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Re: 2002 Econoline 4x4 conversion
Dw89xj #747131 April 08th 2019 3:56 am
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On my side barn doors I will be using linear actuators and eliminating the latches. I will be using a remote so I can hit the button on my way to the van so it's ready to fold out the ramp when I get there. I will need to wire in a fail safe switch too in case the remote dies. I've been reading up on this sort of thing on the12volt forum. It's sort of confusing for me to read but after seeing some simple schematics it shouldn't be hard at all. This takes care of the brackets bolted to the doors and being able to close the doors after I load into the van, also the idea of hitting the button from a distance and being ready to load in when I pull up in my chair will be nice too, especially when it's raining out. Being in a chair your whole body gets wet instead of just your head and shoulders.
If anyone has suggestions on good actuators for a budget price I'm open to suggestions, thus is my first go with them so it's all new to me. Also if anyone has experience with setting up actuators on the doors like I am doing Id love to see or hear about it.


98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: 2002 Econoline 4x4 conversion
Dw89xj #747149 April 09th 2019 6:59 am
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Looking good and a lot of work.


Jim & Lucy Newkirk
1965 Chevy Bad Influence
1981 Chevy-the Love Shack
2012 Chevy Van , 2020 chevy van
2020 Chevy van Sapphire Sweet.
Club Vannerz.
vanninvanner@comcast.net
Re: 2002 Econoline 4x4 conversion
Dw89xj #747160 April 09th 2019 2:47 pm
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It sure is but hopefully we can get it done by September. Then I'll feel safe the bugs and fine details will be all smoothed out by pa rifle season.


98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: 2002 Econoline 4x4 conversion
Dw89xj #747181 April 09th 2019 10:16 pm
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Alright alright, rockers and quarters delivered today. So the e250 will be heading to the body shop soon. Hopefully the inner rockers aren't too hateful, I couldn't find them anywhere online but my body man said he can fabricate them and just add it to the bill. I'm not entirely decided what I wanna do for paint. I was gung ho on coating it nice and heavy in monstaliner to help keep the top in good shape from low branches and avoid scratches from some of the narrow sections where the laurel is real thick. But I've heard guys claim it will make it rust faster, so I'm thinking just freshen up the fleet white. Any insight on this? I figure with proper prep and curing time what's the difference as long as the metal is all sealed up. The paint will be easier on the eyes up close but the monstaliner will be more functional. I think, I don't know, any experiences long or short term with this product is appreciated. Let me know what you think.


98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: 2002 Econoline 4x4 conversion
Dw89xj #747342 April 15th 2019 1:44 am
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Cab is finally gone this will make it all easier and much faster. It was quite a show and the gentleman wasn't too open to ideas to make it easier but hey the cab is out of my way and he got a good cab that has a broken windshield and some dents now, he didn't seem to mind much since it was free and dents are better than rust, plus it's going on a work truck.

Attached Files IMG_20190413_142750524.jpgIMG_20190413_143205940.jpgIMG_20190413_143420900_HDR.jpgIMG_20190413_151245205_HDR.jpgIMG_20190413_151257771.jpgIMG_20190413_151455826_BURST001.jpg

98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: 2002 Econoline 4x4 conversion
Dw89xj #747456 April 19th 2019 12:15 am
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Workin on the night moves....

Attached Files IMG_20190418_205333595.jpgIMG_20190418_205343746.jpgIMG_20190418_205353795.jpg

98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: 2002 Econoline 4x4 conversion
Dw89xj #747467 April 19th 2019 10:22 am
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Ford sure did make it nice for someone on a budget willing to do a little extra work. Literally every single bracket except the rear spring hangers are a bolt on. After pulling this swap if I were to straight axke anything on a tight budget I'd start with a super duty parts truck. Now the fun begins. I should note that I took my measurements from the parts truck frame, I measured from the center of the rear most hole on the spring hanger to the center of the shackle bushing on the frame. I came up with roughly 47", but there will be a little fine tuning I'm sure to get me castor and angles all right. I considered using the f250 gas tank but after some consideration, I think it will be almost on the ground under the van since the frame doesn't hump up like the pickup does. So after I run the gas out and drop the tank I'll be dropping it off at my Mennonite buddies place to be shortened.
The wheel bases are close-ish in length I'm anxious to see how my axle will sit in relation to the engine and if the stock driveshafts will work. I'm trying to stay with as many off the shelf parts as possible, then when I need parts I just say 01 or 02 f250 instead of e250. I m glad I found a truck so close in year to my van, makes less to have to remember. I'm getting so stoked this project is rolling along faster than I anticipated.

Last edited by Dw89xj; April 19th 2019 10:30 am.

