Turning a box truck into a Stealth Boondocking Overlander Dogmobile - (4x4 Conversion?...)

[scottwstevenson]

I'd like to gather opinions, as I continue to flip-flop back and forth on what to do with this box truck I picked up. (I got her on a bit of a whim so I'd have something to travel in with my dogs while searching for a more permanent off-road capable RV, but I'm seeing more and more potential in her, given what I paid and costs to upgrade...)

[THANK YOU in advance - any thoughts are welcome. ]

Her name is Minti: https://www.equipmentfacts.com/list...996-ford-e-350-17ft-mechanics-box-truck-15006

• As you can see from the pics, she was already built out, and I've done a few things to make her travel-worthy for me and my 3 dogs:
• Repaired cabinet latches and the fuse box, added flooring, fixed all the latches, cleaned it up, etc.
• Added 400W solar (800W more coming) and have integrated 21kWh of LI battery power (Ecoflow Delta Pro's - a choice I wouldn't make again, which is another story).
• Tossed in a larger 120v AC fridge (Dad food), an AC/DC fridge (dog food)
• 5 x 5 gal water jugs (for now, at least)
• Installed a doggie door passthrough in the front.
• Removed the front seat, replaced with a fold out ramp + platform with dog beds for getting the pups in and comfy for travel. (All three like to ride up front with me.)
• Added a front hitch (which now has a cargo carrier for dog fencing, etc.) (Winch could be added here perhaps, but I'd be concerned about pulling too much.)
• Shower, sink, kitchen all coming: I've got a composting toilet (finishing touches needed) and will be commandeering a water pump, heater, and tank from an old truck camper to build out a shower (cabinet behind the driver's seat) and sink. Black tank, etc. on the way.

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GOALS:
Stealth - I can pretty much run silent aside from the A/C in this and operate in urban stealth mode (park anywhere as needed). I may add a window and disguise it as a vent (seen this on a couple box trucks on Youtube)

Boondocking; I think with 1200W solar, 21kWh of battery, and given I I can also charge up using my generator or EV charging station, I can do pretty well in this regard.

QUESTION and missing INGREDIENT.
"Overlanding" Not looking to take this truck at least to South America, but would like to be able to tackle a dirt road off the beaten path if / when I get the chance. Maybe cross a stream, as needed.

ARE THE BELOW worth it for this truck?.... It's a 1996, but was maintained by the city of Lakeland FL and has just ~32k miles right now. Not a ton of rust, IMO. Has 4 of 6 new tires now (after a blowout...), so I've put a little into her, but the price at auction was great, I think.

1.) Obviously Upgrade would be 4x4, 6 inch lift, the regular stuf with UJOR (I'm in FL, so they're close) and have them add a winch, of course.
They do some cool custom stuff (e.g., just saw a fold down motorcycle ramp on an RV), so perhaps we could see what we could work out with that back deck, for both me and the dogs. hinging and extending that ramp would be great. (On of my pups has a hard time getting that back porch even with the step.)

(I'm somewhat, but not terribly concerned of course about approach, departure and breakover angles. )

(I also have a 12kW electric bicycle that can hit 60mph (weighs just 150lb) that I bring with as a means of getting around if I want to stay parked / camped. I load it up and strap it down inside the vehicle as of now. Have thought a vertical solution of some sort would be nice)

2.) The truck/van's an E350 cutaway with the 5.8L V8 (351 Windsor). Great, reliable engine, from what I'm reading. Can find parts, get a repair job done all over, I'd imagine (in the US / N. America, at least) There are a ton of performance upgrades where you can nearly double the power, WHAT is needed for off-road, if anything, beyond the stock engine?

Some performance upgrades: https://www.summitracing.com/search...8l-351/engine-family/ford-small-block-windsor

3.) Generally, is this truck good starting material for what I'm looking to do?... The 4x4 setup would make it much less stealth, but I still think it's less eye-catching than your typical RV or probably any other rig that might be equally off-road capable (post upgrades).

Many thanks in advance!

-Scott

 

[Martinjmpr]

What does that thing weigh? Looks very heavy so I'm not sure how far into the boonies you'd be going with something that big.

