Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 08-22-2011, 10:16 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 24
Ford or Chevy Van?

I have noticed that most of the SMB vans are Fords. Is there a particular reason for this? I know that SMB states that they will convert either Ford or Chevy but I still haven't ever seen a picture of a Chevy with a penthouse top. Is it easier to convert a Ford van? I found out that I can get a stock Chevy van with AWD. That would be a plus for driving in the snow as I don't need an off road vehicle. Just wondering why it seems that 90% are Fords. Is it the look folks like better or reliability? ? I have never owned either one so forgive my ignorance.

Whitely is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2011, 11:02 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
dhally's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: SE Washington
Posts: 1,023
Garage
Re: Ford or Chevy Van?

I was at Van Specialties in Portland Friday and they were doing a high top Chevy. There are several Chevy's on this forum. However there isn't a heavy-duty, rock-crawling, zombie-stomping 4x4 solution for Chevrolet... as there is for Ford.
__________________
---------------------
2009 E250 RB 5.4L "SilVan"
dhally is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2011, 11:27 AM   #3
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 24
Re: Ford or Chevy Van?

Oh! That explains a lot. I do not plan to stomp on any zombies or crawl over any big rocks but I would like to visit national parks, forest service campgrounds and have the ability to navigate into Yosemite in the winter without putting on chains. Thanks for the insight.
Whitely is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2011, 12:28 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 496
Re: Ford or Chevy Van?

I have been looking at replacing my van with a new one. I called and actually had an email conversation with my local Ford dealer and they dropped the ball. Ford Customer Service was no better, rude and arrogant. This would be my 3rd new Ford van in a row. Hate to say, Quadvan didn't return my email or call.

Looking at Chevy's and Sprinters now. So far no response from Salem Kroger about the cost of converting a Sprinter.

Come on people.
j.whitbread is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2011, 04:27 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
dhally's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: SE Washington
Posts: 1,023
Garage
Re: Ford or Chevy Van?

Quote:
Originally Posted by j.whitbread
I have been looking at replacing my van with a new one. I called and actually had an email conversation with my local Ford dealer and they dropped the ball. Ford Customer Service was no better, rude and arrogant. This would be my 3rd new Ford van in a row. Hate to say, Quadvan didn't return my email or call.

Looking at Chevy's and Sprinters now. So far no response from Salem Kroger about the cost of converting a Sprinter.

Come on people.
Try Newberg Ford in Newberg, Oregon. They sell a lot of new and used Quigleys and Quadvans. Might even have one in stock.

Also Quigley now makes a lifted 4x4 chevy
__________________
---------------------
2009 E250 RB 5.4L "SilVan"
dhally is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2011, 05:15 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 412
Re: Ford or Chevy Van?

Chevy comes out of the box with some nice standard features for a heavy van conversion. Full floating rear axle and locking rear diff are standard. With regard to rock crawling, SMB's conversion is definitely much more robust than Quigley. This does not mean that a GM could not be built to rock crawl, there are just no off-the-shelf setups to speak of.

If you're not doing much offroading, a Chevy with IFS will do fine (in fact that's the only option Quigley now offers on Chevy unless dhally has some updated info??). With regard to reliability, I would say that, from experience if not historically, Chevy generally holds at least a slight advantage on powertrain durability. If you're talking diesel, probably a bit more.

I would strongly encourage you look into using a GM van as your base. We love ours, would not trade for two of anything else except for something bigger.

PM me if you'd like to see photos of mine, and I have a few basic photos with the penthouse top up in my album.
webbmac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2011, 05:56 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
carringb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,300
Re: Ford or Chevy Van?

The Chevy AWD van is only a 1500, and has about 1/2 the payload of the Ford E150 van, so it limits conversion options.

As noted, Quigley will sell an IFS Chevy 2500 or 3500.

The new Chevy 3500s do not have a full floating rear axle anymore, at least not on the passenger vans.

As for a rock crawler.... The Chevy vans have always gotten milder 4x4 conversions, because they have less frame than the Fords. It simply takes more upgrading to bring the chassis up to the same level.


BTW - I don't think SalemKroger exists anymore.
__________________
2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
carringb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2011, 06:12 PM   #8
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 24
Re: Ford or Chevy Van?

That info about Chevy is good to hear even though I don't know what a floating axle is or locking differencial. However I am sure those are both good things or you would not have mentioned them! As you might have guessed I have never owned a truck or van before. Yesterday I learned from my supervisor, who was complaining that his Ford E350 diesel was leaking oil, that there is a problem with those leaking oil after a whie....said he wished he had known before he bought it. But it was not too late for me to benefit from his misfortune I would love to see pics of your van. Thanks for your help
Whitely is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2011, 06:19 PM   #9
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 24
Re: Ford or Chevy Van?

Actually Chevy's 3500 van can be ordered with AWD too
Quote:
Originally Posted by carringb
The Chevy AWD van is only a 1500, and has about 1/2 the payload of the Ford E150 van, so it limits conversion options.

As noted, Quigley will sell an IFS Chevy 2500 or 3500.

The new Chevy 3500s do not have a full floating rear axle anymore, at least not on the passenger vans.

As for a rock crawler.... The Chevy vans have always gotten milder 4x4 conversions, because they have less frame than the Fords. It simply takes more upgrading to bring the chassis up to the same level.


BTW - I don't think SalemKroger exists anymore.
Whitely is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2011, 06:57 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Indy
Posts: 563
Re: Ford or Chevy Van?

Near as I can tell, only the 1500 comes with the AWD option. But, if you go with the 3500 and let Quigley do the 4x4, you can still get the Duramax diesel with lots of torque.


All-Wheel Drive
Express 1500 Passenger Van and Cargo Van offer available All-Wheel Drive (AWD) to provide a more sure-footed drive in inclement weather — something Ford E-Series and Mercedes Sprinter vans don't offer.


•Standard Duramax 6.6L Turbo Diesel V8 engine with 260 hp and 525 lb.-ft. of torque
__________________
2008 Ford E-350 Quigley 4x4 V10 - 164,000 miles
RB50, PH Top, Dual AGM Group 27 Deka, 2000 Tripplite Inv., No Propane or Water Systems
Van Weight 8,100 pounds, added one rear leaf spring, BFG AT KO LT265/70R17 E Tire press 50psi.
Steve_382 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:36 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.