Van Questions

[Michael Crouch]

So I'm considering getting rid of my Tacoma and getting a van, converting it to 4x4 and building it out as a camper in the back. I'm a climber and surfer so I end up all over the country and in Mexico doing said things - I'd like one that I can conspicuously park in cities or open up in the woods.

I'm fairly set as far as I want a non-extended cargo van, with a permanent pop top. I'm willing to put the top on myself.

My questions for the van:

1) Diesel or gas? I am completely unfamiliar with diesel engines, and a bit intimidated. Honestly, I barely know my way around a gas engine, so this is somewhat of a concern for me. By getting a van and converting to 4x4, should I be expecting to do a lot more work on it than my trusty Taco?

2) From what I've read, Chevy Express or E350 7.0 or v10 are the way to go. All seem tough to find with less than 100k on them. How many more miles can I expect from these engines? 300k?

3) I'm on a budget of $15k total to start, then $5k to build over the next year. I'm ok buying the van and slowly building up to 4x4 & hightop. I don't need a showy van or a rock crawler, I just need it to get through moderate 4x4 trails in the mountains and in Baja. How much more are we looking at for the 4x4 conversion? I know, I know... It all depends, but just a general number is nice to work with... Can you do a 4x4 conversion with $5k or is it more likely to be $10k if someone else is installing it? If you have any suggestions on threads to look at, I feel like I've gone crosseyed looking at threads over the past couple weeks but would love to look at a couple that have detailed builds and costs included from the start.

Any help/advice/direction is much appreciated!

 

[geoffff]

You might want to check out http://sportsmobileforum.com/ Though the site is officially about the Sportsmobile brand of camper, there is quite a bit of generic van discussion, such as your gas vs diesel question.

Geoff

 

[Bbasso]

You've got a lot of questions, I suggest reading all the threads related to your questions. Not to sound like a wise *** but most if your Q's are easily answered by reading on this forum.

As for budget, you'll wind
up spending double... like most of us LOL.
Diesel vs Gas age old question. I prefer diesel...
4X4, if you are able to install then you'd save money. But as far as I know, you will exceed $10k for a quality setup.

Read a bunch while the members get a chance to respond.

 

[ohpyramids]

Hi michael. I was in a similar position as you 2 years ago. Found my tacoma overloaded with only 2 campers worth of gear and dirtbikes. After spending tons of hours reading the ujoint thread on here, as well as mgmetalworks and the yeti, I got rid of a 2010 tacoma 4x4 and am now happily running a 2003 e350 7.3 diesel with the ujoint 4x4 kit.

Definitely plan to expand your budget, unless you go with a gas engine van. I have been happy with the diesel. Also take your time and plan- once you go digging into an older van youll find more things to fix than you expect.

 

[Kenyi]

I took Ujoint offroad Chris advice since I'm goin to go whit his 4x4 kit in the future I hade pretty much the same question that you have and emailed him about it. I also read a bunch of forum post and ended up whit a 2001 ford diesel 7.3 xlt passenger van nice engine with really good mpg and I love my van.

Still saving for my conversion lol

 

[tgreening]

Maybe I'm all wet but with a $20K total budget I'm guessing you could find a ride already 4x4, and already pretty much kitted out to suit what you want to do. At the very least a LONG way toward it. Unless it's a Sportsmobile. For some reason folks seem to think those things are gold plated, no matter how old.

A big question is what's your time worth to you. How much do you want to just jump in and go vs how much time do you want to spend going the DIY route?

Since you state you don't know much about engines of any kind, I'm going to guess any 4x4 conversion you do is going to be farmed out. $$$. I am better equipped than the average guy and I can tell you it is no easy thing. And it wasn't my first rodeo by any stretch.

In your case I'm going to go out on a limb and say you are better off bought and not built. Unless you just want the experience (and pain and suffering) that DIY gives you.

 

[Desert Dan]

Sometimes you can find some decent used 4x4 cargo van or passenger vans but some are pretty beat.

What part of the country are you?

 

[Michael Crouch]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I'm located in Boulder, Colorado right now. As far as finding a current 4x4, that would definitely be ideal! I don't have a ton of time and was planning on doing this through the winter as a project. But yeah, as far as wrenching goes, the major stuff would all be farmed out.

 

[ert01]

Not mine but this would be the golden ticket for you. With the current US to CDN exchange rate, you'd be under budget and have all you need.

V10, 4x4, winch, 125000km (less than 100000miles).

