What's next for my old Sportsmobile?

[geoffff]

Also, has anyone heard of taking a Sportsmobile 4x4 conversion and adding a couple inches of lift to it? Can it be done without lengthening driveshafts, steering components, etc.?

 

[Highplainsdrifter74]

From my experience of doing a conversion 5 yrs ago.thumbs up on the CCV and would seriously go with Quadvan to do a conversion. or have a trusted local mechanic do the UJ kit. You are in Wa? Quad seems like no brainer if you go that route of 2wd e-series.

 

[geoffff]

From my experience of doing a conversion 5 yrs ago.thumbs up on the CCV and would seriously go with Quadvan to do a conversion. or have a trusted local mechanic do the UJ kit. You are in Wa? Quad seems like no brainer if you go that route of 2wd e-series.

Yeah, I'm in WA. I visited Quadvan a couple years ago and test-drove a van. Seemed decent enough driving on some bad urban roads.

I also test drove this QuadVan van a few months ago https://sportsmobile.com/van-inventory/2013-quad-van-4x4/ and the steering was really heavy at low speeds. Like almost two-hand heavy. (My Sportsmobile 4x4 is super easy to steer.) Have you noticed any heavy steering on QuadVan conversions?

I am also looking seriously at U-Joint, but obviously they are far from me and inconvenient.

 

[KTMRIDER-SMB]

I’d look for the V10 and 2005 or newer for the better transmission. Quigley with Agile RIP kit is a great way to go but for your type of wheeling I would think about a serious UJOINT conversion with 35s. Chris knows his stuff and stands behind his work.

I once found a Transferflow tank on Craigslist but that was pure luck. Derek at CCV installed that in my first van. Current van has one also and I love having that much fuel. They do make 10-12 gallon tanks that fit behind rear spare tires mounted above the rear bumper. Jeep guys use these a lot. You might consider that as an option if you started with a 2wd Sportsmobile. AEV and Titan make them.

86Scotty is probably about ready to selll his you might check with him .

 

[UJOINTOFFROAD]

We do have a shop in CO (Montrose) and Axis Vehicles in Hood River OR has done a few of our kits so you have some options!

 

[havnfun2]

Check out Field Vans in Reno

 

[wilma-SMB]

You are facing a hard fact. All the use you've had out of your van has taken it's toll and "it's time". Budget and time are going to make the decision for you. Build something or buy someone else's rig and know you will still have to tweak it to make it feel close to what you want. Tweaking is the trick. You won't really get an out the door perfect rig. Also, since you get back in the nowhere, shake down miles will be in your future, so you can feel it's trustworthy enough for your use. You are somewhere between writing a big check for an Earth Roamer and deciding how much you will settle for, in finding a good donor rig. Either way, I'm envious. Go for it. Try to keep sane and trust in your choices. Best of luck!:b5:

 

[Vanimal]

I did not read all the replies yet but my opinion initial response is if you build yours you will probably overbuild in a good way. The Ujoint option is you still won't know what condition or shape of the 10 or so old year van is in hence replacing parts because your not sure. You say the V10 is good so rebuilding yours seems the correct route. Throwing money at a 4x4 conversion is 15k-20k you can really beef up the old girl. Long arm kit or even custom as I did mine with 1 1/4" heims all around. Don't forget your still money ahead with the 46 gallon tank which alone can be a 2k plus. More savings If your tire condition and custom wheels are good. Again you won't know what your getting till you wheel it and will you feel confident on trips with ole Betty on a beefed up build. There is no denying the Ujoint conversion will not be the Achilles heal but the new van could be. Good luck with your choice and I hope I may of helped.

 

[Vanimal]

I've also thought about a box truck. E-Series cutaway, like a 10-ft rental "truck" van. (But not an ambulance -- I want a narrow vehicle (no duallies), gasoline engine, and standing height.

A few years back I almost jumped on a Navy auction Savana 10 ft box with Duramax. That would have been perfect.

 

[ctb]

Quick question; Are you planning to use it as you did the first 10years? LOVE the adventure/use pics/trip info you[ve posted over the years...AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, the motivation and thought that other SMB owners could use their vans and go places where we might not have dared to go...thank you.
But IF youarent going to do the back roads as much or ever, and plan easier trips, save the money (lol, not really save, but go a different direction) and go for a SECOND vehicle like a Thor Vegas...We just purchased a 25.7 model and LOVE IT!! The room is crazy big, great amenities and your usual systems and that FORD 7.3 V8 gas is absolutely kick arse...We plan to keep both and use accordingly, ie crystal/fossil/gem digging in the SMB and relaxing, beaches, campgrounds in the Vegas
We are emotionally attached to Sporty, just turned 90K and couldn't think of putting up for sale...too many memories/adventures/love to part just yet...so just an alternative thought...

 

[geoffff]

Thanks everyone for all the thoughts, ideas, and reality checks! Keep them coming.

