E-Series VansTechnical discussion of topics related to vans powered by any of the Navistar engines. This covers a broad number of years, but there isn't enough demand to split it any further.
So I just got my stainless Nerf-n-Step bars from J&J enterprises. Forget them. They are cosmetic only. Thin-wall stainless welded to running boards that bolt to the bodyside pinchweld. Absolutely no protection for the sides of the van (as you would get were they frame mounted). I'll keep looking.
Remains to be seen if I get my $600+ back.... Since they are "custome made" I assume the best case will be some sort of serious "restocking fee". If so, I'll let anyone have these that wants to just make some cosmetic changes to their van....
Too bad.... I was thinking of puting some bars on my van, seems like I am the only one that doesn't struggle getting in and out of it. I was hoping to go with the Bars from J&J but I guess that's out.
Sorry it cost you so much $$$ to find out they aren't any good.
Let us know how you come out.
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99 PSD E350 VAN 3.55LS Club Wagon Chateau with Factory Rear Seat/Bed and Aluminum Wheels. Isspro Pyrometer, Boost, Trans Temp and Tach gauges. "Drive it like you stole it!"
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2004 Expedition
2003 F250 C/C V10, Banks Power Pack, Transcommand, 4.30LS, MagHytec Diff Cover, B&M Deep Trans Pan, 16K Super Glide Hitch
2006 Thor Vortex 36' 5er Toy Hauler
Will keep everyone informed. Found another place that does make frame mount nerfs. They aren't stainless but they are certainly cheaper ($232 vs. nearly $600). They are my next try. I can picture me going broke just trying to find nerf bars heare. Oh well, still LOVE this truck.... The "tuition" ain't bad considering the end result.
Will list the name of the "new" supplier as soon as I find it in my back messages.
I won't weld the bars on, of course, but they seem to include a boltup kit to attach them to the frame. I'll still have to make up some brackets since I can't directly reach the side of the frame rails on the Sportmobile. Probably lower the nerfs by about 3"-4" but that may not be bad. Should amke it easier for the folks FastDew mentions to get in and out....
Incidentally, I don't know yet that I won't get my money back from J&J so I am being unfair to them. Just frustrated is all. I don't like purely "cosmetic" roll bars, nerf bars, etc. When I get something like that it is because I need it, not because I want to just look like I need it.
Let us know how those new bars work. My '98 currently has deezee aluminum running boards, which look ok, but which mount to high and too close to the body, so about 1/3 of the step is useless. Nerf bars would be a better option
I was also looking at the Nerf Bar option, but have recently abandoned the idea since my wife and I have no trouble getting in and out of the van, and we a lot of other things to spend our money on (like towing mirors, CD changer, shotgun, etc...)
Living in the northland, with snow, ice and salt, I would REALLY try and find some that were stainless. I have never had nerf bars on a vehicle before, but have been told that chrome just doesn't hold up in the winter climates. I would send a post to one of the other forums to see if anyone has any longterm results in snow/ice/salt areas with nerf bars that are regular steel before I spent the money. There was a post on one of the forums I read about someone with black westin bars that he took off because they started rusting. Just my thoughts on the subject.
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'00 White E350 PSD Clubwagon XLT, 3.55LS, 4 A-pillar gauges, Velvac RV Mirrors, full of Gordon Setters pulling our Sunnybrook 33FKS with a Hensley Arrow hitch!
Found powder coated black bars. Had them on my Dodge and they held up OK in Wisconsin (max snow and salted roads). Looks like I'll probably go that route again.
My dad is 90, just had his pacemaker upgraded (he's Y2K compatible now, I guess), and he's never had a chance to ride in this truck 'cause he can't climb up into it. Regular running boards and, in fact, these wannabe nerfs from J&J are just too hihg to help much - they have to frame mount and I have to build brackets to drop them about 3"-4".
Still waiting to hear from J&J. Betting I'll have to call about 37 times and then find out about a "restocking fee" - but maybe I'm just pessimistic having run into that from Skyjacker once a while back (now THERE'S a bunch of thieves).
Have you considered the Carr hoop steps? I have them on my 4x4 and have been happy so far. Although they don't attach to the frame, they are solid. I saw some double width ones this spring which would make for a nice step up. I know they don't protect the sides from rocks, but I haven't had much problem with that (I also have some fender flares which intercept quite a bit of the road debris).
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99 E-350 Quigley 4X4 Sportsmobile, PSD, AT, 3.55, Banks Power Pack, Dynosource 75/125 Flip Chip, Bully Dog Propane, Custom 4 Single Exhaust, Tranny Cooler, Banks Trans Command,tach,boost,pyrometer and air tank gauges, 3 Body Lift, 3 Suspension Lift, Firestone Rear and Air-Lift FRT Air bags, Compressor and dash mount control for air bags and Rancho 9000's, Reunel Bumpers, (Only Intercooled van in captivity I Think!).
Check out roadarmor.com, they make really heavy duty nerf bars that you can jack the whole truck up with, they do not mount to the rockar and are awesome. Jim at roadarmor is building a winch front bumper, nerf bars etc for my 4x4 e350 psd.
