My Plan....

[Joeykayak]

What a great site! Hello to all.
My plan is to take 6 months and travel this great country. My priorities and special considerations are

• I live in nyc area and need to park my vehicle on street when not on road trip.
• I will be traveling alone
• I want to carry a kayak as I will be fishing in many areas I will visit. 
• I want a vehicle that I can take on the beach to access good fishing grounds.
• I want to be able to handle most climates conditions.
• I think I can get by without cooking in vehicle but not sure. 
• Don't need to have shower but maybe a basic grey water sink set up.
• I have about 15k to make this happen

Ok, here is my plan so far.

• Get a used Chevy express awd van
• Install lift by an mechanic
• I would do the outfitting myself, i.e. Bed, insulation, water, electrical to power things like a blender and a mircrowave 
• Install kayak rack on roof

I probably would have to sell vehicle after trip only because the parking in nyc is just insane,would there be a chance I could get my money back out of it after customizing?

So basically guys how does this plan sound?

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Sounds likea good basic plan.
Consider a 1 ton van and you shouldn't need a lift job. Plus, a heavier frame and suspension, as well as taller tires from the start.

 

[BradKW]

Welcome to the forum!

I did a couple quick searches outta curiosity and it sure seems like AWD adds a big premium to even older Chevy vans...what have you seen that fits with your budget? Figuring you're looking at the $10k range?

I tend to suspect that modifying a vehicle of that type and age in the manner you propose probably wouldn't lend itself to getting much return on your investment in a quick turn-around scenario. Guess it just depends a lot on how good a deal you manage to find up front.

And from my (thankfully little) experience, driving and parking on NYC streets is sure to quickly lower a vehicle's value...as well as owner's sanity

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums Joeykayak! Six months is not enough time. :-D But I guessing that you have a job waiting and can only take so much time off to explore. Just be prepared for the development of permanent wanderlust! Since this will be short term make most of the changes easily removable and make sure that the insulation and whatever you install on top of the insulation looks professional. You should be able to recoup most of your original investment.

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[Joeykayak]

Welcome to the CRVL forums Joeykayak!  Six months is not enough time. :-D  But I guessing that you have a job waiting and can only take so much time off to explore. Just be prepared for the development of permanent wanderlust!  Since this will be short term make most of the changes easily removable and make sure that the insulation and whatever you install on top of the insulation looks professional. You should be able to recoup most of your original investment.

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started.   We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[Joeykayak]

Yes it does seem that the awd is really complicating thing cause they're hard to find and people really want a premium for them, but the beach access is vey important to me. Another option is getting a 4x4 conversion company to outfit the new drivetrain but they are pricey, maybe it would be something I would get on the backend when I sell it?

 

[highdesertranger]

you are not going to like what I have to say but it's my honest opinion. I am not a big fan of AWD, or putting lift kits on independent suspension vehicles, I am also not a fan of 4x4 conversions for vans. if a 2wd 1 ton with a locking rear axle won't do it I believe you need a regular factory 4x4. believe me in the long run you will have many less headaches. highdesertranger

 

[akrvbob]

I'd give some thought to a 4x4 pickup and a tall shell, it solves all your problems. I like these shells:
http://belairshells.com/wood-n-alum

Bob

 

[towhee]

HDR
What types of locking differentials do you like? Which specific makes and models?

I am in sand country here in Southern California and where it is not sand roads are steep and rutted. I am understanding the appeal of more clearance and more traction.

 

[Joeykayak]

HDR
What types of locking differentials do you like? Which specific makes and models?  

I am in sand country here in Southern California and where it is not sand roads are steep and rutted. I am understanding the appeal of more clearance and more traction.

Bob, I was hot on that set with the pickup but thought for stealth camping it would be better.

 

[drysailor]

What a great site! Hello to all.
My plan is to take 6 months and travel this great country.

So basically guys how does this plan sound?

