Best Vehicle for Urban AND Wilderness Travel?

calicamper

Expedition Leader
You know this, but if SF is your urban environment then none of these will be fun. Well, I guess unless you find parking at 11am and don't move it. I feel like I'm trying to hand out fresh baby fur seal pelts when I look for parking around here.

We bought a 93 LandCruiser because it fit in standard length 180ish inch curb spots between driveways. We still have the SF place but now I have a 07 Sequoia and those few extra inches SUCK!!!! when SF parking. Which is why the Subaru was being used to haul away renovation stuff during projects. LOL
 

Art4med

New member
Why abandon the ambu?
Its stealthy, insulated, vented, exhausted, has inverter/charging conditioner, battery bank, heat/AC, storage galore ...and ghosts(?)
Can you tell how *I'd vote?
[Full disclosure: last week I found an ambu (in 4x4, diesel, 52kmi), starting build tomorrow.]
 
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uncompromise

Adventurer
sambot: The M1010 looks like a good option, although they are notoriously difficult to get your hands on, from what I've discovered in a few hours googling.

Petrolburner: The F350 Box Truck option sounds good. I've also been looking around and finding aluminum ambulance boxes that could mount to an F350/450/550 4x4 chassis as a fast way to get what I want with minimum interior build work necessary. I know that to add that sort of weight is probably going to require some modifications to the suspension, however. A standard 4x4 box/cube van is also a great idea given the interior height. Additionally, I've seen F350s with an aluminum flatbed in place of the in other

Art4med: The ambulance is the Class 1 van style, it's only about 5'7" internally, which is horrible for someone my height for any length of time. I also had to completely gut mine because the interior was in such bad condition, so I'm back to bare metal and looking at a complete refit. Happy to do the work if it's warranted, but it's a long way from my ideal solution.

I've also been seeing some interesting conversions done on step vans recently, with the same benefits as a box van - all aluminum construction, interior height, compact width and length. No chance of putting a 4x4 on it given the center of gravity, of course.
 

tgreening

Expedition Leader
Here ya go. Please. I'm itchin to buy this so bad it's stupid. A spiked cow-catcher for a front bumper and some bladed knee cappers on the wheels and I'd be PRAYING for the Zombie Apoc. :)

MegaStepVan_zpswn514b4k.jpg
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uncompromise

Adventurer
Here ya go. Please. I'm itchin to buy this so bad it's stupid. A spiked cow-catcher for a front bumper and some bladed knee cappers on the wheels and I'd be PRAYING for the Zombie Apoc.

As an Aussie I have a special place in my heart for anything that feels even remotely Mad Max. Saw this on eBay, but with a GVWR over 26,000 lbs there's not a snowflake's chance in hell I'll be buying it ....
 

Petrolburner

Explorer
I've also been seeing some interesting conversions done on step vans recently, with the same benefits as a box van - all aluminum construction, interior height, compact width and length. No chance of putting a 4x4 on it given the center of gravity, of course.

Huh? How is the CG of a step van any different from any of the other choices? I'd say the Ambulance has a higher CG just because of the box complexity and cabinets etc. Anyone with a steel roof rack and anything in it probably has a higher CG.
 

Lunchbox2

Explorer
Here ya go. Please. I'm itchin to buy this so bad it's stupid. A spiked cow-catcher for a front bumper and some bladed knee cappers on the wheels and I'd be PRAYING for the Zombie Apoc. :)

MegaStepVan_zpswn514b4k.jpg
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This thing is so bad-***! I'm building a mad-max(ish) style van myself, this was my solution for an urban/wilderness adventure vehicle. It's definitely a frankenstein build.... I can't wait to get this evil thing on the road

 
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wildorange

Observer
@lunchbox2

Love the ground clearance on that van and interesting project, although I can't help thinking it reminds me like it's between a Scooby do & A-Team wagon mate ;-)
 

uncompromise

Adventurer
Huh? How is the CG of a step van any different from any of the other choices? I'd say the Ambulance has a higher CG just because of the box complexity and cabinets etc. Anyone with a steel roof rack and anything in it probably has a higher CG.

Good points. I haven't seen many 4x4 conversions on step-vans, so I made an assumption as to why. They make for a pretty compelling build out given their construction.
 

borison

Adventurer
@lunchbox2

Love the ground clearance on that van and interesting project, although I can't help thinking it reminds me like it's between a Scooby do & A-Team wagon mate ;-)

The Mystery Machine and A-Team vans were the coolest of the day, BUT they weren't 4X4! The lunch box rox!
 
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uncompromise

Adventurer
Love the scooby van!

So i just had this guy contact me about a truck he's trying to move on. It's not a 4x4, which gives me pause, and is over 10,000 GVWR which requires a commercial registration in California. BUT, it's already insulated, has plenty of standing room, is low miles, passed SMOG, and is coming from a wholesale dealer.

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Not so great on the stealth factor, but as I've said, that's becoming less of a concern. The standing height I'm realizing is really important. I sometimes spend hours at my computer, and I'd much rather be standing than sitting. Also, having travelled extensively and lived out of a 4x4 Troopy in Australia for extended periods, I realize how important it is to be able to stand up, especially if you happen to get caught in terrible weather.

He's looking for $6,000

New Tires, New Shocks, Drivetrain in great condition and maintained regularly
Fuel Injected 351ci/5.8L Engine coupled to a Heavy Duty C-6 Automatic and Dual Rear Wheels.
Low Floor for Easy Loading and 6.5 foot Interior Height.
Inside Dimensions: Height 6.5 ft, Width 7.5 ft, Length 12 ft


Any thoughts on this?
 

tgreening

Expedition Leader
The EMERGENCY beastie up there in post #22 sold for $5,600. It took an AMAZING level of restraint to not go after that. Well, that and fear of my wife's formidable skills with a sushi knife, but dayyyum it was hard. I love oddball 4x crap like that.
 

Art4med

New member
@uncompromise: I took down two panels of my Wheeled Coach ambu (1996 K3500 cab and chassis, 6.5L 4x4 dually ambulance), to find no radiant or moisture barriers, displaced or inadequate insulation. Seems a lot of wasted space, too-- and *I'll need every inch!
Also, a mid-ceiling wiring harness that precludes popping the top without moving/rewiring.
I'll be stripping to confirm and refit: a bit more work than anticipated!
Will also be replacing exhaust to >4" dia, and lowering the floor.
 

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