Cowboy 4X4 van build up

cowboy4x4

Explorer
Martin.... I will have to look up the part numbers I'll get back to you on that.

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So give them an inch and they want a mile... I installed the passenger grab handle for the wife (she really likes it).... so then she say's she would like to have one over the window to hang onto when I make those wild turns.... all the while I'm thinking this is a 4x4 van there are no wild turns. But hey.... if it makes her happy on the trips ...why not, I happen to save the factory side door handles that I took off the side doors when I made new panels and they worked perfectly for over the window grab handles.
 

cowboy4x4

Explorer
I found a problem with the van and figured anyone else out there with the Triton V10 may want to look at this. Since I bought the van a couple of months ago I kept hearing an air sound coming from under the van, never thought to much about it but today it seemed to be a bit louder so I crawled under there, this is what I found. On the passenger side on the outboard side of the frame there is a black bulb looking item (no idea what it is) there are three plastic lines running to it. They were only covered with the black flexible wire loom stuff, the lines were sitting right on top of the plastic shield (it was sharp for being plastic) the shield rubbed a cut in two of the tubes just from vibrations almost all the way through. I was an easy enough fix, I just cut the tubes all the way and installed a rubber splice in them, covered the tubes with a piece of heater hose and cut a small piece of smaller hose for the top of the plastic shield. The two lines were sucking air not blowing (worse of the two evils) being right behind the wheel sucking air and dust/water is not a good thing. See pics and check yours out. The second I hook up the lines (I had the van running while doing this) it started stuttering and chugging for about 15 seconds. It smoothed out and ran fine after that. I'm assuming the computor was compensating for the air leak and when I hooked it back up it readjusted its settings.


 
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cowboy4x4

Explorer
Todays project was to lengthen the roof rack. The original rack was only 7 1/2 long that left to much wasted real estate up there. I cut the rack midway and moved it forward and added 3 1/2 feet of tubing. So now the rack is 11' long. I still have to add another support in the middle and install some expanded metal on the floor area but it's on it's way.


 

bdog1

Adventurer
Nice work. My next project is a basket for my (now) flat rack. Hopefully to make it more useful. How are you going to get access up there?


Sent by wing, prayer & ATT
 

cowboy4x4

Explorer
Starting my rock bump rails, On my previous van I made the same thing but they only had the kick out at the back. This time I'm putting a kick out at the front and back and they will be joined by a straight tube. What will be nice is the front kick will act as a step to get in the van. Here is the start.
 

cowboy4x4

Explorer
HOOLIGAN....... yes ..body and frame. I did the same thing on a previous van and had no problems with it at all. Everyone says these things flex alot (I disagree). They will flex some but not enough to cause any problems.... My thoughts are If they flexed SO much all the body joint would tear apart and the van would self destruct. What I did do is drill the hole two sizes over the actual bolt in both the body and the rub rails. This will allow some give in that department. The frame mounts will be the meat part of it..... Here they are painted and mounted up, once the final install is done the bolts will be painted black.

 

Abitibi

Explorer
So what's the benefit to attach the body as well instead of just the frame? Why not just the frame?


Sent from my iPorn using TapaChat
 

derjack

Adventurer
Looks good! I always think of this pic and following discussion regarding frame flex.

Interesting thread, I remember that one.

Actually these pictures show suspension flex- not frame flex. As this guy uses additionally more flex-able leaf springs its is different to the "stock" (I know it´s a kit) Ujoint kits.

But anyway you can at least get an imagination on the body vs. frame flex at the front when you look at the grill vs. bumper that is attached to the frame. Important learning is that there is always power going into the whole thing. If suspension can deal with that it´s probably the best solution if you are going hard off-road. If you have a stiff Quigley you will probably have a wheel in the air (that doesn´t provide power to that ground).
A long body like the E350´s one, attached to the frame via silent blocks is ideal offroad as the weakest point will always break, some time.
 

Abitibi

Explorer
In any case, I'd never complain finding a set on my own truck. They look awesome!

Nice work on those :)
 

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