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 07-18-2017, 10:36 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 455
Arrow Hi New member from so-cal

Need some Advice & cost please on ford van e250 4x4 conversion
Hi everyone! I am a new member/first post.little bit about me I'm a 51 year old electrician,I ride a long travel Trx450r quad/kx450f track bike/Ktm 450exc dual sport & go out to the dunes/desert with my wife Christy & pitbull zappo and our friends.i just bought this van for about 1/3 of the goin price from someone hurtin for quick $$ i don't know much about 4x4 vans (it's currently 2x4) so I'm asking for help! 91,000 miles This van camper(cargo van transformed into a class-b) "majestic"is the model according to the goofy stickers I'm about to rip off of my new toy.It has a two foot fiberglass top roof a/c,kitchen,toilet,hot water heater,shower/table,benches/table that converts into bed,4000 watt onan gene that's stuffed underneath,propane etc.im wondering what prices people have paid for their agile offroad "ttb" (twin traction beam) conversion from 2x2-4x4, their website doesn't list the price only what they'll do and a few pics.i did get an email quote from them but I have nothing to compare it to so I'm reaching out for feed back.im also interested in other 4x4 conversions like sportsmobile,unjoint etc,price you paid out the door & likes/dislikes in performance.i don't know which direction I'm goin yet but I will either convert this van to 4x4,keep it 2x4 & get a 4 inch suspension lift/tires and wheels so I don't rip the sewer tube off from underneath or just leave it alone/enjoy it and look for a used sprinter 4x4 and build the inside my self(just basic to keep weight down).any and all info/opinions are welcome,thx gustav

Agile offroad website info

4X4 VAN CONVERSION


Do you have a 2-wheel drive Ford van or a 4-wheel drive van that under-performs? We can install our custom, long travel, Dana 50 Twin-Traction Beam 4×4 conversion in your existing 2-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive van for a surprisingly competitive price. Contact us via telephone or email for a quote.

Our finished product is neither a monster van, nor an overdone urban-assault vehicle. What you’ll wind up with is the best designed, riding and performing 4×4 van both on and off-road.

TYPICAL CONVERSION INVOLVES:

Removal of existing front suspension and axle components
Modification of crossmember and gusset for clearance and pivot mounting
Installation of TTB pivot and radius arm pivot brackets
Installation of powder-coated AO D50 TTB J-Arms with cromoly radius arms and spherical bearing center pivots with 4.10 gear ratio
Installation of Borg Warner 1256 transfer case with electronic shift
Installation of rebuilt and balanced front and rear drive shafts
Installation of Fox Performance Series 2.0 custom-valved shock absorbers, coil springs, AO Add-a-Leafs and rear lift blocks
Installation of Fox Performance Series 2.0 steering stabilizer
Modification of gas tank for clearance of transfer case

I'm going to start a thread under homemade smb,thx
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_8944.jpg   IMG_8889.jpg  

Zappo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2017, 10:39 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
86Scotty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,222
Welcome. I think the going rate for Agile is in the $15k range. Give John a call. He's a nice guy.

86Scotty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2017, 11:22 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
rallypanam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Francisco/Nevada City
Posts: 3,769
And here is what your van could look like with an Agile conversion:



#59855 - 2013 Leisure Craft Majestic Tourer II 4x4 for sale in North Las Vegas NV
rallypanam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2017, 12:43 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
bettyford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Port Angeles Wa And Jackson Hole Wy.
Posts: 1,284
Send a message via MSN to bettyford
Welcome, Ive heard good things about Agile They built the shocks for my 4X4 a couple a months ago.
Make sure you find the type of 4X4 you want Agile does theres which Is different from say Ujoints build. Both have their Plus's. Just different
And just because Agile is in SD doesn't mean it's the right one for you.
Good luck and have lot's of fun.

