I really wanted to buy a late '90's Ford camper van that was an "original" 4WD conversion (Quadra Trak or whatever it was called back then - was a Quigley conversion). It had everything I wanted at the time in layout, looks, engine, etc.
I had heard of things like "death wobble" but my lowly 2WD camper van (that I already had at the time) handled fairly normally (for definitions of normal that don't include rack-and-pinion steering ). Then I got in that van to test drive it. OMG SCARY. There was no way I could drive that thing anywhere, ever and not feel like a death machine. It really was awful. So I sadly bid it adieu. (But then I got the Chinook so it was not all bad!)
But what I found out was that in around 2005 (IIRC) the Quigley kits changed quite a bit and I guess it was no longer an issue like it could be in the older ones. Unfortunately because the one I wanted to buy already had 4WD the asking price was too much for me to have it converted again to modernize and fix it.
I should have qualified my 4WD van’s handling problem with the fact that it too was an early Quigley “Quadra Trac” - late ‘90s or thereabouts. The weak point was the front Dana 60 axle being suspended on leaf springs with rather flimsy shackles. I’m sure Quigley has long since ironed out the bugs in their setup.
Ted C. / SW Arizona
"The Blue Chook" 2002 Concourse Owner: 2013-2019
Rokrover wrote: June 19th, 2018, 4:23 am
I should have qualified my 4WD van’s handling problem with the fact that it too was an early Quigley “Quadra Trac” - late ‘90s or thereabouts.
Those were some scary handling, weren't they? I was told it was around 2005 that they changed the setup, but that's an "if I recall correctly." Anyway, Mark's should be a whole different/better ballgame!
I am now installing a Ujoint offroad frame stiffener which basically goes behind the stock bumper. This provides more stabilization between frame rails and is also helpful in the event of a front collision. This is something that can be added to any chinook; I am still waiting for rear spring ubolts before I can do the rear lift and install the rear shocks; I am using an upgrade kit from Agile offroad (here in San Diego) which is made for the Quigley conversions; It consists of properly valved Fox shocks front and rear, lowering kit for the front sway bar (because of the lift) and progressive front coil spings; ; Upcoming tasks; new driveshafts, install 4x4 shifter, wire the abs sensors and wire the speedo sensor; Then it is checking all torques, adding fluids and start up; Getting closer;
There are a number of things that can contribute to "death wobble" (horrible term). Worn out ball joints or kingpins, improperly adjusted or worn wheel bearings, worn tie rod ends, drag link or pitman arm; Improper geometry(track bar should be parallel with drag link); worn bushings in track bar, or radius arms (modern Urethane are better than rubber); Loose bolts, rims bent or out of round, or tires improperly inflated, bad spot in tire, bad or inferior quality shocks; A top notch alignment shop can help with all of these items; Caster and camber need to be within specifications; Be sure to check tires weather checking due to age. Our vehicles do not get as many miles so tires usually become too old before the tread is gone; (There is actually a date code on each of your tires) Whether your chinook is 4x4 or not all of these items are very important to check before your next trip.
Just to be clear, neither Rokrover or I were speaking of our Chinooks. I was describing a Ford campervan I test drove, and I think he was describing a van he previously owned.
Agile Offroad makes (or at least did make) a very popular Ride Improvement Package that specifically addressed issues with the earlier Quigley conversions. Not that the things you mentioned aren't important, but I do think there were some specific things in those cases (which won't be issues in your conversion as they have changed those things).
Funny on the front bar: I remember reading a thread wherein people wondered if installing a front hitch compromised the "crumple zones" that Ford engineered into the front frame rails (those diamond shaped cutouts). I think the general consensus was that the "crumple zones" weren't well engineered enough to worry about compromising them (or maybe it was a horse apiece depending on what happened in a given accident). So it's interesting to hear that this stiffener can help. (I did put the front hitch on.)
One of the respondents was an enthusiastic Ford camper van owner and also a First Responder. He basically said that if you get in an accident you'd much rather be in a new vehicle with side-curtain airbags, knee bags, engineering for small overlaps, etc. than any big ol' van (this may not include Transits and the like as they are newer designs). But, despite that, he still happily drove his Ford Econoline camper van (you can't live in cotton).
Setback today. I installed the Quigley lift blocks which go between the axle and the rear leaf springs. The net effect is the spring plate moves up about 3.5 inches and Wa la; They rub on the inside tire sidewalls; The solution is new rear leaf springs with a built in lift. These will eliminate the need for lift blocks, but custom springs will take about 3 weeks. This should also increase the rear weight capacity. So...waiting game; In the meantime the ABS is finished and I'm off to have drive shafts made.
Just a minor setback (that would be a major issue for a less experienced person!)
I'm curious: Did you consider parabolic springs? Maybe they wouldn't even help the issue, and/or not be good for what you are planning. I'm only aware of them as they were suggested to me in the context of taming the somewhat harsh rear suspension on the E-350/E-450. Apparently they are very popular for ambulances (imagine trying to poke an IV into someone in the back of a bouncy ambulance).
I decided to wait on trying them as as I had just made a bunch of mods and wanted to see how they worked out first. As it turned out, the mods I did make resulted in a ride that's fine with me, so I never tried them.
Not familiar with parabolic springs. Anyone have a source for them. I would like to look in to it. I am having a custom leaf pack made based on the weight of the truck.
I was up at Henderson's Line-Up - they are the ones that suggested them. But since I decided to give the mods I was already in the process of doing a try first, I didn't get any details beyond that they exist and apparently can be an improvement in ride over the stock leaf style. If nothing else turns up, perhaps you could give them a call and ask? They are in Grants Pass, Oregon.
). Then I got in that van to test drive it. OMG SCARY. There was no way I could drive that thing anywhere, ever and not feel like a death machine. It really was awful. So I sadly bid it adieu. 
(But then I got the Chinook so it was not all bad!)
I was told it was around 2005 that they changed the setup, but that's an "if I recall correctly." Anyway, Mark's should be a whole different/better ballgame!