Hellou!
Can anybody help me? What are fifferenses between e350 and e450 cutaway models?
I am planning to convert my -84 e350 dually to e450. What sould be changed? -Brakes? -springs?, -rear axle?
I would appresiate all help about this issue.

 

I thought the E-450 frame was different, basically a straight frame rail design all the way back vs. humped over the axle design in the E-150/250.350. What years?

I have not driven new Fords since 2000, but, last time I checked the bigger E-series had a huge 2 speed rear end suitable for medium duty trucks. Way more then you would want in a light duty (E-350) truck, imo.

 

I have heard that e350 and e450 share same frame, have i hear right? E150/250 have little lighter frame? My car is 1984.

 

The E250/E350 share the same frame and front axles. The springs are heavier on the E350 as is the rear axle. The E450 is a medium duty truck chassis. It's got taller frame rails, and again a totally different rear axle. What makes you think that you need the E450? I mean unless you're hauling over 10k pounds on the truck itself an E350 is more than enough even for the toughest casual hauler. If you think that upgrading the axles will allow you tow more, think about this. It still won't be legal. The E350 has a specific LEGAL weight rating. Anything over that and you're insurance company can decide not to pay in the case of an accident. You're VIN is was will give you away, even if you've "upgraded" the springs and axles.

 

I can make this conversion legaly, If i change all required parts. Of cource i have to ask for consent from our goverment. I live in Finland. If the frame is different, then its too big job for me

 

I know here (in the US) that it's based off of what the vehicle is rated for at the factory. No matter what we do to it's a one ton (E350).

I do believe that the E450 has a different frame yes.

 

> have heard that e350 and e450 share same frame

No, the heavy duty trucks and vans have a straight frame rail. Basically it looks like two long C channels someone decided on which to put a Ford cab instead of a Chevy or International cab.

When I asked year, I meant from what year E-450 are you looking to grab parts?

Why are you looking at upgrading your E-350? What are you planning on towing or hauling and how many kilograms (do they use pounds in Finland?) are you going to haul?

Is your E-350 just a cab with no cabin behind it?

 

You wouldn't happen to know Pex would you, owns Thundertruck?
The earlier versions could very well have used the same frames, I haven't looked at one up close, but the new ones with a box look like the frame is much taller.

 

I have "cab and chassis" with 5 meter flatbed. Gvwr is 4700kg, load capasity is 2000kg.
So if i take some fullsize car to bed, there is no room for me anymore...
I dont have spare parts car yet, i have to order those parts from usa (i havent found any e450 from here)
What is biggest e350, i have found some 11500 and 11700lbs trucks. what those have, that my car doesnt have?
I´m olso planning to add dump cylinders to bed, but first i have to take care of this weight issue.

 

> what those have, that my car doesnt have?

Most likely a Dana 80 DRW rear end, like this one on E-Bay

Item # 170076136803

Plus heavier springs and higher rated (E) tires.

In a Ford van it will most likely be found under a shuttle bus type vehicle.

The first thing you should do is determine what axle is under your van, most likely a Dana 61 in a 1984 E-350 or a Dana 60 in a F-350.

Get the BOM off your axle and go here:

http://www2.dana.com/expert/wc.dll?cvsp~deabill~2~

Let us know what you have.

Since you say you need to source the parts from the USA, could I suggest using these people since they are use to dealing out of country and shipping heavy parts.

http://www.boyceequipment.com/

They should be able to hook you up with a DRW axle out of a military truck. What you want is a Dana 70/80 out of a military utility bed truck (usually a Dodge or Chevy). Granted it might be some work with welding new spring perches or what have you, but, a Dana 80 is a Dana 80.

What you might consider is a Sterling 10.25, that has a higher weight rating then a Dana 60 and is much easier to source then a Dana 80 and might be found locally or at least in Europe to save on freight charges.

> I have "cab and chassis" with 5 meter flatbed. Gvwr is 4700kg, load capasity is 2000kg.

Okay, from the sounds of it, you have a E-350 cab on a F-350 LWB chassis because a 5 meter (roughly 15 feet) flat bed would never fit on a normal 138" WB E-series frame.

If your wheel base is 178 inches then that is what you have. Which is basically a F-350 four door truck with the 8 foot bed, that had a van body put on instead. Let us know the WB of your vehicle to make sure it is a Ford truck frame!

Could you post a picture too? Just wondering what it looks like.

 

It has 158" wheel base, this 5m bed looks little too long for this frame (some last owner has add 70cm to original 4.3m bed). I think i have D70 axle, i have to crowl under and check this BOM. They didn´t use D80 1984. I will look for pictures.

 

I Think i give up!
I desided to buy an original E/F450 chassis. Any ideas where can i find driveadle (it doesn´t have to be street legal) cab and chassis with empty frame (it has to fit in container for shipping). Former boxvan, ambulance, shuttlebuss or motorhome.
Areas should be South Carolina, Florida or California.

 

You could do your search on Craigslist.org Just set to your target city/state.

For Georgia (between SC and FL)

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/

I know in the Conley yard of www.pullapart.com they frequently have DRW shuttle buses. They sell the body separate from the frame, so if you wanted just the body, you just pull it, they move it with a forklift, and put it on your trailer.

If you need the whole vehicle for the title and VIN, then do your shopping on Craigslist. Since you live in Finland, if you tell me which ad numbers suit you in the Atlanta area I could go and look at them for you. Before you bothered with the expense of flying over and driving around looking at stuff.

There is a magazine called Atlanta Advertiser that has a section devoted to RVs and shuttle buses. The on-line does not always include every ad. Though it is good enough to start.

http://www.bargaintraderonline.com/adsearch.html

Click on RV at the top (or Truck or auto), search for Ford, and list by price (lowest first) and you bring up this, as an example:

YEAR 1978
MAKE FORD
PRICE $1,400.00
LOCATION Cave Spring, GA
CONTACT NUMBER (770) 547-9508


DESCRIPTION
1978 FORD, COACHMAN, 460, V8, auto, $1400, 770-547-9508.

Basically a DRW camper where you could easily remove the camper, and keep just the cab. Plus, since it is over 25 years old, it would be easy to avoid emissions laws almost anywhere.

 

check with colaw rv salvage for ford motoe hame parts e350 e450 cutaway at www.colawrvsalvage.com they helped me with the parts i needed.
they are largest rv salvage in us in carthage mo.