What series what to buy

[Bikersmurf]

Agreed, you'll need to know the conditions.

Every vehicle is a compromise. The key is to understand your needs and where you're willing to compromise. I'd rather tow a 4WD than try to make my 9000 lb something it's not. Lifting it 6" and adding 37" tires to turn it into a 10' tall truck that gets worse economy and doesn't fit anywhere isn't the one I'm wanting to make.

 

[ujoint]

Don't have to go that tall, 4x4 swap with good traction & 33's is all you need to get the job done.

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

I'd rather drive out on a deserted beach in Baja, pop the top, set up a chair, crack open a cold one - and not worry about getting back.

There is no way to get a 2wd to the spot below, as it was, two of the three 4wd Vans, the Quigley and the Advanced 4X4, in the bottom picture got buried getting in, but not the middle one - another advantage of TTB independent suspension is that they flat-out out perform a solid axle in sand.

 

[simple]

another advantage of TTB independent suspension is that they flat-out out perform a solid axle in sand.

What is it about the TTB setup that makes it better than a solid axle in the sand?

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

What is it about the TTB setup that makes it better than a solid axle in the sand?

Independent wheel movement, one wheel doesn't effect the other. I can pull up to my friend with the exact same tires, gearing, V10 and weight on a sand hill - his front will start hopping and digging and I can just drive away. I've done it many times. The other thing is that when you need to put your foot in it, no other system can handle the speed in the rough.

I got a call several months ago from a fellow who bought one of our TTB conversions on Ebay from someone in Las Vegas. He was from North Carolina and has owned several 4X4 Vans - I guess they use them for fishing on the beaches there. He called to say how impressed he was with our system, saying it was the best 4X4 he had ever owned and how well it worked on the beach.

 

[simple]

Independent wheel movement, one wheel doesn't effect the other. I can pull up to my friend with the exact same tires, gearing, V10 and weight on a sand hill - his front will start hopping and digging and I can just drive away. I've done it many times. The other thing is that when you need to put your foot in it, no other system can handle the speed in the rough.

I got a call several months ago from a fellow who bought one of our TTB conversions on Ebay from someone in Las Vegas. He was from North Carolina and has owned several 4X4 Vans - I guess they use them for fishing on the beaches there. He called to say how impressed he was with our system, saying it was the best 4X4 he had ever owned and how well it worked on the beach.

Was your friends front suspension a leaf spring or coil set up?

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

That particular example was a coil sprung QuadVan.

In the picture above, one is a coil sprung Quigley and the other is leaf sprung on custom leafs.

 

[Bikersmurf]

Agreed, you'll need to know the conditions.

Every vehicle is a compromise. The key is to understand your needs and where you're willing to compromise. I'd rather tow a 4WD than try to make my 9000 lb something it's not. Lifting it 6" and adding 37" tires to turn it into a 10' tall truck that gets worse economy and doesn't fit anywhere isn't the one I'm wanting to make.

Don't have to go that tall, 4x4 swap with good traction & 33's is all you need to get the job done.

She's already 8'6" on sagged out springs. So I guess I could be under 9'6"... And be able to go 1/4 as far as my Fj40 on 33s. To each his own. Our terrain is much greener & tighter in these parts, and seldom dry.

 

[simple]

That particular example was a coil sprung QuadVan.

In the picture above, one is a coil sprung Quigley and the other is leaf sprung on custom leafs.

The TTB performing better offroad at higher rates of speed makes a lot of sense to me but I'm still trying to understand the crawling up off a beach in the sand thing.

What you are describing sounded like wheel hop due to axle wrap but a linked suspension system shouldn't have that particular dynamic. If the body is oscillating every time the tires climb up out of their sand rut while the vehicle is moving at slow speeds (under 10mph) it sounds like a dampening issue. Did you tune the dampening system on those vans similar to yours?

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

Only some work on the leaf sprung van - re-arched front spring and Fox Shocks (dual in the front for looks only).

I've been "Wheeling" for 42 years in everything from Flat Fenders to KOH Racers. There is not a lot of empirical evidence out there to prove my point, but there is a lot of first hand experience.

 

[radorsch]

Miles vs Years

Thought I'd solicit some thoughts from people who have owned van(s) of various vintage and mileage. There is a huge variety of vans in my price range (10-15K). I'm looking at gas engines, mostly 5.4 available but I'd prefer a V10. What do folks think is a better strategy for deciding between similarly equipped vans in similar condition - age or miles? For instance (an extreme), a 2005 E350 EB with 39000 mi vs 2011 with 116000. Similar price and condition.
Part of me feels that lower miles means longer life for the engine. Experience favors fewer years and general consistent driving (with maintenance) as a better bet. Obviously good maintenance and care trumps all, but I can't always know what the PO did to take care of it.
Thanks

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

In your example, there was a body style change, limited to the front. Otherwise everything is basically the same so I would go for the low miles, as long as it was maintained and not just "in mothballs".

We just converted a 2001 E350 7.3L with only 46,000 miles that was in like new condition - I would take that any day over a 2014 at three times the price.

 

[ujoint]

Thought I'd solicit some thoughts from people who have owned van(s) of various vintage and mileage. There is a huge variety of vans in my price range (10-15K). I'm looking at gas engines, mostly 5.4 available but I'd prefer a V10. What do folks think is a better strategy for deciding between similarly equipped vans in similar condition - age or miles? For instance (an extreme), a 2005 E350 EB with 39000 mi vs 2011 with 116000. Similar price and condition.
Part of me feels that lower miles means longer life for the engine. Experience favors fewer years and general consistent driving (with maintenance) as a better bet. Obviously good maintenance and care trumps all, but I can't always know what the PO did to take care of it.
Thanks

The 05 does't have RSC, the 11 does so that changes a few things. A lot of guys go by mileage only, this can be good & bad. I'd take a clean rust free rig with 200k over a 50k rig with rust any day.

 

[radorsch]

I know the RSC can complicate the 4x4 conversion, but otherwise, is there a reason to avoid it? Or actively try to get it? I've been thinking of it as a bonus, but it wasn't a major factor.
I kind of like the 08 front end look, but I'd MUCH rather have a durable, reliable van... Especially if I'm gonna drop a bunch of cash into upgrades.
Thanks for the input!

 

[workerdrone]

Is there anything to know about the different lengths other than, the longer it is the worse your departure angle is going to be?

Obviously you'll have more interior space, it'll take up more parking space, etc. How about the size of "basement" that can be fitted, fuel tank options, any 4x4 conversion tidbits to think about, are there factory options that you'll automatically have or not have with extended vs standard versions?