98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: 2002 Econoline 4x4 conversion
Dw89xj #748011 May 04th 2019 8:58 pm
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Not alot new on the 4x4 cripple cruiser, got the parts truck totally broke down and got rid of the things I don't need. Scrapped what was left over. I cut about a foot off the front of the truck frame to make it easier to mount the spring hangers and super duty truck bumper. I saw another van a guy used an 08 chrome truck bumper and it looks pretty nice on the front of an Econoline. My body guy came to check out the panels I bought and get a game plan going, so sometime this week the van is going out for a couple weeks for paint and body work. The rear lower quarters are going to be cut off where the top of the bumper is and then boxed in. Less to worry about rusting later and it will totally eliminate that rust. When we build the bumpers the rear will wrap around and extend in the area where the quarters were cut off.
Also I figured out why my rear A/C doesn't work, while digging rust out of the driver's lower rear quarter I found both lines rotted off, bummer. So I guess I will be tracking down new A/C lines and having it vacuumed and charged. Does anyone know of a good place to find new rear A/C lines for an 02 Econoline? Or is it something I will just have to have a shop custom make? I have a rooftop unit from an RV but I am trying to not have much up high so I don't hit low limbs and such when we go camping or on trails to get to hunting spots.
I went ahead and ordered extended shackles for the front, just in case the leveling kit and x-member trim won't cut it for clearance. Between shackles and the leveling kit on the stock super duty springs I'm guessing I will be just about at the 4 inch minimum that is being said that I will need for the punkin to clear the cross member. If that's still too close for comfort I will break down and buy 4" or 6" springs. I'm hoping to not go too tall bc I don't know for sure how much reach my wheelchair lift has. I will cross that bridge when the time comes. It's a shuttle bus size lift.
I'm still undecided on gears, I will be running 33-35" tires, with a stock 5.4. I'm not sure if 4.56-4.88 or maybe even as low as 5.13. I don't want it to be screaming at highway speed but I don't want be too high and have no power either. I don't spend much time on highway but will be making the occasional road trip with a trailer and atvs or camper or possibly occasionally haul a car. Mostly just my small trailer with atvs, coal, or a load of wood. I'm hoping to not have to buy more than one set of gears to get a setup I'm happy with. Any experiences with 4x4 5.4 van gearing or suggestions are welcome. As always thank you guys for any help and apologies on my slow build.


98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: 2002 Econoline 4x4 conversion
Dw89xj #748265 May 11th 2019 12:58 am
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Ugh double bad news. Now I need a fender and door on the passenger side. My poor wife was moving the van and cut the wheel right into my ATV rack putting a nice scuff on the door and creasing the fender, it looks pretty rude, my heart sank. Oh well good reason to update the front clip I guess. My second bad news, what I was sure was a 5.4 is actually a 4.2. I felt like such an asshole after figuring this out. I'm kind of amazed at the power still, but I'm pissed all the parts I gathered half of them won't do me much good. I'm moving forward with the swap to 4x4, but I'm going to need something quite a bit lower than 4.10 that's in the van rear to keep it happy on 33s let alone 35s. My truck axles are 3.73. so now I have to decide sell the rear to buy adapters for the rear and gears for the front or keep the axles together and run baby tires. I'm all about function over form but running a tire small enough to keep it happy until I get gears is going to look pretty silly I think. And I don't know alot about the 4r70 transmission, are they a sturdy transmission? I've had e4od and 4r100 in all my ford trucks and one other van and they did fine for me except my f150 had something wrong it went through 3 e4od in one week before I got mad and just parted it out, this was after new lines,cooler, 3 ecus all new, and new harness for trans, all 3 tranny's were working driving out of rusty trucks, that truck was a polished turd, nice on the eyes hard on the wallet it was a constant battle of nickel dime issues until the transmission went out, the first time. Maybe I was doing something wrong or maybe it was just a coincidence I got three transmissions on their last legs idk. But that was the only vehicle I had an issue on e4od transmissions. Now back to 4r70w, are they pretty decent? There's alot of f150s out there being abused with high miles still going strong, but my concern is being in an already heavy van, that's gaining weight being converted to 4x4 using a 33" or larger tire. I don't need to be fast since I don't run the highway much but I'd like to be able to cruise 65 to 70 without the engine screaming and still have decent acceleration and low end power. Would 4.56 gears do it or should I just go right to 4.88 or 5.13s? My buddy says he doesn't see why the 4.10s won't do and make less work overall, Im just not sure with 33s how it will perform. But only having the front geared to match the rear would keep my costs down for now, then I can slowly go at the Sterling to match the front. But if I need to go lower than the 4.10 rear in the van I might as well setup the Sterling now. Decisions decisions, any and all opinions or experiences are appreciated, whether it's how reliable the 4.2 and 4r70w are or suggestions on gearing, or just how to make the most of my setup overall. Any help or helpful criticism is welcome, I know a 6 cylinder van isn't ideal for my plans but it is sentimental to me because my pap bought it, so I'm making it my ultimate cripple camping cruising hunting van.


98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
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