So I have secretly lusted over lifted and 4x4 Vans for several years and have finally been given the go ahead from the wife to build one! I thought I had my platform picked out, Ford Extended Body and converted with the U-Joint kit. After searching for the past few months I thought about exploring the Chevy side of the house. I then stumbled across Boulder Offroad and their 6" lift for AWD Chevy and GMC vans. Before I ask which is a better platform/performer I'll tell you a bit about what I intend to do with this future beast.
We are fairly avid campers/bikers/trail runners/hikers/OCR Racers, so Ideally we will use this rig to go in between events, camping up in the NH/VT/ME area, and occasionally the beaches here in RI and in MA. I will also be pulling a 12ft snowmobile trailer with two sleds or two ATV's depending on the season.
it won't be a primary vehicle, but it will likely see a lot of use. Not a lot of rugged terrain, mostly fire and logging roads, and the occasional off road jaunt to get to hunting locations.
As to the interior I want basic self contained camper with water, fresh and gray, sleeping for two, and a place to be out of the rain. I won't be doing a fridge, as I will put the Yeti in there, and I may of may not do heat down the road.
Mechanically I will be looking to do most of the labor myself. I've done multiple motor swaps, lifted and lowered numerous vehicles and modified every thing I've owned over the last 20 years. I'm actually looking forward to putting something on the lift and tearing through it over the winter.
I've had 4x4 vehicles jeeps and trucks so I know what to expect there, but is the Chevy AWD platform any good? If it is, how is it when lifted? As I said I don't envision any heavy trail duty with this rig, but I want to build a competent performer that can keep up with all of the stuff my wife and I do.
So all that being said any input or experience you guys could provide will be greatly appreciated!!!
We are fairly avid campers/bikers/trail runners/hikers/OCR Racers, so Ideally we will use this rig to go in between events, camping up in the NH/VT/ME area, and occasionally the beaches here in RI and in MA. I will also be pulling a 12ft snowmobile trailer with two sleds or two ATV's depending on the season.
it won't be a primary vehicle, but it will likely see a lot of use. Not a lot of rugged terrain, mostly fire and logging roads, and the occasional off road jaunt to get to hunting locations.
As to the interior I want basic self contained camper with water, fresh and gray, sleeping for two, and a place to be out of the rain. I won't be doing a fridge, as I will put the Yeti in there, and I may of may not do heat down the road.
Mechanically I will be looking to do most of the labor myself. I've done multiple motor swaps, lifted and lowered numerous vehicles and modified every thing I've owned over the last 20 years. I'm actually looking forward to putting something on the lift and tearing through it over the winter.
I've had 4x4 vehicles jeeps and trucks so I know what to expect there, but is the Chevy AWD platform any good? If it is, how is it when lifted? As I said I don't envision any heavy trail duty with this rig, but I want to build a competent performer that can keep up with all of the stuff my wife and I do.
So all that being said any input or experience you guys could provide will be greatly appreciated!!!