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 09-16-2017, 09:49 AM   #11
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Verdi, California
Posts: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1der View Post
Some recommendations from a 7.3 owner:
4x4 conversion west of Mississippi -
Agile for a sweet ride, MG for solid front axle, or Quadvan - definitely coil over.
Resale, performance, construction, technology and value is top for any these. But best ride will be Agile plus you do not have to go with min 4" lift if you want to stay low. Gearing, if you have 4.10 pretty much set (doubtful in a passenger), 3.73 gearing if not towing and tires are 265 or smaller, 4.10 otherwise. Check to see if you have a full floater rear end. If not, cheaper to change the semi out when doing the conversion.

CCV top, forget about the SMB top. There is just no comparison. None. Get on CCV's waiting list ASAP.

Tuner - 60 highway, 1100 high idle, 40 tow if needed. Forget the 80 or higher. Do the Tranny cooler upgrade. Check with Ford to see that recall's have been done.

Nice find!!!
Thanks for the great advice. I'll be sure to look into all of this. Got a quote from quadvan, and they were definitely cheaper. I really like the MG setup, so waiting on a quote from them. Will talk with Agile next.

A-Rock is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2017, 10:09 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Jsweezy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Hillsboro, OR
Posts: 1,371
Garage
A-Rock - I can tell you honestly that the people of this forum genuinely care about what we all do to our vans and only want the best for each other. This is probably the only forum I've ever been on like this. So when the majority of the forum questions wether or not someone should do something to their van I look at it as a big red flag.

Also, what owner of a company would say not to get their conversion and that its questionable?

Either way I hope you like what you get and make sure to give us feedback anyway you go so it will help the next person that comes along.
__________________
2010 E150 5.4, E250 suspension, E350 springs, BFG KO2 265/75/16.

Google Sled Hockey - You won't be disappointed.
Jsweezy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2017, 12:43 PM   #13
REF
Senior Member
 
REF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Boulder, CO.
Posts: 2,552
Send a message via MSN to REF
I would say all good advice from everyone so far, especially about the CCV top. Having had both myself, there is no question.
On to the much debated topic of 4X4 conversion companies-
While some may disagree with my assessment, I see from your profile page that you're a rock crawler. That being a consideration, I don't think the Agile conversion will be what you want in the end. While a great system, it utilizes a twin traction beam (TTB) front end, great for on/off road comfort and 4X4 use on dirt/snowy road conditions, it also allows for a lower center of gravity, as a larger lift is usually not installed, not really a go to for rock crawling.
I personally would stick to one of the companies using a solid front end with coil springs, I'm always amazed at the ability of ours when we hit the trails and rocks in Moab, plus the clearance is greatly welcomed. I think you'll be happier in the end, especially if you're planning on rockin the rig.....[emoji2]


'03 Ford E350 7.3L Diesel
SMB RB50 w/CCV top
Quigley 4X4 w/Deavers & Agile RIP kit
__________________
'03 Ford E350 7.3L Diesel
(de)SMB'd Custom RB-50
Quigley 4X4 w/Deavers & Agile Offroad's R.I.P. package
CCV High Profile Pop Top
REF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2017, 02:08 PM   #14
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Verdi, California
Posts: 15
[QUOTE=REF;211989]I would say all good advice from everyone so far, especially about the CCV top. Having had both myself, there is no question.
On to the much debated topic of 4X4 conversion companies-
While some may disagree with my assessment, I see from your profile page that you're a rock crawler. That being a consideration, I don't think the Agile conversion will be what you want in the end. While a great system, it utilizes a twin traction beam (TTB) front end, great for on/off road comfort and 4X4 use on dirt/snowy road conditions, it also allows for a lower center of gravity, as a larger lift is usually not installed, not really a go to for rock crawling.
I personally would stick to one of the companies using a solid front end with coil springs, I'm always amazed at the ability of ours when we hit the trails and rocks in Moab, plus the clearance is greatly welcomed. I think you'll be happier in the end, especially if you're planning on rockin the rig.....[emoji2]