A lot may depend on how handy you are in fixing the issues that are guaranteed to pop up on any 26 year old vehicle.

4wd conversion + 6" lift is, what, $20k or so? Maybe more? Seems kind of like putting a $40 saddle on a $10 horse. A slight lift and bigger tires might get you as far into the boondocks as you'd be comfortable taking a rig of that size for a lot less money and less complexity.

 

[montypower]

I completely disagree that it will allow "stealth" urban "camping". First this is illegal in most cities. Second, everyone knows that is happening. VanLife movement really ruined the "stealth" option. I'm really apposed to the hobo lifestyle as it has been getting negative attention and closing areas down. Please don't be apart of this movement.

Park legally. Not abuse the "stay limits" in National or BLM lands. Leave no trace. Keep our lands open.

 

[Oscar Mike Gulf Yankee]

4X4 and 6" lift blow the stealth out of the water. That is not going to run with the big dogs, unless you dump all the wood cabinets, even then that box should NOT be much higher.

That van probably has 200,000 more miles in it. I'd just clean it, get good seat covers, take that lift/rear thing off and go with it.

You might fit in at the side of a Home Depot or at Dan's Heating and Air, but otherwise that's not close to stealthy.

As Montpower said, it's best not to go there, especially traveling with PETS!

Think about it, you park in a restricted spot, get caught, you could be arrested, your vehicle impounded and your dogs go the City Animal Shelter, what a great week that could be.

You could have a nice rig out of that, I'd take everything out and insulate it, then rebuild it, on the cheap using what you have. Put a winch on it, give it some more lighting, and go.

 

[scottwstevenson]

What does that thing weigh? Looks very heavy so I'm not sure how far into the boonies you'd be going with something that big.

A lot may depend on how handy you are in fixing the issues that are guaranteed to pop up on any 26 year old vehicle.

4wd conversion + 6" lift is, what, $20k or so? Maybe more? Seems kind of like putting a $40 saddle on a $10 horse. A slight lift and bigger tires might get you as far into the boondocks as you'd be comfortable taking a rig of that size for a lot less money and less complexity.

Great question about weight - that may be the major issue. (I've gotten stuck in a 4x4 vehicle simply because of weight, and I imagine the weight could be very close to the GVWR given how much it's built out.)

I'm a figure it out kind of guy when it comes to vehicles. I've got much less experience with engines, but managed to, for instance, install (on my F350) overload springs, airbags, an aftermarket sway bar, steering stabilizer, a superhitch, front bumper, side steps, etc. (Similar types of things with my previous Jeep, electric motorcycle, etc.) BUT, the engine is what I'm most concerned about.

I'm thinking the 4x4 might be more like $30k and the $40 saddle on a $10 horse is what I'm concerned about. I can't imagine an engine from 1996 being in any better shape (given what my mechanic said and the history of the vehicle), but this is where I'm sure how to evaluate the engine.

I need to get her weighed (would also tell me what UJOINT might add if they did a conversion), and I think that will help to determine whether simply a lift / tire/ winch combo might suit my purpose.

THANK YOU!

-S

 

[scottwstevenson]

4X4 and 6" lift blow the stealth out of the water. That is not going to run with the big dogs, unless you dump all the wood cabinets, even then that box should NOT be much higher.

That van probably has 200,000 more miles in it. I'd just clean it, get good seat covers, take that lift/rear thing off and go with it.

You might fit in at the side of a Home Depot or at Dan's Heating and Air, but otherwise that's not close to stealthy.

As Montpower said, it's best not to go there, especially traveling with PETS!

Think about it, you park in a restricted spot, get caught, you could be arrested, your vehicle impounded and your dogs go the City Animal Shelter, what a great week that could be.

You could have a nice rig out of that, I'd take everything out and insulate it, then rebuild it, on the cheap using what you have. Put a winch on it, give it some more lighting, and go.

Hey Guys!

THANK YOU for that! As far as the "stealth," I'm not intending to do any urban camping that sense. There are really only a few situations where being "stealthy" might have some advantage. (I've been traveling with my dogs in RV's for nearly 20 years now, and these are the circumstances that jump out at me.)

