4x4 Van?

[Java]

just kicking around an idea, I recently saw a 4x4 van that got me dreaming...

What is the best van for a solid axle / 4x4 build?

on this page they have some 2x4 "pre-runner" ones too, which would possibly be a good place to start...
http://www.thundersgarage.com/how2geta4x4van.html

a local shop:
http://boulderoffroadvans.com/

[Coonburger]

funny to see this posted there is a guy that works at 4wheelparts that is doing a van build for a someone. ill have to ask through the grapevine and get ya specifics

[glacierpaul]

SportMobiles are sweet Ford 4X4 vans! I have seen some very nice set ups.

[Chris]

while getting a tire fixed in Moab I was admiring the county rescue van - lifted 4x4 van, diesel, dual winches, etc.

pretty interesting...

[Java]

Chris, that is the same van that got me thinking!!! :thumb: Also, I think I saw you when I saw it, we were driving north out of Moab in the AM and I thought I saw your truck parked on the right with the back of it facing the road. Who ever it was, if it was you, was putting something in the back. We went up a bit and turned around to say hi, but "you" were already gone. The van was in the lot, I saw it again at Canyonlands the next day.

[scout man]

If I remember, Patrolman was into 4x4 vans for a while. He might have some insight on this one! He is a guy that does his research!

[carpenle]

I also have dreamed about a 4x4 van. I really like the Ford with the 7.3 Diesel and the older short chevy's. I have owned several vans, never one with 4x4. Vans are great, because they have a built in tent.

[Chris]

Chris, that is the same van that got me thinking!!! :thumb: Also, I think I saw you when I saw it, we were driving north out of Moab in the AM and I thought I saw your truck parked on the right with the back of it facing the road. Who ever it was, if it was you, was putting something in the back. We went up a bit and turned around to say hi, but "you" were already gone. The van was in the lot, I saw it again at Canyonlands the next day.

That sounds like it was me Paul. I woke up to a flat and was getting it fixed while looking over the van. It sounds like you missed Rob by minutes too since he spotted me and stopped in.

[glacierpaul]

I am still kicking myself for trading in a Chevy 20 cargo van that was a 'Marlboro Van' used for live gigs and promotions. I could have easily converted it since it only had front seats. Hindsight is always 20/20....

[Funrover]

Vans are fantastic! I have looked at them myself. I have a friend up in Drake, CO that has a company http://coloradocampervan.com/ That he does 4x4 conversions, pop tops, etc etc etc... Go visit him and you will really want a van!

[Jim]

There is one of these, for sale, at the I-25 & ?Crossroads? exit - Loveland - one exit north of US-34.

[Patrolman]

Personally, I had the Toyota 4x4 van. It was an awesome rig. Seats for 7 plus storage, or convert it to a camper. They came in manual and automatic transmissions, but only the manual had the hi-low t-case. The automatic could be adapted. My manual tranny van did really well on the trail cleanup. It isn't a crawler, but did everything I asked of it.

When in Canyonlands, we saw a 4wd Ford Van with diesel, winch, etc. It was a newer model, and cost close to $100k new. Here is a similar model:
http://fiddletown.newlocalservices.com/95629/services/4x4-quigley-e350-ford-van-diesel-60-loaded-std-lenght_18364009.html

If you are patient, watch for an ambulance to go on sale from one of the mountain depts. They are most likely diesel, and most likely 4wd. It may need work, but probably not a ton of demand for them.

[RidgeRunner]

I've always thought these were nice: http://www.quigley4x4.com/Home.aspx

I think one would be really cool for an expedition/hunting rig. Can get you where you want to go, room to sleep, and pack out an animal.

Boulder Offroad does some pretty cool stuff. We did their their interior work at the upholstery shop I used to work at.

[Java]

aaron, that link is great, thanks!!

It looks to me like an E250 is the way to go, start with pre-runner and convert over time. I did find a few 4x4 vans on CL, and a ton of 2x4s. Not a very expensive project to get into, I may actually do this one.

[ctracy5]

Just to throw my 2 cents in. I saw a VW vanogan lifted on 31s with a turboed suburu motor that was pretty sweet. I guess there is a guy here in FoCo that mods them that way for people.

[Java]

I like the Toyota 4x4 and the VWs, but I want something that can tow, and something that parts are easy to find for. Ford or GM.

[ctracy5]

I like the Toyota 4x4 and the VWs, but I want something that can tow, and something that parts are easy to find for. Ford or GM.

VW is out then lol.

[RidgeRunner]

If I had the $, I'd want a Ford E350 with the 7.3. Then I could tow my 4Runner behind it!

[Heather]

We saw this in Moab (is this what you guys were talking about? This was in front of Chip's when we were getting a spare replaced.). Could get into a lot of trouble with it:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fPpfO5nU4Vs/UYCk0LDkYtI/AAAAAAAATCA/2PnDi0W_KVA/s512/IMG_3295.JPG

[carpenle]

I like this one http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/3744642732.html

[gm4x4lover]

Man those things are pricey but 11k for something that wont run or start.

[zukrider]

one of the cooler builds! http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/55074-UJOR-Build-Thread/page145

this guy does awesome work, and he offers a "kit" for vans. look him up, www.ujointoffroad.com (http://www.ujointoffroad.com/)


spend lots of time here, http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/forums/58-4wd-Camper-Vans

[carpenle]

That is a ton of money for a non running van. I did not read the whole thing. :oops:

[Max]

http://forums.fourwheeler.com/70/8786874/gmc-trucks/4x4-van-conversion

[Funrover]

one of the cooler builds! http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/55074-UJOR-Build-Thread/page145

this guy does awesome work, and he offers a "kit" for vans. look him up, www.ujointoffroad.com (http://www.ujointoffroad.com/)


spend lots of time here, http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/forums/58-4wd-Camper-Vans

So many great builds on there. So many types also.


Here is some from Colorado Campervan. Being used even!

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/78882-Got-to-play-a-little-bit-this-weekend

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/79653-Holy-vanporn-batman

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/78365-CCV-low-profile-pop-top

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/77622-Finally-I-got-out-to-play!-trail-report

And this last one is an OLD thread, but you get to see some of the work it takes!

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/53703-New-project

[Java]

I've been looking at these for a few days now and it seems like for just pure wheeling you really couldn't make a worse choice for a platform, but for a camping / tow rig I think they're awesome and I'm seriously considering it. Vans are cheap on CL! I think if I do it it will be a slightly lifted 2wd with a rear locker and Hankook Dynapro AT tires, and not too much else. for the places I think I'd take it that would cover it, and I'd focus on making it comfortable on the inside, storage, huge roof rack, lights, water, shower, things like that. 4wd conversions are expensive!! prohibitively so for me, I don't think the reward is worth the cost for what I would do with it, and considering I already have a Jeep it could tow it makes even less sense (for me!).

[zukrider]

thats a good plan paul, make sure to go with an Elk killer front bumper and a winch for "just in case"! i really want to do something simmilar, but the wife is less than sold!