UJOR Build Thread
- Thread starter ujoint
- Start date
ujoint
Supporting Sponsor
Another week down.... still need more time!
Pair of axles and a complete 8" conversion headed out to WI next week. D60 front & Sterling 10.5 rear, both packing ARB's & 4.56's.
New arrival! 4" lift on 33's coming up....
Top is back from paint and on the van! This van gets better & better every day
Pair of axles and a complete 8" conversion headed out to WI next week. D60 front & Sterling 10.5 rear, both packing ARB's & 4.56's.
New arrival! 4" lift on 33's coming up....
Top is back from paint and on the van! This van gets better & better every day
Top is back from paint and on the van! This van gets better & better every day
Of all of the vans you've done so far Chris, I think this one is my favorite! That blue looks great.
I'm intrigued by the top. How close is that in height to the Voyager that SMB offers? Looks to be a bit shorter but still allows for side windows to be installed. The front looks more streamlined as well.
A high top would be great for a camping van. My wife likes the idea of being able to stand-up and go right from the front of the van to the back without crawling. What's your opinion on these for off-roading?
Littlehouse
Adventurer
Agree with above. Swiss van 2.0
ujoint
Supporting Sponsor
Yep!
It's great! I think the voyager is a bit larger. We have some cool stuff coming up for the interior & I would much rather have the high top over a pop top. Fixed storage, quiet, etc. Off road clearance will depend on where you want to go! Works for some, not for others.
joeyabisa
Adventurer
Oh man! I finally clicked on the banner you have on here which brought me to your site which I spent an hour on and then your site led me to this thread. Holy smokes! I want a van now! Drop everything! No, I can't- must finish current build! Damn yoouuuuuu Mr. Chris Steuber!!
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No, really... Amazing stuff. Perhaps one day.. Maybe in the next few years.
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No, really... Amazing stuff. Perhaps one day.. Maybe in the next few years.
ujoint
Supporting Sponsor
Oh man! I finally clicked on the banner you have on here which brought me to your site which I spent an hour on and then your site led me to this thread. Holy smokes! I want a van now! Drop everything! No, I can't- must finish current build! Damn yoouuuuuu Mr. Chris Steuber!!
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No, really... Amazing stuff. Perhaps one day.. Maybe in the next few years.
Ha ha, very nice! Thanks!
bknudtsen
Expedition Leader
Testimonial
The concept of my project started when I discovered the 4wd Camper Van forum on Expedition Portal, and specifically, the UJOR Build thread. I have been tinkering on vehicles since I could drive, and have built a few pretty special ones like my hot-rodded 2001 Mustang Bullitt and a 2001 Jeep Cherokee that I took to Moab 3 times without issue. I had never taken on anything as extensive as converting a van to 4wd though, and that seemed both exciting and daunting at the same time. I had to do it!
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My relationship with Chris started on Feb 21st, 2012 when I sent him a ridiculously long and excited introductory email explaining my idea for the project, soliciting advice and expressing my anxiety regarding the more technical aspects of the conversion. My plan was to buy a van, have him do the conversion, and then drive it back home. Chris was both prompt and personable in his response, and without hesitation, encouraged me to take on the conversion myself based on my previous experience with vehicle projects. The fact that he would forgo making any money off me in labor, and suggest that I do it myself, had me sold on his business ethics and moral character. It was settled… UJOR was going to get my business.
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I found my van about a month later and on Mar 19th, 2012, started a build thread in the ExPo 4wd Camper Van forum titled, “New E-350 Project: VANdiana Jones!” Chris immediately posted a congrats in the thread and has stayed involved in my thread ever since. I have always liked to document my projects, but I felt compelled to go that extra mile due to Chris' great support/product. My plan was to have conversion done by the end of the summer, but Life had another idea that would stretch my project out over the course of 2 full years. During that time, I had several disappointing setbacks. Chris was always very supportive and encouraged me to stick with it. I am sure that many other businesses would write me off as a flake if the same thing occurred with them. Chris' business model allows for the conversion process to be done in stages, and this allowed me to save for each stage, rather than financing it with credit cards.
