If you did get a 4x4 one ton diesel van stuck on the way to the hunting cabin i can only imagine what kind of project the extrication would be. Weight is not your friend. You would probably need a backhoe to get it out.
If you did get a 4x4 one ton diesel van stuck on the way to the hunting cabin i can only imagine what kind of project the extrication would be. Weight is not your friend. You would probably need a backhoe to get it out.
Buy this:
and this:
Some assembly required.
In reply to slefain: I thought about mentioning the fact that Deuce and a half's can usually be had from gov liquidation sites for hella cheap, like $2000 cheap, with all kind of boxes available on the back, but I didn't think he would go for it. I mean, the whole vehicle is less than he will pay for a diesel to swap into a van, and would be cool as E36 M3, but I can understand if daily driving a deuce and a half isn't for everyone.
slefain wrote: Buy this:
PSA; for the sake of your marital well being i recommend that no one visit that site and start poking around. So much want.
In reply to gearheadmb:
Amen to that. My wife already said no. Twice. I'm still looking at stuff.
mazdeuce wrote: In reply to gearheadmb: Amen to that. My wife already said no. Twice. I'm still looking at stuff.
And if YOUR wife says no, then it has to be some off-the-wall stuff. 
In reply to mazdeuce; I want one of those one ton square body chevys. Ive marked my calendar for my 30 day waiting period.
They have an Oshkosh articulated 8x8. 
Eh??
The price seems a bit ridiculous but it's pretty spiffy. 
My transit has struts in the front with sealed hub bearing units. In Europe it's available awd, so somehow a factory front differential and axles can be installed. All you need to mount a divorced transfer case is a bracket and driveshaft work.
Sure shipping from Europe is expensive, but probably less than fab work. If you figure out what you need and find a way to get it, I'll order one too and split the shipping cost with you.
Similarly the Promaster is already FWD with a straight axle in the back. Would it be easier to install a conventional engine, transmission, front differential and rear axle from a diesel truck in one of them?
In reply to oldopelguy:
It's a kinda unconventional setup, rear biased (normally 100%) system that uses a transaxle, some of the world market transits are FWD.
PDF page 11 https://www.ford.co.uk/content/dam/guxeu/uk/documents/brochures/commercial-vehicles/BRO-Transit.pdf
mazdeuce wrote: They have an Oshkosh articulated 8x8.
The reserve depot near my house has those parked near the road sometimes.
They are huge.
I talked to the driver of one of those 8x8 monsters at a gas station near the Fort Dix training area once- apparently they're incredible offroad, but the guys tend to do anything they can to avoid having to drive them on the highway. They get 3-4mpg diesel and "ride like a berkeleying 50mph steamroller." They require a crane and two dudes just to swap out a tire. That said, I still want one, and this is still my dream home:
That Transit information looks interesting- it looks like there's a 6 speed manual longitudinal FWD transaxle in there. Possibly one that can take an Ecoboost bolt pattern? If not then still some interesting diesel options.
Back on the topic of 4wd vans we can actually get here, I have encountered a few through work being used as prisoner transports- I can't imagine why they need 4wd to transport 12 prisoners, but they do order them. If I see a diesel one being decommissioned I'll try to get a line on where it will be auctioned off- although, fair warning, if you buy a used prisoner transport be prepared to strip the inside down to bare metal before using it.
curtis73 wrote: So let's brainstorm about how to get a diesel 4wd or awd *full size* van with diesel and a manual. Torch and a welder will be involved.
Just so I understand this clearly, you want to put a third pedal in an already cramped footwell? Or are you referring to a manual transfer case?
RealMiniParker wrote:curtis73 wrote: So let's brainstorm about how to get a diesel 4wd or awd *full size* van with diesel and a manual. Torch and a welder will be involved.Just so I understand this clearly, you want to put a third pedal in an already cramped footwell? Or are you referring to a manual transfer case?
Manual transmission. Third pedal.
There have been plenty of manual vans throughout history. My E350 had plenty of room for a third pedal.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ wrote: I'm seeing various older Quigleys for as little as $3500 in PA, but a word of warning- have you driven one? I drove a couple (80s Ford and GM) a while ago, and they had all of one inch of front suspension travel and the turning radius of a berkeleying aircraft carrier. Maybe the newer conversions are better, but they really felt like the absolute minimum was done to get the front axle under there. What's your budget? Expedition Portal frequently has stuff that fits the bill, but it's all $$$$$. If you liked your step vans, I can't see those being super difficult to stuff 4wd bits under- do you have a maximum size limitation?
I actually have not driven a quigley, so that's good information to have.
Size limitation? Not specifically, but it will be a true daily driver, tow pig, work truck. It needs to drive downtown in the city and parallel park as easily as a full size van or truck. It needs to not suck to drive in the city; constantly looking in the mirrors because its 8-1/2' wide or paying attention to every tree branch. I won't say it needs to fit in a parking garage, but I do find it very frustrating that I have to carefully choose my parking garage downtown because I have an F150. So, it doesn't need to fit in a parking garage, but for the sake of this discussion we'll say no bigger than a non-extended full size van, or no bigger than a single-cab long bed truck (or ext cab short bed truck). No need for dually, but at least 3/4 ton-ish range, so think something with 8 lugs but not duals.
That keeps it small enough to go almost anywhere.
When I lived in L.A. it was a different story. I daily drove an 18' step van out there for work as a contractor. I never had a need to use a parking garage because there were very few of them, and every block had a section of parallel parking just for commercial vehicles. Free parking guaranteed on every block. I used to drive that thing to the bar at night.
It will truly need to go anywhere I need it to go in the city.
No bigger than something like these:
gearheadmb wrote: If you did get a 4x4 one ton diesel van stuck on the way to the hunting cabin i can only imagine what kind of project the extrication would be. Weight is not your friend. You would probably need a backhoe to get it out.
A 1-ton diesel van weighs less than a 1-ton diesel pickup, so I'm not sure I see the logic here.
gearheadmb wrote: In reply to slefain: I thought about mentioning the fact that Deuce and a half's can usually be had from gov liquidation sites for hella cheap, like $2000 cheap, with all kind of boxes available on the back, but I didn't think he would go for it. I mean, the whole vehicle is less than he will pay for a diesel to swap into a van, and would be cool as E36 M3, but I can understand if daily driving a deuce and a half isn't for everyone.
I would LOVE it... except the 50 mph top speed, the 5mpg highway, the ride, the $700 brake jobs, and needing an 8' stepladder to get lumber out of the back every day.
The easy button that fits all of your needs is not easy and not common.
-E350 with a 7.3 factory (all on and easy)
-06+ Ford F350 front axle and suspension (MG kit through U-Joint, or roll your own, simple and easy imho)(basic suspension to settup and drives nice, minimum lift is not too bad for a DD)
-Manual trans and transfer case from appropriate year 7.3 with a funky shifter forward settup... (Exhaust might be cramped a bit but doable, and there are fuel tanks that bolt in or can be modified to work with the transfer case)(shifter could be handled with some linkage, might be in the way a bit but...)
-DIY clutch pedal.
Should be the answer.
Or.
Isuzu NPR style chassis. With the same 06+ F350 front suspension but a dually axle. NP 205 divorced transfer case from an 80's Ford. And whatever body you want on the back. Boom. Plenty of room for everything. And oem Diesel, manual trans, manual t case, and very stout driveline.
Thanks Ross
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