Chinook RV

Thanks go to Blue~Go for the idea and inspiration to proceed with this plan, as well as others who encouraged me to do this instead of performing a standard brake job that would have cost almost the same amount, I finally had the upgrade done.

Here is some important information with part numbers for those who may want to do this in the future.

My rig is a 2000 E-350. The upgraded front end came from a 2019 E-450, sourced from John, the owner of Quadvan in Portland.

He no longer does the upgrade in his shop due to the high demand of his 4x4 conversions. He has enlisted the services of Les Schwab in Portland to do this conversion by a long time experienced mechanic who was highly recommended by him. I'm sure that it could be done elsewhere as well, but I was not charged to transport it to the shop, and I took him at his word.

I did ask at Les Schwab how many they had done so far, and it was only once, so I am the second upgrade they did.

I took about 7 hours and then an alignment.

The front end came with new Bilstein shocks and Ford OEM steering dampener. We reused my springs and wheels.

We could not use the OEM anti sway bar, so I had to research which Roadmaster I needed. The one for 2008-2019 E-450's is RM 1139-176.

I was about to order that but found out that it doesn't come with end links. The E-350 doesn't have them, and Quadvan could sell me the standard end links if I wanted. Roadmaster told me that the standard ones are thinner aluminum and that emergency vehicle companies would complain that they would fail when driven hard. There is a kit that comes with thicker steel end links, so I bought that kit. It is RM 1139-189 (which is the 176 with beefier end links included).

John at Quadvan said that we could reuse the bushing brackets, so I did not order those. I found out later that there are actually two sizes of those U shaped bushing brackets: B140 is 3 1/4" and B141 is 4 1/4". The OEM on our rigs is the shorter B140. John was called because the blue poly bushings that came with the kit were longer than the OEM brackets. He said they merely cut off an inch off the poly bushing and torque it down with no problems. I called Roadmaster to make sure, and they said it wouldn't make a difference. I was concerned because I figure that if the system was designed with that size, then it should be used that way. I guess time will tell.

I drove three hours back home, and I have to say that the left to right sway on curves is very much diminished. I still got battered by high winds, but better control than before. I think I'm going to get the rear done with Roadmaster as well. It would be for the standard 2000 E-350 rear end, RM 1139-117. I asked about harshness with it, and they said it should not affect harshness, just left to right sway.

The braking is way improved as well, with the beefier set up from the E-450. I didn't feel panicked while braking and having to really push hard on them to stop. This feels just great! So, I'm glad I did this, and I wanted to share the part numbers with the forum so a future owner wouldn't have to guess about parts as I did.

A few pics of the front end...

The poly bushings that were shortened about an inch are blue.

The beefier steel end links are red.

Interesting update, thanks for posting the details.

I believe my new front end is from an E-350 van (when I got it in 2014 there still were new E-350 vans whereas there are not now), so I don't think I had all of the differences. Aren't those brakes just peachy? I'm used to them by now, so I just expect the Chinook to stop normally.

Just as a point of interest, mine was done in about 3-4 hours including both Roadmaster bars (not including me going back and us experimenting with the rear bar). But then that's what he does; I imagine your tech would be faster after a few hundred of them...

I very most definitely had increased harshness with the Roadmaster rear bar. That doesn't mean you will, but it does happen.

I drove the same road back from Quadvan that I took to get there (was staying at a friend's about 45 minutes away). On the way back stuff was rattling around that had NEVER done so. But, you say, you also had the new front end, and the front Roadmaster bar! That's true but then I drove BACK to Quadvan and he removed the rear bar (but left the rest of the new mods) and it was back to normal. I also had him remove the front Roadmaster bar and put the stock Ford front bar on just to see, and that didn't make any difference (so I kept the front Roadmaster bar because no negative effects but plenty of good ones).

There was a perfect set of railroad tracks not far from his shop for that secondary testing

I don't have the Mor-Ryde and I think you do, so that may make a difference. I just don't think "there's never any issue."

