THUNDERs GARAGE
QUESTIONS ABOUT 4x4 VANs

Is a 4x4 van for me?
How do I find one ?
Do I buy new or used?

NEW:
Only your wallet can answer that question.... Everyone loves a new van, but can you afford one is the question. If you have the extra scratch, say between $25,000.00 to $45,000.00 (depending on how you want it equipped), maybe a new ride is for you. Typically, you can add about $8,500.00 to the price of a new van to have the TrailMaker IFS 4wd system included when ordering your new van.

All vans... Ford, Chevy, and GMC are converted by Quigley Motor Company, based in Manchester, PA. They convert 4x2 vans to 4x4 vans with full off-road capability. Sorry, they don't convert Dodges at last contact with them. Their conversions are done using off-the-shelf transfer cases from Borg Warner and modified Dana 44 and 60 solid front axles. Four-wheel-drive van conversions aren’t unique to Quigley, but not everyone will do them right.

The difference with the Quigley conversion is the company’s 35 years of experience and considerable attention to detail. Quigley 4x4 vans are available through authorized dealers, but they can also be ordered direct from Quigley, phone 800-233-9358 or at their web site: www.quigley4x4.com. Even then, delivery MUST take place through an authorized dealer. And before you ask, No, you CAN NOT take your existing van to Quigley for an upgrade.

Ford conversions use the original coil springs, custom-made control arms and a Panhard rod to carry the front axle. GM vans, because of space limitations, are converted over to a very robust-looking leaf-spring setup. Both conversions are remarkably supple, squeak and rattle free. The frame rails themselves are reinforced and an extra tubular beam is mounted ahead of the axle which ties the front frame horns together for extra rigidity.

So if bucks aren't a problem, than a NEW 4x4 van might just be your ticket to your on and off-road fun.

USED:
But if your like most of us, you will have to search around to find a good used 4x4 van. Some of the used vans out there are total junk, while others, like in any used vehicle, have been maintained and kept in tip top shape. Each 4x4 van needs to be inspected and judged on it's own merits and condition. If you don't have the skill to do this yourself, ask the current owner if you can have a reliable mechanic check out the van. If he refuses to allow an inspection, just walk away.

A good place to start is Thunders Garage "Used 4x4 Vans For Sale" web page or try the Quigley's used 4x4 van web page. Other sources would be to visit or TraderOnLine.com, Yahoo Auto, or eBay Motors.

Once you find a van with the right equipment, be sure to test driven it on and off road (very important). Take it up to highway driving speeds and check to make sure it doesn't wonder around. Then drive it off-road using both 4 wheel high and 4 wheel low to verify the transfer case and drive train are in good working condition.

If all the equipment works, its drives and handles good, and the price is acceptable, then you just might have found a good van. If your not sure exactly what all of this means, but still want a 4x4 van, than ask a friend or hire a mechanic to test drive the van for you.

Be ready to dish out $10,000.00 to $14,000.00 to have a "professional 4x4 conversion shop" convert your van to 4WD, depending on the amount of lift and the type of aftermarket 4x4 equipment you want installed on your van. It might be a good idea to piece mill the conversion process if your bucks are a little tight. Once the 4x4 conversion is completed, you can later add the custom accessories, modify the suspension components, and add larger tires/wheels.

Gather a tape measure, note book and sharp pencil. Measure twice and cut once, very good words to customize by. For more info on axle swaps, check out this site... "Tech How-To Articles & Resources". Do a little web surfing, ask around and you will find a lot of good info to cover every aspect of converting your van to a 4x4.

Yes there are! For that lifted look and off-road clearance without the expense of adding a transfer case and front axle, you can build what is know as a "Pre-Runner" van. This type of van has the look and clearance of a 4x4 van, but less expensive. One important area to consider when building a pre-runner is to install a locker at the rear axle. Vans with a positrac/locker rear end can navigate most off-road conditions very easily. Here is a good article on lockers: Installing Your Own Locker.

Having an on board winch or high lift jack is almost a must worth installing if your gonna do a pre-runner van build. I use a portable Warn winch which is mounted on a steel plate that has a 2" receiver connection. When not in use, it sits in my garage. When I go off-roadn', I just load it into my van along with a spare charged 12-V battery for rear snatchin' and if needed, I can install the winch to the front or rear of my van. A nice option to have depending on your location when you get stuck. Also, your winch stays in clean primo condition between uses.

This type of conversion usually consists of either bent I beams, custom fabricated radius arms, body or suspension lift, and longer/stiffer shocks. You can also install a set of air bags to help compensate for heavier load's and/or to limit body role/bounce. In the rear you could add a new taller spring set, blocks or an Add-a-Leaf to your stock springs. If this is too much for your skill level, you could have Camburg Engineering Inc. do the work for you. Check out their web site for current pricing. Here is one of their awesome rides.

If your lifting a Astro or Safari van, check out the Overland Vans body and suspension lift kits.

Most vanners will also add a front heavy duty sway bar, steering stabilizer, some off-road lights, light bar and maybe a Con-Ferr roof rack to carry all their stuff. Once all the lifting is completed, you may have to modify your stock drive shaft or steering column to handle the additional lift.

Now it's time to fit those off-road tires and wider wheels. Make sure you checked for COMPLETE clearance at ALL 4 wheel wells before hitting the road. This is usually accomplished by having a couple guys jump on the bumper while someone turns the steering wheel all the way from left to right. While the steering wheel is being turned, a 4th person will check for proper tire clearance to the body panels on each bounce. If any rubbing is found, you will have to trim the fenders like I had to do on Big Red to get the extra clearance needed to drive safely. ( See the "Rebuilding Big Red" slide show for pictures of the fender cuts I had to make on that van ). Once everything is installed and checked out, your outta here for some great off-roadin' fun!

About this ride: "Common Problem" - The front tires eat the fenders.
The front lift was built and installed by Camburg Engineering, they bent the I-beams and made the radius arms. This customer wanted the suspension moved forward, so first we added new brackets. Next we rebent the I-beams, added custom fabricated radius arms, installed 8" Fabtech coils and 7100 Bilstein's shocks which have sperate reservoirs. In the rear we put on new springs with the factory block as well as the Bilstein block. We custom fabbed a rear tire carrier as well as the front bar with lights. That's one of our Con-Ferr roof racks. We are putting air bags on it now to compensate for some heavy load's. The customer took the van to Mexico and was very satisfied with the additional ride clearance. - Chris - www.ujointoffroad.com.

What else can be found at ThundersGarage.com?