OK, to preface this... my wife, son, the two dogs and I went to Yellowstone before Memorial Day. We had a great time, and realized we'd like to do things like this more often.
We drove a '95 Ford Conversion my dad had picked up a last year, but it had some problems (155k on the 302). I did a bunch of cleaning, some electrical work, a tune up, brakes, and some other things to get it good for the trip. It tossed a tranny code and an engine code during the 2k trip, but overall it did pretty well. We noted there wasn't enough power. We hit some snow along the Continental Divide, but traction wasn't an issue.
So, we decided we'd like something similar, but newer (and no, the '95 is not an option). The whole conversion thing is nice but dated. We'd like the comfort with more utility. We slept in the rig one night and it worked OK, but could definitely use some tweaks.
We like the idea of 4x4 as well. It'd be nice to be able to head off road. We'd also be traveling in the winter, so that would help, but a good set of studded tires might be all I need.
I'm not willing to pay the $$ for a Sportsmobile new, and even the used ones aren't depreciating (at least according to the sellers) like other automobiles. We looked at a 2wd Roadtrek, but it's not what I would consider rugged enough.
It would be used mostly for weekenders, with maybe a week or two during the year. Here is the rig I'd like to end up with (I can take some time to get there)
I see my options as follows:
I have the skill and the time to put something together, but with some limitations. I no longer have a full shop with engine stand, cherry picker, and space for spare vehicles, so I'd prefer something that would not need immediate engine work. It pretty much rules out a DIY 4x4 conversion or engine swap. I do have a small shop where I can do cabinet work or other stuff that doesn't require a vehicle inside.
I've been scouring craiglook for 4x4 vans, but they seem to be very high mileage, very expensive or too far from the Pacific Northwest (and i don't mind traveling). I have a friend who has an in with a wholesaler... I might get into the last option inexepensively.
If you've hung in this far, I appreciate your reading my longwinded note. Hopefully some of your experiences will help me determine a course of action.
Also wonderin' how you put a value on a 4x4 conversion? I figure +$7k on top of NADA, but if y'all got a better idea, I'd love to hear it.
We drove a '95 Ford Conversion my dad had picked up a last year, but it had some problems (155k on the 302). I did a bunch of cleaning, some electrical work, a tune up, brakes, and some other things to get it good for the trip. It tossed a tranny code and an engine code during the 2k trip, but overall it did pretty well. We noted there wasn't enough power. We hit some snow along the Continental Divide, but traction wasn't an issue.
So, we decided we'd like something similar, but newer (and no, the '95 is not an option). The whole conversion thing is nice but dated. We'd like the comfort with more utility. We slept in the rig one night and it worked OK, but could definitely use some tweaks.
We like the idea of 4x4 as well. It'd be nice to be able to head off road. We'd also be traveling in the winter, so that would help, but a good set of studded tires might be all I need.
I'm not willing to pay the $$ for a Sportsmobile new, and even the used ones aren't depreciating (at least according to the sellers) like other automobiles. We looked at a 2wd Roadtrek, but it's not what I would consider rugged enough.
It would be used mostly for weekenders, with maybe a week or two during the year. Here is the rig I'd like to end up with (I can take some time to get there)
- Under 100k mileage
- 4x4
- High or pop top
- SMB style interior
- Initial outlay for the project under $15k, total down the road maybe around $30k
I see my options as follows:
- Pick up an existing 4x4 passenger conversion (this would be my favorite, as it could be used from day 1) and start modifying.
- Pick up an existing 4x4 cargo conversion and start modifying.
- Pick up a cargo/passenger van and just deal with the 2wd and convert the front axle down the road (if I determine if it would be needed)
I have the skill and the time to put something together, but with some limitations. I no longer have a full shop with engine stand, cherry picker, and space for spare vehicles, so I'd prefer something that would not need immediate engine work. It pretty much rules out a DIY 4x4 conversion or engine swap. I do have a small shop where I can do cabinet work or other stuff that doesn't require a vehicle inside.
I've been scouring craiglook for 4x4 vans, but they seem to be very high mileage, very expensive or too far from the Pacific Northwest (and i don't mind traveling). I have a friend who has an in with a wholesaler... I might get into the last option inexepensively.
If you've hung in this far, I appreciate your reading my longwinded note. Hopefully some of your experiences will help me determine a course of action.
Also wonderin' how you put a value on a 4x4 conversion? I figure +$7k on top of NADA, but if y'all got a better idea, I'd love to hear it.
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I think I needed someone to just say it. 
