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FWIW, you probably don't want to do much 4-wheeling with the camper. I've got a F250HD 4x4 with a slide-in camper, and we enjoy traveling to some pretty remote places:
Even though we like to explore far from the beaten path, 4-wheeling is really tough on the camper, especially the contents. No matter how carefully you pack things, stuff tends to fly all over the place. On one trip, with just a couple of hours of washboard gravel roads, not actual 4-wheeling, the oven door broke off the hinges. Expect dishes and plates to go everywhere inside the cupboards, even if the doors are well secured. Edit: Almost forgot, expect the inside of the fridge to look like a bomb went off.
From your pics, you've got really low ground clearance in the back. No such problem with my truck, but still I tend to stay away from rutted paths that will toss you side to side. Although my truck handles the camper weight very well, it's no fun off-road.
YMMV, but converting to 4x4 seems like a lot of work for very little gain with a camper. With all that weight on the rear axle, you should have excellent traction in most situations.
But 4x4 would be nice if you were going skiing and it's going to be your apre' ski bunny warm up shack. But for a rough off roader your camper might not be suited for that. But if you insist you might take heed to the above and put everything low in well packed boxes till you get to your mountain side perch.
A slide in camper has advantages, you can still buy them new.
-You can go off-road like was mentioned
-You can pull a boat behind it and still have a camper too.
-You have one vehicle to keep going and pay taxes and registration on. And be able to use this vehicle for other things during the year when not camping.
Disadvantages;
-They really like to sway when driving. Suspension add-ons can help with this
-If you want to go site seeing in the truck, you have to slide the camper off or take it with you.
-The off-roading thing can pull the camper tie-downs out of the bed. It's best to have one of those tie-down systems that go around the belly of the truck but they are not cheap.
I am leaning towards selling it once I get it mechanically sound in favor of getting a camper for my 6.9 diesel F250. I like this engine, however I'll look for another project to actually turn into my daily later down the road. In terms of 4x4, it seems like 4X4 camper setups sell for quite a bit more, which is the honest reason I was considering doing the swap. While this RV is pretty awesome, it's a bit too much to chew for me at the moment in terms of renovating the inside. Appreciate the input, still undecided which way to go, will likely leave it 2wd for the time being.
I am leaning towards selling it once I get it mechanically sound in favor of getting a camper for my 6.9 diesel F250. I like this engine, however I'll look for another project to actually turn into my daily later down the road. In terms of 4x4, it seems like 4X4 camper setups sell for quite a bit more, which is the honest reason I was considering doing the swap. While this RV is pretty awesome, it's a bit too much to chew for me at the moment in terms of renovating the inside. Appreciate the input, still undecided which way to go, will likely leave it 2wd for the time being.
Leave it 4x2. It's the perfect California beach camper surf wagon. If you do any mods add a surf board rack and a solar panel. LOL
Been a long time with no update on this project, had to finish school before really doing anything on this truck. Been slowly gutting the inside.
Previous owner had put in some kind of stop leak, probably for the head gasket as I recently found out. Unsure what happened, can't quite piece it together. Cylinder one is cracked and dumps coolant into the cylinder. Answers the question of why it ran like crap and I couldn't get it timed I guess.
Anyways, bought a rebuilt engine on Offerup. Or an engine that has been painted blue. Seller said it was bored 30 over and has steel timing gears. Won't know condition of it until I stick it in there.
Located in zip 93551, would make a good deal for anyone who wants to take this project on. It's got great bones, just needs someone who has more time than I.
I have the following for it:
Rebuilt engine, hasn't even been ran according to seller
SBF pattern 4x4 ZF5 transmission with parking brake
Offenhauser C intake
Multiple 1, 2, 4 barrel carbs
1 to 2 barrel carb adapter
Full brand new steering setup
Rebuilt Sterling 10.25 with 1986 F250 IFS (2005 SD axle swapping my blue truck, considering putting the F-250 stuff on the RV)
New AC unit for the top that works
The list goes on
