Price range on a 4x4 Conversion for a 96 E350?

[tedujam]

I'm looking at two vans right now:


2001 GMC Savana Quigley high roof, 76k miles, cargo van, very basic, $14000


or


1996 E350 extended high roof wheelchair van, 102k, power everything, $5500




My goal was an extended high top 4x4 van, under 100k miles, for $15000. I like the Savana Quigley 4x4, but it's not extended. If I can get the E350 converted to 4x4 for under $10k, I'd probably buy it, but all the quotes I see for 4x4 conversions range from $8 -25k.



Advice?

 

[SDDiver5]

DIY or find one that is already converted. Lots of ski towns have them used with around 100k.

10k is for sure the starting point.

 

[tedujam]

DIY or find one that is already converted. Lots of ski towns have them used with around 100k.

10k is for sure the starting point.

Thanks. I've been looking nationwide for 3 months and these are the two best solid options I've found. Don't really want to keep searching for a year. Every time a good deal pops up, it's either a scam or someone snipes it within the hour. Vanlife is creating serious price inflation.

 

[SDDiver5]

Thanks. I've been looking nationwide for 3 months and these are the two best solid options I've found. Don't really want to keep searching for a year. Every time a good deal pops up, it's either a scam or someone snipes it within the hour. Vanlife is creating serious price inflation.

I feel you...one of my wifes friends was in the same boat as you are. She's been looking for a year plus for exactly what she wanted and her price range. The vans that were right came and went in an instant. So, she ended up buying a regular, low mileage cargo van that was a cable company fleet van, 2wd, not built out and she's just gonna wing it. She's been traveling around Mammoth mountain in CA for like 3 weeks now and is loving it.

REALLY ask yourself if you NEED 4x4...If you really want to do this just buy a van, throw on some offroad tires, get a shovel and some max trax and just go... then save up some money and either go 4x4 or install a locker for like $1500.

Also, Think if you really want a cheap 4x4 conversion....

 

[tedujam]

I feel you...one of my wifes friends was in the same boat as you are. She's been looking for a year plus for exactly what she wanted and her price range. The vans that were right came and went in an instant. So, she ended up buying a regular, low mileage cargo van that was a cable company fleet van, 2wd, not built out and she's just gonna wing it. She's been traveling around Mammoth mountain in CA for like 3 weeks now and is loving it.

REALLY ask yourself if you NEED 4x4...If you really want to do this just buy a van, throw on some offroad tires, get a shovel and some max trax and just go... then save up some money and either go 4x4 or install a locker for like $1500.

Also, Think if you really want a cheap 4x4 conversion....

Thanks. I'm not new to 4x4 (I have older Wrangler and 4Runner 4x4s) and I think the kinds of places I plan to take the van will be problematic for a 2WD w/locker (offroad, beach, snow, etc).

 

[SDDiver5]

Thanks. I'm not new to 4x4 (I have older Wrangler and 4Runner 4x4s) and I think the kinds of places I plan to take the van will be problematic for a 2WD w/locker (offroad, beach, snow, etc).

Check it

E-350 7.3L diesel 4X4 van - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle...

1995 E-350 7.3L diesel 4x4 van. Running well, new rim/spare tire, light bar works, great van for...

sandiego.craigslist.org

 

[SDDiver5]

Or this....Not quite what you want but cheap!

2004 Chevrolet Astro AWD - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle...

2004 AWD Astro Van, sought out by conversion van owners White Roof rack radio good on gas

losangeles.craigslist.org

 

[pugslyyy]

With a $10k budget you are looking at doing it yourself with junkyard parts or a F350 donor. There is a lot that goes into the 4x4 conversion...
front axle, springs, fuel tank trim, drive shafts, transfer case, adapters, crossmember modifications, etc. I did mine myself (UJOR kit) and spent well over $20k.

 

[tedujam]

E-350 7.3L diesel 4X4 van - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle...

1995 E-350 7.3L diesel 4x4 van. Running well, new rim/spare tire, light bar works, great van for...

sandiego.craigslist.org

Or this....Not quite what you want but cheap!

Looks like a cool project, but there's gonna be a ton of rust and $15000 for 140k miles seems high to me, even with Vanlife inflation.

2004 Chevrolet Astro AWD - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle...

2004 AWD Astro Van, sought out by conversion van owners White Roof rack radio good on gas

losangeles.craigslist.org

I like Astros, my parents had one way back, so I know they aren't big enough for my needs, plus if they don't list the mileage, it's usually sky high.

edit: mileage from the pics is 237k.

 

[68camaro]

With a $10k budget you are looking at doing it yourself with junkyard parts or a F350 donor. There is a lot that goes into the 4x4 conversion...
front axle, springs, fuel tank trim, drive shafts, transfer case, adapters, crossmember modifications, etc. I did mine myself (UJOR kit) and spent well over $20k.

Agreed, I Iooked at converting my 2001 E-350 SD Chinook to 4x4. Using a F-350 donor vehicle and local shop was $12k, with end cost probably more and questionable drivability. Reputable and well known shops to this forum quoted low to mid 20's for proper conversion.

End of day I opted for lift, beefed up suspension, better tires and recovery gear. Really haven't seen need to have 4x4 yet but due to rigs size I can only get into so much trouble.

 

[tedujam]

Thanks to freeagent, there's another contender:


2001 GMC Savana Quigley high roof, 76k miles, cargo van, very basic, $14000


vs


2009 Ford E350 low roof 51k miles - Ujoint 4X4 conversion. 5.4L V8. Aluminess ladder. Vantech rack. ARB sun shade/rain canopy. 2000 watt true sine inverter and 200 amp-hour house batteries will run computers, power tools, fridge/freezer, etc. Removable interior cargo rack. Excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition. Air conditioner blows cold. $21000



Thoughts?

