Outside Van (builder)

[Clutch]

Didn't know where to put this, since they convert various manufactures, not sure if this has been posted before.

Saw it on a MX forum.

http://www.outsidevan.com/

 

[Overland Hadley]

I have spent a fair amount of time looking through their website, it is some impressive stuff.

 

[bknudtsen]

Man! These guys have some great interior options! Not a fan of the neon and graphics, but their storage and sleeping platforms are pretty slick.

 

[Clutch]

@ bknudtsen: Yeah they are a bit blingy, find it a bit refreshing for some reason. Maybe khaki, olive drab, and white is getting a little overplayed, especially on here.

@ Overland Hadley: Kinda blows Sportsmobile out of the water, doncha think?

My buddy is in town this week, he has a nice diesel 4WD Ford Van, I can't stop thinking how practical it is for what sports I am into. Then stumbled on that website, oh the possibilities.

Wouldn't mind a 4WD version of one of their Chevy's. Thinking a GTRV style poptop, to have a sleeping area over top of the dirtbikes, or other equipment. Would
be a nice "compact" toyhauler.

 

[OVRLND]

I saw one in person and had the opportunity to take a good look at it. It was the owner's demonstration vehicle that was just passed on to a 'preferred' client. It was very slick, and I was told the company and designs keep evolving as new ideas come in.

Unfortunately, at the time, I was picking up my (new to me) Tiger CX...

 

[bknudtsen]

What I like best is the modularity of their installs. I will be using a variation of the swing down lightweight bunk platform in my build. It's nice to see how they incorporated the Versa-track into the mounting points for the sleeping platforms. It's definitely more of a cutting edge feel than Sportsmobile's built-in RV feel. Both are quality companies, but Outside Van has a more innovative approach, IMHO.

@Kermit. Without getting into the whole Ford vs. Chevy thing, the Ford platform is much easier and cheaper to convert to 4wd, if you are able to do it yourself, AND want/need a 1-ton chassis/diesel option. I am going with a UJOR kit this Spring, so I may be biased a bit. However, I can't deny the awesomeness of that black Boulder Offroad Chevy Van.

Brad

 

[Clutch]

What I like best is the modularity of their installs. I will be using a variation of the swing down lightweight bunk platform in my build. It's nice to see how they incorporated the Vesa-track into the mounting points for the sleeping platforms. It's definitely more of a cutting edge feel than Sportsmobile's built-in RV feel. Both are quality companies, but Outside Van has a more innovative approach, IMHO.

Yeah, I am really diggin' the simplicity of their interiors, be real easy replicate. I need something super simple that I can hose out after hauling muddy dirt bikes, than full on RV with built ins.

@Kermit. Without getting into the whole Ford vs. Chevy thing, the Ford platform is much easier and cheaper to convert to 4wd, if you are able to do it yourself, AND want/need a 1-ton chassis/diesel option. I am going with a UJOR kit this Spring, so I may be biased a bit. However, I can't deny the awesomeness of that black Boulder Offroad Chevy Van.

Brad

Yeah, I am not a brand loyalist...no need to go down the road on which is better.

True they are a little harder to lift, other than the 7.3, I trust the Duramax just a bit over the Ford diesels, also like the rear axle placement on the extended version, plus the doghouse doesn't stick out as far. We had both Ford and Chevy's in our work fleet...each has their pros and cons. The current Chevys the ergonomics seem to fit me a little better. So the 4WD install would be a bit harder, but the day to day use would be better.

Like this option too.

 

[bknudtsen]

Yeah, no worries on brands here either. I am just pragmatic about ease of conversion. I had worries about the Ford 6.0 diesel too, and searched high and low for a decent 7.3. Ended up buying the low mileage 6.0 and proactively fixing all the usual suspect issues.

I don't believe that Chevy made an AWD van with the Duramax, but I don't see why you couldn't fab up some IFS suspesion mounts and use parts for a 1-ton Silverado. I do like that cargo version you posted. I had thought about deleting my rear-most windows on my van and doing some thing similar in the future. Only issue I have is that it will be so high up after my lift and tires go on.

Anyway, thanks again for the link. It was very helpful! This is what I think could be done in my van, but with a single level.

(Photos from Outside Van website)

 

[Clutch]

Yeah, no worries on brands here either. I am just pragmatic about ease of conversion. I had worries about the Ford 6.0 diesel too, and searched high and low for a decent 7.3. Ended up buying the low mileage 6.0 and proactively fixing all the usual suspect issues.

I don't believe that Chevy made an AWD van with the Duramax, but I don't see why you couldn't fab up some IFS suspesion mounts and use parts for a 1-ton Silverado. I do like that cargo version you posted. I had thought about deleting my rear-most windows on my van and doing some thing similar in the future. Only issue I have is that it will be so high up after my lift and tires go on.

Anyway, thanks again for the link. It was very helpful! This is what I think could be done in my van, but with a single level.

You're welcome. Yeah, I am getting a lot of ideas from their website, think I would use canvas on those swing down beds, so it is more like a cot.

Chevy didn't have the Duramax available in the AWD. Bummer.

I did get a chance to drive my buddy's Ford 6.0 over the weekend, ok I am hooked. While we did have vans in our fleet they were gassers and 2WD, never had the chance to actually test drive a 4WD diesel...so now I know. The diesel and the stiffer suspension sure made the van driving experience better, over our service vans. I believe his van has a Quigly conversion, which they fixed the problems with the Quiglys, he recently installed adjustable heims on the radius arms.



