Wanted: 4 x 4 Van, Bus Or Other

[kylakemike]

So I retired Friday. Now it is time to get on with my life. I need a livable van, bus or otherwise that will allow me to live the life I want. I would love a diesel 4 x 4 but not a deal breaker. Also I have the means to do a build myself however an out of the box solution is preferable. There is only one of me so I do not need tons of space. However I am not opposed to it as a women will always be a part of who I am. 15K or less is my budget. Please reach out and let me know what you have. Thanks Bob for all your guidance and providing forum.

 

[highdesertranger]

if you want a 4x4 get a factory truck not a conversion van. highdesertranger

 

[Dgorila1]

Have you considered a used 1 ton pickup (350, 3500, etc) and a truck camper? You can be self contained, comfortable and on the road pretty quick if you find a nice setup.

 

[kylakemike]

if you want a 4x4 get a factory truck not a conversion van.  highdesertranger

I have seen several diesel 4 x 4 Quigley conversions currently available as well as some gas models. I do not mind doing a build out. What is your reasoning on using a truck versus a van? 

TIA - Kylakemike

 

[kylakemike]

Have you considered a used 1 ton pickup (350, 3500, etc) and a truck camper? You can be self contained,  comfortable and on the road pretty quick if you find a nice setup.

Might not be a bad option. Thank you. Have not thought in that direction. 

Kylakemike

 

[kylakemike]

Quigley is a conversion but has a good reputation as far as I know. Expensive! They sometimes pop up on Craig's List.
http://www.quigley4x4.com/

Guy

Thank you for the reply. I have seen several of these now. Seem to have a good reputation and are quite useful when needed.

Kylakemike

 

[highdesertranger]

with a 4x4 conversion you are going to have custom made parts that are only available from the conversion company. in case of breakage you will have to get that part shipped to you, if they have the part in stock it might not be bad, but if they have to make a new one you could be in for one long wait. plus many of the conversions end up being a hodgepodge of parts. very common is a Ford front axle on a Chevy. this makes it very hard for me to give a thumbs up on 4x4 conversions. there are other reasons too. highdesertranger

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

I know HDR isn't a fan of the 4x4 van conversions because of the custom parts for them, they can only be sourced from the company that did the conversion, ie Quigley. So you could get hung up somewhere waiting on parts from them if one of them broke. I do know almost all the parts used in the conversion are off the shelf truck parts....GM conversion uses GM truck parts, Ford conversion uses Ford Truck parts, etc. Drive shaft is custom made and i think the shock mounts are too.

I'd still love to have one some day. Quigley has been around since the 60's and started doing van 4x4 conversions in 1974. They are authorized by the manufacturers and don't void the warranty. Good reviews all over the web, over 40 yrs doing it, and a very high resale on their used vans means they're doing something right in my mind.

If I were to travel somewhere getting stuck might kill me, i'd probably travel with the extra parts that can only be had from Quigley on hand, but that's not my normal mode of traveling so it's a non issue with me.

 

[highdesertranger]

well that's not entirely true. since GM's last straight axle truck was made in 1991 they use a Ford front axle and that right there opens a whole can of worms. Dodges don't have a true frame, they were never made for 4x4 use. highdesertranger

 

[John61CT]

Trucks are built lots more robustly, true off-road.

Vans wannabee in comparison.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

well that's not entirely true.  since GM's last straight axle truck was made in 1991 they use a Ford front axle and that right there opens a whole can of worms.  Dodges don't have a true frame,  they were never made for 4x4 use.  highdesertranger

I don't think Quigley puts a solid front axle in the Chevy conversions anymore, think that stopped in 03.  Has the independent front suspension like it comes from the factory, so i'm guessing you now like them less than you did before!  Not sure about the Fords and they don't do Dodge conversions.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

Trucks are built lots more robustly, true off-road.

Vans wannabee in comparison.

I agree with that.  You're never going to make a van do what a truck can.  But there's just something I like about 4x4 vans.  They're unique.  But in my case it would be more a hobby vehicle.  If it was going to be my only vehicle it's probably not a practical way to go.

 

[John61CT]

Just depends how serious your about off-roading

 

[kylakemike]

Good points all and has given me pause. Not that committed to the off-roading lifestyle. Simply wished to cover all my bases as I hate for home to be stuck in the backwoods somewhere. 

Thanks all - Kylakemike

 

[highdesertranger]

if you are set on a van put a locker on the rear axle. it's almost as good as a 4x4. highdesertranger

 

[jimindenver]

I would think many of the van conversions would be sturdy enough considering I have had 2 wheel drive econolines over what is now consider 4x4 trails. I have had the Expedition down what I later learned was a ATV trail and we all know they are just glorified soccer mom cars right. Come to think of it, you should see where crave will take his Crown Vic and cargo trailer.

So while there will always be the ultimate in anything, (in this case a rock crawler), you don't even truly need 4x4 on 99% of the back roads I have been down. While other teach how to use 4x4, winches and snap ropes, I tend to want to teach how not to get stuck in the first place.

 

[bullfrog]

Four wheel drive is an easy solution for people like me to get unstuck from someplace I should have gone around while in two wheel drive. A locker and a some recovery gear will get you out of the same situation just with more work and time in most cases. If you are still able to hike or take secondary transportation the two wheel drive is the much cheaper option in my opinion and if you break something you can still get around. That said my dream rig is a 4 wheel drive truck pulling a trailer with living quarters (base camp) and a 4 wheel drive (Samurai) on it. 15k looks like a good used Chevy van with a mountain bike or rad electric bike to me.

 

[sometimesido]

those Japanese import vans with 4x4 system and some with diesel will fit the bill under 15k. but you probably don't want that. parts would be almost impossible to get on those right hand drive machines.

also, are these considered all wheel drive instead of 4wd? I've never looked into it before.
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/ctd/d/chevy-express-vanx4/6356161012.html

edit: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/chevy-express-awd-short-take-road-test

The four-wheel-drive system isn't like the hard-core setups offered on Chevy pickups. The major component is the full-time transfer case that employs a center differential with viscous limited slip. This isn't nearly as effective as systems with locking differentials. But it's better than the conventional rear-drive approach, and it did make a difference when we were extracting a loaded trailer from that slippery paddock--while around us others were slippin' and slidin'.

 

[DLTooley]

I've thought along those same lines - I'm thinking a pickup with a box in back. The straight walls would make an easier build. It may be possible to mix and match the box and the chassis used.

 

[Dgorila1]

Might not be a bad option. Thank you. Have not thought in that direction. 

Kylakemike

Also, you probably don;t need a 4X4 from what it sounds like. A 2WD truck or van will get better mileage, have a greater carrying capacity and less parts to worry about maintaining/breaking than a 4X4. If you set up a 2WD with a locker rear end and possibly a winch you should be able to go off the beaten path with no problem (provided you use common sense). 
    I like the idea of a van (Class B) but I also like the idea of a 1 ton pickup with a slide-in camper. The slide-in is self contained and comfortable, can be removed from the truck at the campsite or if the truck needs to go into the shop for repair, and can be transferred from one truck to another if you change vehicles. Just some more food for thought.