Lifting and 4X4 Converting a E150
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 112
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From: Columbia, South Carolina
Lifting and 4X4 Converting a E150
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:
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:
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
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
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
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,195
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, Texas
Originally Posted by bobpearson90278
Is it a Quigley?
This thing had the same axles as an f350. Solid front and all. looks factory all over maybe speacial order or something.
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,441
Likes: 5
From: Muskegon, MI (home)
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!
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