Thoughts on this one?

[savvy]

I think 4x4 would be a great feature, since I'll mostly be camping and boondocking while out climbing- but I'm wondering about the gas mileage. Any opinions on this rig?

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/3481658658.html

 

[bee]

Quick opinion is overpriced, but its rare....<br />No mention of mileage, which usually means high. &nbsp;Also has no interior pictures.<br /><br />He says "Dana rears". &nbsp;That might mean "dana <strong>gears"</strong>. &nbsp;If it does you want a Dana 60 in the front and a dana 70 or 80 in the back. Higher the number the stronger it is. &nbsp;Those would be the axles you would find in a 1 ton pickup.<br /><br />Since its rare its&nbsp;definitely&nbsp;worth following up on, find out who did the 4x4 conversion etc. &nbsp;Just to pull a number out of my ass, I would expect 12-16mpg. &nbsp;Probably 1 mpg less then a 2wd version.

 

[savvy]

Thanks for your insight, Bee! I'll keep that in mind as we follow up on this van.

 

[LucidPhotographer]

I would also find out what size the motor is. V8s vary from as small as some V6s to huge gas guzzling behemoths.

 

[MrNoodly]

My brother used to say that 4WD means you'll be in a more inaccessible place and have farther to walk for help when you finally get stuck.&nbsp;<img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" class="bbc_img" />

 

[crazybill]

&nbsp;Savvy, I must admit that I am partial to four wheel drive. I will not own a vehicle without it. I like the added traction but I also like the super low gear I get with a transfer case. <br />&nbsp;Those 4X4 vans can be very useful or a bucket of snakes. They didn't come from the factory as 4X4 so someone had to do the "conversion". Very often it was done by a shop specializing in the job or it could be a home grown conversion. If I were looking at this particular van I would ask for records on the conversion and I would also put it on a lift and go over the conversion with a fine toothed comb. Frame welds, braces, suspension mods, etc. As Noodly pointed out you will be in the armpit of nowhere when things go bad. <br />&nbsp;Mileage will be a mile or so lower than 2WD overall.<br />&nbsp;I don't think the price is out of line for a low mileage professional conversion in excellent condition. That van looks homegrown to me so I would be very careful looking at it. If you aren't familiar with 4X4 stuff take it to a shop that specializes in 4x4 and have them look at it. If the owner squawks about doing that then walk away. He is hiding something.<br />&nbsp;-Bill-

 

[savvy]

Good to know, thanks for the input everyone. I haven't heard back from this guy yet, so maybe it's a shady deal anyway. I'm gonna keep looking for 4x4 vans- If you see any, send em my way!

 

[highdesertranger]

like crazy bill said no van came from the factory as a 4x4.&nbsp; so it's going to have parts on it that can't be bought anywhere and will have to be fabricated if they fail.&nbsp; also 1/2 is a little lite for a 4x4 van.&nbsp; i wouldn't bother with anything under 3/4 ton.&nbsp; lastly remember a van is top heavy anyway, jack it up to make it a 4x4 makes it more top heavy you have to be extra cautious with a 4x4 van.&nbsp; watch the off camber.&nbsp; highdesertranger