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1989 E150 conversion camper build
#738999 August 03rd 2018 7:33 pm
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 75
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journeyman
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Well... Despite breaking down an hour after buying her, 60 miles from home, the drive home was finally finished after four days in the shop. The damage?

- Water pump
- Radiator
- Hoses
- Thermostat
- Timing chain cover
- New shocks all around
- New rear brakes
- Wheel cylinder
- Alignment
- Oil change

But she's safer, more reliable, and the all needles were locked in right in middle of normal.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Tomorrow we start with projects.

First things first... Safety issues.

- Hood prop bar is busted.
- Turn signal switch won't lock
- Dash console lights aren't working so night driving is hard
- Sliding door rear latch is busted and the door is held shut with a sliding bolt - locks passengers in. No bueno.
- AC isn't working. Vent door isn't opening and there is a faint pair of hissing sounds every other second when it's on.
- Roof rack was pulled and stripped. That open screw hole is a water leak risk
- 10" wheels in rear. 7" up front. I have the other wheels for both sets. Going to unify on the 7", sell the 10" set and but a spare.

And of course... Completely gut her and make a camper.



Last edited by bubbafat; August 03rd 2018 7:40 pm.
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Re: 1989 E150 conversion camper build
bubbafat #739007 August 04th 2018 7:58 am
Joined: Sep 2013
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old hand
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Looks like a nice start! We need more good build threads here!


[Linked Image]
Re: 1989 E150 conversion camper build
tuner4life #739021 August 04th 2018 4:54 pm
Joined: Apr 2016
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old hand
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Originally Posted by tuner4life
Looks like a nice start! We need more good build threads here!


More FORD build threads !!


1975 Ford E-150 shorty (sold)
2016 Ram Promaster shorty
2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Summit 5.7l
1984 Ford E-150
Re: 1989 E150 conversion camper build
bubbafat #739037 August 05th 2018 3:01 pm
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journeyman
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Started getting the rear seats out today and realized I need to get under the body to hold the nuts to get them out. So I am about to climb under and notice a puddle inside the passenger rear wheel.

Now I just had the rear brakes done 3 days ago including the drivers side cylinder.

Now it looks like I'm replacing the other cylinder and possibly the brand new pads

Not paying someone else for this one. Picked up the parts and will get to it Monday or Tuesday. I've still got to clean 10 years of yellow off my wife's vans headlights today.


Last edited by bubbafat; August 05th 2018 4:08 pm.
Re: 1989 E150 conversion camper build
bubbafat #739106 August 06th 2018 8:56 pm
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journeyman
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Didn't get much done today - parts came in to finish replacing the spider arm in the washer. Got that job finished so now it's back to the van.

Just raced against the rain to seal some striped screw holes in the fiberglass rod (I'm going to need to learn to do proper fiberglass work soon) - it's ugly but it will keep water out until I can learn the right way.


Last edited by bubbafat; August 06th 2018 9:37 pm.
Re: 1989 E150 conversion camper build
bubbafat #739149 August 07th 2018 9:03 pm
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journeyman
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Went to jack up the van and realized my trolley jack (for the car) was too short. Grabbed the bottle jack from the trunk and learned the previous owner put a tiny car bottle jack in. Lug wrench was 17mm. He put on 22mm. All worthless.

So a quick trip to O'Reilly and I have a 3 ton 21" jack that put her up.

Took about 30 minutes to remove the drum. Learned a lot about handling the drum being hung up on shoes.

Finally got it off and had to put it aside for the night for a meeting.

Tomorrow I'll finish the wheel cylinder.

Last edited by bubbafat; August 07th 2018 9:09 pm.
Re: 1989 E150 conversion camper build
bubbafat #739154 August 07th 2018 11:53 pm
Joined: Aug 2001
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Likes: 37
Maniac
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While you are in the drums, take a look at the star wheel on the automatic adjusters. Make sure the adjusters aren't siezed and spin freely. Make sure all parts are clean, corrosion free, and lubricate them with anti-sieze.


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: 1989 E150 conversion camper build
Reed #739157 August 08th 2018 9:56 am
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I picked up a hardware kit and planned to just swap all the old hardware out - I have no idea what the age of it is and for how long brake fluid has been leaking on it.

The previous owner swears he replaced the wheel cylinders in the last six months and that he's only put a few hundred miles during that time. This is what I found under the drum: [Linked Image]. Is there any way there is that much grime on the cylinder in such a short period of time and distance driven?

Re: 1989 E150 conversion camper build
bubbafat #739167 August 08th 2018 2:47 pm
Joined: Aug 2001
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Likes: 37
Maniac
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Not really, no. Not unless the previous owner slathered some kind of grease all over the wheel cylinder which has been picking up all the brake shoe dust.


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
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