Hi,

I'm new here and kinda new to vans. I bought mine a year ago and have been very satisfied with it. I would like to do some things to make it all the more better. My van is a '84 E150 5.8L ( I can't tell if its a W or C), 4bbl, C6 tranny. Has 190K. It is in fair shape and decided that is could be my car hauler and occasional offroad toy.

Is lifting a F150 and a E150 the same thing? I want to lift it 4''s, the reason for this is I found some Rancho springs from my Dad's old F150 and they are 4'' lift springs.
What else would I need? I am going to buy some longer and new shocks. JC Whitney sells lift blocks for the rear leaf springs (http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...ift+block+kits) and I think could handle the rear.
The ony thing I am not sure on is the trailing arm, who sells plates to drop those lower for more clearance.

Then the 4X4, would be as simple as buying a Bronco or F150 parts truck w/ 4X4 and just swap everything over?

All advice and opinions welcome.

Here's some pics:

 

lifting and 4x4 converting a van....i don't understand lol

good luck anyways, sorry i can't help.

 

The short wheel base vans dont look bad lifted with 4wd and 35s.
I really hate to say this on here but I think the chevy astro vans are the coolest little lifted vans.



Tim

 

Theres a guy down the street from me that has an E-350 lifted with 35s and it says fx4 on the side. it looks factory except for the lift.

 

Is it a Quigley?

 

I answered this on another thread. Basically, because of many laws, it is much better to start with a E-250 with a high GVW for bumper and emission laws. Second, unless you have fab skills and a good welder, it is not a do it yourself job. It is not a drill and bolt up job like it is on a 2x4 Bronco II or something. Search the van forum for "4x4" for more info and follow the link I gave.

BTW: I love my 4x4 van and I am glad I bought it instead of converting it, enough though I am capable of doing the conversion myself.

I took my own advice when telling people it is better to sell what you have and buy one already done. Especially a van. I bought the 4x4 van and sold my F-100 4x4 instead of using the F-100 to convert a van.

There are always at least six 4x4 Ford vans on E-Bay. Except during winter, many times if you watch E-Bay you can catch a rat trap for well under $2000 that would be amendable to a body and or drivetrain swap. I bought mine locally for $2000 with 86,000 miles. Except for losing a few pounds of rust everytime I work on it, it was a good deal and it is not the only one out there. You just have to catch someone that can't stand the gas mileage like I did. $2 plus a gallon is your friend

 

Whats a quigley?

This thing had the same axles as an f350. Solid front and all. looks factory all over maybe speacial order or something.

 

4x4 vans rule! Some day I want to build one, it would be the ultimate huntin, fishin, campin vehicle! There was an older fullsize Dodge Ram 150 van running around where I live... man that thing was sharp. Had a mild 360/TF727/NP205, sat up nice I think it had 33s. I want to do a 4x4 convert on my Dad's 88 Chevy Astro van!

 

I love mine...

 

***** yes, i love that van, that chit looks bad A$$!!!

 

That van is bad a$$! More pics, still and action.

 

Here's a few.

 

Another.

 

Another.

 

Inspiration. Mt. McKinley and Mt. Foraker.