Starting to suffer from 4x4 envy

[BIGVANS]

Yes John at Northwest Quadvan uses as close to 100% OEM Ford truck parts as you can get. They have a Ford “F-Series truck” type ride with a great turning radius. The only down side is you still have lots of body roll that you don’t have with a proper Leaf spring front end.

One other point about ANY Coil spring front end (made famous by Jeeps and Dodge trucks) is the dreaded “Death Wobble” You need to keep a close eye on front end bushings, ball joints and other front end components for wear, and wheels for balance and rim bends.

[Bones_GSXR]

I like to inspire Van Envy

[daveb]

Love that extendo robo light you have on your van

[dhally]

Is that Sprinter a 4x4 too?

[BajaSportsmobile]

Originally Posted by dhally

Is that Sprinter a 4x4 too?

Looks like it - I like to know the story behind it.

[daveb]

Maybe one of those Whitefeather conversions?

[rob_gendreau]

I dunno about getting stuck with 2WD; almost never happened to me when my van was 2WD. But a locker isn't a bad idea; it could really help in some situations. But departure clearance was often more of an issue offroad for me. Pretty common to have steep exits out of the washes I'd find myself in, and if your rear wheels aren't planted it doesn't matter if you have a locker back there.

The other huge benefit was low range. Again, you can get some of this by changing gear ratios and upsizing wheels as much as possible, but then you sacrifice on the highway.

But don't fret. In my experience the piece of equipment behind the wheel is probably more important than the stuff under the van.... A good driver can get a 2WD lots of places that lesser drivers need 4WD for.

[daveb]

Add a LSD, a winch and a pul-pal and you'll get further than a stock 4x4 most of the time. Lightweight rock crawling is a different story.

[jage]

Originally Posted by daveb

Add a LSD, a winch and a pul-pal and you'll get further than a stock 4x4 most of the time. Lightweight rock crawling is a different story.

It's not about getting further, it's about getting back!

[Bones_GSXR]

Originally Posted by dhally

Is that Sprinter a 4x4 too?

Yes it is 4x4 and is a Whitefeather conversion. Ford Front end on a custom subframe. Drives nice. The only thing I don't like is that he uses the MB rear axle and the Ford front and the two have no Ratios in common so it has to run different size tires so you have to carry two spares or not use 4x4 if you have a flat. It is kind of like a Quigley and is more for added traction not hard Off Road.