored cars.. milk delivery trucks etc.. they are few and far between...
as far as an actually van body.. anything is possible but the width of the f600 is so wide compared to the light duty frames it would be difficult at best to build anything that would match the bodylines/ fenders...
perhaps you could make up a rendering... but again the fender flares would look wierd... in my opinion
Im thinking of attempting an extra cab onto an f500/f600 frame.. but I also have a compllete front clip from a medium duty.. there is no such thing for a van body
as far as an actually van body.. anything is possible but the width of the f600 is so wide compared to the light duty frames it would be difficult at best to build anything that would match the bodylines/ fenders...
perhaps you could make up a rendering... but again the fender flares would look wierd... in my opinion
Im thinking of attempting an extra cab onto an f500/f600 frame.. but I also have a compllete front clip from a medium duty.. there is no such thing for a van body
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As far as grafting a truck front end onto van, the body lines would match on the sides and the width of the body is the same on trucks and vans (there are quite a few vans with pickup beds that match).
I don't have a clue whether the cowl would match though. And I don't know the difference in frame rail width between LDT and MDT. Small differences in width could be overcome by body mount design.
I have heard of people putting LDT cabs on MDT's. The firewalls are different but the rest of the body is the same. I think that the van would be easier as far as the firewall goes because it already has the doghouse for the engine.
As to fender flares, yes, they would be required. That has been done quite a few times on vans as revealed by a google search.
As I see it the ease of conversion would depend on whether the cowl lined up. Most of the rest of the conversion would be nearly bolt-on, requiring only minor fab work.
I don't have a clue whether the cowl would match though. And I don't know the difference in frame rail width between LDT and MDT. Small differences in width could be overcome by body mount design.
I have heard of people putting LDT cabs on MDT's. The firewalls are different but the rest of the body is the same. I think that the van would be easier as far as the firewall goes because it already has the doghouse for the engine.
As to fender flares, yes, they would be required. That has been done quite a few times on vans as revealed by a google search.
As I see it the ease of conversion would depend on whether the cowl lined up. Most of the rest of the conversion would be nearly bolt-on, requiring only minor fab work.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
1953/77 P Series (Parcel Delivery) will not work.
Ford supplied either the rolling chassis for Class A motorhomes, or the rolling chassis with front sheet metal. Aftermarket body makers then installed the actual body.
P Series Parcel Delivery: Column left, line 2.
Ford supplied either the rolling chassis for Class A motorhomes, or the rolling chassis with front sheet metal. Aftermarket body makers then installed the actual body.
P Series Parcel Delivery: Column left, line 2.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,526
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I was thinking of these, which, if I'm reading this correctly, are based on the E 350.
1986 Ford E350 Stepvan
So the OP could put his E series van body on an E 350 chassis.....never mind I guess....
1986 Ford E350 Stepvan
So the OP could put his E series van body on an E 350 chassis.....never mind I guess....
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Tuned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 304
Likes: 28
From: Gladwin, MI
I know that it's a GMC product, but is this what you're envisioning?
BangShift.com 2004 C5500 TopKick GMC Van
BangShift.com 2004 C5500 TopKick GMC Van
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 4
lets do it ford style
<center>2013 Extreme XUV Options:</center>
Includes the new crew cab & chassis:
· Full black leather heated captain's chairs with six way power
· Leather steering wheel
· Black carpet, headliner
· Full power sail mirrors
· ABS and traction control
· AM/FM CD, DVD, MP3 player with Bluetooth connectivity
· Sirius radio and navigation
· Cruise control
· Power windows and locks
· Brakes in either hydraulic or air
Driveline and power options:
· 325 HP Cummins diesel with 800 foot-pounds of torque
· Allison Rds 3000 series six speed double overdrive transmission
· Auto leveling rear air ride with dump valve
Super Trucks pickup conversion includes:
· Linex bed
· Brake controller
· Class 5 tow package
· Polished aluminum wheels
· Window tint
· Dual 900 amp batteries with 185 amp alternator
· Dual 50 gallon black steel fuel tanks
· See option for F-650 hauler bed
· Six door Excursion style body built with all Ford approved parts with Ford warranty
· Set of stainless steel dummy tanks
· Cab air ride with two extra captain chairs
· Offered in 2 or 4 wheel drive models
· Rear AC/Heat
Got a couple of hundred extra throusand?