Not mine. No affiliation other than its kinda local.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-rv-motorhome/edmonton/4x4-ford-econoline-camper-van/1099751920

And you'd have the bonus of being able to drive it back home through the Canadian part of the Rockies

 

[350outrage]

I do think your money will go further if you can find a van that's already built, esp the 4wd part. HOWEVER, some of the older 4wd vans are worn out, drive terrible, or are no longer supported (parts) by their converters. Be sure you know which 4wd you're getting; that the converter is still in business; and be sure you drive it prior to purchasing if you find one that's already 4wd. There's only abt 3-4 converters currently in business that I've heard are doing good work. You won't save money by buying a van that's already converted to 4wd, and then having to replace the 4wd or suspension systems because of drivability issues.

PS; One of the shops I've heard some good things about is in your town; Boulder Offroad.

 

[Desert Dan]

I saw this Van but it is in CA and over budget.
http://showroom.auction123.com/fam_vans_inc/inventory/3746/2008/Ford/10476237.html

Some of the used 4x4 passenger vans are from ski resorts/hotels or mining companies

 

[mikracer]

If you're on a budget, I would avoid the 6.0 diesel motors. They seem to require a lot of money to make reliable and the repairs cost $$$$. The 7.3's are the solid ones, but they also demand a premium because everyone knows it. I have a V10 and I really like it because its quiet and it has plenty of power. The downside is that the gas mileage isn't very good at all. The upside is that the maintenance cost is pretty low.

Most 4x4 conversion companies charge between $12k-$15k installed. Then you need wheels and tires. As some people have mentioned, the cheapest way to get into a 4x4 van is to find one already done, but finding a clean one that isn't beat up is the key. Quigley is probably the most popular in terms of numbers, but the ride is rough due to the lack of front suspension travel. I would search craigslist and search a broad area. 4x4 vans seem to pop up for sale in WA, OR, CA, and CO pretty often.

If you can't find a van with 4x4 already done, you should consider finding a conversion van since they seem to sell for pretty cheap and already have a high top installed. Not sure if many were converted on a 3/4 ton or 1 ton chassis though.

 

[350outrage]

If you're on a budget, I would avoid the 6.0 diesel motors. They seem to require a lot of money to make reliable and the repairs cost $$$$. The 7.3's are the solid ones, but they also demand a premium because everyone knows it. I have a V10 and I really like it because its quiet and it has plenty of power. The downside is that the gas mileage isn't very good at all. The upside is that the maintenance cost is pretty low.

Most 4x4 conversion companies charge between $12k-$15k installed. Then you need wheels and tires. As some people have mentioned, the cheapest way to get into a 4x4 van is to find one already done, but finding a clean one that isn't beat up is the key. Quigley is probably the most popular in terms of numbers, but the ride is rough due to the lack of front suspension travel. I would search craigslist and search a broad area. 4x4 vans seem to pop up for sale in WA, OR, CA, and CO pretty often.
If you can't find a van with 4x4 already done, you should consider finding a conversion van since they seem to sell for pretty cheap and already have a high top installed. Not sure if many were converted on a 3/4 ton or 1 ton chassis though.

+1 on all your comments mikracer. Never seen a Conversion van that was anything but a half ton though, but it shouldnt matter; OP will change springs when he does 4wd anyway. BTW, my UJOINT conversion was right at $16k out the door, (not counting wheels and tires), with all work done at Chris's shop. I could have saved $2k or so by not getting ltd slip on front, and the UJOR fuel tank. And I geared down to 4.10's, which cost an additional $500. So your $ comments are right on. Might as well give the OP the bad news early!

 

[mikracer]

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/5212851918.html
Heres a 4x4 van with UJOINT conversion parts with 5.4 motor and a Van Specialties interior. Van Specialties is known to build out some really nice interiors (examples http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=16368, http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=6098). The van has aluminess front bumpers and winch and some other accessories. Its a little more than your initial budget, but it's pretty much done.

Who knows what it looks like on the inside and what the rest of it looks like, but if its clean and it checks out mechanically and cosmetically, I think it would be a VERY good candidate for you.

 

[350outrage]

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/5212851918.html
Heres a 4x4 van with UJOINT conversion parts with 5.4 motor and a Van Specialties interior. Van Specialties is known to build out some really nice interiors (examples http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=16368, http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=6098). The van has aluminess front bumpers and winch and some other accessories. Its a little more than your initial budget, but it's pretty much done.

Who knows what it looks like on the inside and what the rest of it looks like, but if its clean and it checks out mechanically and cosmetically, I think it would be a VERY good candidate for you.

If that thing checks out, you c/n come close to building it for what they're asking. . . I'd be ON it if I was the OP.