Do They/Have They made this Van

[rxbandit]

Maybe its just me but what i invision as a perfect vehicle at the moment is a a two-row (something like 5 pass.) van, with a cargo area behind that. Would probably have to be one of the extended vans. Basically an enclosed cargo box behind the pass. compartment. Used to haul dirtbikes, tools, camping gear.....you know messy stuff that you don't want inside the pass. area but stuff that you would still like to have protected or keep prying eyes from seeing. Nevermind the fact that i would like a diesel van configured like this with some sort of 4wd or AWD. I know i ask to much! Have any of the manufactures made something like this in repected to the 5 pass. and cargo box? Am i alone in wanting something like this? am i crazy?

[Black Dog]

Diesel Ford van converted to 4X4 by Quigley or Pathfinder.

[stock 87]

Saw one, sheetrock contractors in the area have one.
Looks like 1/2 a van with duel rear wheels and a bed BOY IS IT UGLY!!!!

[EMIEVEL]

If you get a regular Ford extended van, you can seat 2 up front and 4 on a bench right behind the front seats with plenty of leg room. You can put a wall up at the back of the side door. That will leave you with 7 feet to the doors, which will fit 4 dirtbikes (tight).

If you get the cargo van, there won't be any windows in the back (maybe the 2 rear doors), and the wall divider is behind the front windows, so nobody can see in. The only access to the cargo area is through the back doors.

[EMIEVEL]

Oh yeah...you are not alone!

[rxbandit]

Originally Posted by EMIEVEL

If you get a regular Ford extended van, you can seat 2 up front and 4 on a bench right behind the front seats with plenty of leg room. You can put a wall up at the back of the side door. That will leave you with 7 feet to the doors, which will fit 4 dirtbikes (tight).

If you get the cargo van, there won't be any windows in the back (maybe the 2 rear doors), and the wall divider is behind the front windows, so nobody can see in. The only access to the cargo area is through the back doors.

Basically what i have in my head is take say one of the 4 door trucks or extended cab trucks. I'm thinking like my buddies chevy 2 full doors then i guess 2 sucide doors(?) the have a the cargo behind that. I guess what i am trying to say is taking a pass. van with all those windows i don't think would be that great. having the only windows up front more like the trucks would be best then either widowless or just the windows on the rear doors for the "cargo box" area. oh if only i had the time, space and money . Now don't get me started on my FI 2 stroke ideas 500cc cruisin machine..........

[RustoleumWhite]

While I dislike vans (even though they are disgustingly practical and functional) your idea has merit.

I don't think anyone ever 'made' one like your describing, but you might be able to make one that doesn't look like complete ass. I'd start with one of those conversion vans that are used as 5th wheel haulers (cut down van body with a dually bed on the back, Centurion was a common aftermarket outfitter). Then pull off the bed and get a decent, small, used box-van box and put it on the back.

Do it clean and choice your box size carefully and it would be very functional and not look all that bad (other than being an 80's 5-wheel puller). But then you would get the shorter over all package and turning radius of a van with the practicality your after.

Something like this:

But not as nearly ass-ugly with the early dodge chassis and the big ass door/window thing on the side.

stolen from THIS thread: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...ghlight=van%2A.

[pcorssmit]

Chevy offers AWD on the fullsize vans, but it looks like only on the 1500s (according the their website). They also offer the Duramax, but not on the 1500.

Pete

[Rallye]

I don't think he's looking for an open bed like above ^^^^^ , he wants some enclosed protection.

If that's the case, you can get what you need with almost any fullsize van, just take the bench seats out. This is a very popular option for rally support/crew vehicles.

Mine is a '93 Ford E250 (club wagon) 15 pass. I kept 1 bench behind the driver so 5 people can fit; the rest is an open storage area for tools, tires, spares, whatever. I have a full 8' behind the bench seat, and 12' if I take the bench out. My club wagon has windows all around so there's light. If you really wanna get tricky, you can partition behind the bench to enclose the storage space - my co-driver has a van like this, and is a very popular thing to do if you're in the dog show business (it's even lined with a truck bed liner). I was thinking of rhino lining mine, but that's too much effort right now.

If you need something a bit bigger, another popular thing to do is convert your box van to have a lounge space in the first 4' of the box behind the cab. cut out access to the back of the cab, install fold down couch, add RV windows for light, and wire for TV/Sound/Toaster and your set. This isn't the safest option, though, as you are modifying an area that was never really meant for people to ride. Do at your own risk.

In my experience, finding a decent used Quigley van for reasonable prices is tough.

[CJHeap]

The Dodge sprinter is what you need. It will be available this year with 4x4, is diesel and available in 3/4 ton. The high roof is great for bikes too.

[WTF?]

So you're looking for basically this: http://ebay.carad.com/viewItem/dsp_p...000/77/58/5a94


You could pull the lift out of it and it seems like exactly what you are describing.


