Homebuilt 2007 Ford E150 van RV with Sportsmobile top

[terry]

I have now completed construction of my homebuilt 2007 Ford E150 Econoline Van with Sportsmobile Top.

See "Yahoo Groups" / "sportsmobile_owners" group / "Files" / "Terry's 2007 Ford Construction" folder /
"Terry's Ford Narative" file for details of construction.

See "Yahoo Groups" / "sportsmobile_owners" Group / "Photos" / "Terry's 2007 Ford Construction Photos"
for, of course, construction photos.

[markopolo]

Wow Terry - that's like a "how to" book on converting a van.

You put a lot of effort into the build and also putting all of that info online.

[markopolo]

Link to the Yahoo Sportsmobile Owners Group:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spo ... le_owners/

You have to join to see the documents and photos.

[terry]

This is a photo of my Home built RV conversion 2007 Ford van with Sportsmobile top.

[terry]

Terry's 2007 Ford E150 Econoline van with Sportsmobile top

I bought the 2007 Ford van new, in late 2007 with the following Factory Options
installed:
4.6 L V8
Trailer Tow Package
Power Door Locks
Power windows
Remote Key less entry
Cruise control
power mirrors

I selected the Ford van over Chevrolet because of the much cheaper cost of the
this Ford van.

I selected the Sportsmobile top over the GTRV top primarily because of build
scheduling. I went to Sportsmobile Texas instead of Sportsmobile Fresno
because, Sportsmobile Texas would install a garagable top on the van, and
Sportsmobile Fresno would not. After I negotiated a early date with
Sportsmobile Texas, it only took Sportsmobile Texas a day and a half to install
the top. Normally it takes a day, but, because I was getting a low profile
powered top, it took more time.

See “Yahoo Groups” / “Sportsmobile_owners” group / "Files" / "Terry's 2007 Ford Construction" folder / "Ford Van Parts List.PDF" file for A list of Parts that I purchased.

As is indicated in "Ford Van Parts List.PDF" file, I purchased several parts from Sportsmobile as follows:

door catches, hinges, battery rack, inlet power cord & connectors, Penthouse
bed, hoop steps, and, of course, garagable "powered" top.

Note - I did not install a propane system, nor a furnace, nor a cook top in
this van. I have found that I do not cook inside. I use a portable 1 burner
stove for heating water. I have, previously had propane furnaces; but, I have
never used them in the van. I do have a portable electric heater. Without
any propane appliances, I had no need for a propane system.

A list of tools that I used in converting the van is as follows: Circular saw,
table saw, saber saw, belt sander, in line sander, "Kreg" pocket hole jig,
electrical drill, screw driver bits, Forsner bits, various clamps, soldering
gun, 48" guide for cutting plywood, 4 metal saw horses, and 4' x 8' x 1/2"
press board used as a layout table.

I started work on the van, in earnest, in early February 2008, right after I
got home from Texas. I did do a little work before the trip. I finished the
conversion in late May 2008.




The first things that I did was remove the back and side door thrush holds in
the van.





I then removed the jack mounting hardware.

I made a pattern/template out of heavy paper for the plywood sub-floor and
the vinyl floor.



I then cut the 15/32" plywood flooring using the pattern/template.

I installed a 100 Amp circuit breaker under the hood wired to the chassis
battery.



I then brought the other end of the electrical
wire to inside the van at the gas fill area.



Sportsmobile installed Penthouse top, and temporarily connected power from
powered roof control switch to electrical wire at inside gas fill area. This
allows me to raise and lower the top during construction.
























I then planned the wiring. See “Yahoo Groups” / “Sportsmobile_owners” group / "Files" / "Terry's 2007 Ford Construction" folder / "FORDWIR.PDF" file for the wiring schematic.

I then installed the step hoops.



I then installed the 15/32" plywood sub-floor.



I attached the
plywood to the van sheet metal floor using construction adhesive and
approximately 250 1" x #6 flathead sheet metal screws.

Cut Vinyl flooring.



Design interior layout. See “Yahoo Groups” / “Sportsmobile_owners” group / "Files" / "Terry's 2007 Ford Construction" folder / "FLORDING6.PDF"

Make patterns for side walls.








Cut out driver's and passenger's side 3/32" Oak plywood walls.













I painted all Oak paneling and plywood with Verathane Satin.

Install foam & fiberglass insulation.






Install all walls.












Make patterns for rear side & rear wall panels.





cut out, paint, & Install rear side & rear panels.









wire roof wiring for 110ACV, 12 DCV, from drivers side to passenger side.
wire rear light to passenger side.

Install vinyl flooring. I used double sided tape at front back door and side door.

Make pattern for bench seats.

I used the "Kreg" pocket hole jig and screws for fastening all bench seats,
cabinets, and doors.









In addition, I used
wood glue for all joints.

Build bench seats. I used 15/32" Oak plywood for sides.



