Removing a High Top from a Wrecked Ford E350 Van

[@billkilgore9798]

Awesome video. It’s hard to find video documented work like this for these vans. Much appreciated and sub’d!

[@PowerstrokeEconoline]

You're welcome. I'll keep em coming. Next up is some soundproofing then a bit more interior work on the high top. Anything in particular you'd like to see?

[@Adventure_Ready_Life]

New subscriber and i have two powerstroke vans as well!!! Great gto see the detail, much appreciated, as i plan to do some heart surgery on both of mine this summer ......

[@TreyJustice]

Nice . I am also trying to make more videos on this engine. I have it in my school bus. I have one on the fuel filter and oil at moment. Just did the UVHC replacement as well.

[@PowerstrokeEconoline]

Awesome! I've got a stack of raw video to edit: injectors, uvch, glowplugs, steering wheel and clockspring replacement, idm swap, diesel heater installation and dropping the fuel tank....been busy!

[@Gavin_May]

I put a spectre replacement steel fuel tank in my van and it solved my de lamination issue

[@PowerstrokeEconoline]

Do you have a part number by chance?

[@Gavin_May]

@@PowerstrokeEconoline let me dig it up. ill see if i can find it.

[@clarkleakins879]

You did not show details about how you removed the outer shell. I can only presume that you intend to keep that know to yourself in order to have a future business do such removals. The interior bubble with the brackets is possibly for roll over protection? I understand that ambulance high tops are required to have roll over protection. Perhaps those have a welded structure?

[@PowerstrokeEconoline]

@clarkleakins879 Haha definitely not! I didn't film removing the top because my buddy came over and I didn't want to waste his time filming. And the top is relatively heavy. I shoot video with my cell phone so it takes a hand and I had none to spare. To remove the top we pulled all the screws and trim, then lifted the outer shell so we could unbolt the metal cage. From the inside we drilled out the rivets that hold the liner, then we slid the whole mess off the back of the van. (Which was hard.). Then we lifted the outer shell off and put the inner liner and cage back on the old van. Hope this helps!!

[@PowerstrokeEconoline]

Also the inner metal cage might be for roll protection but it wouldn't offer much. It was attached with thin brackets that bent under hand pressure. I can't see it doing anything but crushing down into the interior of the van in a rollover.

[@ckinsleyjav]

@@PowerstrokeEconoline Awesome video. So you and a friend were able to remove the high top yourselves without a forklift/gantry/DIY tree pulley of death, etc?! I am looking to do this and it would save a ton of effort if we could just remove it and away we go!

[@PowerstrokeEconoline]

@ckinsleyjav yeah, we did the whole removal and reinstall without a crane. It was difficult. Removing the top took three people and would have been easier with four. Putting it back on we managed with just two but again it would have been better with three or four, especially if I had mounted more stuff (panels, rack, etc) beforehand.

[@zacharycallan7043]

I just removed all that pld trim weather sealing on my hightop as well! Any idea what black plastic is called? Need to replace it to keep screwheads dry!

[@PowerstrokeEconoline]

It's called "RV Trim" but there are a few different types. I haven't installed the replacement yet but this is what I bought to replace it: amzn.to/3uneFNW

[@zacharycallan7043]

@@PowerstrokeEconoline dude thank you! I could not find that for the life of me! Super appreciated!

[@thomasc9756]

Just curious if you tried to start the junk van before you started stripping it?

[@PowerstrokeEconoline]

No. The batteries were dead, odometer showed somewhere upwards of half a million miles, and the owner said there were multiple issues with the cooling and oil systems. I took as much as I could from it though. If I hadn't been living in a studio apartment at the time I would have tried to do more.

[@dcarr3135]

Do U still have the driver's seat ? Need armrest seat

[@PowerstrokeEconoline]

The van actually didn't have proper seats when I bought it, just some junkyard seats from an older model year that weren't mounted. Anyhow aside from a couple parts it is all sold or scrapped now.

[@kylemathena1491]

The top looks ugly I would remove the top and leave the way it was no offense I just think that the top always looks like they didn't match the vans cleaning 😊 and now you have a new subscriber cuz I just subscribed

[@PowerstrokeEconoline]

Welcome! I appreciate your opinion. I do care that van looks good, but I care more about being able to stand up in the back. I'll be repainting the topper and my van so all will match when the build is done.

[@kylemathena1491]

@@PowerstrokeEconoline Cool can't wait to see the looks of the van

[@glebkrasalymov1]

do you know what manufacturer made these high tops? thanks

[@PowerstrokeEconoline]

I have not been able to figure that out. There is no identifying information inside mine and I have not seen a comparable one marketed anywhere. I think the closest thing out there new is the Fiberine super camper top.

[@glebkrasalymov1]

@@PowerstrokeEconoline okay interesting, i have only seen another one in real life and cant seem to find any info online...

[@pmagistro]

@@glebkrasalymov1 It seems to be identical to the top used for mobility vans but doesn't have the high doors.

[@zacharycallan7043]

I have the exact same outer shell and it is stamped with a Glastop logo!

[@PowerstrokeEconoline]

@@zacharycallan7043 Amazing thanks for sharing! Looks like they aren't building tops any more. I'd love to see how you have your set up!

[@asalvano]

I noticed you live in Washington, Would you happen to be close to West Seattle and want to help me on my 1995 e350 7.3 powerstroke ambulance?😂

[@PowerstrokeEconoline]

I'm pretty close. What do you need help with??

[@asalvano]

@@PowerstrokeEconoline my oil cooler and maybe injectors. I had a bad oil leak from the valley and just replaced my turbo, turbo pedestal and up-pipes and that fixed it but now I'm leaking from the oil cooler. I'm going to do an injector buzz test to see if I any of them are bad

[@PowerstrokeEconoline]

Sounds interesting! I haven't done an oil cooler but probably will sooner or later. I have pulled a set of injectors out but haven't put any in yet. Shoot me an email and let's chat: [e-mail]

[@InMyBrz]

IF you used that extended top as a mold to make more of them, you could make $$$

[@PowerstrokeEconoline]

Sure could, but I live in a studio apartment and don't have the facilities or desire to do glass layups.

[@laurafiler3760]

That's a good idea love it.

[@spokanefut]

@@PowerstrokeEconoline I'd buy one, I'm in Lacey. I used to do layup for a sailboat builder on Bainbridge.

[@dirtydogvideo]

do you think that liner was for structural strength for the van since the roof is cut out? cool video.

[@PowerstrokeEconoline]

I don't think so. The "roll cage" on the inner liner was barely attached to the van and wouldn't have provided any security in an accident, or if a tree dropped on the roof. I think it was purely cosmetic.