12ft 4WD Box Truck Conversion!

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CaptainBuilt

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My old rig was sent off to a new owner. I partially had a build thread here. But here she was:



She was getting old, and I've really been wanting a single rear wheel box truck. They make a 10ft version, and a 12ft. I went for the 12ft for the extra room. And I still think I can go anywhere my old rig could.

The box truck I purchased is a 2014 Ford E-350 with 140k miles. I paid $17k for it, and it used to be a FedEx truck.

Sales photos:






Driving home. It was a 10hr drive from Chicago to NC.

 
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CaptainBuilt

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It doesn't have cruise control, and the stock radio blows. I ordered everything to make it have cruise.

The first thing I did was add a new head unit.

Alpine iLX-407 with Apple CarPlay. I added a USB outlet for the CarPlay in a available spot on the dash. It looks Factory!




Next thing I did was paint the wheels...



Then I had old running boards from the old van. I cut the pass side down to match the driver's side:




Next up was maintenance. On the way home I was getting a squeaking sound, so I replaced the pulleys and belt. New air filter, PCV, and oil change.



Air filter hasn't been changed in a while.....



When I saw the air filter date, I realized I needed to make sure that I go through everything. I sent the oil off for analysis, and it came back with mixed reviews. I'm not gonna jump the gun on that. I'm gonna wait until the next one to see what's really going on with it.

I am getting a check engine light for code FORD P0420. Which is catalytic converter issues. I replaced the rear O2 sensor, reset the code, and it still showed up again.

I am going to replace the front sensor, and probably will replace the catalytic converter anyway. I'm also going to change the plugs and put new coils on.
 
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CaptainBuilt

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Onto the RV conversion....

With my old van, I had a roof top AC. Hated it. Decided to go with a mini split:



I'm starting on the roof rack first. I'm planning on 800w of solar, skylight, 80/20 roof rack, and all the mounts for the weBoost RV booster, Wifi booster, and HAM radio antenna.

Solar panels are already here, so is the weBoost. Need to order a few things and then I'll put everything together.

The RV section of the rig will have a shower / toilet, elevator bed, 1100ah LifePo4 battery bank, 3000w inverter/charger, RV type tankless water heater with 30 gallon tank, etc...
 
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Padams7

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Looks like a fun project man! Can’t wait to see your progress!
 
ZRex

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I'm definitely interested to see this one! Do you plan on keeping the roll up door? I would hate to get locked in there by some hooligan. Will you add a door between the cab and box? Keep up the good work and the pictures.
 
RJ Howell

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Will love to see where you go with this! Me.. I'd have the hardest time not cutting off the top and making a pop top out of it.
 
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Billiebob

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CaptainBuilt said:
My old rig was sent off to a new owner. I partially had a build thread here. But here she was:



She was getting old, and I've really been wanting a single rear wheel box truck. They make a 10ft version, and a 12ft. I went for the 12ft for the extra room. And I still think I can go anywhere my old rig could.

The box truck I purchased is a 2014 Ford E-350 with 140k miles. I paid $17k for it, and it used to be a FedEx truck.

Sales photos:






Driving home. It was a 10hr drive from Chicago to NC.

Click to expand...
Definitely a nice place to start.
I agree, I love the single wheel skinny box trucks.
 
CaptainBuilt

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The rear roll up door will go away. I will be adding a RV side door. On the back wall will have the spare tire, mini split condenser and a truck box.

Been chipping away at it. I've been having issues with getting the old van to the new owner....

Here is the roof rack as it sits:
I didn't realize how bad the wind noise was going to be in it's current setup, but it's BAD.

The front 2 panels will be pushed back and make room for a roof rack faring.



 
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CaptainBuilt

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Just a little something extra to add....

The box truck has a Dana 70 rear axle. A locker for that axle is around $1500. Add gears, and then when I convert it to 4WD, wheel spacers, PLUS a master diff rebuild kit, etc, etc... Not a cheap endeavor.

