Peace everyone, I'm brand new to the forums, I can't even say I was much of a lurker either. I just recently purchased a new to me 1999 E350 240k. I have been wanting one of these for years now, mainly to have a family adventure van.

A deal came up on marketplace that would have been irresponsible for me to pass up. I picked it up from a lady who had a camper van build in it. I would like to piece the interior back together and find either all bench seats, or benches and a few captain chairs. The kicker is the engine blew a spark plug #6 which after researching it seems to be a design flaw with the triton motors. Anyway, I feel like it would be a great intro into the platform. I bought it yesterday and today I was able to get all of the camper build stuff out and give the floors a solid clean. I was excited to join another forum so I took plenty of pictures for y'all. any advice would be appreciated

Rite now Im wondering about...
Replacing the rear passenger side door?
Replacing the interior trim? (she cut alot of the trim)
Installing seat belts.
Suggestions on blown spark plug #6 repair (the threads wont bite)

Thanks for looking

 

If ,,, you want to, get a fiberglass repair kit and you can easily repair the rusted problem with the door. It is quicker and cheaper to repair it, then to replace the door..

You could get an estimate of what a body shop would charge to repair and paint the door. That might help you make a good decision.

 

Thanks ill look into it... the main reason is that window... I thought if i can find a door at the junkyard it would be relatively easy, but i will look into getting a new window.

 

OK, that window glass is held in place by the rubber seal that goes around it. It appears to be missing.

This is what I would do,

First see if a dealership has or can get you that rubber seal. If they cannot help , try an automotive glass place, either they can install it or you can, it is not difficult at all.
I can tell you exactly how to install the seal, then the glass and you would be done in 15 minutes.
The only tool you would need is a can of WD40 and a small putty knife to slide the rubber around the glass. Don't remember , some also had a filler rubber strip that you slid in place to secure the glass, no big deal.
A little tip,,,,,,,keep an eye on the front brake pads
.Fords then, did not have squealers to alert you pad replacement was required and if gone long enough , rotor replacement was an addl expense that can be avoided.
Sometimes the cost to replace rotors came close to having them cut and trued.
Don't get fooled thinking you can get away with just pads, because the rotors do develop a taper and new pads do not make the best full contact when brakes are applied.
Those vehicles when properly maintained can and DO provide very good service.With Fords, OEM , dealer, certain parts provide , in my experience, many times better service and longevity.

 

Man I appreciate the advice! I am pretty confident i can do the window and seals myself. I generally do brakes and rotors when i get a project car... unless they are in really good condition.

 

The vehicle seems to be in pretty good condition otherwise. Sounds like you have it all under control.

 

Plenty on eBay, used around $60, brand new around $82 like this. You want OEM used in poor condition or brand new aftermarket at your choice. You just need to buy the hardware bolt here and hexagon nut from any hardware store separately.
The one you have on your van you can tell it's not even the correct shape, way too small without the tint, and uneven cut on the bottom.

Installing the new one should take 5 minutes. What takes time the most is cleaning the leftover adhesive mess from the existing one.

 

Thanks for the knowledge... and ya whoever did that window looks like they used guerilla glue around the seems. there is also glue on my headliner that i will be attempting to clean.

 

If you decide to replace the whole right door, it should be around $150 to $200 at the junk yard, and the window is included, so you might want to hold on to just the window.
You have a 99 E350 passenger van, and I have a 98 E150 cargo van. Yours looks so clean on the body and you make me so jealous.
I notice you have a phone mount at the vent, I don't recommend that sooner or later your air vent is going to break. Instead you should get something like this:


from aliexpress, I am using this without the holder that came with it and into my cigar port (the bottom), not the power port (on top), I'm using a different holder, what I care from this one is the universal ball mount on the back of the holder, and the flexible neck is actually very sturdy. Note on our vans both cigar and power ports have always-on 12V power, so on the cigar port I modified it to have switched power because there is a blue LED indicator (draining your battery) on where the extra USB-A plug is.

Check the thread carefully and see how deep is bad, use thread chaser kit (to clean and repair) if at all possible, or else you have to use tap and die to cut rethread it.

What I'd do first is to change the transmission fluid and filter, very first thing on this van.

 

Thanks, The van body is pretty clean, maybe my cleanest project car yet... i cant wait to polish her and see what it looks like. The lady I got it from actually glued the phone holder to the vent smh.

I did check the threads and could see them with my endoscope but i couldnt get the threads to catch so i have already ordered the Calvans repair kit.

and your rite i should do fluids first, thanks for the reminder.