Hi all,

This weekend, I picking up a '92 E-250 as a "daily driver". My eldest starts to drive and he'll start driving my FJ Cruiser. I work from home and just need something to run to Home Depot and, most importantly, to learn on as I plan to also pickup either an ambulance or shuttle bus on the E-Series platform to build into a 4x4 RV. I have my eye on one now and may end up with two new (to me) vans in the next few weeks.

I'll be the 3rd owner of the E-250 and that seller is a mechanic who took really good care of it. I have very little concern about the fundamentals. With that in mind, these are the things I'd like to do to this van to get the most use out of it.

1. FRONT SEATS: Replace the front seats and add swivel bases. The existing seats have seen some wear and are pretty broken down. I am a 300+ lbs, so I'd like to replace with new seats and maybe add something a bit nicer (lumbar support, heat). Research has already told me the F-series seats are more trouble than they are worth. But I've also heard that some other seats are easy-ish swaps: Transit, Toyota Sienna and possibly Sprinter.
2. BACK SEATS: Currently, there are no seats in the back and it has a very nice plywood deck. Again, research tells me adding rails for Transit seats might be pretty easy to do. Our family does a lot of kayaking and camping. So, it would be cool to be able to swap seating in and out to get more use out of this rig.
3. INTERIOR "SKIN": The walls and ceiling are bare metal with all of the structural supports exposed. I actually love this because I don't have to demo anything in case I want to run additional wiring to the back or build some things in (e.g. platform bed). But, once I figure out that stuff, I might want to insulate and coverup the walls. My question is what is this wall "skin" called if I want to look for it in a junkyard or from someone parting out a nicer rig? Alternatively, is there some other material people regularly use (aside from wood) to finish out bare walls?
4. HANDS-FREE CALLING + CARPLAY: This is pretty "pie in the sky", but it would be cool for this rig or the 4x4 to drop in a more modern steering wheel which is wired for handsfree cell phone pickup. Has anyone done something like this? Are their other, newer Ford rigs that have this feature and would their steering wheel just drop in mechanically so I could grab a wiring harness from Crutchfield to connect to the radio? UPDATE: I found an awesome solution!

I'll keep researching and post my findings in the replies in case anyone else is looking for similar solutions. If you know of any builds I should check out that could point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate a link.

Thanks in advance. Looking forward to getting to know some folks here.

Doug

RIG

1. Make/Model: 1991 Ford e-350 SD Cutaway (Ambulance)
2. Engine: 7.3L V8 F Diesel
3. Drivetrain: RWD
4. Box: Wheeled Coach
5. Mileage: 59K

 

SOLUTIONS:

HANDS-FREE CALLING + CARPLAY
I found a solution! My rig has a Single DIN stereo, so I was not counting on in-dash nav or backup cameras, but it looks like there is a new stereo category called tablet radios which use the single DIN opening to install a touchscreen interface complete with connections for backup cameras, 5.1 sound and an on device voice assist button for handfree pickup. While not quite as convenient as a button on a steering wheel, it is a hell of a lot easier to install and will work for this rig. You could go high-end and drop $1400 on an Alpine Halo11 iLX-F511, but I think I'll be good at $400 with the Jensen CAR110W which has a 10.1" touch screen. I'll save the Alpine for the RV.

@tabijan called out a possible concern about the touch screen blocking controls for HVAC and other tools, which got me thinking about doing an overhead console and mounting either Jensen CAR110W there (assuming the screen can flip) or maybe a double-din head unit. I will definitely go this route in the RV an will explore it for the 92-E250 as learning exercise. Woudl be great to add a CB/walkie-talkie base station up there as well for backcountry comms. Will post a thread with link to console builds below.

 

Quick release mechanism for seats of that era have a big chunk of bracket bolted to the floor that’ll damage drywall or plywood. You might have to cut and weld to install custom brackets that leave a flat floor with the back seats out. Mind the fuel tank when cutting and drilling through the floor.

Car Play and Android Car units have decent to good voice functions which could avoid steering wheel controls. Wired steering wheel controls require a steering column with a clockspring. Wireless controls require periodic battery replacement. Can you live with controls on a stalk instead of the steering wheel rim? Would you repurpose cruise control switches if you don’t use cruise?

if there’s a significant other to accommodate, consider mounting the front passenger seat further back for better legroom. The engine is offset to the right in these vans and there are lots of posts about taller and older person discomfort from spending time in the passenger seat. Mounting the seat further back impedes access through the side door.

Are those stereo screens on a pivot? They’ll block the AC controls as is.

Sixto
07 E350 5.4 197K miles

 

Sixto — Great info! Thanks.

1. Seat Brackets: Last night, I found a video that shows how to do exactly what you are describing re: accommodating the brackets in a plywood subloor. I'll post it when I get a chance.
2. Seat Position: Was already thinking of moving the seats back a bit as I am 6' 4". Great minds think alike. Side door access on the driver's side should not be an issue and not sure the passenger will need it. That said, great note on side door access.
3. Carplay: Assuming the Jensen does not create any other access problems as you noted, I would forgo steering wheel controls for all of the reasons you outline. Will check on access to other controls which I had not considered. If it is an issue, there are simialar models with smaller touch screens which may solve that problem. BTW, it looks like that screen may pivot side to side.

Thanks,

Doug

 

With regards to the side door, I meant the slider (most likely on a cargo van) or barn doors to the cargo area. Moving the front passenger seat back reduces the side cargo door opening.

If the stereo screen tilts down enough, you can flip it down to see and adjust AC controls.

Think about seat belts too. How much you can move back front seats depends on the existing seat belt anchor points. Likewise for additional seats. I’m pretty sure cargo vans have bosses or strong points where passenger vans have seat belt anchors. The second row right side seat belt retractor is awkwardly mounted aft of the door opening. It’s an awkward reach and gets in way of loading. There are truck seats with belts built into the seat back which might make make things easier.

Sixto
07 E350 5.4 197K miles