gmc vans : instead of a pickup or big sport ute (if the little riceburner 4WDsare called "sport-cutes", then the old Detroit 4WDs such as Broncosshould be called "sport-brutes" I guess), how about a full-sizedvan with part-time 4WD? I seem to recall there have been conversionsusing pickup chassis/drivetrain components, but I don't know ifthere were any factory models with 4WD as an option.alternatively, are there utility-type chassis that could beplopped onto a pickup frame/drivetrain??#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#- #-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-# "Mathematics is an interesting intellectual sport but it should not be allowed to stand in the way of obtaining sensible information about physical processes." Richard W. Hamming #-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#- #-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#Ivanhoe wrote: the GMC safari had an AWD option I believe, (safari is the "big" minivan. S-10 chassi ) Also a company called Quigley does off road conversions for Ford/GMC vans (not sure 'bout Dodge) Saw one in a recent Popular Mechanics article. Pretty wild looking.The conversions are done by a number of people. The best services areones such as Marmon-Herington or Fontaine that do ship thoroughservice. We just got a RFI van with 4WD at work, that I believe was done byfontaine, (it was subed out by the company that built the interior/penumatic mast) I've seen one 4WD van with dual rear wheels used forgeological studies
gmc vans : How about one? Well there have a been a number of conversions for decades -some of them high quality, but all that I have seen have one big problem; theyall use automatic transmissions. The problem I have with an automatic is thatthere is no way to start the vehicle if the starting system goes down for anyreason; you cannot push or pull start a vehicle that has an automatic.1) These *are* usually conversions. Having created a few custom vehiclesmyself, I know that they are often not the easiest vehicles to get parts for.Also, you have to know what you are about before you can know if the conversionwas done well.2) A higher center of gravity than most other 4WD vehicles - this can be a realproblem off-road when traversing a hill sideways (which you sometimes have todo).3) Vans are nowhere near as easy to work on the engine as a pickup or SUV.There are a couple of motorhomes out there that are 4WD - I don't have thewebsite right now, but they are on the 'net. One is based on a Ford pickup, theother is not. Another option is a motorhome based on a Mercedes Unimog - butparts availability would be an issue in the US.
gmc vans : I have been inside the one that is based on the Ford pickup; nice but kind ofsmall for the bucks when compared to other RVs its size.I do not understand what you mean by "utility type chassis".well, there are those beds with tons of hatches that are plopped onto bedless pickups, commonly used by utility workers. plus there arethe moving van/delivery van rigs that have a "larger than a van"flat rectangular backend for cargo. it seems like there might besomething roomy that could be dropped onto a 4WD pickup chassis.#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#- #-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-# "Mathematics is an interesting intellectual sport but it should not be allowed to stand in the way of obtaining sensible information about physical processes." Richard W. Hamming #-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#- #-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#Ok, that is what I thought you meant, except they are usually not a "chassis" -they are a box that as you described is planted onto a pickup or larger truck.Yes - these are useful, especially if you are using them on a farm. One caution- if you plan to tow a fifth wheel trailer, either utility or travel type, makesure the trailer can clear the utility box.
gmc vans : As for vans - whether step or cargo van, my previous comments still apply. Idrove all over the boonies of Montana in a Ford step van with several millionin transcievers and test equipment, and a large diesel generator on a trailerwhen working on DOD contracts. I would not choose such a rig for a survivalvehicle.Steve and Elizabeth Willey of Backwoods Solar in ID had just takendelivery of their new "Motorhome" before we saw them at the southwestrenewable energy fair. It was a 4WD Chevy that had the cab cut similar tothe way they do vans and a Motorhome body put on the rear of the chassis.Very, very slick. Equipped with solar, a DC electric fridge, inverter,batteries....slickest thing I ever saw.I passed on an 86 Ford 1 ton Quadra Van (4WD) at auction this weekend.Local utility was offing it. Had quite a few miles on it and the motorlooked hurt. Went for $1200. Damn was that sucker tall. I passed on it andbought a clean 89 Ford 3/4 ton long wheelbase van with injected 351 thathad eaten the radiator and water pump for $500. In my experience I rarelyneed 4WD and don't want to drag the extra parts around (and maintainthem). Now I need some good mud and snows and a limited slip for thedifferential (might have one, haven't had the chance to look yet)....
gmc vans : Does anyone have opinions about Chevy, Ford, and Dodge conversion vans?Both cosmetics and engines.I have heard that for Chevy the 5.2 liter engine is the best.What about the Dodge 250 V8?-- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My Opinions Are Just That ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ Chris C. Ritchie | Internet: ~ ~ IBM AWS Graphics Systems | IBM VNET: CRITCHIE at AUSTIN ~ ~ Austin, TEXAS | (512) 838-1122 T/L 678-1122 ~Well, you've got that wrong. Dodge offers 5.2L and 5.9L V8 engines and a 3.9LV6. Chevy offers 5.0L and 5.7L V8 engines and a 4.3L V6. Ford offers 5.0L(really 4.9L) and 5.8L V8 engines and a 4.9L 6. The '250' in "Dodge 250 V8"probably refers to the van model (B250), not the engine model.At the risk of starting a religious war, here is my view of the vans usedfor conversions:Ford is the most comfortable for the front-seat passenger, who has _very_little floor space for his/her feet in the Chevy and Dodge. However, Ford hasthe rugged but poor-handling Twin I Beam swing-axle front suspension. EveryFord van or pickup that I have wandered has bump-steer at highway speeds andneeds more attention to the steering than do the Dodge and Chevy. Not what Iwant in a long-distance travel vehicle. The Ford 4.9L 6-cyl engine has enoughpower for a lot of folks and is very rugged and easy on gas. The Ford vanunderwent a major redesign 1-2 years ago. Chevy and Dodge got facelifts onthe same old vans.
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