Alpha Van: The Ultimate Ford E-350 Overland 4x4

Ujoint Off-Road is known for its 4x4 van conversions and incredible builds. This 2003 Ford E-350 was one of it's most involved transformations to date. We catch up with Ujoint owner Chris Steuber as he walks us through the company's latest customer build.
This van was built from the ground up to be the ultimate off-road van. The axles have been given plenty of beef, with a Dana 60 up front, along with a Detroit TrueTrac and 4.10 gears. For helping it get over obstacles, the Ford 4x4 van has been given custom 6-inch lift springs and some helper airbags out back.
The 7.3L Power Stroke engine, built by Swamps Diesel, puts out 435hp and 850 lb-ft of torque, but it has also been designed to be super reliable, since it doesn't matter how much power you put out if you break down in the middle of nowhere. To help put all this power down on the dirt is a set of Nitto Ridge Grappler tires.
Up on top of this overland van build is a 24-inch fiberglass top made by Fiberine. It even has a custom rack with solar panels on top of it. The inside of the van was made by Sportsmobile in Texas to include both the necessities like storage and creature comforts like a fridge and sink.
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#PitCrewVAN

[@chadmerkley9465]

My wife and kids and myself have a 2008 Quigley we made into our camper. Did the lower 48 states, Florida keys, and Canada twice.... In 90 days, this summer. It was GREAT!

[@superMan-ve5hd]

Chad Merkley I can only imagine an alternate reality where I had a family like that

[@chadmerkley9465]

@@superMan-ve5hd we both work from home and have RAD kids and I've got the best wife..... The stars aligned, I guess :)

[@thomasrobinette3227]

Good for you bud. That sounds so cool!

[@chadmerkley9465]

@SoloSail Boat .... Nope. Not even close

[@dgarcia4919]

I'd love to see pics of it

[@JRis44]

My God.....this is beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!! One of these days i dont how yet.....i will have one of these. I have waited years to get out of debt and almost there! I will continue to hold out and budget desperately for something like this. Baby imma commmin!!!

[@jacksonledford6874]

Hey! I live less than a mile from your shop and I pass by these vans every day. Cool to see you guys on KZbin!

[@derekschaefer3561]

Where I'd it

[@kalebstout7673]

Lucky man

[@andymalicki7202]

When I retire in 20 years this is EXACTLY what I need for the cross country and backroad places I want to go see

[@AnAbortiveRomance]

it's too big for any really cool backroad places, especially in the rockies and southwest.

[@Adiscretefirm]

Better get your base vehicle before then, they won't be making the E350 in 20 years.

[@mrdarby1387]

Won't be any back roads in 20 years

[@tonyinfinity]

This will be outdated in 20 years

[@whoodiestyle]

In 20 years you could be dead better do it now

[@vanoramarv4193]

This get my blood pumpen. He must be all smiles as I am, with our 4x4 Class B van.

[@karendiaz5254]

VanoRama RV anda

[@devinlaboda2572]

This thing is so awesome 😎

[@matthew-nt3gz]

Thats awesome it has built in Solar Power panels. Dream truck for the outdoors man.

[@kentuckyjustice1408]

That's a *P R E T T Y N I C E* van, to say the least. I'd say the owner threw a few Benjamins into that build, especially since it was all farmed out. But hey, that's doing it up right. If you got it, flaunt it. I'd guess that ride would go anywhere except a car wash, or a drive thru. "Thumbs up" from this Kentucky boy.

[@Kee_Diddy]

Wow. That is an incredible van. Excellent work. What a dream!

[@DeezNuts-sx9jd]

Great build, especially being paired with the 7.3

[@zachmartin6726]

I love that its on 03 with the newer front end and lights on it

[@SIC-SEMPER-TYRANNIS]

I being a Chevy guy would Rock this Awesome Ford!!

[@t.s.gilmer8397]

Man that's bad ass!!!

[@JOB1925pk]

Love my 95 Cherokee XJ, but damn I sure want a 4x4 Ford Van

[@Phillip_Deane]

By far the best one Ive seen so far🙌

[@1500Overland]

God that's such a beautiful van and great platform. I wish my RAM had a solid front axle.

[@cjjenson8212]

Not difficult to change out. But do your self a favor you'll never regret, put on expedition portal axles! Helps with top heavy vehicles.

[@tamiyaclodbuster]

Badass van

[@cowboy_broke]

I DailyDrive Ford E350 for plumbing. so when I'm done using it for that I'm definitely going to turn it into this.