• I have two reasons to go to a gym when on the road: To train or to give a seminar. (I was on a seminar "tour" - giving seminars - before the pandemic hit and hat to turn back.) When I go into a gym and have gotten there with an RV, I speak to someone at the desk (ask for a manager usually) and tell them the RV is mine. I go in train, usually come out every 30min and check on my dogs (I go early if it will be a warm day). The stealth would be to simply make the RV a less obvious target.

• Now and then, I'll stay with friends for a night when en route and I've had an occasional situation where it would've been advantageous to not obviously be in an RV. (Mainly when I just want to see someone for a single night where RV's are not allowed. Yes, this isn't technically within the rules, but it's happened when I've got a friend who I can swing by and see for several hours, spend the night in the drive and then go, where it could be much more difficult if I had to find and RV Park - travel to see him / her - then come back to the park, etc. ) I like to see friend when traveling through, but more than one night (>24hr) I find a campground / RV park.

• Lastly, I've spent the night a few times at a Walmart or similar (after talking with security or management) - places where you often see box / delivery trucks parked all the time, so the idea would be to blend in. (I'd not do this at a Home Depot or somewhere where overnighting isn't specifically allowed). It just so happened that I had a tire blow out in this box truck in the middle of Georgia en route to TN and I stayed overnight at a Buc-ee's (when I had to wait for businesses to open to get new tires). I explained to the managers what had happened (AAA was ZERO help... LOL) and was gone the next morning at 8AM. (I can imagine that even though I had permission, security might have knocked on my door at 3AM were I in an RV.

It's just a smidge better to stand out less sometimes, so this is what I'm meaning by stealth.

I Would MUCH rather stay at a remote campsite - LEGALLY - where I have freedom to roam, walk the dogs, etc., and be able to boondock if needed. (I don't at all like being parked illegally in a public place, watching my back. Not one bit.)

I've learned also to trust nothing to chance when it comes to taking care of my dogs, so I'd not be doing anything illegal where they could get compromised. Again, the the "stealth" would be mainly to avert theft.

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Thanks for your thoughts on revamping the rig, Mike! The back porch is actually quite helpful (but there are other solutions) to make it easy to for my dogs to get in the truck. One in particular has a hard time after a long day getting in there as is, even with the extra step in place. I build a fold out patio for a truck camper that I think I can modify to make a longer sloped ramp for them.

I do think the truck's got a lot of miles on her, though, for sure.

And thanks for giving your opinions on the loss of stealth with the lift and 4x4. LOL! I do think for people reading this forum, things jump out in a way they wouldn't for others. (Wouldn't fool me for a second either, though! ) An RV, with the typical swooshing graphics, high roof, side door, ladder to the roof, etc. stands right out as an RV to most I think, whereas the box truck is at least a little be less obvious to the casual passerby.

Thanks again, Guys.

(Any one thing I've not run into, but could be a problem is that being a "stealth" RV - self-built and being an older vehicle - I might not be allowed to stay at some RV parks, I would imagine, so I've considered this, for sure, too. I'm *not* a non-conformist, but I do try to be a realist. )

-Scott

 

[Oscar Mike Gulf Yankee]

@scottwstevenson

Good that you explained your stealth approach, I understand and agree, a dash of stealth is good.

You'll likely be in the category of a schoolie rig at RV parks, but you'll fit right in at Slab City, who cares, most here I believe will appreciate functionality over glitter.

A friend has a Class A, I think he turned every nut on that rig, most everything in it has been rebuilt. RVs just aren't designed or built for reliability for a full timer, your rig could be.

A $40 saddle on a $10 horse is probably correct, but at least the saddle can be comfortable. As to 4x4, you probably don't need it where that box truck will actually be going safely, if you really need it, you probably shouldn't be there.
To be full timing in that I'd put that 4x4 money in a nice solar system, mini-split AC, galley and head. I'd rely on good recovery gear and tread lightly.