I'm not really planning on crawling this rig, as it will be pulling a very capable purpose built buggy. Main purpose for the van is rough fire roads and long distance winter driving, and towing the crawler, of course. That said, I still do want a solid axle/coil set up. Why do people think Whitefeather will not retain good re-sale value? They also offer financing on the build, which is key for me, as I don't have 20k in cash lying around after buying the van outright.
A-Rock is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2017, 04:23 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Jsweezy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Hillsboro, OR
Posts: 1,371
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by REF View Post
I would say all good advice from everyone so far, especially about the CCV top. Having had both myself, there is no question.
On to the much debated topic of 4X4 conversion companies-
While some may disagree with my assessment, I see from your profile page that you're a rock crawler. That being a consideration, I don't think the Agile conversion will be what you want in the end. While a great system, it utilizes a twin traction beam (TTB) front end, great for on/off road comfort and 4X4 use on dirt/snowy road conditions, it also allows for a lower center of gravity, as a larger lift is usually not installed, not really a go to for rock crawling.
I personally would stick to one of the companies using a solid front end with coil springs, I'm always amazed at the ability of ours when we hit the trails and rocks in Moab, plus the clearance is greatly welcomed. I think you'll be happier in the end, especially if you're planning on rockin the rig.....[emoji2]


'03 Ford E350 7.3L Diesel
SMB RB50 w/CCV top
Quigley 4X4 w/Deavers & Agile RIP kit
I just spent about an hour searching on the expedition portal forum for the photos of "Ridge" using his Agile suspension to accomplish some pretty insane things and of course photobucket had removed them all.... So I cant show what could be done with that TTB when pushed but its pretty cool.
__________________
2010 E150 5.4, E250 suspension, E350 springs, BFG KO2 265/75/16.

Google Sled Hockey - You won't be disappointed.
Jsweezy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2017, 05:48 PM   #16
REF
Senior Member
 
REF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Boulder, CO.
Posts: 2,552
Send a message via MSN to REF
Didn't mean to imply that it wasn't capable in the least. I've seen some of those videos too, pretty dang impressive setup


'03 Ford E350 7.3L Diesel
SMB RB50 w/CCV top
Quigley 4X4 w/Deavers & Agile RIP kit
__________________
'03 Ford E350 7.3L Diesel
(de)SMB'd Custom RB-50
Quigley 4X4 w/Deavers & Agile Offroad's R.I.P. package
CCV High Profile Pop Top
REF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2017, 02:20 AM   #17
Senior Member
 
Otter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,186
Garage
..........................................

__________________
"PhoTo" - 2014 Ford E350 5.4L RB - Agile 4x4 - CCV Poptop
Otter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2017, 04:33 AM   #18
Senior Member
 
Bbasso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 1,258
Ujoint might be far but he ships his kits around the world.
Inquire.
__________________
Rob.
Current:
2001 E350 PSD w/ a bunch of stuff.
And had three other E350s...
Bbasso is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2017, 07:44 AM   #19
Senior Member
 
rallypanam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Francisco/Nevada City
Posts: 3,769
Quote:
Originally Posted by A-Rock View Post
Why do people think Whitefeather will not retain good re-sale value?
It's not a name brand, and they don't enjoy a widespread good reputation. Simple as that. Not to say there's anything wrong with their conversion, but honestly, I've never seen one or driven one, and I've seen and driven most conversions.

Supermarket brand tissue vs. Kleenex.
rallypanam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2017, 09:27 AM   #20
Junior Member
 
vanderpooch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Southeastern Tennessee
Posts: 23
Garage
I just dropped mine off at Ujoint and Chris dropped me at the Asheville airport in less than 5 minutes. Super simple! You have a van road trip it there and fly home!
vanderpooch 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 05:16 PM.


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