The way I solved mine was to go to a stock E-450 rear bar. That's about halfway as "strong" as the Roadmaster bar and it gave me a good compromise between anti-sway-bar goodness and smooth ride. I wouldn't be without it. If the rear Roadmaster bar doesn't increase harshness, I'm sure you'll love it. If you do go for an E-450 bar, note that it has to be one from a dually. I also bought new bushings, etc. for it.

Thanks Blue.
The E350 was pretty much ended in 2015 except for commercial vehicles, from what I was told. The difference between the newer than 2008 350 and the 450 is the differential gear ratio (4:10 to 4:56 I believe), and the frame. The other front suspension parts are pretty much interchangeable, so that's why it works and was ok'd by John. Your 2014 E350 front end should probably be the same as my 2019 E450 front end. But I'm no mechanic so I'm not 100% sure. There could be very slight differences.
I do like the less sway and the braking now though.
I have noticed a small knock or bump that seems to be coming from the front right side when I steer extremely to the left and when I go over a driveway. Also, the steering wheel is slightly turned to the right. I called Mark, the mechanic at Les Schwab who did the work, and asked him about it.
He said that he had noticed the steering wheel was a little left so he adjusted the toe and may have done it a little much, and to wait two weeks until things settled in before doing something. Also, the bump could be the OEM Ford dampener making noise or the coil springs still settling in, so wait on that as well for now.
We will see.

I am confused about what you are replacing... Is it I beams? bigger disk brakes including spindles? Are you replacing drag link, tie rods, What exactly? Can you use the same dually front rims with the bigger brakes? Thank you. Mark in San Diego

I think the thread might be more aptly titled "Post-2007 improved front end upgrade." It's more about that than it is about E-350 vs. E-450.

The 2007 and older E-350 front end seemed to be similar to my E-250. Certainly the brakes did. Newer ones are improved (in 2008) and I think basically the same as the E-450.

I asked (back in 2014) a knowledgable friend what he would suggest to improve my brakes, and he said if it were him he'd do a new "take off" front end at Quadvan (in fact he had - and he runs a beefed up 1999 E-350 towing heavy). So I did. 2014 E-350 front end in 2014. Great upgrade and seemed like a good value.

The 2014 (basically 2008-and-newer) E-350 front brakes are massive compared to the prior ones. And Ford made other suspension improvements as well (not sure the terms, but many parts looked a bit more up to the task).

Best part was I was able to have it done for around $1,000. That got me basically new *everything* but springs, shocks, and wheels (my stock wheels it just fine). So, the beefier brakes I wanted, plus basically all new front suspension parts/axle/etc. as a bonus.

I don't think there are any new take-off E-350 fronts anymore, so Astro went with the E-450. But they are very similar - maybe the same? (especially since he kept his E-350 springs). We still have different brake actuation though - that doesn't change (vacuum vs. hydraulic IIRC). But the main plus: Vast braking improvement! I'm still completely pleased in 2019.

Astro: Did you get a front end alignment? John had me do one right straight as I left his shop; I believe it was essential.

Here is a photo of what was taken off. I’m not sure of the names of some of the parts, but I do see the rotors, calipers, spindles, drag link?, I beams?, skinny sway bar, shocks, and dampener.
Yes, I am able to still use the same wheels and coils.
The improvement comes with the bigger brakes, all around improved parts and thicker sway bar.

Oh yes, I did get an alignment. That is where the mechanic told me he over adjusted the toe. It may need to be adjusted further if it doesn’t settle in a couple of weeks.

I just did this to mine, as well as installed the Weldtec Baja Grocery Getter kit. In regards to the all new post 2007 front end, BIG difference in stopping power. Since mine had 105k miles on it, it's comforting to know I have all new components as well, so should last many years.

Got mine from John as well, by the way. $600 plus $350 shipping to Texas through Uship.