Ski RV's, who's sleeping in parking lots?

**heckacali** · 10-10-2022, 03:09 PM

Ford e3/450 has themost support
Chevy much less
Sprinter/transit, zero that I know of.

**byates1** · 10-10-2022, 03:13 PM

Just buy a 4wd f350 rolling chassis and build a cabin on it.

**beaterdit** · 10-10-2022, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by heckacali

Ford e3/450 has themost support
Chevy much less
Sprinter/transit, zero that I know of.

Quadvan does Transits, super expensive. They prolly do Sprinters too. Both are available with factory AWD these days if you can get one so no reason to do that.

The Ford E350 is by far the best option if you want to convert it yourself or even pay someone else. U Joint is the best stuff, as mentioned above, it's around $12K for the parts. U Joint has a list of trusted shops around the country. If you have some mechanical experience and a friend, and the space and equipment to lift a huge Van you can prolly do it yourself. There is some welding required for the front leaf spring perch to the frame, and also for shortening the fuel tank to make room for the T-case.

Decided against spending that much on my 2003 E350 even with the 7.3 PSD. It's 20 years old with almost 300K on the clock, a bit of rust and a lot of other maintenance coming at me. Got a 2023 Transit AWD on order. Fingers crossed it gets built.

**muted reborn** · 10-10-2022, 04:55 PM

I'd recommend going through Wasatch Overland for a build. They can find you a low mile older E350 and build it out a little, and then you can finish it, or they can build it out completely, and add a party hat hi-roof so you can stand up, and deal with 4x4 conversion through Advanced 4x4 or whatever.

FYI Ford still make E350 parts because they still make E350 cabs for Uhaul, C-Class Campers, etc

**frorider** · 10-10-2022, 05:46 PM

My pre-Covid Quadvan conversion on my Transit was $12k for the standard conversion with 2” lift.

I added some extras like a True Trac front LSD, chopped shock hangers, and regearing for 32” tires. Around $16k for a very solid conversion. Having a hi/lo transfer case and a true 4WD is a must for me but ya for most vans an AWD system is fine since they’re on snowy hiways etc, not steep tracks in NV/UT etc.

**m2711c** · 10-10-2022, 06:05 PM

hi/lo transfer case and a true 4WD in a 19 to 25 foot 4 season class c is the unicorn i am currently chasing... anybody seen that fucker run by?

**frorider** · 10-10-2022, 06:20 PM

But is the shell and interior of that Class C built for actual 4WD roads or will it all slowly come apart at the seams after 3 or 4 yrs?

A van is a metal box. A quality buildout is aluminum and steel frames bolted to the metal box with marine grade cabinets and electronics.

**GravityDT** · 10-10-2022, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by simple

Lol

You have more faith in the common person than I do. Most can't change their own oil. Many don't have a set of tools beyond a 100 piece plastic case kit. Installing a UJoint kit is possible for a driveway mechanic I've seen it done by a few but they are "skilled"

Did a full Ujoint 6" 4x4 conversion on our old 7.3L E350 back in '15. 95% was by myself in the driveway - brought a buddy in for the little bit of welding and help with placing axles. All said and done it took less than 2 weeks working after work. I did get the full kit from Chris at UJOR with his built up front axle. Was @11k in parts if I recall....

**m2711c** · 10-10-2022, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by frorider

But is the shell and interior of that Class C built for actual 4WD roads or will it all slowly come apart at the seams after 3 or 4 yrs?

A van is a metal box. A quality buildout is aluminum and steel frames bolted to the metal box with marine grade cabinets and electronics.

i'm going skiing, not "actual" 4 wheelin'... and, ullr willing, that skiing will be ass deep in some of that thick fuckin' onterio lake effect. and points yonder too

i do have perfectly adequate geo tracker for when i hit the ol' rubicon trail... so, no worries there.

**T-dub** · 10-10-2022, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by simple

Lol

You have more faith in the common person than I do. Most can't change their own oil. Many don't have a set of tools beyond a 100 piece plastic case kit. Installing a UJoint kit is possible for a driveway mechanic I've seen it done by a few but they are "skilled"

yeah, and i'll take a guess and say that most commenting on how easy it all is, have never even busted a knuckle.
reading is one thing - doing? - quite another

**apex dave** · 10-10-2022, 09:29 PM

Buying Canadian could save Americans some $ at the .72 exchange rate. Only catch is you'd have to come and get the kit as they don't ship outside Canada.
https://www.clydesdalevans.com/econo...wd-conversions

**heckacali** · 10-10-2022, 11:21 PM

So sweet

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...-chelan-van-4/

**Bobcat Sig** · 10-12-2022, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by heckacali

So sweet

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...-chelan-van-4/

Boner

**heckacali** · 10-12-2022, 10:57 AM

https://bakersfield.craigslist.org/r...543734370.html

**heckacali** · 10-12-2022, 11:19 AM

https://vermont.craigslist.org/cto/d...542310672.html

**frorider** · 10-12-2022, 01:42 PM

Ford #vanlife factory build…this might be a big deal. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a4...ersion-teaser/

**powdork** · 10-12-2022, 02:20 PM

Also interesting is it will be made alongside the etransit. At this point they're not really compatible given the etransit's limited range of 126 miles assuming low roof low profile vs the Trail's high roof (and ladders, solar, cell phone extender, etc.) but one can hope.

**Brownski** · 10-12-2022, 03:00 PM

Look what IG suggested. Some of these are pretty slick

https://instagram.com/japanesecamper...d=NzNkNDdiOGI=

**Name Redacted** · 10-12-2022, 04:11 PM

I have two Delicas on my street alone. There was another down the way but it sold last year.

**muted reborn** · 10-12-2022, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by powdork

Also interesting is it will be made alongside the etransit. At this point they're not really compatible given the etransit's limited range of 126 miles assuming low roof low profile vs the Trail's high roof (and ladders, solar, cell phone extender, etc.) but one can hope.

GTRV is making an etransit camper right now with a pop top: https://www.instagram.com/p/CjlS9TpLgH4/