[@biglakebulliesadamg.8715]

Awesome build, Chris and the UJOR gang! Great video as well!

[@mikemorgan4670]

WOW. Awesome rig.

[@shanephelan75]

wow wish I had money for this, this company sure builds them tough...I'd live in it.

[@dylanmacaya9166]

Down by the river even!

[@tyson1fan487]

I'm in love!!! This is the perfect Wheel Estate..

[@fluterampal]

The most beautiful sound of a purring diesel

[@Alan62651]

Awesome build, as always, Chris.

[@Spaceman-jo5mz]

This is AWESOME! Exactly how I would like to convert my 2003 Ford Econoline....just need a shit ton of money

[@gungfuriceboy]

Beautiful ! Could never 'Afford' something Like THIS!! Go ANYWHERE....Apocalypse Survival 'MACHINE'!

[@alansherby4046]

It's perfect!

[@elliothagen9874]

Nice van. I want 1

[@LibertyHillBily]

Awesome as hell

[@johnnymula2305]

I love these 4x4 van RV’s. So bad ass!

[@eggx-9463]

YES PLEASE. I need one of those

[@nedaCFilms]

Amazing rig

[@bruceremington225]

Yall should drive mine once its fully complete in a couple weeks, 2005 E-350 6.0 Diesel w/U Joint Offroad 10" Lift on 40s

[@brandonedwards9812]

Ya boy thats sweet. I've been interested in building a killer mud van in the monster truck style.

[@Ahhdjx]

Yeshhh I will do this next year if i can acquire this already beautiful 1990 e350 beforr someone else does

[@mrfayetteville91]

This van is awesome but one thing I was always concerned with when I was building my van is height. I bet this van can't fit I most parking garages or drive thrus you also have to watch out for low hanging branches and bridges. I would definitely trade my van for it any day of the week though

[@rfd339]

I'm from the Mountain Home area and these guys do beautiful work and very knowledgeable .

[@the_intro_defaultintrosand6659]

My dream Van I always wanted this I am still a kid thro but My dad wants one really bad

[@GentiluomoStraniero]

I'd prefer this over a traditional RV ANYDAY!

[@WeldtecDesigns]

Awesome build! Love it!

[@MrLennin74]

Beautiful vehicle, I will like have one like that, good job awesome.

[@TheTechCguy]

The next best thing after an RV!

[@murray8958]

Daaaammmmnnnnnn beautiful build!! WOW

[@sylvainb4049]

One day, I'll own a cool van I can load up a motorbike on and travel around North and maybe South America.. #Keepingthedreamalive 😎✌🤙🏼

[@UhYeahWhateverDude]

I would still spray-paint “free candy” on the side...

[@christophercamargo4560]

Fbi open up

[@johnnytooby9980]

I bought a 15 passenger when my kids raced bicycles i told them they could put what they wamt on the plate i was so glD dmv found frecndy offensive!

[@CarGuy87]

Badass.

[@terryandteresa]

Very VERY nicely done!!

[@andyteri777]

Van life !

[@xisotopex]

this thing is awesome...

[@theadventurebiker]

Beast Mode!

[@tigbak18salas61]

I see that van in ujoint very nice

[@wqeras12]

ein super geiler van. love it. Greetings from Germany.

[@tonyclements]

AWESOME!

[@dougharker9913]

UNCLEDOUG IN BOONE N.C. SAYS VERY NICE BUILD !!!

[@ricksannicolas6056]

AWESOME 👌

[@shekharmoona544]

I think I just she's a year how beautiful this is.

[@alissonsilva5537]

Wonderful device.beautiful

[@raulsalazar9591]

Nice man

[@ronmiller7916]

Love the high center of gravity

[@gearheadsquaretable5829]

Thew owner does 80+ x-country multiple times a year

[@ronmiller7916]

@@gearheadsquaretable5829 meaningless comment but thanks i guess cog means nothing to you

[@ShaunHensley]

Ron Miller I guess ground clearance means nothing to you

[@ujointoffroad]

@@ronmiller7916 happy to take you for a ride

[@hansdomke89]

Most of the weight of the vehicle is towards the bottom.

[@Falcon012287]

Darth Vader van intro... sickness. love U joint offroad!

[@6Mictian9]

Six more years and this is me!!!

[@OverlandTrax]

Nice video, keep the videos coming!

