factory 4x4?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 290
Likes: 1
From: South TX
4WD van info
This question seems to come up quite regularly, so I thought I’d list some info on the subject, (along with my own observations) for future reference.
As far as I know, Ford Motor Co. has never produced a factory 4WD van. In fact, I’m not aware of any of The Big Three having made a production 4X4 van. (discounting GMs AWD)
There are however, a number of firms that specialize in converting 2X4s into 4X4s, as well as other sources for the DIY folks.
The DIY approach is not just some easy swap out affair, but it can be done. (see Steve Bests 4X4 pages @ www.glinx.com/~sbest )
Most of the professional shops that do 4X4 conversions use OEM parts, offer a warrantee, and engineer the whole system to work properly and safely. Needless to say, the high center of gravity and limited handling of the factory units doesn’t leave much room for compromise.
Of the companies that do van 4X4 conversions, the one most often mentioned is Quigley. www.quigley4x4.com They generally only do new vans, straight from the factory, and ship-thru to your dealer for delivery. They also do dually rears and right hand drives. I don’t have the numbers to back it up, but I would guess that they do more 4X4 van conversions than all the rest combined. Quigley is the Cadillac (or should I say Lincoln) of the bunch. Notice that I didn’t say Lexus, Honda, or Hummer, as other companies produce designs with different qualities.
Some of the other companies that do van 4X4 conversions to new and used vehicles (in absolutely no particular order) are:
Sportsmobile. www.sportsmobile.com They have been around awhile, converting vans to campers, and often used Quigley’s in there units. Recently they started offering there own in-house 4X4 version. Considering all the Quigley units they’ve bought and sold over the years, I would assume it’s equivalent or improved.
QuadVan by Thor Performance. www.quadvan.com One of there unique features is that their IFS design results in all most no increase in ride height. (0” rear/2” front)
Advanced 4WD Systems. www.afwd.com
Clydesdale 4WD Van Conversions. www.clydesdale.bc.ca
Salem Kroger www.salemkroger.com
SW Conversions. www.swc4x4.com
Tulsa Truck Manufacturing, 4X4 & 6X6 Heavy Truck Conversions. www.tulsatruckmfg.com
Pathfinder “Quadravan” Parts & Info. (Pathfinder went out of business in 1992, but before they did, they built a lot of 4X4 vans. Many are still on the road) www.pathfinder-vans.com
I’m sure there are others, but these are the ones I’ve checked out. There’s also probably hundreds of shops that have done one or a couple conversions. The ones I’ve listed pretty much specialize in this type of work.
For more information on 4X4 vans, 4X4 vans for sale, and a huge links list, check out Thunders Online Garage @ www.thundersgarage.com and/or www.megspace.com/cars/thundersonlinegarage/
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Some personal thoughts of my own if you’re contemplating having a 4X4 van:
If you need/want (and can afford) the features, reliability, safety, and handling, that an engineered and professionally installed system can provide, then skip the DIY version no matter how fun it might be. Vans have different frame widths, steering geometry, and weight ratios than trucks (the likely donor). As I stated earlier, this is no swap out, bolt up affair. Most of the parts or their brackets require modification. However, it’s been done many times by many folks, and I should think that some got it right, and with satisfactory results.
If you’re in the market for a new or used 4X4 van, seriously think about how it will be used. Not all van types, nor 4X4 conversions, have the same benefits.
First, is bigger always better? (or, do you really need the extended version of that full size van?) It seems that a good majority of the 4X4 vans on the road and on the net, are the extended versions, so I guess most people think so. However…….
The regular length vans already have a ton of room, can seat up to 8, have a smaller side profile against side wind, weigh less (possibly affecting GCVWR), are better to tow with (as the tongues weight and sideways thrust are much closer to the rear axel, and therefore greatly reduce the leveraged force exerted on the vehicle), are easier to maneuver (both in town, and out in the boondocks), and have a much better departure angle at the rear. If you think you’ll be doing any serious off road driving (and these vehicles can do it), or need to do a lot of towing, then some of the issues above deserve serious consideration. Also, if you plan on difficult off road use, or encounters with aggressive terrain, then a higher ground clearance would be beneficial.