Ron
__________________
Going where most dont
"one day at a time"
bettyford is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2017, 03:01 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
mikracer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Posts: 2,552
Everyone with an Agile conversion seems to be happy, me included. You don't see any people complaining about their conversions like you do some others. If you decide to go with a 2wd lift, check out Weldtec.
__________________
2005 E350 Chateau - V10 - Agile Offroad 4x4
2012 CTS-V Wagon - For the baby...
mikracer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2017, 09:43 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 432
I would stay local as Agile can address any issues for ya. These dudes know mechanical and suspension stuffs.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Tienckb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2017, 07:06 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 455
Thx for replies and info people,I received a qoute from ujoint and agile now,seems like there's a lot to think and figure out still,for instance as an additional option u-joint sells a diy kit if I find a local fabricator/offroad shop.i think I have roll stability c0ntrol "rsc" abs sensors and I think I have tru-trac.i have to get my vin # down to the dealer to verify and the implications.i also have concern over the weight of the e250 with rv conversion and how it would ride with springs in front vs leafs.when I'm not on an adventure run (van rv only) I will be towing the wave runners to lakes/ocean or quads and bikes out to the desert/mountains so trailer/gear will vary from 3500-5000 lbs and will want some air bags I think they are called free floating so they don't stretch and rip when off roadin or reduce rear wheel travel.please keep the info/opinions comin,it's appreciated very much.i also am not sure who "the other guys" people seem to refer to all the time are ? Seems there is specific installer people don't like their service or parts or both? If someone could private message me so I'm in the loop and a little info of why so I could understand,I won't repeat anything passed along.i think weldtec and action vans do the 2wd lifts around here,thx
Zappo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2017, 07:37 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
bettyford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Port Angeles Wa And Jackson Hole Wy.
Posts: 1,284
Send a message via MSN to bettyford
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zappo View Post
Thx for replies and info people,I received a qoute from ujoint and agile now,seems like there's a lot to think and figure out still,for instance as an additional option u-joint sells a diy kit if I find a local fabricator/offroad shop.i think I have roll stability c0ntrol "rsc" abs sensors and I think I have tru-trac.i have to get my vin # down to the dealer to verify and the implications.i also have concern over the weight of the e250 with rv conversion and how it would ride with springs in front vs leafs.when I'm not on an adventure run (van rv only) I will be towing the wave runners to lakes/ocean or quads and bikes out to the desert/mountains so trailer/gear will vary from 3500-5000 lbs and will want some air bags I think they are called free floating so they don't stretch and rip when off roadin or reduce rear wheel travel.please keep the info/opinions comin,it's appreciated very much.i also am not sure who "the other guys" people seem to refer to all the time are ? Seems there is specific installer people don't like their service or parts or both? If someone could private message me so I'm in the loop and a little info of why so I could understand,I won't repeat anything passed along.i think weldtec and action vans do the 2wd lifts around here,thx
Lot's to think about.
Here's are some of my thoughts to yours.
Dont worry about the 2500 just install a bigger braking system.
Don't worry about the airbags. The are tougher than you think.
Coil or Leaf -- Coil spring better ride. Leaf Spring straight axle and tougher. Just my opinion on that ,I've had both and I like leaf. But have coil now.
Good luck
Ron
__________________
Going where most dont
"one day at a time"
bettyford is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2017, 08:13 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Flux's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 1,420
I have a 2013 with the Agile and I love it. Once the suspension settled and I added weight to the van with the pop top it drove much better on highway. 4x4 is very fun, I have bombed it through mud and snow, washboards, and a few small hill climbs. Very very capable. The TTB is a Dana 50 TTB and was featured on F250 trucks for about 8 years I think. There won't be issues with the weight. The RSC will still be there as they add the proper tone ring behind the front rotor. If I could get rid of my RSC, I would, but it only ticks me off here and there. Some really smart dudes spent a lot of time dialing the agile suspension in. They can take care of your rig.

You can also reach out to Expo Vans in Oregon about that Straight Axle Coil conversion (same as Ujoint). That's his design and again, another very meticulous well thought out suspension. You could do the kit, but I would think seriously about having Expo do it for you if you go that route.

I suffered lots of anxiety about the $$ and the conversion. I have zero regrets with the agile. It's very well behaved on the highway and does great in the dirt and snow. Exactly what I wanted.
__________________
<br>
Tim - 2013 EB V10 Agile 4x4 SMB PH Ginger Army All Terrain Mobile HQ
Flux is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2017, 10:02 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
arctictraveller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,234
Before you make any decisions, stop by Agile and get John to take you for a ride in one of thier conversions. I don't think any straight axle, coil or leaf will ever be as nice as the TTB conversion. Off road it floats over the rough stuff, and on the highway it rides better than many cars.
__________________
Arctic Traveller
KC6TNI
2001 GTRV
Advanced 4wd
Agile Ride improvement package
arctictraveller 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 11:16 PM.


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