If you were entertaining the idea of building one you could find the cargo van (they go ridiculously cheap) with windows in the side door of the rear and install an RV window or similar in the front drivers side rear (normally without a window), bolt in a bench seat and partition off the rear cargo area.

Powerstroke vans are much cheaper than the truck counter parts; If it weren't for the child-molester/ garage-band-hippie image factor, I'd probably buy one.

[EMIEVEL]

Originally Posted by CJHeap

The Dodge sprinter is what you need. It will be available this year with 4x4, is diesel and available in 3/4 ton. The high roof is great for bikes too.

I've heard some bad things about the Sprinter from a friend of mine who is a mechanic at Dodge. I don't have personal experience with them, just letting you know what I heard.

[wilson1010]

Originally Posted by CJHeap

The Dodge sprinter is what you need. It will be available this year with 4x4, is diesel and available in 3/4 ton. The high roof is great for bikes too.

Have they got a towing capacity rating for that 4x4 Sprinter yet? The low towing capacity of the Sprinter is a problem. Maybe its been raised a bit?

[rxbandit]

Originally Posted by WTF?

So you're looking for basically this: http://ebay.carad.com/viewItem/dsp_p...000/77/58/5a94


You could pull the lift out of it and it seems like exactly what you are describing.


If you were entertaining the idea of building one you could find the cargo van (they go ridiculously cheap) with windows in the side door of the rear and install an RV window or similar in the front drivers side rear (normally without a window), bolt in a bench seat and partition off the rear cargo area.

Powerstroke vans are much cheaper than the truck counter parts; If it weren't for the child-molester/ garage-band-hippie image factor, I'd probably buy one.

Would a cargo van have the mounting spots in the floor for a the bench seats? If so that would work out pretty nice. Pick up an extended cargo van add the bench seat create a wall behind the seat. Use the slider to get in and out of the back seat. Probably would have to box off the "cargo wall" to the van wall inclosing it. I would think inorder to have the cargo wall strong enough. I'll have to find some demisons of these vans. Thanks everyone for there ideas. Glad i'm not the only crazy one out there.

[resqme]

Um, maybe I'm missing something, but aren't you re-inventing the wheel?

Any 1 ton quad cab pickup with a tall shell on it. Buy the brand you like and outfit it how you like.

[Motobueno]

Here is a link to a video of my van.Any coments?
Tom

http://www.sportsvans.co.za/videos.html

[bigfkr]

GMC (or Chevy) 4500 series chassis, 4 doors, Duramax, van body....

[Brutpwr]

Hey they filmed most of that at Hollister Hills lol! That thing doesn't have much wheel travel and you can tell it has a high center of gravity!!!

[Motobueno]

Originally Posted by Brutpwr

Hey they filmed most of that at Hollister Hills lol! That thing doesn't have much wheel travel and you can tell it has a high center of gravity!!!

Thanks for the comments lol!
I am curious as to how YOU can tell that it has a high center of gravity Oh,how much wheel travel do you think that a van like that should have?

[Never Monday]

crewcab 16' NPR or NRR?

[RustoleumWhite]

Actually I think a sprinter is just up the alley of what this guy originally wanted.

They come with 2nd row seats, and a nice big back cargo area with big doors. Comfortable, maneuverable, easy to drive and good on Gas. Build a partition wall just behind the back seat to keep the gear out of the passenger compartment and rock it.

Course, this thread is over 2-years old, and Sprinters were "new" in the states back then.... wasn't even on the radar. 4wd Sprinter would be icing on the cake.

[Motobueno]

http://www.sportsvans.us/pictures.html

[Brutpwr]

Well you can tell it has a high center of gravity by watching the video and seeing how the van loads and unloads the tires and suspension when cornering or on the off camber sections and how it reacts while pitching when it hits bumps. Now my trail rig is stable well beyond 45 degrees so it never much unloads the tires/suspension in the same manner as your van does a tire when cornering at the same speeds as portrayed in the video.

Jason

[TheTonka]

I don't know if there is enough room in one of these, or if you can get it in 4wd, but they are nice little vans and get impressive mileage.

http://www.fordvehicles.com/transitconnect/

[Andreb]

Originally Posted by TheTonka

I don't know if there is enough room in one of these, or if you can get it in 4wd, but they are nice little vans and get impressive mileage.

http://www.fordvehicles.com/transitconnect/

http://www.auto123.com/en/ford/trans...rid=1101806301

MECHANICAL
Transit Connect XLT
Engine 2.0L L4 DOHC 16-valve
HP (hp@rpm) 136 @ 6300
Torque (lb.ft@rpm) 128 @ 4750
Drivetrain Front-wheel drive
Transmission 4-speed automatic
Brakes Front disc/rear drum
ABS Std
Power Steering Std
Front Suspension Independent
Rear Suspension Independent

fwd and it looks like it sports the same engine as the Focus'es