So now you have me thinking of Chevy vs Ford 4WD conversion, my dirt bike buddy said we could tackle the 4WD swap pretty easily using a truck front end. Or can we? Are the van frames much different than the trucks, as I am not seeing any people that go that route. Or is just easier to use a U-Joint kit? As you said, the Fords are waaay cheaper to found than the Chevy's, I do have a client who's son owns a very good diesel shop here. He thinks the 6.0's can be made reliable.

 

[bknudtsen]

Unless you have access to a good fab shop, a donor Chevy truck, and a bunch of excess $$$$, I don't see why you would not go with a U-Joint conversion. It's all but bolt-on... There are good 7.3 liter Ford vans still out there if you are patient. Otherwise, I agree with your client's son that the 6.0 can be made reliable with a few preventative mods. I documented those mods in my build thread. The key though, is starting with a lower mileage 2006-2009 6.0 liter that has been serviced regularly.

 

[Clutch]

I was going to do a solid axle conversion on the Chevy, still a lot of fab work though. Yeah a U-Joint kit is a no brainer, just like how the body is set up on the Chevy better, seems like the Fords are $10K cheaper at least glancing at the classifieds. Found a couple extended 6.0's for under $12K. Chevy's are running around $20K.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006...409?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3ccc99f471

Need to find one here in town so I can look over it personally.

I have been reading your build thread and learning about the 6.0's good info, thanks.

 

[bknudtsen]

The only advice that I can give regarding the layout is as follows;

Regardless of how an OEM sets up their interiors, frames, drivetrains, etc.... When you undertake a project with this scope, you will end up changing things, even several times. For example, I wanted a vehicle with a trimmed out interior and a headliner. I thought it would save time during the interior build. Problem is... the headliner interfers with installing an exhaust fan, and the stock interior panels get in the way of the cargo area. Conversely, a stripped down cargo van will need all sorts of bits and pieces, whether sourced OEM parts, or fabbed yourself. These issues are not brand specific. I've spent a lot of money on vehicles in my 25 years of driving, but it was not until I got my Ford Van that I based my decisions on what was cost effective. Previously, it was based on cool factor, brand loyalty, or uniquenessity (new word!:costumed-smiley-007 )

The burning questions are... Where do you want to spend your money? How much are aesthetics worth? Do you have the time, Resources, money and energy to go custom? The Ford E-series platform has proven and reliable aftermarket support, ready to bolt on. Chevy is still catching up. Custom is always an option, abeit more expensive. Of course this all depends on your build needs. Mine were; daily driver capable, carry 5 passengers, all weather dependability, range, aftermarket support, maximize OEM parts used to ease replacement/sourcing issues...

In the end, I want to spend my money on fuel to get us to the places we want to go. In the past, it would have been on the coolest, most unique vehicle, regardless of ease or economics. I am beyond that now, but feel that I am making the best decision given all the above. And Chris over at UJOR makes a mean product, and his customer support is second to none! Hard to go wrong there...

Anyway... off my soap box. Good luck in your endeavours! Hope I can help along the way.

Brad

 

[Clutch]

Hey thanks for the advice Brad. The Ford sounds like the way to go.

Yeah, more utility than looks for sure. Would like it to look more like a service van (than camper) so it doesn't stick out, too much. Minimal lift say something like 4" and 33" tires. Your needs sound similar to mine. Mostly it is going to be a camping moto hauling rig for my girlfriend and I, however since my riding buddies and I car pool to the trail head often (just about every weekend), it needs to haul three dirt bikes, 4 with a hitch carrier...1-5 people with gear...now you're thinking ok where is the 5th bike gonna go? I have a moto trailer too, that holds 3 bikes. So 2 in the van, 3 on the trailer, all riding bags between the 2 bikes in the van.

I camp like a back backer so no need for built-ins. Section off the back to keep fumes out of the passenger area, the rear seat breaks down into a bed.

Poptop would be nice, but a raised top would be ok, and a heck of a lot cheaper. Probably use a cargo van, and cut in a window for the passenger area, try to find one
with side doors that has windows, or swap them out.

This is about a perfect setup here sans the wrap and wheels, just needs 4WD and I am good, since it will see ski/snowboard/snow machine trips too.

http://www.mxwebsites.com/motocrossvan.htm

have been reading up on this van on offroad.com as well:

http://www.off-road.com/diesel/project/project-motovan-building-an-offroad-van-part-5-53220.html

 

[haven]

Looks like Outside Van is now focused on Sprinter conversions. Here's a link to camper van examples. The company is located in Troutdale, OR, near Portland. http://www.outsidevan.com/camping.php

One feature Outside Van offers is a pair of kickouts that make enough room for sleeping across the width of the van. Current Sprinters are 70 inches wide at the floor. That's too narrow for adults to sleep. The kickouts add maybe 4 inches on each side, just enough for regular height adults to get comfortable. In USA, a standard size twin mattress measures 75 inches in length, 80 inches for queen size.

The kickout doesn't stick out wider than the mirrors. I'm not sure if the sliding side door needs to be modified to clear the kickout.

I've seen this sort of modification on European camper vans, but not in USA.

 

[r_w]

The kickouts are slick, seen them in real life (or another brand that does the same thing). They clear the slider just fine as long as you don't mount anything in the window area on the door. It still isn't a lot of room for a tall guy, but it is enough that it is possible to sleep in other than the fetal position.