 

[bgflyguy]

With a $10k budget you are looking at doing it yourself with junkyard parts or a F350 donor. There is a lot that goes into the 4x4 conversion...
front axle, springs, fuel tank trim, drive shafts, transfer case, adapters, crossmember modifications, etc. I did mine myself (UJOR kit) and spent well over $20k.

Can you break down the cost a bit? I'm pretty naive when it comes to van work, but I would have guessed a complete DIY for ujor would come in at $10-$15k.

 

[telkey]

not mine: $12,500 https://boulder.craigslist.org/cto/d/longmont-ford-e-quigley-4x4/7150121967.html

 

[Bikersmurf]

Can you break down the cost a bit? I'm pretty naive when it comes to van work, but I would have guessed a complete DIY for ujor would come in at $10-$15k.

https://www.ujointoffroad.com/products/e-series-4x4-conversion/ had prices last time I checked for their parts. Then springs, driveshafts, transmission mods, transfer case, shocks, and incidentals.

 

[cherokee1989]

This should help break down price for an Econoline 4x4 Conversion...I converted a 2006 Ford E350 Turtle Top (basically a small shuttle bus) last year. This is my breakdown of the costs that I had for the 4WD Conversion. Keep in mind the prices from Chris at Ujoint Off Road are from last year and before he started selling everything in bundles.

Category	Item	Description	Vendor	Date of Purchase	Price
4WD Conversion	Lift Kit	Ujoint Off Road 6" Lift Kit	Ujoint Off Road	12/18/18 12:00 AM​	$5,819.85​
4WD Conversion	Conversion Install	Custom fabrication/installation of Ujoint kit	Baker Garage Volvo Specialist	5/21/19 12:00 AM​	$1,828.76​
4WD Conversion	Shifter/Adapter	TC001 Shifter & TC110 Adapter	Ujoint Off Road	5/20/19 12:00 AM​	$917.95​
4WD Conversion	Rear Driveshaft	Custom Built Driveshaft	Front Range Drive Line Inc.	7/8/19 12:00 AM​	$552.46​
4WD Conversion	Front Axle	2004 Dana 60	Craigslist	1/15/19 12:00 AM​	$500.00​
4WD Conversion	Exhaust Reroute	Rerouting exhaust around driveshaft and trans	All American 4WD	7/24/19 12:00 AM​	$425.00​
4WD Conversion	Tire	Goodyear Duratrac 285/75r18	Discount Tire	5/22/2019 15:05​	$289.00​
4WD Conversion	Tire	Goodyear Duratrac 285/75r18	Discount Tire	5/22/2019 15:05​	$289.00​
4WD Conversion	Tire	Goodyear Duratrac 285/75r18	Discount Tire	5/22/2019 15:05​	$289.00​
4WD Conversion	Tire	Goodyear Duratrac 285/75r18	Discount Tire	5/22/2019 15:05​	$289.00​
4WD Conversion	Front Driveshaft	Lengthen and Rebuild Driveshaft	Front Range Drive Line Inc.	11/13/19 12:00 AM​	$216.25​
4WD Conversion	Wheel	Black Rhino Armory - Black 18x9.5 8-170	Discount Tire	5/22/2019 15:05​	$199.00​
4WD Conversion	Wheel	Black Rhino Armory - Black 18x9.5 8-170	Discount Tire	5/22/2019 15:05​	$199.00​
4WD Conversion	Wheel	Black Rhino Armory - Black 18x9.5 8-170	Discount Tire	5/22/2019 15:05​	$199.00​
4WD Conversion	Wheel	Black Rhino Armory - Black 18x9.5 8-170	Discount Tire	5/22/2019 15:05​	$199.00​
4WD Conversion	Transfer Case	Transfer Case	Baker Garage Volvo Specialist	5/7/19 12:00 AM​	$100.00​
4WD Conversion	Tie Rod End	Moog DS1439 Tie Rod End	Amazon	6/1/19 12:00 AM​	$98.79​
4WD Conversion	Front Driveshaft	2004 F350 Driveshaft	Central Auto Parts	5/30/19 12:00 AM​	$95.86​
4WD Conversion	Ball Joint Lower	Moog K8607T Ball Joint Set of 2	Amazon	5/7/19 12:00 AM​	$81.30​
4WD Conversion	Ball Joint Upper	Moog K80026 Ball Joint Set of 2	Amazon	5/7/19 12:00 AM​	$64.44​
4WD Conversion	Tie Rod End	Moog ES3423 Tie Rod End	Amazon	6/1/19 12:00 AM​	$42.70​
4WD Conversion	Ball Joint Install	Press upper/lower ball joints on custom knuckle	Colorauto	6/4/19 12:00 AM​	$40.79​
4WD Conversion	Lug Nut Kit	Gorilla Wheel lock/lugs 14x2.0	Discount Tire	5/22/2019 15:05​	$35.00​
4WD Conversion	Trans Bearing	Ford 3C3Z-7B368-AA BEARING	Omeara Ford Parts	6/27/19 12:00 AM​	$28.92​
4WD Conversion	T-Case Plug	Ford 6C3Z-7A010-A PLUG	Groove Ford Parts	7/10/19 12:00 AM​	$7.34​
Total					$12,807.41​

Here's the thread of my build too...before it got totaled last December https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/2006-e350-van-terra-build.201418/

It took me about 4 months to find a new replacement for my rig, but 2 weeks ago I just picked up a stock 2013 Ford E350 V10 Extended Passenger van with 103,000 miles. I'm planning on doing the same 4x4 conversion next year. For now i'm buying a Super Camper high top from Fiberine with an install date for September 1st!