Quick question; Are you planning to use it as you did the first 10years?

Yes. For me the fun game is camping at extreme places that people think it takes a Jeep to get to.

Everything is a compromise. I have looked long and hard at something a bit larger (interior space and comforts for travel with a partner), but I keep being not happy with the trade-off of where I can/can't go.

Camping in campgrounds etc. is just not what I am generally interested in (unless it's for an event/festival - but that's a whole other thing - and maybe I need a different vehicle for that)

 

[Jrod4]

Yes they still make the tank. Only certain dealerships and conversion shop have exclusives on these tanks. Just had my van converted to 4x4 by Quadvan here in Portland and they installed a 46 gallon transfer flow tank at the same time.

 

[Vanimal]

Yes they still make the tank. Only certain dealerships and conversion shop have exclusives on these tanks. Just had my van converted to 4x4 by Quadvan here in Portland and they installed a 46 gallon transfer flow tank at the same time.

I'm not sure this may be correct. I just got off the phone with T.Flow, they said it's been years since they stopped making the Econoline tanks. According to the sales rep. they do make a handicap van tank. Not sure if it is the same as the 4x4 but when I asked gallonage they said it depended on which length of van. I also asked if they made a rear tank to replace the under body spare tire area and they said no. Now itmay be available thru a conversion company such as Ujoint, but the cost on these as a third party may be well above the listed price of other similar tanks which is $2300 + or -. Their # 877-964-0902
Also to add:
The Aero tank is available. It is 40 gallon and can be purchased with a skid plate and in line filter for diesels. They also have a rear in frame tank available.

 

[Jrod4]

The recipe to acquire a tank has been given. Enjoy your small tank if you don’t use the recipe.

 

[Vanimal]

Also, has anyone heard of taking a Sportsmobile 4x4 conversion and adding a couple inches of lift to it? Can it be done without lengthening driveshafts, steering components, etc.company.

On a 2-3" lift you may get away with it depending on your yoke lengths. At the most you could get away with a 1" or so driveline aluminum spacer. There front may be ok especially if you have a hipinion front axle depending on when the van was converted and what company did it.

 

[Vanimal]

The recipe to acquire a tank has been given. Enjoy your small tank if you don’t use the recipe.

I have a 46. Purchased in 2004 directly from transfer flow way before any recipe was construed and I enjoy it immensely!

 

[larrie-SMB]

When we had the conversion done by Agile the installed a 45 gallon 56” long fuel tank that was not a Transfer Flow. Not sure who they got it from. The note on the build sheet says it was a diesel tank and was for off road use only. My engine is a 5.4 gas. You may give Agile a call to see what manufacturer they used.

 

[1der]

Some van lore:
Agile used tanks from Aerotanks in San Bernadino in their E series conversions of the customer wanted the larger tank. I introduced them to each other when Ramsey was preparing to do our 2002 7.3 conversion for Beastie. Agile still uses Aerotanks for their Sprinter extended range diesel tanks.

Our very first tank and two others - total three- I picked them up at Aerotanks and brought them down to Agile. Those three tanks - one built for us, one for Aaron in Livermore, and another for Ramsey all had a true 49 gallon capacity. The problem was the bottom the tank (skid plated) was pretty much the lowest point under the van, even below the transfer case and muffler.

I sold that one to Derek at CCV since his van was on 37's with a big lift and he had plenty of ground clearance.

The next generation of tanks Aerotanks made were around 42 gallons usable and are just above the level of the bottom of the transfer case. Larrie - your case might have been right in that next batch - what is the most fuel you have been able to put in your tank?

At the time - pre heavy CA penalties - the diesel only tanks found their way into some builds including gas. Today that is not happening. Aerotanks is still building diesel tanks for lots of vehicles. I wish I voice get my hands on a TransferFlow 46 (really 41 /42 gal) for our 2014 5.4 Agile Van. At least that van has the 33 gal tank intact.

 

[vandiesel]

At one time John had a pile of transfer flow tanks behind his building. I'm not sure I'd take what I hear from transfer flow as gospel. They gave me a massive runaround last time I got one of their tanks saying they don't make them. Then of course John says no problem and installs one in my van. That was years ago but the story sounds familiar. Their service to me was atrocious.

 

[geoffff]

I had a helpful phone chat with Chris at UJoint. I am feeling good about the idea of finding a nice 2WD van and having them UJoint it. Some tidbits of our conversation:

• Chris can work with me if I need to deliver to him and store the van well ahead of time because UJoint has a multi-month work backlog.
• UJoint's Colorado franchise has a shorter backlog than North Carolina.
• For a custom gas tank, Chris recommends Hanco in Colorado. (Hanco quoted me $2800 for a 40-gallon gasoline tank.)
• 6" UJoint lift will give 4 to 5 inches of level-axle up-travel. (My Sportsmobile 4" lift has only 1" up-travel.)