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I started the suspension lift on Mar 28th, 2013, more than a year after I bought the van. I was pleasantly surprised at the straight forward process and the real-time support that Chris provided. I powered through the conversion over the course of a weekend and by Apr 2nd, 2013 I had my first drive in my newly lifted rig. It was awesome! More stable, great ride, better view, and the looks I got from folks was priceless. My plan was to finish the 4wd portion that summer. Right… Life again…
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It wasn't until Mar 22nd, 2014 that I installed the last piece of the 4wd conversion. 2 years! Chris has never wavered in his support of my build. My build thread at ExPo as taken on a life of its own, and I cherish the relationships that I have developed with all the characters that frequent my build.
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On Mar 23rd, 2014 I took my family out for our first off road trip in Vandiana, and we had a great time. Everything worked as it should, and I could not be more pleased. I am looking forward to putting Vandiana through the paces in Moab, but until then, I still have lots to do. This project has taught me patience and perseverance, and most importantly, you never know what Life with throw your way. Whatever that may be, UJOR and Chris with play a big part in the future of VANdiana Jones!
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Brad Knudtsen
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The concept of my project started when I discovered the 4wd Camper Van forum on Expedition Portal, and specifically, the UJOR Build thread. I have been tinkering on vehicles since I could drive, and have built a few pretty special ones like my hot-rodded 2001 Mustang Bullitt and a 2001 Jeep Cherokee that I took to Moab 3 times without issue. I had never taken on anything as extensive as converting a van to 4wd though, and that seemed both exciting and daunting at the same time. I had to do it!
.
My relationship with Chris started on Feb 21st, 2012 when I sent him a ridiculously long and excited introductory email explaining my idea for the project, soliciting advice and expressing my anxiety regarding the more technical aspects of the conversion. My plan was to buy a van, have him do the conversion, and then drive it back home. Chris was both prompt and personable in his response, and without hesitation, encouraged me to take on the conversion myself based on my previous experience with vehicle projects. The fact that he would forgo making any money off me in labor, and suggest that I do it myself, had me sold on his business ethics and moral character. It was settled… UJOR was going to get my business.
.
I found my van about a month later and on Mar 19th, 2012, started a build thread in the ExPo 4wd Camper Van forum titled, “New E-350 Project: VANdiana Jones!” Chris immediately posted a congrats in the thread and has stayed involved in my thread ever since. I have always liked to document my projects, but I felt compelled to go that extra mile due to Chris' great support/product. My plan was to have conversion done by the end of the summer, but Life had another idea that would stretch my project out over the course of 2 full years. During that time, I had several disappointing setbacks. Chris was always very supportive and encouraged me to stick with it. I am sure that many other businesses would write me off as a flake if the same thing occurred with them. Chris' business model allows for the conversion process to be done in stages, and this allowed me to save for each stage, rather than financing it with credit cards.
.
I started the suspension lift on Mar 28th, 2013, more than a year after I bought the van. I was pleasantly surprised at the straight forward process and the real-time support that Chris provided. I powered through the conversion over the course of a weekend and by Apr 2nd, 2013 I had my first drive in my newly lifted rig. It was awesome! More stable, great ride, better view, and the looks I got from folks was priceless. My plan was to finish the 4wd portion that summer. Right… Life again…
.
It wasn't until Mar 22nd, 2014 that I installed the last piece of the 4wd conversion. 2 years! Chris has never wavered in his support of my build. My build thread at ExPo as taken on a life of its own, and I cherish the relationships that I have developed with all the characters that frequent my build.
.
On Mar 23rd, 2014 I took my family out for our first off road trip in Vandiana, and we had a great time. Everything worked as it should, and I could not be more pleased. I am looking forward to putting Vandiana through the paces in Moab, but until then, I still have lots to do. This project has taught me patience and perseverance, and most importantly, you never know what Life with throw your way. Whatever that may be, UJOR and Chris with play a big part in the future of VANdiana Jones!
.
Brad Knudtsen
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