Cost versus Benefit

[Chinook]

marret, i been stuck so many times now because i always feel the urge to venture off the beatin path. I have plenty of ground clearance with the lift i have on it, i just dont have enough traction it seems. Then when i drive it in the winter, its so heavy it wants to push in a straight line rather than steer. I been putting it off and putting it off cuz i convinced myself i didnt need it. Course if i stayed off the beaches and avoided the swamp lands i would probably be ok. You should have seen the size of the CASE tractor they had to use to get me out last time.. it had 8 tires on it that were taller than me. I have a 17,500 pound winch on the front, but the only other thing up front was water and sand. In reality what i probably need is a dune buggy with paddle tires and 1200 horsepower, but im gonna try the 4x4 conversion first since i would have a hard time keeping the dogs from jumping out the dune buggy.

[marret]

Know what you mean about venturing off the beaten path.

Drove to Jackson WY a couple Christmas ago, glad I had 4wd.

I was hesitant with my lift, but it was worth it.

Getting stuck hopefully makes you learn the limits, but 4wd will help or get you more stuck

I’ve been pondering an older Jeep to tow and explore instead of always using the house. I’d still want 4wd though. My dog is often along so the HP2E isn’t always the best option.

[arctictraveller]

For us, 4wd is mandatory because our goal is to get out to places with the least amount of people possible. Were not anti social, but camping with the herd is just not our thing. Sure, we love camping with like minded friends, but the easy to get to places always seem to be crowded with strangers running generators, kids swarming around, lots of smoke etc. 4wd allows us to avoid all that when we want. Not to mention that challenging trails are fun.................

[Chinook]

Arctic, i feel the same.... however my two cattle dogs whom never get left behind, are somewhat antisocial and quite intelligent, especially the larger of the two. The Chinook is his and if anyone gets near it he has an absolute fit, youre fine if you stay a distance away, but get within 10 feet of his truck and you better turn and run...

Actually they are trained and very well behaved, but they are still cattle dogs and sometimes they have their own ideas about how things should be. Best policy for us... stay away from groups of people.

[86Scotty]

If you want to leave pavement there is no replacement for 4wd, period. Anyone who tells you they do ok just hasn't had bad enough luck yet. Anyone who tells you they can do just fine with a winch and good tires and 'knowing how to drive' is merely justifying their 2wd and jealous of 4wd, if they care to actually get off pavement. There are few vehicles which would not benefit from 4wd/AWD and I'm not sure why anyone actually makes 2wd trucks anymore, but that's just me. Unless I couldn't afford one I would never buy any model of 2wd vehicle again if there is a 4wd option available. I do not live where there is a 4wd need year round, I just like to get where I want to go.

I have had a Quigley SMB and it was spectacular especially after an Agile RIP upgrade. I have converted a 98 EB V10 with Expovans/MG Metalworks kit and it was spectacular but I didn't keep it long. I have had a 24' B-plus motorhome on an e450 chassis which I lifted and put AT tires on. It was semi spectacular, aided by dual rear wheels and my hammer down attitude in mud. My wife was rarely pleased with having to pick up all the contents of the cabinets over and over.

If I were you I would probably talk to Agile given your issues with MG and Ujoint. They have converted many ambulances, class B's and heavier rigs to TTB. But, Agile doesn't sell a DIY kit.

You seem to be somewhat beating this to death and I see where you are coming from but none of these aftermarket options are as reliable or trouble free as OEM. Go buy a 4wd Sprinter and suffer all of the other consequences (MB maintenance cost, marginal reliability, DPF/DEF issues if diesel, did I say maintenance cost?) or convert an AWD Transit and be done with it.

[Chinook]

86scotty

No i dont have issues with Ujoint or MG. I just inquired on another post as to why the apparent friction between the two.
I just have a need to understand everything a job entails before i dive in head first. I dont mean to be annoying. Im sure the transit is a nice rig but i like the econoline body style better myself.

I hope you didnt read the post i made before i deleted it here. I took your reply wrong. So i owe an explanation and apology if you did. I worked for the railroad most of my adult life. In 2013 there was a bad accident at work which damaged my neck, spine, and shoulder, the neck and shoulder required surgery to repair but there wasnt anything they could really do for the thorasic spine injury or the brain injury. I spent 2 years of my life seeing surgeons, doctors, lawyers, brain specialists, ect...That said sometimes i have cognitive issues, one being comprehension related. Anyway, if you read what i posted i apologize, i realize you werent attacking me. oh man, i feel bad now, i hope others didnt read it. Sorry anyone that read the post i deleted, i misunderstood.

[marret]

I read it, but you apologized and good deal on the changed post. Wish you the best with your vehicle and medical issues.

[Chinook]

Thanks, sorry you had to read my rant. Its frustrating sometimes, i misunderstood. He was just being nice and i thought he was attacking me. Im going to bed early i think. Sorry everyone

[marret]

No worries, apology accepted. Thanks.

[86Scotty]

No worries here. I didn't read it but not worried about it. I wasn't trying to be a jerk but I seldom have much of a filter. I know all too well the tension between Ujoint and MG and I've been here for the whole history of it. I know both parties personally. Anyway, I was saying you had 'issues' because you've looked at both kits but want a complete explanation of anything that could possibly go wrong before you jump. I hate to tell you but you're not going to get it from anyone. 4x4 conversion is only completely and totally sorted if the converter is the one who does the work. You've said you want to do the work. If this is still the case that knocks out everyone for you including Agile and Quadvan.

On this forum and most others thick skin is a prerequisite, no attack intended. I hope you've gotten some good info here and there is tons more on Expedition Portal '2/4wd vans' thread.

Oh, I should probably say that I realize my post had nothing to do with cost vs. benefit really. I say go for the benefit no matter the cost when it comes to 4wd on vehicles and expecially expedition campers. As far as value it's about 5 years too late for a bargain 4wd conversion. 4wd van conversions were historically about $10-12k turn key but now they can be double that. It kind of sucks but #vanlife and #overland thanks to social media has really brought in the crowds. Can you blame them? Converters, (UJOR, Expovans, Agile, Quadvan, Quigley, CCV, Weldtec, etc.) have all upped their rates because they can and they're all busy.