Conversely, if you really need to haul a lot of stuff, or 9 to 15 passengers, then there’s not much out there that’s bigger than the extended version vans. It also seems reasonable that maintaining the factory ride height would not affect the already marginal handling characteristics as much as the lifts required by some conversions. These vans come from the factory (2WD) with more ground clearance than many 4X4 SUVs or trucks. In fact, with just the addition of a selectable locker and more aggressive tires on a 2WD van, it will out-perform many 4X4 SUVs and trucks in a lot of situations. What with an excellent approach angle, great ground clearance, and good to great departure angle, these vehicles will go where lots of others cannot.
The biggest draw back, and limiting factor to diverse operating situations, is the vans high center of gravity, and therefore the ease in which it can roll over to the side. Care must be exercised not to permit the side incline angle to allow gravity to win. Of coarse, caution and restraint needs to be observed on the road as well. These things will just roll a lot easer than most other light trucks or cars.
If you’re looking to get a new one, or retro fit a used van, expect to pay almost $10,000. or more. This doesn’t include the “must have” up-grades or accessories you’ll want to go with it. But, you’ll have a good variety of designs, suspension styles, and component parts to choose from, so you can get the system that best suits your needs.
Finally, if you’re looking for a used 4X4 van, it could take a while to find what you need. There is not an abundance of them for sale, and many of the ones that are, have high mileage or are pretty much used up. I attribute this to the thought that most folks who own a 4WD van, love ‘em, use ‘em, and keep ‘em.
As far as I know, Ford Motor Co. has never produced a factory 4WD van. In fact, I’m not aware of any of The Big Three having made a production 4X4 van. (discounting GMs AWD)
There are however, a number of firms that specialize in converting 2X4s into 4X4s, as well as other sources for the DIY folks.
The DIY approach is not just some easy swap out affair, but it can be done. (see Steve Bests 4X4 pages @ www.glinx.com/~sbest )
Most of the professional shops that do 4X4 conversions use OEM parts, offer a warrantee, and engineer the whole system to work properly and safely. Needless to say, the high center of gravity and limited handling of the factory units doesn’t leave much room for compromise.
Of the companies that do van 4X4 conversions, the one most often mentioned is Quigley. www.quigley4x4.com They generally only do new vans, straight from the factory, and ship-thru to your dealer for delivery. They also do dually rears and right hand drives. I don’t have the numbers to back it up, but I would guess that they do more 4X4 van conversions than all the rest combined. Quigley is the Cadillac (or should I say Lincoln) of the bunch. Notice that I didn’t say Lexus, Honda, or Hummer, as other companies produce designs with different qualities.
Some of the other companies that do van 4X4 conversions to new and used vehicles (in absolutely no particular order) are:
Sportsmobile. www.sportsmobile.com They have been around awhile, converting vans to campers, and often used Quigley’s in there units. Recently they started offering there own in-house 4X4 version. Considering all the Quigley units they’ve bought and sold over the years, I would assume it’s equivalent or improved.
QuadVan by Thor Performance. www.quadvan.com One of there unique features is that their IFS design results in all most no increase in ride height. (0” rear/2” front)
Advanced 4WD Systems. www.afwd.com
Clydesdale 4WD Van Conversions. www.clydesdale.bc.ca
Salem Kroger www.salemkroger.com
SW Conversions. www.swc4x4.com
Tulsa Truck Manufacturing, 4X4 & 6X6 Heavy Truck Conversions. www.tulsatruckmfg.com
Pathfinder “Quadravan” Parts & Info. (Pathfinder went out of business in 1992, but before they did, they built a lot of 4X4 vans. Many are still on the road) www.pathfinder-vans.com
I’m sure there are others, but these are the ones I’ve checked out. There’s also probably hundreds of shops that have done one or a couple conversions. The ones I’ve listed pretty much specialize in this type of work.
