Ford Econoline 4x4 campervan conversion. (Long)

[TMG51]

A quick n dirty trick is, when you get stuck, partially apply the parking brake.
that'll 'trick' the open diff into acting like a limited slip, though a REAL limited slip would be much better
maybe an ARB air locker?

Huh, interesting, never heard that one before. I'm tempted to get stuck just to try it! ...not tempted enough though.

 

[ArtW]

I'd make sure i had a come along first, like I said, not as good as a real locker or LSD

 

[steamjam1]

I think you might be the right person to ask this question... I'll start a thread if this is derailing. How involved / expensive might it be to get a rear locker in my 1 ton '99 Dodge 3500 van? I drive this thing all over the desert no problem, but as soon as I get one wheel in soft mud it just spins... open differential. I got stuck in like 2" of mud that way and it drove me crazy. I'm not knowledgeable with locker options though.

An air locker should be readily available for your rear axle. It'll either be a Corp. 9.25 or Dana-60. Its expensive at over a G, and you'll have to install an air compressor to power the locker.

ARB air locker

The next best thing is to install a limited slip differential . (LSD).

Limited slip Differential

When my Dodge was still a 2wd, I've gotten in stuck on wet grass. An LSD would have prevented that. I think a locker is a bit overkill on 2WD vans unless you planning on going on some gnarly trails.

Any transmission shop should be able to install an LSD in a matter of hours. A competent 4x4 shop should be able to take care of the locker install in about the same time. Whatever you do, Don't let anyone talk you into welding the differential. thats BAD NEWS.

 

[BlackNBlue]

+1 on no welded diff. That's bad news for almost any kind of vehicle.

Tires are more important than drivetrain mods. If you're routinely going places where you get stuck, upgrade to AT (all-terrain) tires. I met somebody dwelling in a 2wd Toyota who had normal car tires on the front but something like 31" MT (mud-terrain; the loud huge knobby kind) in the back. They had no trouble making it up rather steep muddy roads.

Yes, a come-along is cheap, light, small, and can sometimes save things that are expensive, heavy, and large (like your van with you and all your stuff).

My Kurbmaster's a P400 on a medium-duty chassis, not an Econoline or F250, so anything I do is going to involve fab work anyway.

Regarding a locker for your Dodge... I don't actually know, but I bet the axle in yours is shared with Ram trucks and would take the same diff upgrades.

For reasonably balanced (front-to-rear, so not empty pickup trucks nor fully loaded commercial trucks) four-wheel vehicles on low-traction surfaces, the hierarchy goes something like: 2wd open < 2wd limited-slip < 2wd locked < 4wd with limited-slip center diff < 4wd with locked center diff < 4wd with locked center and rear < 4wd with locked center, rear, and front diffs. Other than tires and chains, the only way up from there is pod or full tracks, and by now we've digressed...

 

[TMG51]

I like the limited slip option. However I think I'll have to file that under "someday, when I've paid for everything I really need."

 

[ViaVacavi]

I think you might be the right person to ask this question... I'll start a thread if this is derailing. How involved / expensive might it be to get a rear locker in my 1 ton '99 Dodge 3500 van? I drive this thing all over the desert no problem, but as soon as I get one wheel in soft mud it just spins... open differential. I got stuck in like 2" of mud that way and it drove me crazy. I'm not knowledgeable with locker options though.

I know this want directed at me, but I've installed a couple of Spartan lunchbox lockers (in Toyota's, but I'm sure they make one compatible for Dodge). It was very very simple! I think I did it in a matter of an hour or so. They work great and reliable, they are cheap and the only downside is that you have to lay off the throttle during sharp turns to allow the outside tire to outrun the inside tire. I'll probably put one in my 2000 dodge before long!

 

[steamjam1]

I like the limited slip option. However I think I'll have to file that under "someday, when I've paid for everything I really need."

Yeah. Good choice. My Ford RV has an LSD in it from the factory and its a WORLD better then the open diff on my old Dodge shorty. Then again the Ford's weight also give me added traction as well. Under normal circumstances all you really need is a good set of tires.

 

[steamjam1]

I know this want directed at me, but I've installed a couple of Spartan lunchbox lockers (in Toyota's, but I'm sure they make one compatible for Dodge).  It was very very simple! I think I did it in a matter of an hour or so.  They work great and reliable, they are cheap and the only downside is that you have to lay off the throttle during sharp turns to allow the outside tire to outrun the inside tire.  I'll probably put one in my 2000 dodge before long!

Thats just as bad as welded diffs, especially on heavy Class-B vans. They are great for 4x4's, and buggies that are light enough for the rear end to "hop" around sharp turns. It puts so much strain on the axle shafts that you run the risk of snapping one, or stripping the splines out.

 

[ViaVacavi]

Thats just as bad as welded diffs, especially on heavy Class-B vans. They are great for 4x4's, and buggies that are light enough for the rear end to "hop" around sharp turns. It puts so much strain on the axle shafts that you run the risk of snapping one, or stripping the splines out.

It's actually only bad if you don't change your driving habits in sharp corners.  They are nothing like a welded diff in that so long as torque isn't being applied from the engine it acts as an open diff.  They're quite streetable as long as you learn to drive with that limitation.  In the prior install I did, I didn't skip or chirp tires a single time (though it can get annoying on right hand turns from a dead stop, since you have little room to build up speed to coast through the turn). The big allure to lunchbox lockers is that they are cheap, very easy to install, and operate reliably.  Again, it does take a small change to your driving habits to avoid beating things up, but it really isn't hard and once you get it you have 100% predictable operation

I believe I saw in FALCONs build thread that he installed a lunchbox on his Dodge.  I wonder if his experience has been like mine?

 

[ViaVacavi]

Found FALCONs post about his lunchbox install. He talks briefly about the driveability. Perhaps now that he's had it for a while he'll chime in with a more detailed report

https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-FALCON-S-Aventuremobile-conversion-thread?pid=144367#pid144367

 

[steamjam1]

I love how things never work out when you really want them too... Go to the RV section to see why.. For now I have to put down the Ford 4x4 conversion and go back and deal with a past headache that WONT GO AWAY that I decided since nothing seems to be going my way right now, I might as well just complete...