pics thread?
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Slowly and cautiously 
I only had to come up about 18" so I just jacked up the entire van (after disconnecting all the necessary bits), supported the body on various structures of wood & solid concrete block and then lowered the chassis down using multiple hydraulic jacks. If the garage door had been tall enough to clear the van, I would likely have built some reinforced joists/trusses and lifted the body up inside the garage. However, having the body outside did allow me to do all the chassis/engine work in the garage with plenty of room.
It was not too bad, though I am in no hurry to do it again.
Dave
I only had to come up about 18" so I just jacked up the entire van (after disconnecting all the necessary bits), supported the body on various structures of wood & solid concrete block and then lowered the chassis down using multiple hydraulic jacks. If the garage door had been tall enough to clear the van, I would likely have built some reinforced joists/trusses and lifted the body up inside the garage. However, having the body outside did allow me to do all the chassis/engine work in the garage with plenty of room.
It was not too bad, though I am in no hurry to do it again.
Dave
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: S Alabama on 200 Acres
Got a former Motorhome garage rented (for just $60 a month with electric can ya believe it!!) for installing my lift into my Van-Truk. Gonna tie into the joists (2X6) next to the walls (reinforced concrete) to remove the truck bed. Then send it out to my brother in-law (the body man) for paint. Don't think it will be to hard, but not looking foward to it.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,033
Likes: 137
From: Maryville
I need my lift swapped out with a nice hydraulic Ricon that was given to me, one in the van was driven over by an idiot not paying attention, cracked the welds on the platform, cracked the boot that mounts the hinged platform to the lift, and caused the screw to slip lowering the first 3", the quick drop is scary. Down side now is that my power seat base on the drivers seat has the motor that takes it up to my wheelchair height is stripping out, gotta take it out and get to a parts store to match it up, supposed to be a GM window motor.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: S Alabama on 200 Acres
I need my lift swapped out with a nice hydraulic Ricon that was given to me, one in the van was driven over by an idiot not paying attention, cracked the welds on the platform, cracked the boot that mounts the hinged platform to the lift, and caused the screw to slip lowering the first 3", the quick drop is scary. Down side now is that my power seat base on the drivers seat has the motor that takes it up to my wheelchair height is stripping out, gotta take it out and get to a parts store to match it up, supposed to be a GM window motor.
Used to use the rotary platform screw lift (no longer available thanks to regulatons) from Ricon and then the Hydraulic version from Braun (same story of regulation) now use the Braun Hydraulic Platform lifts.
Got a like new Braun Rotary in the barn. But right now don't have a van with a sliding door. But one will come around sooner or later.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,033
Likes: 137
From: Maryville
Yeah, it's a Crow River Vangater folding platform, Braun bought out the company and still makes the Vangater, hear it has a speed control setting, but doubt it's any faster than mine, and give into the fact my ton van sits so much higher than the E-150's. The one I have waiting is a Ricon S2000, the industrial series, should last a long time, but I need the brackets that go in the step, because it's so far on the edge in the doorway, then the stuff to reinforce the floor, I don't like how a friends bows his floor when in use.
Mines a sleeper, I altered the air intake a little, more coming soon, chip, and exhaust, lookin to do some body altering when it gets warm out. I have a bench/bed from a conversion in currently, wish I could change it out with one of the larger power versions, but will likely just build a deck in the rear, extending the bed further back, so when it folds down, it'll go all the way to the back doors of the ext van.
Mines a sleeper, I altered the air intake a little, more coming soon, chip, and exhaust, lookin to do some body altering when it gets warm out. I have a bench/bed from a conversion in currently, wish I could change it out with one of the larger power versions, but will likely just build a deck in the rear, extending the bed further back, so when it folds down, it'll go all the way to the back doors of the ext van.
New User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: s.w. florida
no it's a gasser...just bought it for $7,ooo with 7o,ooo miles. was fleet serviced and like new. will take time to set up because of old man budget.
eventualy when you open side slide door a nice recliner will be facing you and towards the back there will be an open to the front insulated box with a double bed with storage under that. i will get a camera and will post my slow build. the van runs great i am very happy with it...blkjak.
oh ... my name is blkjak but someone on this site already has the name but never post...lol
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New User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
I've been lurking for a while, so I decided it's time to post something!! I eat, sleep & breathe Ford vans, especially 4x4's. There's just no cooler vehicle in the world!!! Here's my rig, 06 E350 6.0 with a few mods.
New User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: s.w. florida
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 7,573
Likes: 250
From: Laquey, MO
New User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: s.w. florida
how about posting some interior pics?
blkjak
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,033
Likes: 137
From: Maryville
I'd love 35 x15.50 R16 on a 4x4 van, no use to be real high, the wide tires float you across soft surfaces, too bad I'm broke.
I love functional bumpers, I'm wanting to get some C-channel to cut and form a road armor look, much cheaper too.
I love functional bumpers, I'm wanting to get some C-channel to cut and form a road armor look, much cheaper too.