For more information on 4X4 vans, 4X4 vans for sale, and a huge links list, check out Thunders Online Garage @ www.thundersgarage.com and/or www.megspace.com/cars/thundersonlinegarage/
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o>Some personal thoughts of my own if you’re contemplating having a 4X4 van:
If you need/want (and can afford) the features, reliability, safety, and handling, that an engineered and professionally installed system can provide, then skip the DIY version no matter how fun it might be. Vans have different frame widths, steering geometry, and weight ratios than trucks (the likely donor). As I stated earlier, this is no swap out, bolt up affair. Most of the parts or their brackets require modification. However, it’s been done many times by many folks, and I should think that some got it right, and with satisfactory results.
If you’re in the market for a new or used 4X4 van, seriously think about how it will be used. Not all van types, nor 4X4 conversions, have the same benefits.
First, is bigger always better? (or, do you really need the extended version of that full size van?) It seems that a good majority of the 4X4 vans on the road and on the net, are the extended versions, so I guess most people think so. However…….
The regular length vans already have a ton of room, can seat up to 8, have a smaller side profile against side wind, weigh less (possibly affecting GCVWR), are better to tow with (as the tongues weight and sideways thrust are much closer to the rear axel, and therefore greatly reduce the leveraged force exerted on the vehicle), are easier to maneuver (both in town, and out in the boondocks), and have a much better departure angle at the rear. If you think you’ll be doing any serious off road driving (and these vehicles can do it), or need to do a lot of towing, then some of the issues above deserve serious consideration. Also, if you plan on difficult off road use, or encounters with aggressive terrain, then a higher ground clearance would be beneficial.
Conversely, if you really need to haul a lot of stuff, or 9 to 15 passengers, then there’s not much out there that’s bigger than the extended version vans. It also seems reasonable that maintaining the factory ride height would not affect the already marginal handling characteristics as much as the lifts required by some conversions. These vans come from the factory (2WD) with more ground clearance than many 4X4 SUVs or trucks. In fact, with just the addition of a selectable locker and more aggressive tires on a 2WD van, it will out-perform many 4X4 SUVs and trucks in a lot of situations. What with an excellent approach angle, great ground clearance, and good to great departure angle, these vehicles will go where lots of others cannot.
The biggest draw back, and limiting factor to diverse operating situations, is the vans high center of gravity, and therefore the ease in which it can roll over to the side. Care must be exercised not to permit the side incline angle to allow gravity to win. Of coarse, caution and restraint needs to be observed on the road as well. These things will just roll a lot easer than most other light trucks or cars.
If you’re looking to get a new one, or retro fit a used van, expect to pay almost $10,000. or more. This doesn’t include the “must have” up-grades or accessories you’ll want to go with it. But, you’ll have a good variety of designs, suspension styles, and component parts to choose from, so you can get the system that best suits your needs.
Finally, if you’re looking for a used 4X4 van, it could take a while to find what you need. There is not an abundance of them for sale, and many of the ones that are, have high mileage or are pretty much used up. I attribute this to the thought that most folks who own a 4WD van, love ‘em, use ‘em, and keep ‘em.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 512
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Ultraute
This question seems to come up quite regularly, so I thought I’d list some info on the subject, (along with my own observations) for future reference.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: chicago
this past winter in A Basin Colorado, I saw a new 4 by 4 Econoline, all black, had DIESEL!!!!! it was converted to a RV i think, had heater vents on the side...
anyways, i would rather have a power stroke diesel than 4 by 4 and gas engine... anyone does or have done a gas to diesel engine swap???
yohei
anyways, i would rather have a power stroke diesel than 4 by 4 and gas engine... anyone does or have done a gas to diesel engine swap???
yohei
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