Ford started showing additional information for E-350, E-450, F-53 and F-59 Stripped Chassis on their web site. Interesting enough they haven’t updated the E-350 and E-450 Cutaway information yet.
Regarding the E-350 and E-450 Stripped Chassis, pictures show the new engine seems significantly smaller than V10 even though larger in displacement.
The battery location is shown by front passenger corner, but the Body Builders Layout Book shows that when equipped with optional dual batteries, they are located just outside of passenger-side frame rail at about center of wheelbase. This could eliminate the difficulty in getting to Axis and Vegas chassis/starting battery. However, batteries outside of frame rail could interfere with outside storage compartments.
Lastly, new specs show that the 7.3L V8 in E-350/450 will have dual alternator option, whereas it does not show that option for the F-53 motorhome Stripped Chassis. For newer motorhomes that are incorporating greater house battery capacity, I think the 397 Amp combined alternator capacity could be a real plus, particularly if cost is well under $1,000 as I expect.
P.S. — Initially it looked like the steering column had been lowered so that driver would sit lower like in the Cutaway van, but I think it’s only an optical illusion. Too bad though, because a flat floor in smaller Class A could improve some floorplans IMO.
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