Well Joey, if street parking in NYC, a cargo van (no windows) might be good. Insulate & panel or carpet the interior. Add a roof vent.
    -  perhaps long enough to carry the kayak inside the van and out of sight.
    -  you maybe should rethink 4wd - many places won't allow traffic on a beach; limited slip diff with a front winch may cover most off road needs.
    -  being able to do simple food prep inside is almost a must; look up chuck boxes or camping boxes. Many small boats use these as galleys.
    - For $15K you'll have to compromise somewhere. Accept cosmetic issues & poor tires that you can replace; 4wd is often the least
       reliable mech part on a vehicle, $$$$$$ to install & cuts MPG. Try to avoid high mileage vehicles or those with no service records.
Sounds like an adventure....

 

[highdesertranger]

I like the original Eaton Detroit Locker. they have been around since the 30's, they are super simple, they have very few parts, they are available for a wide range of vehicles from light trucks through medium and heavy duty trucks. the GM 1 tons that the military used all came with Detroit Lockers. http://www.eaton.com/Eaton/ProductsServices/Vehicle/Differentials/detroit-locker/index.htm#tabs-3 . look at the components there are only 9 parts, like I said super simple and simple means longevity, durability, and reliability.
now the cons, some people don't like the harshness of the lock/unlock, I don't have a problem with it. some drivers who must either be pressing the gas peddle or the brake peddle complain that the locker is also locking and unlocking. I know a few of these people, it has more to do with their driving habits then with the locker. in my vehicles I will only run Detroit lockers, I would not spend money on any other type. the selectable lockers are nice, but the price, omg. highdesertranger

 

[BradKW]

the selectable lockers are nice, but the price, omg. highdesertranger

when you say selectable lockers, are you talking about LSDs, or is this something different?

And is that Eaton locker a true "locking differential", or is it a hybrid because it will unlock? Oh, and how does a device like that "know" when you're cornering versus losing traction? thanks.

 

[Joeykayak]

Locking differential is totally a new concept to me, beach driving is a must for me, would it get the job done with maybe a lift job for some extra clearance?

 

[highdesertranger]

when I said selectable locker I meant like an ARB air locker or an electrical locker.

if it will be enough in beach sand is hard to say. sand is a m efer. do any of your buddies have a 2wd with a locker, you could ask them. in CA there is only 1 place to drive on the beach(and we have 1,500 miles of coastline). so I don't drive on the beach. besides the fact that I want my truck to last another 20 years. highdesertranger

 

[SternWake]

I wonder about the capability of an AWD vehicle on a soft beach vs a 4wd.

Does AWD have limited slip or open differentials, or does it' depend' on vehicle?

I was more of the understanding and could be completely wrong, that AWD was primarily for rain and snow slicked roads, not built as durable as a hi/low 4wd with locking hubs.

Where were you thinking of beach driving, OBX?

I am rather surprised at the amount of traction I have with an open diff and aired down tires, but sugar sand? Not unless I can safely get up some serious momentum to cross it to the flat hard pack.

Out west the only places North of Baja that allow you to drive on the beach, are pretty much 2wd accessible, and one only gets stuck if unaware of how to drive on sand or are forced above the regular high tide line by a full/new moon tide with a large swell running.

Surf fishing out west is not as productive as the east coast, and temporary fishing non resident permits are ridiculously pricey, and often checked, at least in California.

I was considering a locker for remote Baja, but then Baja became infested with Meth heads.

I am no longer considering a locker.

 

[Joeykayak]

OBX and some beaches close me on Long Island that art great for fishing. I have seen a guy in a Astro awd whip around pretty easily and I have awd on my Nissan Rogue and I never got stuck so I think with airing down I should be ok.

 

[towhee]

I like the original Eaton Detroit Locker.  

 I read the wikipedia article on locking differentials. It has this to say about the downside:

• [font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', sans-serif]Cons: Increased tire wear and noticeable impact on driving behavior. During cornering, which half-axle is uncoupled is dependent on torque direction applied by the drivelive. When the torque direction is reversed, the speed of the driveline is suddenly forced to change from the inner to outer axle, accompanied by tire chirping and a large jerk. During cornering, the automatic locker is characterized by heavy understeer which transitions instantly to power oversteer when traction is exceeded.[/font]

Increased tire wear and jerky steering. Is that