 

[scottwstevenson]

@scottwstevenson

Good that you explained your stealth approach, I understand and agree, a dash of stealth is good.

You'll likely be in the category of a schoolie rig at RV parks, but you'll fit right in at Slab City, who cares, most here I believe will appreciate functionality over glitter.

A friend has a Class A, I think he turned every nut on that rig, most everything in it has been rebuilt. RVs just aren't designed or built for reliability for a full timer, your rig could be.

A $40 saddle on a $10 horse is probably correct, but at least the saddle can be comfortable. As to 4x4, you probably don't need it where that box truck will actually be going safely, if you really need it, you probably shouldn't be there.
To be full timing in that I'd put that 4x4 money in a nice solar system, mini-split AC, galley and head. I'd rely on good recovery gear and tread lightly.

THANK YOU, OMG Yankee!!!

Yep, just trying to run under the radar a bit. (I imagine I would probably be even paranoid if I were in one of the super high end Class A's, although those probably have security systems in many cases, I'd imagine.)

This rig is nice given the ramp / patio in the back (for the pups) and the extensive storage, which actually has worked well for the battery / inverter all in one I've got (>20kWh battery capacity). (It was some kind of a survey rig from what I can tell, designed to carry some pretty heavy duty equipment, and having the built in tool box is a very nice feature.)

Yep, plumbing for kitchen and shower is next on the list (parts partially scavenged from a truck camper) and I can fit 1200W solar on the roof without a problem (adding 800W to the 400W in place), so that should keep me afloat power wise mostly. If / when needed, I can also fill my batteries up using a Level II EV charging station (at 3600W) with simultaneous passthrough from solar.

I think a winch on the front might make sense (in place of the cargo carrier I've got there now). This rig has storage for a ladder on one side that I can commandeer in part for underside storage. On the other side, I'm carrying the foldable fencing I usedto create a mini yard for my pups when we're hunkered down for a bit.

(Getting the leaf springs re-sprung / replaced might be worthwhile, too.)

In the meantime, keeping my eye out!

Thanks, again, OMGY!

-Scott

 

[NOPEC]

THANK YOU, OMG Yankee!!!

Yep, just trying to run under the radar a bit. (I imagine I would probably be even paranoid if I were in one of the super high end Class A's, although those probably have security systems in many cases, I'd imagine.)

This rig is nice given the ramp / patio in the back (for the pups) and the extensive storage, which actually has worked well for the battery / inverter all in one I've got (>20kWh battery capacity). (It was some kind of a survey rig from what I can tell, designed to carry some pretty heavy duty equipment, and having the built in tool box is a very nice feature.)

Yep, plumbing for kitchen and shower is next on the list (parts partially scavenged from a truck camper) and I can fit 1200W solar on the roof without a problem (adding 800W to the 400W in place), so that should keep me afloat power wise mostly. If / when needed, I can also fill my batteries up using a Level II EV charging station (at 3600W) with simultaneous passthrough from solar.

I think a winch on the front might make sense (in place of the cargo carrier I've got there now). This rig has storage for a ladder on one side that I can commandeer in part for underside storage. On the other side, I'm carrying the foldable fencing I usedto create a mini yard for my pups when we're hunkered down for a bit.

(Getting the leaf springs re-sprung / replaced might be worthwhile, too.)

In the meantime, keeping my eye out!

Thanks, again, OMGY!

-Scott

If you are serious about a winch, you might consider a convertible winch in a cradle which fits into a 2 inch receiver. With the appropriate HD wiring, connectors and frame mounted hitch/receivers, it can be easily used on both the front and rear of your vehicle.

If you bury your 2WD vehicle in a mud hole, your are probably going to be more interested in removing your vehicle from it backwards and not going through it, thus the beauty of a rear mount. Other than this versatility, the nice thing about a cradled winch is that it stays clean and especially, salt free (depending on where you live) if you store it inside the vehicle, it also helps with the stealth look and it saves wear on the vehicle's front end componentry by not having the extra weight of a HD bumper/winch installed. You do lose some coolness creds but I sense this may not be a priority for you.....

