250 vs 350, 4x4 conversion?

[Bahamame]

Originally Posted by BroncoHauler

EB and appears to only be 2wd, but has forward facing seating for 4. Price seems high to me, but MANY that are advertised on SMB's website are priced high, with a significant percentage being price stupid-high.

http://www.sportsmobile.com/inventory-d ... ory_id=310

Hey, it's great. Just need the RB for daily maneuvering around the crazies in FL...

...and I am saying that right, correct? the RB is the shorter van without that ass-end. In the RB50 layout, you've got the front-facing rear bench seat...? which, according to a different string, will work for a carseat...

Thanks for looking!

[BroncoHauler]

RB is the shorter version (about 18" I think).

RB50 (and EB50) have the forward facing bench, realistically good for two car seats I think, or one adult and one car seat. I think more than that would be a challenge. Some people don't like the bench being that far behind the front seats, some might prefer it


Herb

[Bahamame]

Thoughts on this, guys?

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=15920&p=154326#p154326

4x4 conversion and pulling that toilet and putting in a FF seat or a small bench?

I thought the Express 3500's were too big, but they're the same wheelbase/length as what I drive currently....

Make her look something like:
http://www.boulderoffroadvans.com/yahoo ... 56_std.JPG

[boywonder]

To further confuse things, there are RB50 interiors built in EB vans. The extra 18" in the rear is storage space......

[rallypanam]

Originally Posted by Bahamame

Thoughts on this, guys?

http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/viewto ... 26#p154326

4x4 conversion and pulling that toilet and putting in a FF seat or a small bench?

I thought the Express 3500's were too big, but they're the same wheelbase/length as what I drive currently....

Make her look something like:
http://www.boulderoffroadvans.com/yahoo ... 56_std.JPG

Seems like a nice van, but most of us 4x4 folks are far more familiar with the Fords and the various 4x4 conversions for them, as there are many more 4x4 Fords than Chevy/GMC. As such I am totally unfamiliar with the Boulder 4x4 conversions for Chevys, so can't speak to them.

[REF]

Ive seen a few of Don's (boulder off road) chevy vans, I've ridden in one, they are super nice and he does them up right, he swaps in a Ford D60 solid front axle. They just did some front end work for me, new sway bar, mounts and moved things around for more clearance on the track bar, it turned out really nice.

[Bahamame]

Originally Posted by BroncoHauler

SMB Transformer.

Originally Posted by outopawn

The SMB Transformer model worked out great for my family with wife and 6 children.
Seats 9 with all seats in facing forward. Remove the rear seat and put in the bed module and you have seating for 5 and sleeping for 4. Remove all seat and you can load it with motorcycles, bikes and more. Sportsmobile only made a few and they do not come on the market often and some have done home build to match.

Steve

So, I buy a quigley 4x4, and stick a SMB PH on it - that's essentially a 'transformer' -

Except for the sink... (I'm not looking for a stove) However, the additional power (DC) requirements seem extreme, along with any supplemental A/C.

I pull the rear seats and have a futon to sleep 4 total. Then I spend the next xx amount of years building out what I need in the van - is that what you guys are suggesting?

Thnks -

BM

[boywonder]

A transformer layout more-or-less is one that is configurable for camping on the weekends, hauling a load of kids during the week, the occasional Home Depot run for lumber or plumbing supplies, or perhaps hauling motorcycles.

The 50 plan would fail on the plumbing/lumber and moto hauling part since the seat is fixed.

[outopawn]

The Transformer module not only had a sink it also housed, refrigerator, a microwave, a six gallon fresh water tank, a 2000 watt inverter, and a couple of small cabinet doors.

Steve

[skyrat]

Originally Posted by Bahamame

1der, you're not missing anything... I'm looking for a 4x4 RB forward facing seating (carseat compatible)... and I'm (perhaps a bit) impatient. I can't seem to find one... There's plenty EB's and there's plenty with the gaucho, there's exactly zero with the foward facing seating, 4x4, and a decent (2000+) year.

So... I'm expanding my search to 2wd - but I'm not a guy who turns a wrench, so I'm out of my element a bit... I'm trying to make sure I don't buy a 2WD with the intent to convert it, and find out I royally f'd up...
Thanks, guys! Good info -

That is what we did. I have the "50" plan which has a forward facing rear bench seat that folds into a bed. We looked three times a day for about 4 months before we found exactly what we were looking for. I eventually found a 2WD version that was priced to allow us to add 4x4 and still be a bit less than most equipped like ours is now. I would have preferred to get one 4x4 than to have it converted, but it was a great experience with Ramsey at Agile Off-Road. Depending what your needs are my opinion is that you cannot go wrong with either Ramsey at Agile Off-Road in So Cal if you are west coast, or Chris at U-Joint since you are on the east coast. Both do a different design, but both know their stuff and will make the truck you want and need. Just be ready to spend an additional $16-20K depending on what you want to add besides the 4x4.

Is it easier to buy one finished, yes, if you can find one in your price range. It is nice to be able to make the truck a custom masterpiece for about the same money, or perhaps a bit less if you want to go through the process. Either way you will need to look a few times a day and be ready to jump if you see what you need, because there will be competition for the right vehicle.

One thing I did that made a difference is to use Search Tempest and search the whole US for "Sportsmobile" on Craigslist and eBay. I found our truck about a thousand miles away, but it was a fun shakedown drive home...