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12-22-2020, 04:40 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: California
Posts: 33
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I just finished a 2WD conversion to 4x4, with a DIY kit from Timberline. I had my local truck shop install it, seems to be working out well. It was also part of a motor swap so haven't had a chance to drive it much yet, but perhaps that can help you with the time line. The cost was about the same as having it done by them.
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12-22-2020, 05:01 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: So Cal
Posts: 4,045
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scuba
The best answer would be to sell my current rig, and buy from Sportsmobile a 4x4 with penthouse, but I'm not willing to wait until November 2021 to take delivery.
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At the risk of stating the obvious....
The last Econoline (E-Series) van converted and sold new by Sportsmobile was in 2014. They do have a fiberglass rear section for an E-series cutaway; not sure if they have sold any of those.
Everything they are converting and selling these days are Sprinters/Transits. Which are a different van as far as 4WD goes.......
__________________
2008 E350 RB passenger 4WD SMB penthouse
2013 KTM 350 EXC
2008 KTM 250 XCF-W
2003 Honda Element
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12-22-2020, 06:33 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Posts: 2,552
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If you're looking at buying a 4x4 van, list the specs you want, your budget, and willingness to travel. If your budget is adequate for today's prices, I'm sure someone from the forum will find a van for you.
__________________
2005 E350 Chateau - V10 - Agile Offroad 4x4
2012 CTS-V Wagon - For the baby...
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12-22-2020, 06:55 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 229
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boywonder
At the risk of stating the obvious....
The last Econoline (E-Series) van converted and sold new by Sportsmobile was in 2014. They do have a fiberglass rear section for an E-series cutaway; not sure if they have sold any of those.
Everything they are converting and selling these days are Sprinters/Transits. Which are a different van as far as 4WD goes.......
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So I was speaking loosely but I assumed if I waited for sportsmobile I'd get them to just put a penthouse a-la-carte on a e350 I'd bring. PS I had an 03 Element in the stable, and have a pair of xt225's, so I'm a sucker for things they don't make anymore.
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12-23-2020, 03:39 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 712
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Better check with some experts on the conversion to 4x4 - guessing (?) most would be reticent or refuse if front GAWR weight of a 150 series van is below what would be required for weight of transfer case, etc. ? Guessing a 250 series van would be minimum GAWR someone would be willing to work with ? But I'm not an expert - but I've tried this road before --
Good luck !
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12-23-2020, 04:38 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 229
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doublevan2
Better check with some experts on the conversion to 4x4 - guessing (?) most would be reticent or refuse if front GAWR weight of a 150 series van is below what would be required for weight of transfer case, etc. ? Guessing a 250 series van would be minimum GAWR someone would be willing to work with ? But I'm not an expert - but I've tried this road before --
Good luck !
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Thanks -- you're right. now I'm researching all the options, given that E350's are tough to find.
@mikracer, good suggestion. I will revert / update this post when I've better honed-in on the specs and budget.
Appreciate all the support and comments guys. Thx.
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12-23-2020, 05:03 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: So Cal
Posts: 4,045
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scuba
So I was speaking loosely but I assumed if I waited for sportsmobile I'd get them to just put a penthouse a-la-carte on a e350 I'd bring. PS I had an 03 Element in the stable, and have a pair of xt225's, so I'm a sucker for things they don't make anymore.
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..Not sure Sportsmobile would put a top on your van..have you talked to them?
For very similar $$ as a manual SMB top Derek at Colorado Camper Van installs a nicer pop top..wider bed, power, you can sit up on the bed in the penthouse etc. I think he's still doing older Econolines.
__________________
2008 E350 RB passenger 4WD SMB penthouse
2013 KTM 350 EXC
2008 KTM 250 XCF-W
2003 Honda Element
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12-23-2020, 05:18 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 229
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boywonder
..Not sure Sportsmobile would put a top on your van..have you talked to them?
For very similar $$ as a manual SMB top Derek at Colorado Camper Van installs a nicer pop top..wider bed, power, you can sit up on the bed in the penthouse etc. I think he's still doing older Econolines.
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Thanks. I tried calling CCV / website earlier this week with no joy, but will try again when it's not ~Christmas eve. Thanks for the reminder.
Do you have experience with them (long-shot I know). Just always nice to get a fresh datapoint given potentially outdated / non-representative stuff on the internet.
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12-23-2020, 09:28 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: So Cal
Posts: 4,045
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Many folks here have removed their SMB penthouse tops and replaced them with a CCV top. That's where the majority of used SMB pop tops for sale on this forum have come from recently.
Specifically...CCV is removing the SMB tops to install their tops.
I have a SMB top and no direct experience with CCV.
Members REF, 1der and many others here have CCV tops.
__________________
2008 E350 RB passenger 4WD SMB penthouse
2013 KTM 350 EXC
2008 KTM 250 XCF-W
2003 Honda Element
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12-23-2020, 09:31 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 229
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Awesome-- will do some searching on those-- thanks boywonder. Trying to wear off my noob status on here.
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