How hard is it to convert 2x4 to 4x4?

[Deleted member 225824]

So I'm finding some really cool vehicles but they're not 4x4. With my lack of experience driving off road and in snow, 4x4 seems like a good idea. I know the advice has been a truck with a camper, and I get it and I'm pursuing that and I believe in the advantages. But I'm just wondering I've read some things but does that conversion only work for some vehicles?
Thanks for any suggestions advice thoughts!!

 

[Overdrive]

Anything can be converted with enough time and money...however, it really only makes sense to do it to a vehicle that was not offered that way from the factory. This is why full-size vans are common candidates. Most forum responses (this and others) will say just sell your 4x2 and buy a factory 4x4 if that's what you want.

 

[Deleted member 225824]

Anything can be converted with enough time and money...however, it really only makes sense to do it to a vehicle that was not offered that way from the factory. This is why full-size vans are common candidates. Most forum responses (this and others) will say just sell your 4x2 and buy a factory 4x4 if that's what you want.

Yeah. I've seen that. I'm looking at older RVs, shorties, that I doubt were ever offered 4x4 (guess). They would give me more space. I know it's not maybe the best "off road" vehicle idea but honestly my thoughts are, if done right, it's something certain groups of people are looking for, so it would be worth it. If you're open to it, I could convo with you and send you the vehicles I'm thinking of. Thanks

 

[Herbie]

There are a lot of compromises to sort through on this question - and almost all of them can be settled by deciding on your budget first.

Used to be that you could put a nice round number of about $10,000 to convert a 2WD fullsize van to 4x4. These days, that number is realistically quite a bit higher, unless you're doing the work yourself. If that works with your budget, great. If not, then I'd start looking to alternate solutions.

There's precisely one reason we've stuffed a family of three people into a "midsize" Astro van: the AWD->4x4 conversion cost me ~$500.
That gets offset in other ways - namely we absolutely NEEDED a pop-top if we're going to sleep three people, and we have a van that's a bit more cozy than we might like. But compromises are how you solve problems.

 

[Overdrive]

Yeah. I've seen that. I'm looking at older RVs, shorties, that I doubt were ever offered 4x4 (guess). They would give me more space. I know it's not maybe the best "off road" vehicle idea but honestly my thoughts are, if done right, it's something certain groups of people are looking for, so it would be worth it. If you're open to it, I could convo with you and send you the vehicles I'm thinking of. Thanks

I'd be glad to give you my $.02 on whatever you are considering privately (PM me), but I'm no mechanic...just an older guy who's had all the same questions over the last 40+ years that you now have.

A MAJOR thing to consider...assuming you wouldn't be doing the conversion yourself...is the expertise and capabilities of the shop doing the conversion. If/when problems crop up with the conversion, will you be able to take it back to them--or are you on the other side of the country-- and will they stand behind their work? Or point fingers at "things beyond their control" such as junkyard/used parts necessarily used in the "older RV's" you mention (new parts being "not the right fit").

Herbie's example above is one of the exceptions to my above paragraph. His was a quick and easy change of just the transfer case, I believe.. much easier than adding in a whole front axle assembly. But that's because he started with something that was AWD from the factory.

 

[marret]

Figure about $25k to convert an E-series or GM van if paying someone, including Class B or Cs.

I know both UJoint and Weldtec Designs have converted RVs. UJoint is no longer converting vans prior to 2000. There are a few companies who will do the conversion. Check out the van forum.

Some of this was recently discussed:
https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/alternatives-to-ujor-for-ford-4x4-conversion.219921/

 

[Hodor]

You can use the search function and Google to answer almost every single question you keep posting topics for. It's impolite to clog the classifieds section with constant questions regarding every thought you have about vehicles

 

[billiebob]

So I'm finding some really cool vehicles but they're not 4x4. With my lack of experience driving off road and in snow, 4x4 seems like a good idea. I know the advice has been a truck with a camper, and I get it and I'm pursuing that and I believe in the advantages. But I'm just wondering I've read some things but does that conversion only work for some vehicles?
Thanks for any suggestions advice thoughts!!

almost every 4x4 full size van is a conversion
lots of guys have bolted on pickup 4x4 gear to anything with a full frame
but converting a modern unibody offers exponential complication to adding a driven front axle or even worse, a driven rear axle

Cost wise, virtually no 4x4 conversion is the economical way to get a 4WD
The cheap way to get a 4x4 conversion is to buy a used one already done

 

[billiebob]

I'm finding some really cool vehicles but they're not 4x4

enlighten us..... what are these cool vehicles

 

[AbleGuy]

. . . But compromises are how you solve problems.

?? Ageless and priceless advice Herbie ??

 

[Deleted member 225824]

enlighten us..... what are these cool vehicles

K, maybe I'm showing my age.. but these are super cool to me. And would be great size wise. I do have the funds to make um 4x4, one day
Here's one..

1989 Toyota Winnebago Warrior - 6 cylinder, automatic, low mileage!...

Hello, Listing my 1989 Toyota Winnebago Warrior with only 55,639 miles. This is the sought after 6...

losangeles.craigslist.org

 

[Deleted member 225824]

You can use the search function and Google to answer almost every single question you keep posting topics for. It's impolite to clog the classifieds section with constant questions regarding every thought you have about vehicles

Ok. I hear you. Someone suggested a thread of my own and I will figure that out.
My apologies.

 

[68camaro]

K, maybe I'm showing my age.. but these are super cool to me. And would be great size wise. I do have the funds to make um 4x4, one day
Here's one..

1989 Toyota Winnebago Warrior - 6 cylinder, automatic, low mileage!...

Hello, Listing my 1989 Toyota Winnebago Warrior with only 55,639 miles. This is the sought after 6...

losangeles.craigslist.org

Michelle, I have a 2001 camper on e-350 platform similar to camper you list. I looked at adding a 4x4 and to get it done properly from trustworthy company I found they all wanted low to mid 20's, plus tires. 4x4 conversions are easy to screw up and if not done properly the results are a nightmare to get right. You might be able to save 8-10k if you find 4x4 donor vehicle and have someone convert but you must make sure shop can do it successfully.

Since I am on east coast the height and weight of vehicle in our tight forest service roads are bigger obstacle than not having 4x4. So instead of 4x4, I had 4.5" lift added, suspension upgrades and bigger tires. With Ujoint front bumper and winch, plus a little experience and knowledge I can get to where I want to go. Again on east coast height and clearance is biggest issue. 2x4 lifted drives great on highways and I regularly drive 8-10 hours each way to spend one day fishing....LOL.

 

[AbleGuy]

Ok. I hear you. Someone suggested a thread of my own and I will figure that out.
My apologies.

Since there seem to be several related threads involving these “need help finding the right rig for me” inquiries, maybe the mods can collapse all of these into one all inclusive thread?

 

[Herbie]

Herbie's example above is one of the exceptions to my above paragraph. His was a quick and easy change of just the transfer case, I believe.. much easier than adding in a whole front axle assembly. But that's because he started with something that was AWD from the factory.

Exactly. I had to chose between a smaller rig with a well-documented path to easy 4x4 conversion, or a bigger rig with more camp/living options but a much steeper price-of-entry for any 4x4 work. Doing my research up front and making careful selection of "architecture" right at the outset was critical to our success.