[@junglejim5785]

Lord would I love to have this.

[@DrivingLine]

Right!?

[@RoryZ23]

God damn beautiful

[@barbaraedwards3715]

Super nice where is the 50 mount?

[@sostrucking]

We don't want big brother knowing this.

[@jacksaysfuk-u4863]

Lmfao

[@MopSpadowski]

Ma Deuce!

[@JayyKilz]

Such a beauty 😭

[@joethepainter8447]

I love it

[@stek96]

built very cool!

[@MrgizmoDmogwai]

omg!! i think i saw this van about two weeks ago here in tijuana just by the otay border going into the gas station... talk about weird!!!

[@ujointoffroad]

Probably, it's currently in Baja.

[@getoutofthetimetrap5435]

I miss my Ford Quigley 4x4 van ......

[@Ahhdjx]

Help me >(

[@gabeguzman8367]

AMAZING

[@devinlaboda2572]

I want one of these but I want an 85 Ford E350, that style at least doesn’t have to be exactly an 85

[@Jackass105888]

Add 1 pair of rear shock absorber, remove the rear air suspensions. Add 1 shock ab in the middle of rear axle - body dance negated, less strain on chassis gvm, improved off road and road comfort

[@ujointoffroad]

Not enough real estate for all of that

[@rjr1227]

This is bad ass

[@theaztecsun]

Made in California you gotta love that!

[@gearheadsquaretable5829]

Nope, NC & TX

[@americasurvival6335]

You guys that trip over money can have anything you want on earth.

[@alf637]

Very, very cool!!!

[@shawnrieser6299]

Perfect

[@TheGbass87]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@schoumv6]

Beautiful

[@whenmountainsmove]

Those who disliked this, are simply... jealous.

[@NickV70]

So bad azz!!!

[@phinehasfenne]

I want one!

[@power17]

wow

[@muhammadmoor-el8431]

Build cost?

[@randsollie7921]

I want one. Still, it needs bugsoc window screens.

[@elohimsoldier3028]

That’s awesome

[@superMan-ve5hd]

No expense spared

[@opinionated2902]

All I can think of is this thing tipping over. How on Earth can you do any off-roading on something with that high of a center of gravity?

[@Russell_and_Rosko]

Tell that to all of the Stevenson lmtvs, deuce and a half’s, unimogs, 5 ton 4x4 and 6x6 trucks ect. The bulk of the weight is low. The high top vans and 4x4 rv‘s I have seen come out of UJOR are built with the appropriate springs to handle body roll. With a wider track width and stiffer suspension, body roll shouldn’t be an issue, these vans are surprisingly capable.

[@nerhu59]

It ist Overlander, not a 4x4 >>Rock-crawler

[@hansdomke89]

@@Russell_and_Rosko the high top weighs next to nothing compared to what all is on the bottom of the van.

[@MopSpadowski]

Top is fiberglass.

[@jamesschmidt9668]

Love this and want one! However, 50k is going to be my budget lol =(. Awesome van!

[@12pawsinn]

Can be done for 15 to 20k

[@scottfox7642]

I need to for the end of the world, plus an armory of guns, bullets, crossbow, arrows and a compound bow.

[@RL-zk9wb]

Quit watching The Walking Dead. Its rotting your mind.

[@lloyddsouza4544]

@@RL-zk9wb I swear it happened to me too lol.

[@r3shorts377]

Roads? Where we're going we don't need.... **flips down futuristic shades** .... roads.

[@anthonys7534]

That van is perfect, but I’ll bet the shifter is sloppy😁

[@mrmagoo9901]

Sweet...

[@bobbyscott9605]

Didn't mount all the tires with the same sidewall facing out, but otherwise great build

[@UhYeahWhateverDude]

Robert Scott Yeah, that’s weird. It’s a non-directional tire, and the sidewalls are very different on each side. I guess someone just wasn’t paying attention when they mounted them and was too lazy to go back and fix it, lol.

[@shesoutthere387]

I am in love

[@jmarshallstein9791]

Price ?s this one of those if you have to ask you can't afford it?

[@adrianfres2185]

Look top heavy. Pretty cool though

[@ujointoffroad]

Don't even notice the top when driving it. Proper springs, shocks and sway bar

[@DownHillgamer]

Nasty

[@bryanrevell3025]

I wish I could afford to do this to my 350 I have 05'

[@manyowefew1]

Dang, man! Dang...