BUT, I've priced Sterling axles (05-07) around me and they're $450. Plus a 2011+ OEM e locker, $500, and all the extras, I'm still under the price of just the locker for the Dana 70.

And to add to all this, my father in law gave me a 1983 Jeep CJ7 that he had for Christmas! Lots of projects lined up.

 
CaptainBuilt

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snomonster said:
congrats dude! that’s awesome! what are your plans with the jeep?
Click to expand...
Thanks!

Right now, my main goal will be to get it running again. It's been sitting 5-6 years. Fix everything that needs fixing, new tires, and just drive it.

My wife drove this Jeep when she was in college, and she is SUPER pumped about us getting it. So I think it will probably be more of what she wants done to it more than me. We just wanna be able to ride some forest roads, light trails, and scoot around town with it.
 
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CaptainBuilt

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As mentioned before, my older 7.3 4WD van was "supposed" to be sold.

Long story short is, the transmission shop that was fixing it, didn't. I still have the van. It has 400k on the clock and getting rusty. It also has LOTS of goodies on it, that I think I'm going to keep.

Like, OBA system, lockers, sPod system, bitchin stereo system, the entire 4wd drivetrain, etc....

I'm going to pull everything off of it, and put it on the new rig.

I also added to the new box truck, HAM / GMRS / and CB radio.





Chicken lights!



Oh yea, and a RV door:

 
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CaptainBuilt said:
The rear roll up door will go away. I will be adding a RV side door. On the back wall will have the spare tire, mini split condenser and a truck box.

Been chipping away at it. I've been having issues with getting the old van to the new owner....

Here is the roof rack as it sits:
I didn't realize how bad the wind noise was going to be in it's current setup, but it's BAD.

The front 2 panels will be pushed back and make room for a roof rack faring.



Click to expand...
Those are great lights you used. I got them for my camper build. Heavy duty for sure.
Outstanding build. Congrats and scribed to see more.
Zim
 
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CaptainBuilt said:
Thanks!

Right now, my main goal will be to get it running again. It's been sitting 5-6 years. Fix everything that needs fixing, new tires, and just drive it.

My wife drove this Jeep when she was in college, and she is SUPER pumped about us getting it. So I think it will probably be more of what she wants done to it more than me. We just wanna be able to ride some forest roads, light trails, and scoot around town with it.
Click to expand...
My son an d I built an 80' for him to drive to HS. The best thing we did was to source an injected 4.0L motor with the NV3500 standard for it.
 
CaptainBuilt

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North American Sojourner said:
Those are great lights you used. I got them for my camper build. Heavy duty for sure.
Outstanding build. Congrats and scribed to see more.
Zim
Click to expand...
Thanks! I have more videos in the pipeline, just waiting on finishing a few things first.

Krazyjohnny said:
My son an d I built an 80' for him to drive to HS. The best thing we did was to source an injected 4.0L motor with the NV3500 standard for it.
Click to expand...
That's my plan too! Gonna be a fun rig to fart around with. Not gonna go crazy with it, just wanna be able to do some forest road stuff.
 
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Krazyjohnny

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CaptainBuilt said:
Thanks! I have more videos in the pipeline, just waiting on finishing a few things first.



That's my plan too! Gonna be a fun rig to fart around with. Not gonna go crazy with it, just wanna be able to do some forest road stuff.
Click to expand...
Our Jeep was the same looking one. Black with the Laredo trim on it. You will be amazed at how well the grill will come back with some Flitz on it or some toothpaste and some polish.

Love the box van too. Can't wait to see where it goes.
 
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CaptainBuilt

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Krazyjohnny said:
Our Jeep was the same looking one. Black with the Laredo trim on it. You will be amazed at how well the grill will come back with some Flitz on it or some toothpaste and some polish.

Love the box van too. Can't wait to see where it goes.
Click to expand...
Thanks!

I still haven't picked it up yet. Gotta finish some things up first. But I should have it in a couple months.
 
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