I agree with the above and share similar geography living 150 miles or so from Erie, Pa, inland somewhat.

I have put hundreds of thousands of miles on e-Series vans and chassis of which 60+ thousand were on a Quigley 4x4 conversion. Did a 5,000 mile road trip in '09 averaging over 400 miles a day. This thing corners nearly as well as a Crown Vic. Sports car it ain't, but the added weight is all low, raising the C og G 1" above stock E350, according to Quigley's engineers. It is a truck and rides like one unless there is 500+ pounds cargo or equivalent in people in addition to the driver. Then it rides like a loaded truck, but not harsh as empty. I have 7-passenger standard length w/ tow pkg.

Mileage will be about 10 well loaded or towing moderate trailer (heard some say they get about that towing a heavier trailer 10,000# or so. Empty highway may yield as high as 14 mph, but that is rare for me, usually 12.xx, mixed country two-lane and expressway with little city/town exposure. Mine has the 6.8L V-10, but other's experiences seem very close with V-8's, mpg wise. V-10 shines in acceleration and towing...when the mpg's go away. Easy driving always for me...less wear and tear as well. Love the V-10, but it is no more in the vans, I hear.

On the Quigley site there is a Used For Sale page which always has a selection of various models from cargo to passenger to conversion...if you watch it over a period of time.

 

The 5,000 mile trip cost right at $750.00 for gas. Don't have the gallonage right in front of me, but if memory serves me, the trip avg was low - mid-13 mpg.

Cheap to drive-NO. Safe, secure, fun, "totally awesome" sometimes---heck yeah!

There is always someone around who has never seen one. Good conversation starter, fer sure!

Bare bones stock with minimal tools & equipment, minus my fat backside = 6,940#

 

Im keeping my eyes wide open.... Nothing is set in stone until i buy, so im keeping my options open. It helps that I refuse to finance, So i got to wait for the cash to accumulate, and these trucks aint cheap! ................ so it may be a while. LOL

Im glad to hear from a few "pro"s vs Cons.... All the reasons i want one!!! and thanks for all the detailed info re the gas mileage.

Thanks!

 

endneu - I just joined this forum but have to chime in. I'm on my second 4WD van (first was a Pathfinder, and this one is a Quigley), and I can't say enough about how great they are for many of the reasons you (and others) note. I have a diesel now (the first was carbureted 460 - 6.5mpg) and it gets great fuel mileage. But back to your concerns - I find my vans do better in snow covered roads even when that snow is multiple feet deep, than do my 4WD pickup trucks. Weight distribution is the key - more weight over the rear in the van than in the pickups. Besides, they're unique enough to be fun - I live in a small town (<50K ppl) in central Cali and I have the only 4WD there I'm told - always turns heads and altho that's not what I have it for, that is entertaining...

 

When I was looking into converting my e-150 to 4WD 2-3 years ago, I recall reading online about a guy up in Canada doing his own.

I researched this issue and I found to be relatively costly. I decided it wasn't worth for me and went with $ 100 chains for the 250 feet of steep driveway I was needing it for.

I did not have the LSD, but I did use winter tires for snow-driving in the North East.

 

Ive got a 2002 350 EB Quigley and I love it.I get 14 mpg at 70-75mph with a 5.4. I live in Wisc and we get lotsa of snow.I also like to go to The Outer Banks and driving on the beach is really great.I picked mine up off e-bay. Punch in "ford 4WD van".

 

Check out my web site for used 4x4 vans for sale: 4x4 VANS 4 SALE

 

I see a lot of 4x4 vans in my area, some new, some used. Quadvan is here in Portland OR, and John always has a few nice used vans ($25k - $40k) in addition to the new vans he converts for Newburg Ford ($50k - $65k). Unlike some converters, he uses all Ford Parts (F-series) and follows their guidelines (no welding in crumple zones and near rivets). It is worth having any 4x4 van raised on a hoist, and taking a real good look at how the conversion was done. Afterall, they are quite an investment.

 

Hold out for the quigley. You will be very happy. I picked up an 08 v10 quigley for 8k. Just keep looking and get the one that's right for u. I am in process of converting the interior for camping. Has a ton of room/power. I would have bought one years ago had I known how much fun it was going to be. P.s. I sold a very nice z71 to get it and couldn't be happier with the decision.

 

I've been driving vans since 1973 and until I moved to Colorado from California I never needed 4 x 4--now it is a must. Currently I drive a 2003 1/2 ton full size GMC Savanna with factory automatic all wheel drive and I love it. Goes anywhere a Jeep could go. I have been averaging 15 to 18 mpg depending on the load and the speed. I have towed 8,000 on a trailer. The body design is not as durable or well thought out as a Ford however. My next 4 x4 van will be a Quigley or its equivalent.

 

Keep holding out for a real 4wd van. I respect George's thoughts as well, but I've spent a lot of time out west, and if I lived there I would invest in a 4wd van, no comparison.

 

I drive a '88 Pathfinder that I've had for almost 5 years now, and I love it. I live in Ellensburg and use it as a daily-driver/work-rig. It's saved my bacon multiple times on jobs in the hills during some heavy winter storms. I'll put in my vote for "yea, get one if you can afford it".. Mines's got a FI 7.5 460 that gets 10-12mpg depending on load. A smaller engine would be more economical, but I like to be able to haul 2000+lbs of materials up the steep passes when I have to. I've heard a lot of good stuff about the Quigley conversions and would go that way the second time if I had the cash. Pathfinder is out of business but there's a guy out there who still sells replacement parts for them. I got a track rod from him and the quality and service was very good.

Being a 25 year old rig that's got nearly 200K I've had to put a lot of money into it. If it wasn't my work rig I could have attempted more of the labor myself and saved some money, but when you need it ASAP that doesn't always work out well. At least it was only $3500. Anyway, if you do find one in your price range pull the trigger and you probably won't regret it.