Looking for advice on a van build...

[dbhost]

I have had a bit of a setback, not a complete project killer for my truck camper build, but I need to build out a full size hi top van. Looking for one now. I tend to do a lot of beach driving, and while a 4x4 van is most likely out of my budget consideration, I am not beyond ripping body cladding kits, running boards and the like off, lifting a 2WD slightly in favor of some reasonable size tires etc...

What sort of fairly easy and simple mods can I do to help keep me from ending up in disaster beach driving say your typical Mark 3 / Econoline conversion van? (Or Express / Savanna etc...).

 

[simple]

Selectable locker, sand ladders, big winch, sand anchor, air compressor come to mind. Along with not adding a ton of extra weight but a full size with hi top will be pretty heavy to start with. At least when you bury it, it will only be the back end. Getting up the beach through the loose stuff will be thrilling none the less.

 

[ujoint]

Most beaches won't let you on unless you're 4wd, where do you frequent?

 

[Scotty D]

I do lots of beach driving in mexico in my awd express van with a locker
Could not be happier and the used prices are coming down pretty fast

 

[dbhost]

Most beaches won't let you on unless you're 4wd, where do you frequent?

Coastal TX. From Bolivar Peninsula to San Louis Pass.

 

[dbhost]

FWIW, I may have found the van in question. Not a dedicated hi top, but a Sportsmobile Penthouse roof. I am figuring 9K winch on a tray and receivers front and rear. (No sense in going with a permanent mount on only one end on the beach! Big shovel and spare wheel sand anchor if need be... Max Trax from the F150.

The incredibly stupid part of me is wondering how much it would cost to convert this old van to 4x4... The even dumber part went out and bought a Powerball ticket for tonight....

 

[vintageracer]

The even dumber part went out and bought a Powerball ticket for tonight....

How did that work out for ya?

 

[dbhost]

How did that work out for ya?

Considering Powerball rolled up to $291 Million, not as well as could be hoped. Considering my ticket won me $16.00, I can't complain too loudly.

All joking aside, I am wondering what a 4wd conversion would cost. Yes it is an old van, but have you seen the cost of new ones? It has the conversion I want, I REALLY dislike modern european style vans like the Transit, Sprinter, and particularly the Promaster. The engine on this van is 2 years old, trans is about 6 years old. Maintenance looks good on it. Only known issues is the house AC which is seemingly specific to Sportsmobile, doesn't cool all that well. I have one of those I know a guy deals though so not worried about that. Only hangup for me is it is a sliding door model instead of a swing out door. Not a lot of them made, and it kind of eliminates the ability to put a swing out table on the door and use it outside... Not a huge issue, but something of note... 4wd conversions are NOT cheap however. And it might just be better financially to give the existing van a slight lift, traction adding diff, some decent tires, a good selection of recovery equipment and keep my head about me driving...

 

[dbhost]

Selectable locker, sand ladders, big winch, sand anchor, air compressor come to mind. Along with not adding a ton of extra weight but a full size with hi top will be pretty heavy to start with. At least when you bury it, it will only be the back end. Getting up the beach through the loose stuff will be thrilling none the less.

I had to look up sand ladders. Never heard them called that before. But I have a set of traction boards, Maxtrax so should be reasonable there. Sand anchor, I have had a Pull Pal in years past and was VERY unimpressed in the sand. I found burying a spare tire vertically in the sand works a LOT better, still far from perfect. I plan on doing a mild lift / upsizing the tires just haven't decided how much. Definately want to go wide to get max floatation on the sand. Gears and diff will depend on how big rubber I decide to go with, but likely 33x12.50/17, maybe smaller diameter but definately 12" or wider rubber, in an all terrain tread. If I go with an ARB Air Locker, I will need a compressor for sure, will likely upsize that so it is useable for more than just the locker, like airing up once I get back to pavement... and do NOT drive on the loose sand!

 

[vintageracer]

All joking aside, I am wondering what a 4wd conversion would cost.

The sportsmobile you found. Ford or GM?

Either way figure $20K for a 4WD conversion. If it's a Ford van older than say 2003-2004 Ujoint will no longer convert it in their shop. Gotta buy a kit from Ujoint and DIY or hire someone for install.

If GM van the fella on the West Coast Aluminess quit doing 4WD conversion all together.

Yes their are others out there still doing conversions however that does not mean it's a good deal!

IF 4WD is that big a deal to you go buy a 4WD van already converted and then start you dream build. Cheaper, quicker and all around better van when you are done.

 

[dbhost]

The sportsmobile you found. Ford or GM?

Either way figure $20K for a 4WD conversion. If it's a Ford van older than say 2003-2004 Ujoint will no longer convert it in their shop. Gotta buy a kit from Ujoint and DIY or hire someone for install.

If GM van the fella on the West Coast Aluminess quit doing 4WD conversion all together.

Yes their are others out there still doing conversions however that does not mean it's a good deal!

IF 4WD is that big a deal to you go buy a 4WD van already converted and then start you dream build. Cheaper, quicker and all around better van when you are done.

It's a 93 E250 (Ford). I know there is a shop near me that will do the conversion but they are not common here... Used pre converted Sportsmobile outfitted vans, particularly with the Penthouse roof start at around $45K. Given the purchase price of this van I can likely do this build doing DIY twice over for that price... Or pull the gas engine out and do a Cummins swap and 4x4 conversion...