Install bench seats.









Install outside 110ACV input.



Install converter.





Install battery separator on drivers side, under bench.



Design drivers-side rear, front, and middle cabinets.
See “Yahoo Groups” / “Sportsmobile_owners” group / "ACREF2.PDF" , "MIDCAB.PDF" , AND "POTTI3.PDF" for drawings of these cabinets.

I then made a template/pattern for cabinet sidewalls.



I then made the 15/32" Oak plywood cabinet sidewalls.



Make the three drivers side cabinets.





Install the three cabinets.





Make template, cut out & install passenger side mount for battery meter, 12dcv
receptacle, 110 ACV receptacle, & pump switch.









Install 110acv receptacle & 12 dcv receptacle in drivers side bench. Install
110acv receptacle in passenger side bench.



Wire drivers side AC inlet, 110acv receptacle, DCV receptacle, front light,
converter, battery separator.



Wire passenger side AC receptacle, DCV receptacle, light, trimetric meter,
water pump.







Make cabinet doors.



Another technique that I have used to
finish edges of the Oak plywood is to use a very thin veneer oak with glue on
one side.



This looks better than the 1/2" x 1/2" oak edging that I used on
this van.

install drivers side cabinet doors.





Install floor pedestal plate.





Mount battery rack.



Install 4D AGM battery.



Complete passenger side electrical.



Install "Danhard" Air Conditioning Condenser.

Install A/C Compressor.



Install A/C Accumulator.



Install A/C hoses.



Install A/C Evaporator.



Install A/C Controller.



Wire A/C switches, thermostat, controller, compressor, evaporator, condenser.

Charge A/C

Install A/C trim



Install refrigerator.



Build table & additional plywood to make up bed.





Design Passenger side cabinet. See "Yahoo Groups" / "sportsmobile_owners"
Group / "Files" / "Terry's 2007 Ford Construction" folder / "SINK1.PDF" file

Build Passenger side cabinet.





Install Formica on cabinet, table top, and additional plywood to make up bed.





Install water system.





See “Yahoo Groups” / “Sportsmobile_owners” group / "Files" / "Terry's 2007 Ford Construction" folder / "WATER.PDF" file for drawing
of plumbing connections to tanks.

Build door panels.

Install foam and fiberglass insulation in doors.

Install door panels







Install side door threshold.



Make and install curtains.

[julievojo]

Wow, that's incredible. You are certainly talented! It looks really great, and I know you're going to enjoy every minute of travel in it.

[K-mann]

Very nice Terry! Thanks for posting the pics. Your wood work and cabinets are qaulity. I've been reading some of your posts on this site and it looks like you've done the conversion thing a few times. I'm working on a van conversion and have a couple of questions after seeing pics of your rig.

A battery separator instead of a battery isolator?

Did you vent your battery compartment or just seal it up real good?

How many amp hours do you get on that 4D AGM battery?

[terry]

'K-mann' asks -


A battery separator instead of a battery isolator?

Did you vent your battery compartment or just seal it up real good?

How many amp hours do you get on that 4D AGM battery?



a battery separator has relays, and thus has no voltage drop accross the contacts. The battery can then be fully charged. isolators use semiconductor diodes, and have up to a 1/2 volt drop accross the diode.
Sportsmobile has been using battery separators.

I have no seal and no venting for the AGM battery. An AGM battery is a sealed battery; therefore, it does not need venting. Sportsmobile has been using AGM battereries for years.

A 4D AGM battery is 200+ amp/hours.

[K-mann]

Hey Terry

What brand of 100 Amp circuit breaker did you use? Where did you purchase said breaker? RV supply? Lowe's / Home Depot?

[T.Low]

Wow, very impressive to say the least. Nice job.

I'll be referencing your work, thank you very much, as I continue with minor mods to my Astro van. For me, the hardest part is "beginning with the end in mind". This is my first van. Researched for about 6 months before deciding on an Astro, and took possession February '08.

You obviously have had a great deal of experience building. driving, and camping in your vans. It would be interesting to hear your evolution of tastes and preferences over the years, in regards to floor plans, size, electrical systems, etc. I'll have to look more closely at your build file.

I've got a deposit down on a GTRV pop top for my Astro, but no install date yet.

Cheers

[terry]

My 2007 Ford van with Sportsmobile top and homebuilt internal conversion is now for sale.
Price $33000. Milage: <15000

terryjones1@hotmail.com

[terry]

I have decided to drop the price to $29,900.00

[Ron J. Moore]

Terry, congrats on the outstanding job!!!

Your talent, foresight and complete follow-thru are truly amazing.

Thanks for sharing with us. Ron

[terry]

I have decided to drop the price, again, on my 2007 Ford E150 van RV with Sportsmobile top.

The new price will be $27,900.00

[terry]

My 2007 Ford E150 van with Sportsmobile top has been sold.