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Old 06-04-2020, 03:06 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 11
GVRW Help!!!!

Hey guys, our last bus fell through but we found another one it’s 2001 Ford E-350 7.3 diesel single rear wheel axel. With 252k for $3500 CAN, sounds pretty good until I dug a little deeper and found out it’s GVWR is only 9600lbs. Now I’m thinking we might come into some issues with the total weight of the conversion. Any insight would be great. Thanks!

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Old 06-09-2020, 05:21 PM   #2
Almost There
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 92
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas 4-Window
Chassis: 2003 Ford E350
Engine: 7.3L Powerstroke
Rated Cap: 6
I think you'll be pushing your luck on that... You'll have to count every gram during build out to leave yourself any room for cargo. The curb weight of the cutaway chassis was probably 5500lb before they even added the bus box. I would be very surprised if you have even 3000lbs to play with when it's fully gutted.

I've got a 2003 Thomas four-window on an E350 platform. GVWR is 11,500, and I'm still being very cautious with planning the build-out weight. Once I have it gutted, I will take if down to the truck stop scales for a "before" measurement.
FatBoySTL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2020, 05:44 PM   #3
Bus Crazy
 
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Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: pa
Posts: 2,498
Year: 98
Coachwork: 1. Corbeil & 2. Thomas
Chassis: 1 ford 1998 e350 4x4 7.3 2 mercedes 2004
Engine: 7.3 powerstroke & MBE906
Hi Jenelle,
If that is a Giradin body then it is mainly aluminum. very lightweight.
I have a 1997 e350 5 window thomas and a 2002 E350 5 window as well.
The chassis of the e350 and e450 are the same, The e450 have dually rear wheels and can take a little more weight. We use our with 2 kids and a dog , no bathroom, and are fine, The e350 single wheel are just wide enough to sleep in transverse direction, with me being 6ft02". The girardin is slightly wider.

If you build sensibly then I do not see a problem.. with the lower weight and less width it is easier to drive, park, faster, stops faster, better fuel economy and less wear on motor and tranny.
the 240 Kilometer if kilometer aznd not miles is not bad but not great either,
Check if the injectors were replaced and blowby, let them do a cylinder contribution test.

For the rest check for rust.
Good luck,
Johan
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