 

[scottwstevenson]

If you are serious about a winch, you might consider a convertible winch in a cradle which fits into a 2 inch receiver. With the appropriate HD wiring, connectors and frame mounted hitch/receivers, it can be easily used on both the front and rear of your vehicle.

If you bury your 2WD vehicle in a mud hole, your are probably going to be more interested in removing your vehicle from it backwards and not going through it, thus the beauty of a rear mount. Other than this versatility, the nice thing about a cradled winch is that it stays clean and especially, salt free (depending on where you live) if you store it inside the vehicle, it also helps with the stealth look and it saves wear on the vehicle's front end componentry by not having the extra weight of a HD bumper/winch installed. You do lose some coolness creds but I sense this may not be a priority for you.....

Thanks for the post, NOPEC! That's exactly what was planning to do, essentially. I totally agree that the most likely scenario if I get stuck is that I need to be pulled backwards. Heck, the truck is mint green, so I'm not getting a lot of street cred here... LOL

Right now, I'm missing the rear hitch, given the rear mini-patio. I'm teaching myself how to weld, but wouldn't trust my skills with welding a a custom receiver hitch there (yet). (I'm not sure without looking again whether welding to the patio would make sense, given how it's attached currently, but I do like the idea of a solid receiver hitch there as a way to extend the patio with a fold-up ramp for the pups.)

For those wondering, I think a Anderson plug style quick release should do the truck here to power the winch from the engine battery.



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I regrettably didn't get a winch-ready front bumper for my (4x4) F-350, but I did put add a front winch Smitty-built 2" receiver hitch winch cradle that has a little storage for recovery gear, etc. (and keeps the winch out of the weather). The reviews aren't mixed on this product, but it's worked out out for me. )

https://www.smittybilt.com/product-skus/smittybilt-xrc-black-box-receiver-mounted-winch-cradle-2806/

(Of course, this isn't something I'd want to be moving from front to back at all, but it's a nice solution, I think.)

Thanks again, NOPEC!

-S

 

[pappawheely]

If you want to be somewhat stealth get a real looking but bogus emblem for the door. Something like hazmat, land survey; make it something boring that criminals would have no interest in. The best one I've seen is a diaper company. Nobody wants to steal dirty diapers.

 

[vintageracer]

Install a selectable locker in your 2WD van and forget the 4WD conversion.

You will be able to go 80+% of where a 4WD can go without the expense of a 4WD conversion. You will not missing much of anything in that last 20% that you needed to see anyway!

 

[scottwstevenson]

If you want to be somewhat stealth get a real looking but bogus emblem for the door. Something like hazmat, land survey; make it something boring that criminals would have no interest in. The best one I've seen is a diaper company. Nobody wants to steal dirty diapers.

Yes, I actually have something in mind, TBH, that I formulated years ago... (Of course, I'll keep it secret... )

-S

 

[scottwstevenson]

Install a selectable locker in your 2WD van and forget the 4WD conversion.

You will be able to go 80+% of where a 4WD can go without the expense of a 4WD conversion. You will not missing much of anything in that last 20% that you needed to see anyway!

THANKS, VR!

I need to the beast to the scales and see if new leaf springs might be warranted. (The back end isn't drooping at all, but I suspect it might help with the sway I get when on bumpy ground a/o coming around a turn. I put an aftermarket sway bar on my 4x4 F350 (when I was carrying a heavy ass truck camper) and it had minimal effect, actually.)

I'll def look into the lockers, though - I have seen this mentioned here and elsewhere, and is a LOT cheaper, of course vs. a true 4x4 conversion.

-S

 

[AbleGuy]

(Any one thing I've not run into, but could be a problem is that being a "stealth" RV - self-built and being an older vehicle - I might not be allowed to stay at some RV parks, I would imagine, so I've considered this, for sure, too. I'm *not* a non-conformist, but I do try to be a realist. )

That’s a real thing these days. Once in a while driving the long road to get to our final destination, we’ll have to overnight in a bigger city en route by staying in an RV park. We’ve noticed more and more that these park are restricting campers to those in rigs no older than 10 years old. They specifically seem to exclude rigs like schoolies and home brews,