Decided Not to Add 4x4 - instead 4x2 on '94 e350 van

[warmblood58]

After much research I have decided to not convert my wanna be e350 sportsmobile project van to 4x4. it's tempting but too damn expensive to warrant at this time. Instead, it will get a mild lift, and I will add a rear air locker. Not really going to 4 wheel this rig anyway as even when I had 4x4 I rarely had to use it. Two drive wheels should be enough - and it is getting a new remaned trans as my e40d went out in the fall and I have been mulling over this decision for months. Hope to raise it, remove medical top and add pop top, add rear locker and front/rear end lift along with larger mud/snow type tires and perhaps then I can finally begin the camper conversion within - wish me luck!

 

[SparkandFire]

This is the same conclusion I came to on my '97 E250.

I really, really wanted the "awesomeness" factor of a 4x4 camper van, but the costs far outweighed the benefits in my case...

For what I do with my van, and with the fiberglass top, I really would get much more use out of a couple inch lift and a locker.

On my van I have rear spring overloads, as well as 235/85R16 BFG All Terrain "E" rated tires, those two things alone netted me close to 2 inches of lift. Add in a couple more and things would be perfect!

 

[fordf350man]

you can slowly get the parts you need for the conversion, and when you have it all then do it, even if it takes a few years, you might not need it but if its something you want why not do it, just buy them slowly, took me a year to build one of the engines i had because i had to buy the parts slowly

 

[warmblood58]

Nice! I have a lead on a pop top removed from a van - removing the medical top will be a pain but miss a pop top!

 

[warmblood58]

Yeah, but really want to use this van vs waiting and 4x4 just not necessary for me -