Twin I beam question
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Twin I beam question
He everyone - I recently got into an accident with my 03 E350 (guy stopped short in front of me and I had to go around him) ended up bending the radius arm and the i beam on the passenger side. Really bummed me out because the van was in great shape. I have not yet priced the parts at the dealer or junk yards, but I have a 96 E350 parts truck. Does anyone know what years that those parts would interchange? Found a whole front end from a guy doing a 4x4 conversion on a 2014 on Craigslist for 450 bucks but I am pretty sure that will not work - the radius arm is definitely different. Thanks
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
The 2014 front end will be different from your '03---radius arm mounting brackets to the frame and sway bar very different. 2008 saw significant differences in the front suspension.
If you had an E250 the Craig's List front end would be a GREAT deal because the bigger calipers and rotors of anything from 2008 onward is a nice upgrade. I did that buying individual parts that ran me just over $600. But I digress...............
My 2010 Mitchell crash book shows I-Beams and radius arms from '92 to 07 being the same, huge difference between E150 and E250/350 as you might guess. Double check this with a good salvage yard. R&R'ing the radius arm from the I-Beam can be tough as it requires a powerful impact tool, heating not advised as the I-Beams are heat strengthened from the factory.
If you're swapping out those parts anyway I'd suggest new urethane axle pivot and radius arm bushings too. OEM parts suck by comparison for life and function, IMHO anyway.
While crawling around underneath pay close attention to the general condition of the radius arm brackets---2003's seem to be notoriously weak and prone to deform or deflect, bushings almost wanting to pull loose---it happened to me.
Also make sure you have it aligned after replacing parts--that sort of "minor damage" could have wrinkled the frame a bit or pulled other steering/suspension parts out of place.
Your van is well well worth fixing up I'm sure----probably $600 or less not including alignment if this is mostly a DIY project.
Let us know if you need anything more---and good luck with all this.
If you had an E250 the Craig's List front end would be a GREAT deal because the bigger calipers and rotors of anything from 2008 onward is a nice upgrade. I did that buying individual parts that ran me just over $600. But I digress...............
My 2010 Mitchell crash book shows I-Beams and radius arms from '92 to 07 being the same, huge difference between E150 and E250/350 as you might guess. Double check this with a good salvage yard. R&R'ing the radius arm from the I-Beam can be tough as it requires a powerful impact tool, heating not advised as the I-Beams are heat strengthened from the factory.
If you're swapping out those parts anyway I'd suggest new urethane axle pivot and radius arm bushings too. OEM parts suck by comparison for life and function, IMHO anyway.
While crawling around underneath pay close attention to the general condition of the radius arm brackets---2003's seem to be notoriously weak and prone to deform or deflect, bushings almost wanting to pull loose---it happened to me.
Also make sure you have it aligned after replacing parts--that sort of "minor damage" could have wrinkled the frame a bit or pulled other steering/suspension parts out of place.
Your van is well well worth fixing up I'm sure----probably $600 or less not including alignment if this is mostly a DIY project.
Let us know if you need anything more---and good luck with all this.
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alvald83
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Jun 2, 2010 10:52 AM
