Time to Trade up to a 4x4 Van - Reasonable Price?

[FinSport]

I've wanted a 4x4 van for years, but I told myself I'd give myself and my family a year to see if we like being "van people".

Last year, I took the plunge on Father's day and picked up a E150 Chateau (and pulled an all-nighter to get it back from Montana to Seattle just to head to Yellowstone 4 days later with the fam). After 1 year we all love it, except I find myself wishing I had 4x4 (for ski trips and to do the White Rim) and some extra height when getting into boondocking/fishing spots so I can stop scraping my hitch.

I've been casually looking and prices for 1992+ 4x4 vans look like they are always $15k or more, regardless of miles and condition.

Can non-rusty 4x4 passenger vans be had for $9-12k? I ask because I either need an all new front end, suspension, and tires on my van or punt it and by a 4x4.

What do you think 4x4 equivalent of my van is worth (say a 2000 or so passenger van with 150k miles)?

Your help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Findley

 

[RememberTheFallen]

I've wanted a 4x4 van for years, but I told myself I'd give myself and my family a year to see if we like being "van people".

Last year, I took the plunge on Father's day and picked up a E150 Chateau (and pulled an all-nighter to get it back from Montana to Seattle just to head to Yellowstone 4 days later with the fam). After 1 year we all love it, except I find myself wishing I had 4x4 (for ski trips and to do the White Rim) and some extra height when getting into boondocking/fishing spots so I can stop scraping my hitch.

I've been casually looking and prices for 1992+ 4x4 vans look like they are always $15k or more, regardless of miles and condition.

Can non-rusty 4x4 passenger vans be had for $9-12k? I ask because I either need an all new front end, suspension, and tires on my van or punt it and by a 4x4.

What do you think 4x4 equivalent of my van is worth (say a 2000 or so passenger van with 150k miles)?

Your help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Findley

I looked long and hard for a clean 4x4 van under $15k before I gave up and bought a 2WD. The ones I found were either too old or way too expensive. I almost had two different Chevy AWD vans but both were sold before I could get to them. Not as good as 4WD but may be enough for you. Not a lot of them pop up for sale but if you are not in a hurry you could look keep checking. Getting yours converted at Ujoint is always an option, albeit a little expensive but very solid.

 

[Jsweezy]

I paid 17,500 for mine and probably should have only paid 15k but didn't know the extent of the issues so I didn't have much to bargain with.

But I figured the ability to get the right size right color and all of the 4x4 tranny transfercase stuff already installed made it worth purchasing even with the other bs to deal with.

 

[hitek79]

Source your own parts and do a U-Joint conversion yourself. May be doable for that money.

 

[Bbasso]

You're asking for a lot... But they do pop up for sale once in a while. What I've noticed is they sell incredibly fast so be ready to fly/drive to inspect then buy it immediately.
But knowledge of a 4x4 van is critical so you don't have a POS or cobbled together- half completed backyard project.

And as the poster before my comment said, consider a Ujoint diy kit.

 

[Bikersmurf]

You could find a scrap front end from someone's build and save a lot on rebuilding your front end. Keep or sell, it'll be worth more.

Weld tech has 2WD options... But if 4wd is what you're after, I'd build what you've got because you know what you're starting with.