Picked up a new toy hauler what do you guys think?

[2001400exrida]

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m93/rschaef83/00y0y_diJCEPsRK1R_600x450_zps4c373144.jpg (http://s102.photobucket.com/user/rschaef83/media/00y0y_diJCEPsRK1R_600x450_zps4c373144.jpg.html)

As i'm starting to hit more races and want to be able to do almost all of the MWEDT races next year it was time to look for something i could camp with and have a mobile shop at the same time. Got this bad boy for $900. Runs good, has a replacement salvage motor. The Ford 5.8. The box is immaculate on the inside. Has a 15ftx7 floor plan with the cab over for extra room. I'm planning to convert this to a camper/toy hauler. Anybody else ever done this? So far my tested gas mileage is 9mpg and that was highway. Truck runs good and goes down the road good until you hit a gust of wind.

What do you guys think?

[cloudpump]

Thats not a bad idea. Can set up as a sleeper too. Turbo charge that beast with a salvaged turbo from a junk yard and you are golden.

[beastlywarrior]

I need one of those!

[turdboy]

Cubes vans are sweet! I had a cube van for a number of years. The only downfall is the mileage, they DRINK gas. I normally got between 7-9 MPG's, I could literally watch the gauge drop. Besides that, they are awesome, and you are always loaded up and ready to go. Have fun with it!

[quad2xtreme]

Unbelievable price. You can buy a lot of gas with what you saved in buying a truck and trailer.

[2001400exrida]

You're not kidding about the poor gas mileage. Another bonus is that now I can leave all the stuff in the truck instead of taking up space in my garage. I might actually get to park in the garage for once!

it's got some rust in the cab and through the underbody of the box, but really nothing that i'm too worried about. Also has a manifold leak or at least what i believe is a manifold leak. It kind of "ticks" or "diesels" when it's under heavy load, in my experience this is usually a manifold leak. I'm ok with it though, lol. I've got some exhaust guys that I'm going to have look at it, if the studs are rusted or snapped off or if the manifold is cracked i'l go ahead and replace it. Otherwise i plan to remove the muffler and run pipes out the back for a little noise. My furthest haul with this will be about 3 hours, anything else and I'll be hauling the trailer behind the SUV. This truck has a hitch, but i don't know how much power that motor has to pull anything too big....I'd love to drop a diesel in it. I also haven't figured out the easiest way to get the quad in there besides ramps. the lift gate works, but the best i can do now is get the front tires on the lift gate with the quad in gear, then lift the front to the bed level and then pick up the rear and throw it in.

Does anybody have any clue about maintenance on these things? I see grease zerks on the drive shaft and in some place under the body. I'm going to hit those before i start driving it. Also the sway bar U mount broke so it's got a little head shake down the road. Plan to order a new one through ford and have it welded on the frame so it doesn't snap like it did to begin with. I'm not sure how the steering box is, this truck has lots of play in the steering and pulls a little, but that may have to do with that sway bar link.


http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m93/rschaef83/IMG_20130924_152446_560_zps5ca0708d.jpg (http://s102.photobucket.com/user/rschaef83/media/IMG_20130924_152446_560_zps5ca0708d.jpg.html)

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m93/rschaef83/IMG_20130924_152337_830_zps2f626100.jpg (http://s102.photobucket.com/user/rschaef83/media/IMG_20130924_152337_830_zps2f626100.jpg.html)

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m93/rschaef83/IMG_20130924_152429_468_zps24af53a0.jpg (http://s102.photobucket.com/user/rschaef83/media/IMG_20130924_152429_468_zps24af53a0.jpg.html)

[OldGuyonaQuad]

You got a good deal, g/k with it. Are you going to add a window or vent or maybe a RV a/c unit for the roof?

[2001400exrida]

Definitely want to do windows. I was thinking 2 small side windows for the over cab then maybe 1 medium sized window on each side of the box. I also am planning to put a door on. I don't have the first clue as ti what kind or where to get a door or windows. I guess maybe a camper dealership?

[KKiowaTJ]

Definitely want to do windows. I was thinking 2 small side windows for the over cab then maybe 1 medium sized window on each side of the box. I also am planning to put a door on. I don't have the first clue as ti what kind or where to get a door or windows. I guess maybe a camper dealership?


You could always buy a junk camper that has the windows and door/framing and whatever else you can convert over. When you're don't scrap it and get some $$ back.

[OldGuyonaQuad]

You could always buy a junk camper that has the windows and door/framing and whatever else you can convert over. When you're don't scrap it and get some $$ back.

you might even be able to pick up a working a/c unit that way as well

[turdboy]

I have seen some other cube vans, converted into toyhaulers/campers. The cab over gets converted into a bed, and then behind the seats is the lounge area. Then a wall seperates the lounge area from the back and that's where the quad and tools go. In mine I had bunk beds, a workbench/sink, cabinets, 60 gallon water tank, and an A/C unit. With all that it held 2 quads easily. I would ditch the lift, and just use ramps. Once loaded just slide them under the quads. Oh and mine had loose steering too, plus any side wind really blows a cube van around. Just hold on!

[2001400exrida]

Yup, just gotta hold on. I don't think I will ditch the lift though because it serves way to many purposes for anything else. If somebody came up to me and saw it and offered money for it, i'd probably sell it, lol. I'm doing exactly as you described turdboy. My first project is to get a door in the front portion with some drop down stairs so I don't have to worry about getting into the living quarters. Once a door is put in, i plan to install a partition panel, most likely using a simple panel board that is used for walls. Once the partition is in, i'll be able to seperate the quarters and keep the shop at the rear and the sleeper at the front.

Just got this thing licensed and on the road so it's going to make some trips this fall and that will be determining factor as to whether it is mechanically sound enough to invest my time into converting it.

[2001400exrida]

Time for a stupid question.

The front right tire on this thing is shot because it ran with the broken sway bar clamp and therefore wore uneven. All the other tires are new, including the spare. Are these rims able to go on all 4 sides? I'm wondering if my spare will even go on the front wheel or if it's only a rear dually spare. By looking at them, the front is not nearly as dished or "offset" as the rear wheels are, but this makes me wonder if you simply turn the wheel around in order to mount it on the front. The spare tire size is identical to all 6 tires and the wheel is also the same height, i just don't know if it's dished the same. Anybody have any experience with these older ford duallys?

[turdboy]

I believe they are all the same. As you said, I think you just have to flip it around depending on front or rear locations.