<center>2013 Extreme XUV Options:</center>
Includes the new crew cab & chassis:
· Full black leather heated captain's chairs with six way power
· Leather steering wheel
· Black carpet, headliner
· Full power sail mirrors
· ABS and traction control
· AM/FM CD, DVD, MP3 player with Bluetooth connectivity
· Sirius radio and navigation
· Cruise control
· Power windows and locks
· Brakes in either hydraulic or air
Driveline and power options:
· 325 HP Cummins diesel with 800 foot-pounds of torque
· Allison Rds 3000 series six speed double overdrive transmission
· Auto leveling rear air ride with dump valve
Super Trucks pickup conversion includes:
· Linex bed
· Brake controller
· Class 5 tow package
· Polished aluminum wheels
· Window tint
· Dual 900 amp batteries with 185 amp alternator
· Dual 50 gallon black steel fuel tanks
· See option for F-650 hauler bed
· Six door Excursion style body built with all Ford approved parts with Ford warranty
· Set of stainless steel dummy tanks
· Cab air ride with two extra captain chairs
· Offered in 2 or 4 wheel drive models
· Rear AC/Heat
Got a couple of hundred extra throusand?
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14
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I know that it's a GMC product, but is this what you're envisioning?
BangShift.com 2004 C5500 TopKick GMC Van
BangShift.com 2004 C5500 TopKick GMC Van
Sorry I am only on every couple days.
I did a little more research and the body line do not line up...someone told me they did and I didn't research. I don't know if the doors are the right shape or not. If the front end of the doors were the same curve that would make it much simpler.
The point is taken on the controls but in a swap of this size I would expect to have to massage the controls.
Finally...I don't intend on doing this swap. At least not soon. Right now my 4 stall garage is 2000+ miles away and I have a low ceiling 1 1/2 stall. I can't even fit my bronco in without flattening the tires. Someday it would make an insane bugout type vehicle.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
lets do it ford style
<center>2013 Extreme XUV Options:</center>
Includes the new crew cab & chassis:
· Full black leather heated captain's chairs with six way power
· Leather steering wheel
· Black carpet, headliner
· Full power sail mirrors
· ABS and traction control
· AM/FM CD, DVD, MP3 player with Bluetooth connectivity
· Sirius radio and navigation
· Cruise control
· Power windows and locks
· Brakes in either hydraulic or air
Driveline and power options:
· 325 HP Cummins diesel with 800 foot-pounds of torque
· Allison Rds 3000 series six speed double overdrive transmission
· Auto leveling rear air ride with dump valve
Super Trucks pickup conversion includes:
· Linex bed
· Brake controller
· Class 5 tow package
· Polished aluminum wheels
· Window tint
· Dual 900 amp batteries with 185 amp alternator
· Dual 50 gallon black steel fuel tanks
· See option for F-650 hauler bed
· Six door Excursion style body built with all Ford approved parts with Ford warranty
· Set of stainless steel dummy tanks
· Cab air ride with two extra captain chairs
· Offered in 2 or 4 wheel drive models
· Rear AC/Heat
Got a couple of hundred extra throusand?
<center>2013 Extreme XUV Options:</center>
Includes the new crew cab & chassis:
· Full black leather heated captain's chairs with six way power
· Leather steering wheel
· Black carpet, headliner
· Full power sail mirrors
· ABS and traction control
· AM/FM CD, DVD, MP3 player with Bluetooth connectivity
· Sirius radio and navigation
· Cruise control
· Power windows and locks
· Brakes in either hydraulic or air
Driveline and power options:
· 325 HP Cummins diesel with 800 foot-pounds of torque
· Allison Rds 3000 series six speed double overdrive transmission
· Auto leveling rear air ride with dump valve
Super Trucks pickup conversion includes:
· Linex bed
· Brake controller
· Class 5 tow package
· Polished aluminum wheels
· Window tint
· Dual 900 amp batteries with 185 amp alternator
· Dual 50 gallon black steel fuel tanks
· See option for F-650 hauler bed
· Six door Excursion style body built with all Ford approved parts with Ford warranty
· Set of stainless steel dummy tanks
· Cab air ride with two extra captain chairs
· Offered in 2 or 4 wheel drive models
· Rear AC/Heat
Got a couple of hundred extra throusand?
Or maybe $$$$$$ would be more accurate.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
I was thinking of these, which, if I'm reading this correctly, are based on the E 350.
1986 Ford E350 Stepvan
So the OP could put his E series van body on an E 350 chassis.....never mind I guess....
1986 Ford E350 Stepvan
So the OP could put his E series van body on an E 350 chassis.....never mind I guess....
This is an E350 rolling chassis, most were sold to UPS, so they could mount their own body on it.
Ford makes the E350 "Cut-Away" which is the Econoline van cargo body that is cut off behind the front seats.
Common "Cut-Away" aftermarket bodies are Class C motor homes, box vans, ambulance and people movers.
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