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 10-02-2010, 02:55 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Nelson BC
Posts: 9
4x4 Conversion

Hello Everybody
I just bought a 2008 diesel E350 Club Wagon......I'm looking for input on which company to use for converting my van to a 4x4, Quigley, Quadvan, Clydesdale, Advance, Ujoint. Please let me know your experience with these companies.

Thanks
Rick

Rick934 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2010, 02:59 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
AndrewST's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Switzerland soon back to Oregon
Posts: 733
Re: 4x4 Conversion

I have got a Quadvan 4" lift, ride is smooth.
What I like is front coil, factory front end maintained (safety) and all the 4x4 conversion is made with no modification to the frame.
My 2 ct...
__________________
2009 E350 window RB 6.0 PSD Quadvan 4x4 with EB pop top
2003 E350 ambulance 7.3 PSD Quigley
2007 Jeep JK for local offroad
AndrewST is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2010, 03:02 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Ford_6L_E350's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Washington - Ridgefield
Posts: 4,728
Re: 4x4 Conversion

I've looked at all of those except the U-Joint and the Clydesdale. Of the conversions listed, I would go with QuadVan. Their conversion is the most professional (custom formed bracketry,etc.) and uses standard Ford parts so repair parts are readily available and it can be worked on at any Ford dealer.

Mike
__________________
Alaska to Key West, Labrador and more
Prostate cancer survivor. See Thread Prostate cancer and Sportsmobiles
2015 VW GTI 2020 Fiat 124 Spider
2012 E250 Hitop camper
Ford_6L_E350 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2010, 03:28 PM   #4
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Nelson BC
Posts: 9
Re: 4x4 Conversion

Thank you for your input. I live in British Columbia so Quadvan is not too far away. One of the issues I need to figure out is getting my van converted in the States and bringing it back into Canada.
On the 4x4 conversion does, Quadvan do the straight axle dana 60 or and IFS, do modification need to be made to the rear axle for width? What type of Dif's should I use.....locking or posi? I am not very familiar with 4x4 systems eg manual hubs or manual transfer case and so on, any recommendations?

Rick
Rick934 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2010, 06:09 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Ford_6L_E350's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Washington - Ridgefield
Posts: 4,728
Re: 4x4 Conversion

To reduce complexity I prefer a manual transfercase. Vacuum hubs are fine, because you can always lock them manually. For most use, a Limited Slip rear differential and an open front are used - as most 4wd systems come that way from the manufacturers. If you want more from your vehicle, a lockable front differential could be added.

Talk to Quadvan and see what they suggest and why - they are much more knowledgable than I am.

Mike
__________________
Alaska to Key West, Labrador and more
Prostate cancer survivor. See Thread Prostate cancer and Sportsmobiles
2015 VW GTI 2020 Fiat 124 Spider
2012 E250 Hitop camper
Ford_6L_E350 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2010, 06:28 PM   #6
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Nelson BC
Posts: 9
Re: 4x4 Conversion

Hello Mike

Thank you for the Info. Much to learn still.

Rick
Rick934 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2010, 09:19 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
SteveInLA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Ashland, OR
Posts: 372
Garage
Re: 4x4 Conversion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350
To reduce complexity I prefer a manual transfercase. Vacuum hubs are fine, because you can always lock them manually. For most use, a Limited Slip rear differential and an open front are used
This is exactly the configuration on my van that I just received from Quadvan. I haven't had it off-road yet, but I am very happy with the ride on the highway and in the city. Quadvan is a great company to work with. Be sure to set aside plenty of time before asking John any technical questions. He is knowledgeable and thorough, and it shows in his work.
Steve in L.A.
__________________
2010 Red EB50 V10, Quadvan 4WD (El Guapo Rojo)
1978 VW Westfalia Champagne Edition (Pepe - gone, but not forgotten)
SteveInLA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2010, 11:20 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
SierraHawk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 323
Re: 4x4 Conversion

It depends on what you want to do with your van. The F350 front end was not designed to carry a constant load that is equivalent to our fully equipped vans. Quigley is OK for snow and dirt roads but will get hammered if you plan on doing serious off road rock crawling. Dynatrac PR60 is as solid as any but it will need to be rebuilt periodically because of the weight of the vans. If you are going to stress the van in remote conditions and want to get home stick to the leaf spring conversions. There are some independent fabrication shops that will do a conversion. You want at least a Dana 6o for the hard stuff and consider a full floating rear. Unless you are touring Mongolia or the Amazon basin, I would not spend the money for lockers. If you are in that deep you risk doing serious damage to a fully equipped van. Compare the components and prices and then make a decision.
SierraHawk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2010, 12:52 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
gnty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Southern Alberta
Posts: 428
Re: 4x4 Conversion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick934
Thank you for your input. I live in British Columbia so Quadvan is not too far away. One of the issues I need to figure out is getting my van converted in the States and bringing it back into Canada.

Rick
Hey Rick,

As long as your van is currently a Canadian vehicle you will not have any problems taking it down and having the conversion done and bringing it back. All you'll have to do is present invoices for all the work completed and pay the GST.

The only time you'll have a problem is bringing a U.S. van newer than 15 years to the month that has been converted already. It is inadmissable according to the RIV program and will not be allowed up here.

Ryan
__________________
2005 E350 EB 4x4 6.0 Super Camper HT
2005 E350 RB Passenger 4x4 6.0
1995 Bigfoot 20' Class C 4x4 7.3
gnty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2010, 02:28 PM   #10
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Nelson BC
Posts: 9
Re: 4x4 Conversion

Hello SteveInLa

Thanks for the info.....I've got an email in to QuadVan. As far as Vw's I still have "Brownie", 1985 Westfalia....400,000 mile, currently in retirement, can't seem to part with her.

Rick
Rick934 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

» Sportsmobile Registry

Hooch

Hoooch

Sportsmobile

Churley
Add your Sportsmobile
» 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 08:56 PM.


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