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99 E-350 Quigley 4X4 Sportsmobile, PSD, AT, 3.55, Banks Power Pack, Dynosource 75/125 Flip Chip, Bully Dog Propane, Custom 4 Single Exhaust, Tranny Cooler, Banks Trans Command,tach,boost,pyrometer and air tank gauges, 3 Body Lift, 3 Suspension Lift, Firestone Rear and Air-Lift FRT Air bags, Compressor and dash mount control for air bags and Rancho 9000's, Reunel Bumpers, (Only Intercooled van in captivity I Think!).
Jay: It is a good thought but not practical for me. I suffer from a personality defect (I am a klutz) and learning disability (I simply remain a klutz) that for some reason draws me into sideswiping those lowlevel posts that are often found at the entrance and exit of rural rest areas. Can't count the number of the damned things I have snapped off. Don't hit deer, never had a wreck that was due to my driving, only had a few parking tickets in my life, don't drink, don't like kids but I am kind to them, don't beat up women - just break those damned poles. Beats me. But I need the full nerf bars if I don't want the sides of the van stove in.
Ken: glad you responded. I was trying to remember that group. You got the URL? I have one other point of contact as I mentioned but I would like to see what is available.
call and speak to jim, he is very helpful, in fact he is going to the sportsmobile factory in Fresno to meet Me and Alan Feld to spec and design custom heavyduty nerf bars, bumpers, bash bars, roof racks , ladders, etc.
We may be adding dual rear wheels to the 4x4 E350 psd as we are rapidly approaching gvwr max. quigley offers this kit. This rig is going to be awesome, cant wait!
We will be at SMB West next thursday, friday and saturday.
I am leaning towards the Cruiser/Ranger Hi-top and an EB-50 floorplan.
I may do the incinolet turd burner and the diesel heaters also< sure beats refilling propane and dumping turds every week.
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99 E-350 Quigley 4X4 Sportsmobile, PSD, AT, 3.55, Banks Power Pack, Dynosource 75/125 Flip Chip, Bully Dog Propane, Custom 4 Single Exhaust, Tranny Cooler, Banks Trans Command,tach,boost,pyrometer and air tank gauges, 3 Body Lift, 3 Suspension Lift, Firestone Rear and Air-Lift FRT Air bags, Compressor and dash mount control for air bags and Rancho 9000's, Reunel Bumpers, (Only Intercooled van in captivity I Think!).
Please let me know what you learn about the nerfs. From our other discussions, it appears you will be close enough to what I have that the bars that will fit yours will also fit mine. The problem is going to be reaching the frame through all the stuff SMB mounts on it (and which is necessary). My guess is they will have to come up with some sort of offset to get to the frame from underneath.
In any case, I am interested only in the nerfs but perhaps they can make us a deal on building two sets rather than one.... (Even if they can't make us a deal, I'll be interested. Would save me some extra fabrication.)
Thanks for your help.
I have spoken to the Espar rep (they are located in Michigan). They make a Ford-approved PSD engine heater kit that is simply their hyrdronic 5 with a mounting kit. I'll be getting the details soon but it appears it will resolve all issues about plugging into electricity where there isn't any (for me that will come in extremely handy at the various reservations). Says the installation is utterly simple.
No idea of price, etc. but it is close enough that, if I decide to go that route I will probably drive over and check it out. Also looking seriously at their air diesel air heater to replace the propane furnace. If it is feasible, I'll probably swap that out also.
Still trying to find a small enough diesel stove. All the marine versions I am finding take up quite a bit of space. Since I will keep the propane tank anyway, for the generator, I don't guess retaining the propane countertop stove will be much of an issue. Without the furnace usage, it will reduce the number of fills dramatically.
Incidentally, heard from J&J: 20% "restocking" fee ($100 or so), I pay the shipping (another $100), plus they are going to add an as yet unspecified fee since the bars were supposedly "custom made". I think it is a ripoff but you guys make up your own minds.
Anyone wants some decorative stainless running boards, that bolt to the pinch welds, just let me know. You can have them half price ($300) - we can split the shipping cost.
Rather sell them to someone on the forum than let those folks sell the damned things over and over. They look real sharp but they aren't really nerf bars.
I will be at SMB west with jim from Roadarmor for two days, next thursday and friday, I will talk to him about a set of KICK ASS REAL HEAVY DUTY POLE SMASHIN nerf bars for your van like the ones he is making for my EB 350 4x4 PSD Sportsmobile.
The air and block diesel heater sounds great, rather than pay SMB for the propane heater I will look into the feasability of the diesel heater instead,
I hate the inconvenience of refilling propane and diesel fuel every week in the winter in CT so I already ordered the dual tank option.
Can you post a picture of your van for us to see on this site? that would be great.
Catch ya later.
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99 E-350 Quigley 4X4 Sportsmobile, PSD, AT, 3.55, Banks Power Pack, Dynosource 75/125 Flip Chip, Bully Dog Propane, Custom 4 Single Exhaust, Tranny Cooler, Banks Trans Command,tach,boost,pyrometer and air tank gauges, 3 Body Lift, 3 Suspension Lift, Firestone Rear and Air-Lift FRT Air bags, Compressor and dash mount control for air bags and Rancho 9000's, Reunel Bumpers, (Only Intercooled van in captivity I Think!).
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