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I am having a nightmare locating Steering parts for my 2003 Ford E550 Party Bus I just bought. To my knowledge it is different than the F550/F650 line.
I wanted to know how long did Ford produce the E550? How many were produced if anyone even knows?
I have a 1999 E350 and the E550 has a completely different type of steering parts. No Ball joints/etc. The tie rod ends are really huge. I managed to find an aftermarket company making the outer tie rod ends but not the inner.
very limited production numbers, I've seen 8 or 9 of these in the last 2 yrs and all have been 2003, and all were 7.3 powerstroke.
the front axle is shared with the F550, but the drag link from steering box to the tie bar is E550 specific . brakes are shared with the F550 but flexlines are E550 specific.
if you are really daring ...... an F550 4wd front axle bolts right in there too, but as for steering parts
good luck in your parts quest, you may end up making buddys with a parts guy at your local Ford dealer. find out what he likes in his coffee
I managed to find outer tie rods from Moog. But no luck on inner tie rods and center drag link. Any other parts that are E550 specific other than the steering and the flexlines?
I have a feeling my mechanic will find a way to fix this issue but should I be worried in future about any other components other than flexlines and tie rods?
To our knowledge the production range you are looking for is 2002-2003. For those 2 years, the E550 chassis had king pins, and your tie rod assembly and drag link should look like the image. If your linkage looks like this, than they are available from Rare Parts Inc. We got our hands on the remaining stock when Ford declared them obsolete. Drag link part number is RP29504, tie rod assembly part number is RP29505. We also manufacture the king pins (Obsolete Ford Part# 2C2Z3115AA, Rare Parts # RP30971). Our goal is to keep your vehicle on the road, no matter what it is.
Drag link and tie rod assembly for 2003 Ford E550 chassis
Thank you,
Jeremy
Rare Parts Inc
800-621-2005
rareparts.com
Hey Jeremy----you've dug up an "old" thread---almost a year since last posting.
Your company might be a VERY useful addition here, parts such as those fitting the E550's with availability perhaps finding a good bit of business here on FTE. Keeping vehicles on the road long after the OEM parts have been obsoleted is most of our goals, finding good quality parts often times a huge challenge.
I'd suggest looking into a vendor status listing---we're typically the market you're probably seeking. FTE is understandably careful about stealth posts by a vendor without them being registered etc.
This would have been a big help with me last year. I do appreciate it!
I ended up putting custom suspension in which cost me extra cash but it was done with alot of pain. This post is worth keeping up for the next guy who has the nightmare I went through.
Hey Jeremy----you've dug up an "old" thread---almost a year since last posting.
Your company might be a VERY useful addition here, parts such as those fitting the E550's with availability perhaps finding a good bit of business here on FTE. Keeping vehicles on the road long after the OEM parts have been obsoleted is most of our goals, finding good quality parts often times a huge challenge.
I'd suggest looking into a vendor status listing---we're typically the market you're probably seeking. FTE is understandably careful about stealth posts by a vendor without them being registered etc.
I will get in contact with you to see about vendor status.
Right click paste destroyed the text, I will rewrite it.
Disabled ABS saved my but today in 8000 pounds. I chirped to a stop with 4 dual caliper discs. And stopped impact, yea know what, I am not retyping this.
An E350 with a E450 rear in disc brakes, here are the drum brakes I threw in the scrap pile.
To become an E450
Resprung front and back to an E450. 8000 pounds.
I dare you to challenge me,, Ford Transit. 19,000 pounds is where the E550 topped out. That is 9 and a 1/2 tons.
I believe I need to explain myself more clearly, where my mind is at. The question is, is the frame rail of an E450 the same frame rail as an E550? If that is true?
Then I just witnessed a E550 box truck go to auction for 3K "inoperable". I have a 28 foot class C Rv on the E450 that needs to be stronger, 19000 GVW.
That being said could an E550 be bought at auction just for the suspension. Then strip the rear, springs, perches, brakes, rims,, then front drive, brakes, springs, perches.
Crush the rest, and convert an E450 RV into an E550 RV at 19k GVW.
Has anyone seen a pic of the E450 & E550 frame rail side by side? Are all the "spring Perch" holes in the same place? The E550 I believe has 4 inch wide springs on a cast iron perch. The E450 & E350 have 3 inch wide springs on a stamped steel perch.
Sell the Box, Engine, & Transmission, may just pay for the parts.
Ford went to rear disc brakes in 2002, any candidate with rear drum brakes would be a deal breaker. I want those disc's.
Don't really care about big front bumper, or front wheel well flares, but would keep the step ins on both sides. Crush the rest.
I believe I need to explain myself more clearly, where my mind is at. The question is, is the frame rail of an E450 the same frame rail as an E550? If that is true?
I believe the E450 & E550 are in fact the same frame and laid out very similarly to the E250/350 regarding suspension attachment points etc. The E450/550 frame is a bit thicker, the vertical potions taller. Keep in mind the usual E-Series bodies dropped right onto those chassis.
For definitive measurements and dimensions consult a Ford Body Builders Manual, something like this site: Body Builder Publications Lots of info there so dig as deeply as you like.
Thanks JWA for the good data. This is the prospect fish that needs to be gutted, look at the sizes of the (cast) spring perches on this thing. 4 inch wide smaller pack of ATS Springs refresh. Sell the engine trans & box flip it over on it's back and cut off the suspension. Keep the mirrors, steps, rad, crush everything else
Will have to steal the pipe across the frame rails from chevy, that was a great idea, before & after the drive axle. Nobody else has brought that idea up, "torsion" pre & post axle on a frame rail. Try and twist a pipe, not happening, adds a whole nother level of stability to frame flex. First learned of this from Bobcat skid steers tying the arms together with a pipe.
Then turn this E450 into a true E550
Lastly, the last thing to harvest, would be the E550 emblem, one only deserves that,, if you go there..
Notice how Ford does not list GCWR at 19,000 pounds passing CDL like a station wagon registration in the state of Pennsylvania.
ABS disabled on the toad with 4 discs for braking (can go full lock), ABS enabled on main rig with 4 disc's. Active braking system installed on toad.
More research done, turns out the E550 was cross hacked from the F- series F550, makes sense using the same parts in scale. But here is where I part ways in 2002/2003. If I harvest a complete 2003 E550 suspension, it still has the old style "cast" rear. If I wanted the new weld steel bulbis rear with a cast front, squared off axle tubing. Then match that to a new spring set that rides on E550 cast spring perches. That match to the frame holes for the perches.
Almost there, I believe I have figured this out. The first E550 class C RV. With 10 K towing. And 14 inch disc "twin piston" brakes. 19.5 inch rims. 456 rear, to a 613 rear gear on 19.5 tires. 245/75/19.5, seeing if I can go bigger, as suspension will raise the rims and 1 1/2 inches of suspension.
The E550 uses a weird 8x225mm bolt pattern and a full leaf spring front end with a mono beam instead of the I beams. The suspension from a E550 will not swap to a E450.
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FORD E550 Production Years?
