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09-03-2016, 06:11 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: East Bay CA
Posts: 1,078
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Sportsmobile alternative: Mitsubishi Delica
https://adventure-journal.com/2014/0...bishis-delica/
I encountered one of these near Edmonton, and they are VERY cool. Didn't have the built-ins my SMB has, of course, but it gets way better mileage and can turn around in a bike lane. And it cost as much as some people's sound systems.
Another decent deal is the Toyota Hiace. Too bad we in the US have to wait 25 years. Rather cool vehicles.
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2001 Ford E250 Sportsmobile with Salem-Kroger 4x4 conversion
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09-03-2016, 08:55 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,302
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They did sell the Hi-Ace here. In 4x4 even. I had one for a while. So did a couple friends (one of theirs was 4x4).
It was nice having a small compact van that would still fit my biking and boating gear. Driving it was less than fun. A little terrifying at times, since it topped out at 64, maybe 50 up hills. And hard braking felt like it would endo.
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2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
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09-03-2016, 09:10 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: So Cal
Posts: 4,092
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2008 E350 RB passenger 4WD SMB penthouse
2013 KTM 350 EXC
2008 KTM 250 XCF-W
2003 Honda Element
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09-04-2016, 12:14 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Sonoma County
Posts: 796
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Here's a super sweet Delica in NZ:
FWIW I think Delicas are freakin' cool. But I also think they (and other minivan platforms) are a bit small. The video kind of shows it.
And I have personal experience too. I started to convert a 2003 Astro AWD: 4" lift, wheels, tires, platform bed with storage underneath.
My next step was going to be a complete 5.7 V8 4x4 drivetrain out of a '98 Suburban. It's close to a bolt-in conversion.
The thing is, even as a single, travel light, less is more kind of guy with no kids or pets, the Astro gets cramped. When my girlfriend is with me it gets even more so.
So I recently picked up a low-mile 7.3 RB. That's a story for a whole nother post, but just my 2 cents' worth, it's a lot more realistic for an overland rig...
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09-04-2016, 12:20 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Sonoma County
Posts: 796
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Tried to post a pic of my Astro btw, but it doesn't seem to work from Google Drive.
Why can't we just copy and paste a pic into the body of a message?
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09-04-2016, 09:43 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: East Bay CA
Posts: 1,078
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I keep asking about the Jucy conversions, and where they're done. I think they are a very nice design. Yeah, small, I agree, but it's all about the compromises. The VW synchro is my epitome of the ultimate van design off the shelf, but I too would find it hard to deal with the speed issue, and I'd probably hate the smallness of it now.
I keep trying to convince some of my tent camper buddies to go hard side, and these might make a viable transition for 'em since some just won't do even vehicles as large (or expensive) as SMBs.
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2001 Ford E250 Sportsmobile with Salem-Kroger 4x4 conversion
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09-04-2016, 10:59 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,302
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FWIW - The Hi-Ace and Delica are just about the same space in side as a newer EB Transit-Connect, but the T-C has a flat floor up front, so the front seats could be integrated in the living space. If true off-road 4x4 isn't needed, a T-C might be a better starting platform. Roughly 50% more power, better ride, more usable space, infinitely more reliable, and for snow and ice, will be superior to a RWD cabover van.
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2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
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09-04-2016, 12:09 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: So Cal
Posts: 4,092
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteelheadJones
Tried to post a pic of my Astro btw, but it doesn't seem to work from Google Drive.
Why can't we just copy and paste a pic into the body of a message?
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The easy way (for me anyway....) is to upload the pic to your gallery, which is now in the sportsmobile photos tab at the top of the page. Once that's done, just copy and paste the BB code under the pic in your gallery to your post......simple!
__________________
2008 E350 RB passenger 4WD SMB penthouse
2013 KTM 350 EXC
2008 KTM 250 XCF-W
2003 Honda Element
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09-04-2016, 01:55 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Sonoma County
Posts: 796
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Thanks boywonder, that was helpful. Presenting Minnie...
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Hi, I’m Robert and I’m a vanaholic…
2003 Astro AWD
1999 E350 RB 7.3 cargo
2002 E150 RB 4.6 hightop van conversion
1999 E350 RB 5.4 Chateau
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09-04-2016, 03:40 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Turlock Ca
Posts: 10,410
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Man that's a great looker.
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2006 Ford 6.0PSD EB-50/E-PH SMB 4X4 Rock Crawler Trailer
Sportsmobile 4X4 Adventures.......... On and off road adventures
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