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Old 09-24-2008, 11:56 AM   #1
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Purchase van from SMB or from Ford? Sliding door/Barn door?

Hello. I am in the early stages of putting together a SMB. My understanding, and please correct me if I am wrong, is that I could either buy the complete package through SMB or purchase the van first and then take it to SMB. My question is about getting the best price for the van. Does SMB get a better deal for volume buys or should I go to a Ford Dealership and order just what I want? I do not live all that far from SMB West so dropping the van off would not be a factor.

Second question has to do with the side door. Both of the vans I have owned, Ford E150 and Chevy Astro, have had the sliding door, not the "barn door" option. Seems like the majority of SMBs I see have the "barn door" option. What are the reasons to set it up like that? I am a windsurfer and like the sliding door to be able to park next to some roads that don't have a lot of room on the side and also not worry about doors slamming shut due to wind. But, I am open to suggestions.

Thanks and I am sure I will have more questions as I put together the right SMB for me. Randy

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Old 12-24-2008, 11:06 AM   #2
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SMB deals with a dealer in the bay area. Find out who that is and see if you can deal with them directly.

The sliding door can interfere with the rear tire as you add wider tires, etc.
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Old 12-24-2008, 01:52 PM   #3
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When I bought our van, the price SMB got for the van was about the same as I could get. But, then I had to transport the van to SMB, so it was cheaper to let SMB order the van. I had to pay for the van when it came in, and pay for the conversion when it was finished - but, that was Indiana - CA or Texas may be different.

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Old 12-24-2008, 02:30 PM   #4
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When I bought my van I went thru SMB but you may be able to get a really killer deal on a van right now at a dealer but you will have to chose from what's on the lot. The RV prep vans are loaded with options but completely bare inside. Most of the bare cargo vans on dealers lots will not have all the power options as they are meant mostly for sales to the service industry.
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Old 12-24-2008, 03:08 PM   #5
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Saw a few 08 Cargo Vans with killer deals and rebates on the Ford lot near our home. I'm almost sure they are mostly V8's and base models.
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Old 12-24-2008, 03:25 PM   #6
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I'm sure Chris will chime in, but figured I would post a quick photo of his van with the sliding door while I wait for our Xmas party guests. He purchased the van, had Quadvan do the 4x4 and SMB put a PH top on it (the picture is before the top). I think the fender flare on the sliding door side does not protrude as much so as not to hit the door. All-in-all, the van turned out really nice!



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Old 12-25-2008, 08:59 AM   #7
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We tried to find a dealer who could sell us a van cheaper than through SMB but couldn't...SMB West buys their vans now from Towne Ford in Redwood City through Jay Minto. (They bought from Jay when he was at S&C Ford in San Francisco previously...)
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Old 12-25-2008, 09:02 AM   #8
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...and SMB used barn door rather than sliding doors because they hang cabinets on the inside of the door in addition to the potential conflict between the door and the tires/flares.
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Old 12-25-2008, 10:06 AM   #9
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my van has the slider..i wish it was barn stylebfor the above reasons, tires. fender flares, boxes mounted to the interior of doors.



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Old 12-25-2008, 04:23 PM   #10
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The wider rear track associated with 4wd, though I'm not sure about the flares, can be accommodated with the sliding door, if the door is equipped with the extended door brackets that Quadvan makes. I am not sure that Quadvan sells these brackets without having a 4wd conversion there, but I'd recommend giving Eddie at Quadvan a call.

www.Quadvan.com


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