How are these things off road

[Viggen]

So, I never thought I would say this but 4x4 vans are pretty damned cool. I saw one the other weekend (not a Sportsmobile or Quigley) that had a winch bumper, etc... and what were probably 33's. It brought up a couple questions: How good are these things off road? I am not talking serious stuff but something like Uwharrie or Rausch Creek? They look a bit tippy to me with what might be a high COG? Are there any short wheelbase options, as the one I saw would have happily transported a traditional Catholic (breeders) family (the overhang was prodigious)? The idea of being able to haul around my buddies on a camping trip, make a trip to the ORV area to wheel, and then be able to carry a good sized Home Depot load seems pretty incredible to me. Am I missing anything? I am pretty mechanically inclined and Craigslist is littered with vans it seems.

 

[bdog1]

You came to the right place! There great! Go get one.

PS that extended wheel base ends up with a good even weight balance front to rear. But yes, they tail drag.


Sent by wing, prayer & ATT

 

[ujoint]

I've never felt unsafe in any of mine, but everything has its limit. The Fords have one wheelbase (138") and two body styles (RB & EB) The extended body is 18" longer. Here's Vanaconda at a local off road park here in NC. It had an 8" lift on 38's.


And another with some hill climbs


We'll be shooting a new video soon all about on street handling & brakes, looking forward to that!

 

[Abitibi]

Really nice articulation on your vans Chris! Really looking forward to get your kit on mine.

Cheers
Mr. D


Sent from my iPorn using TapaChat

 

[Viggen]

I've never felt unsafe in any of mine, but everything has its limit. The Fords have one wheelbase (138") and two body styles (RB & EB) The extended body is 18" longer. Here's Vanaconda at a local off road park here in NC. It had an 8" lift on 38's.

Thats a little taller than I would want to go but it is good to see one doing something more than just fire road type trails. I am thinking local trails, ORV parks, and then trips out to Colorado to visit my sister and do some trails out there. You are running standard width full size axles?

 

[ujoint]

6" on 35's is perfect in my opinion. Good wheel travel, tightest turning radius and we can run a trac bar on the front. Things are too tight with the 4" lift. All of our parts are built around the 99-04 F250/F350 or Excursion F axle. Rear axle swaps are an option too, depends on the van specs and what it will be used for.

 

[ujoint]

Really nice articulation on your vans Chris! Really looking forward to get your kit on mine.

Cheers
Mr. D


Sent from my iPorn using TapaChat

Thanks! We're ready when you are!

 

[Viggen]

6" on 35's is perfect in my opinion. Good wheel travel, tightest turning radius and we can run a trac bar on the front. Things are too tight with the 4" lift. All of our parts are built around the 99-04 F250/F350 or Excursion F axle. Rear axle swaps are an option too, depends on the van specs and what it will be used for.

I just read through the FAQ section on your site. Great information. What makes 4" tight? Is it because of leaf clearance? Werent 99- 04 F series trucks coil sprung? Why can that not be run? What cab end did you use on your V4? Great stuff there.

 

[ujoint]

Clearance between the axle & engine x-member. We also can't run a longer pitman arm because it will hit the spring pack at full lock left.

V4 has the stock cab with a 12" cab back. It was an ambulance.

 

[Viggen]

Clearance between the axle & engine x-member. We also can't run a longer pitman arm because it will hit the spring pack at full lock left.

Is it the same as usual huge crossmember that Ford uses on all its trucks?

I really am thinking that this is the way to go instead of building another SUV up. I wish the Dodge vans were not unibody because I like the short wheelbase of those a little better. There are a ton of Fords for sale in my area, and many of them are windowed sides (which I would want).

 

[ujoint]

The van x-members have been the same for quite a while, I show how to trim them in my install video if you want to take a look.

 

[Chuck59]

Keep in mind we aren't a rock crawling or mud bogging group here. This is an Overlanding fraternity of folks. You and your rigs fit right in!

 

[Viggen]

Keep in mind we aren't a rock crawling or mud bogging group here. This is an Overlanding fraternity of folks. You and your rigs fit right in!

Yeah, I am not into rock crawling but do want something that could handle the greens and blues (and with sliders, skids, and ~34" tires, that is no big deal). I have gone through a bunch of different wagons/ SUVs and the more I look at it, slowly putting together a van might be the way to go.

 

[CrabbyMcNab]

6" on 35's is perfect in my opinion. Good wheel travel, tightest turning radius and we can run a trac bar on the front. Things are too tight with the 4" lift. All of our parts are built around the 99-04 F250/F350 or Excursion F axle. Rear axle swaps are an option too, depends on the van specs and what it will be used for.

Chris , when you say things are too tight with the 4 inch lift, is it just a Trac bar issue? Or is there more issues where you would recommend the 6 inch?

 

[ujoint]

With the crossover steering the trac bar has to sit up above the spring pack and my mounts are just too tall to have any decent travel. Thats all.