4wd conversion questions, ramblings..

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Tamper84

New member
Hello All,

I found this place a while ago, just stopping by to say hi!! But I have been reading about 4wd vans for a long time now. Always wanted one, just kinda never went out and started to make one!!! But I do have a couple of questions, why does it seem that the Fords seem more popular for 4x4 conversions? I'm not brand loyal any more (used to be a die hard Ford guy), but Chevy parts are available any where and seem to be a dime a dozen lol. Also who all drives their van for your daily driver? If I would start to build one, it would be my daily driver.

I have been thinking of starting with a conversion van and going from there. Build like a combo vehicle, not nessicarly exclusive for camping, but also be able to be used to haul stuff. Esp, if there is enough room for a 4x8 sheet of plywood etc. I have thought, if I do start with a conversion van, I could move the rear most seats, which seem to usually be a bed, and move it forward. Do away with the other seats (leave the driver and passenger seats alone of course) and have a little truck inside as well. What are your all thoughts with my ideas?

Thank you,
Chris
 
T

Tamper84

New member
I knew I forgot to add something. A camper is in the works as well. I have plans for a tear drop.

Thanks,
Chris
 
Snowgeek135

Snowgeek135

Observer
My van is a little different than what you are thinking off (lifted awd chevy astro) but i do use is as a partial daily driver... Probably drive it 3 days a week. From my lurking around the big vans it seems that the ford is the easiest to convert, while i am a little lacking in my knowledge i think this is due to the ease of the conversion suspension. Do some looking around the u-joint offroad page, he chimes in here a lot and is the wizard of 4x4 conversions.

Ryan
 
ujoint

ujoint

Supporting Sponsor
Welcome to ExPo! The GM chassis is harder to deal with, and a majority of them are unibody so there's no frame to mount anything too. For the GM's that do have a frame, the coil buckets are in the way so most conversions you see will have a spring under suspension or a ton of lift for diff clearance to the frame. The Ford coil buckets are outside the frame which frees up a ton of room. Since the van drivetrains are all offset to the pass side, a drivers side differential is needed and all Fords trucks have this.
 
4wheeldrivevan

4wheeldrivevan

Observer
With the price of gas being what it is my Ford E250 is strictly for camping and moving things. I make six figures but I still can't justify 14 MPG when my other cars all get 25 mpg or better.
My van sees about 6 camping trips a year and once a month I need it to move something that won't fit in a car.
 
T

Tamper84

New member
ujoint said:
Welcome to ExPo! The GM chassis is harder to deal with, and a majority of them are unibody so there's no frame to mount anything too. For the GM's that do have a frame, the coil buckets are in the way so most conversions you see will have a spring under suspension or a ton of lift for diff clearance to the frame. The Ford coil buckets are outside the frame which frees up a ton of room. Since the van drivetrains are all offset to the pass side, a drivers side differential is needed and all Fords trucks have this.
Click to expand...

Thank you for this!!! I didn't know that the drivetrains are offset like that! I know from the 80s to 97 (I think??) ford used that ttb suspension. Beside the newer super duties, what's years would you suggest for finding running gear? I would honestly like to convert a van that still has a carb. So older lol and I also like the 80s body styles too!!

And thanks for the videos on YouTube as well!! I have watch a lot of them!!!

Thanks,
Chris
 
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