Hi Folks,
About two months ago, I purchased a 2008 E250 that was modified to 4-wheel drive by Quigley. I plan on converting it to a beach surf fishing “mobile motel”, so there won’t be any rock climbing. I need the 4-wheel drive for the often soft sand on beaches along the North Carolina outer banks. So far, I have stripped everything out of the van except the two seats which will be out once I receive my Torx PLUS T55. Thank you forum posters for alerting me to the Torx PLUS version of those tools. Looks like I’ll be returning the non-Plus set back to Harbor Freight soon. I drove it back from the Indianapolis area and almost bought the farm on the way. No death wobble, but unnerving sway at highway speeds. Yes, once I tore everything out, it is an official rust bucket. Many of your posts have made me feel a lot more confident about what needs to be done. I am thinking about starting a project post to submit photos and solicit suggestions as the project progresses. I don’t know if there is an area in the forum for this since I am so new to the forum. So, thanks in advance to those of you who have tackled similar projects and would like to comment as I progress. Photos coming soon.

Welcome to the site flyr ... Start a build thread about your ride in "Readers Rides" .... A set of steering stabilizers may be in order to stop that wobble....

Again welcome

Welcome !

to the site good to have ya here.

Welcome aboard!

from Florida

what color is the quigley? I know I have seen a white one up there and a gold one on my last couple of trips up... I also know that my friend sold a blue one to a guy there that I believe lives in in KDH. belated welcome to the forums.

Well, it has certainly been an exhausting, but rewarding rebuild. The photo attached was taken during my maiden voyage to Hatteras. Since my original post in February, I have replaced all the suspension and brake components. It was a real bear getting the wheel spacers and brake rotors off, but in the end, I had all new Fox shocks, steering damper, rod ends, brake rotors, calipers and pad. Since I did not expect to have it heavily loaded, I took out one leaf of the rear spring pack. It now is a breeze to drive. Handles almost like a sports car. It goes where you point it pronto.
With help from lots of forum posts, I insulated and built out the interior for weekend trips surf fishing. At this point, I don’t think I will have heavy electrical needs, but did install a Battle Borne 100AH under the side door frame along with the proper electrical safety and distribution stuff. All interior lights ( lots of them) are LED. I installed a MaxxAir fan in the roof and have a small fridge/freezer that pulls out from under the desk/work table.
So, on the Monday before the Hatteras surf tournament I shifted into 4 wheel drive and hit the sand for the first time. Talk about high anxiety. Here I put my heart and soul in and tortured my body working on the “Beach Buggy” without knowing for sure if the 4 wheel drive would work as it should. Well, everything worked out and all week long, my confidence that I wouldn’t be stranded in the sand gradually built.
I still have lots of fun enhancements to do and will have plenty of time since I retire at the end of January. I also posted a few construction photos along with the finished product. Thanks.

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Hi Flyer! Nice Ford, well done. Welcome to the Site! Surf Tourney there sure looks like fun.

aboard