Hackopotomus
Observer
I am kind of transitioning from more hard core off roading to overlanding, wanting to do longer trips and camping. I don't want to do the tent thing nor do I want a RTT (don't want to have to climb a ladder or lift up my dog) and want to sleep in the back of whatever rig I build. It would be just me and my 50# dog.
My sister has a VW Vanagon Wesfalia which I drove recently and it was very fun. Hers has a Jetta engine conversion so it wasn't terribly slow. I don't think I'd need a Westfalia and a regular Vanagon would do. However, they are a bit pricey and I'd have to convert the engine to a Subbie or something with more power. They also don't really have any towing ability.
I looked at this '56 Chevy panel truck yesterday. The guy wanted to trade for one of my 4x4 quads. I' a hot rod guy (I have a few old cars) so this thing appeals to me and I think I could build a cool rig out of it although it has a little less room inside than a van.
I considered an early American van too. Had a few custom vans in the 70's and it'd be fun to do another one up. Found a local 4x4 van for only $2800 asking price. Of course I'd end up putting a lot more into it. What I really like about a van (or the panel) is the ability to just pull over somewhere and go to the back without having to get out.
I have two Jeep XJ's and a Chevy crew cab diesel 4x4 truck now. Both Jeeps are a bit more radical for overlanding. The tan one would not really be a candidate with no doors. The white one is built pretty nicely with 6" lift on long arms, lockers front and rear, etc. Incredible off road but gets a little squirrely above 65 MPH on the highway. I can sleep in the back but it is a bit small.
The Chevy is my tow rig but I have slept in the back before. It is an LTZ so fully loaded and now has a DEF delete, tuner, airbags with compressor. It could be a good candidate but the shell lacks head room. It has an RCD leveling kit so sits a little higher than stock but I can't run very large tires. I think maybe new shocks would help but now it feels like a paint shaker on washboard roads. I could go all out with a 6" lift and 34/35" tires. I've had full size trucks before with 6" lift and they rode well off road.
I could also go with a slide in camper although I don't like how big they are. There is also the option with going with a higher roof shell. I really like the popup campers but I feel they are way overpriced. I have toyed with the idea of removing the bed and building a custom Earth Roamer style camper with a pass through to the cab. That would be a pretty major undertaking and a bit costly but not out of the picture.
The downside of the truck of course is that it's rather large but I'm not sure how much of a hindrance that would be. I figure I'm going to be doing mostly dirt roads and light trails, nothing too radical so maybe the size would not be an issue?
As far as budget, I don't really have one. I am retired so don't want to go too crazy. All my stuff is paid for so if I built the truck I'd sell the two Jeeps and use that money. Same if I went with a van or the panel truck (I'd keep the Chevy truck though).
Another factor is longer distance traveling. I'm in north west NV and would be doing some traveling all over the west and would also like to make a trip to the east coast this summer. It would be nice to be able to cruise at 70+ MPH without getting blasted off the road by trucks and angry car drivers!
So I guess with all this rambling I'd like some of your opinions on running a full size truck versus a van/panel truck or Jeep. For those with big trucks, have you ever wanted something smaller? How have they been for you on rougher roads? Stock or lifted? Anyone with a custom built camper on the back, preferably with a cab pass through? I'd really be interested in your experience and is the pass through worth it?
My sister has a VW Vanagon Wesfalia which I drove recently and it was very fun. Hers has a Jetta engine conversion so it wasn't terribly slow. I don't think I'd need a Westfalia and a regular Vanagon would do. However, they are a bit pricey and I'd have to convert the engine to a Subbie or something with more power. They also don't really have any towing ability.
I looked at this '56 Chevy panel truck yesterday. The guy wanted to trade for one of my 4x4 quads. I' a hot rod guy (I have a few old cars) so this thing appeals to me and I think I could build a cool rig out of it although it has a little less room inside than a van.
I considered an early American van too. Had a few custom vans in the 70's and it'd be fun to do another one up. Found a local 4x4 van for only $2800 asking price. Of course I'd end up putting a lot more into it. What I really like about a van (or the panel) is the ability to just pull over somewhere and go to the back without having to get out.
I have two Jeep XJ's and a Chevy crew cab diesel 4x4 truck now. Both Jeeps are a bit more radical for overlanding. The tan one would not really be a candidate with no doors. The white one is built pretty nicely with 6" lift on long arms, lockers front and rear, etc. Incredible off road but gets a little squirrely above 65 MPH on the highway. I can sleep in the back but it is a bit small.
The Chevy is my tow rig but I have slept in the back before. It is an LTZ so fully loaded and now has a DEF delete, tuner, airbags with compressor. It could be a good candidate but the shell lacks head room. It has an RCD leveling kit so sits a little higher than stock but I can't run very large tires. I think maybe new shocks would help but now it feels like a paint shaker on washboard roads. I could go all out with a 6" lift and 34/35" tires. I've had full size trucks before with 6" lift and they rode well off road.
I could also go with a slide in camper although I don't like how big they are. There is also the option with going with a higher roof shell. I really like the popup campers but I feel they are way overpriced. I have toyed with the idea of removing the bed and building a custom Earth Roamer style camper with a pass through to the cab. That would be a pretty major undertaking and a bit costly but not out of the picture.
The downside of the truck of course is that it's rather large but I'm not sure how much of a hindrance that would be. I figure I'm going to be doing mostly dirt roads and light trails, nothing too radical so maybe the size would not be an issue?
As far as budget, I don't really have one. I am retired so don't want to go too crazy. All my stuff is paid for so if I built the truck I'd sell the two Jeeps and use that money. Same if I went with a van or the panel truck (I'd keep the Chevy truck though).
Another factor is longer distance traveling. I'm in north west NV and would be doing some traveling all over the west and would also like to make a trip to the east coast this summer. It would be nice to be able to cruise at 70+ MPH without getting blasted off the road by trucks and angry car drivers!
So I guess with all this rambling I'd like some of your opinions on running a full size truck versus a van/panel truck or Jeep. For those with big trucks, have you ever wanted something smaller? How have they been for you on rougher roads? Stock or lifted? Anyone with a custom built camper on the back, preferably with a cab pass through? I'd really be interested in your experience and is the pass through worth it?
