v10 install 4x4 conversion

[markatherton]

I am still waiting for my custom made rear leaf springs. In the meantime I just picked up the new rear driveshaft and I installed the transfer case shifter and boot.

[markatherton]

I used the F350 shifter that came with the NV271 transfer case. I had to be heated and bent to work in the E350. The shifter boot is from a jeep wrangler. The combination of the two works perfectly.

[Hollis87]

Where did you find a shop that’d put a 4x4 on your Chinook? How much did it cost? I’m very interested!
Thx,
H

[markatherton]

I am doing this 4x4 conversion myself. I have an auto restoration shop in San Diego. We specialize in early broncos. I have extensive experience with Ford 4x4's. I have been a ford mechanic for over 45 years. I have converted several of my own Ford vans and small RV's to 4x4. I usually use Quigley parts to do the conversions but this requires using Quigley parts from a donor vehicle or finding someone who is parting out a Quigley van. The Quigley conversion is fairly moderate in terms of van conversions. It is a 4 inch lift, overall but it does not provide a huge amount of travel in the front suspension. It is better suited , in my opinion, for snow, sand or mud. Anything that does not require a ton of articulation. I have also installed the Ujoint offroad kit on an airstream b190 that I owned. Their new coil spring conversion is fantastic and super high quality. I personally am not a fan of front leaf spring conversions unless you are looking for a lot of articulation because I believe the ride is more harsh. With all that said, I am not interested in converting a van or motorhome for someone else. It is too much work and I am close to retiring. There are, however, several companies that do conversions. Jeremy at Weldtec can do it with a Ujoint offroad kit and Agile Offroad can do it. They use a Dana 50 front axle with independent front suspension. Both of these companies are here in San Diego. There are other companies elsewhere in the country. Others can chime in about those companies. Good luck with your project. I agree the chinooks with 4x4 are just "bad a.."

[68camaro]

I am doing this 4x4 conversion myself. I have an auto restoration shop in San Diego. We specialize in early broncos. I have extensive experience with Ford 4x4's. I have been a ford mechanic for over 45 years. I have converted several of my own Ford vans and small RV's to 4x4. I usually use Quigley parts to do the conversions but this requires using Quigley parts from a donor vehicle or finding someone who is parting out a Quigley van. The Quigley conversion is fairly moderate in terms of van conversions. It is a 4 inch lift, overall but it does not provide a huge amount of travel in the front suspension. It is better suited , in my opinion, for snow, sand or mud. Anything that does not require a ton of articulation. I have also installed the Ujoint offroad kit on an airstream b190 that I owned. Their new coil spring conversion is fantastic and super high quality. I personally am not a fan of front leaf spring conversions unless you are looking for a lot of articulation because I believe the ride is more harsh. With all that said, I am not interested in converting a van or motorhome for someone else. It is too much work and I am close to retiring. There are, however, several companies that do conversions. Jeremy at Weldtec can do it with a Ujoint offroad kit and Agile Offroad can do it. They use a Dana 50 front axle with independent front suspension. Both of these companies are here in San Diego. There are other companies elsewhere in the country. Others can chime in about those companies. Good luck with your project. I agree the chinooks with 4x4 are just "bad a.."

Markatherton, excellent post, thanks. Being on the east coast and not able to do conversion myself, I am looking at Ujoint so it's nice to hear you say good things about them. You mention Quiqley is 4" lift and good for "snow, sand and mud", that's pretty much what I am looking at but Quigley no longer does 2wd conversions on used vans.

Do you still like Ujoint for mud, sand, snow along with their coil springs conversion? I don't get into much articulation as it will be used on forest and unimproved park and fire trails. If I get craving for tougher stuff I still have a JGC with Quadra-lift.

As far as man-hours, could you guestimate how many hours to install a Quigley or Ujoint 4x4 system if I found someone locally to do it?

Thanks again

[markatherton]

I think the Ujoint kit all told is around $5000; You will need to source a front superduty axle, Nv271 transfer case, and converting transmission output shaft to 4x4 with adapter, new driveshafts...maybe $5000; You should be able to do this all for $15,000 or under depending on how much the mechanic/fabricator's labor rate is; Chris at ujoint has a lot of information on his website. He may also render an opinion.

[Hollis87]

Excellent information thank you!

[68camaro]

I think the Ujoint kit all told is around $5000; You will need to source a front superduty axle, Nv271 transfer case, and converting transmission output shaft to 4x4 with adapter, new driveshafts...maybe $5000; You should be able to do this all for $15,000 or under depending on how much the mechanic/fabricator's labor rate is; Chris at ujoint has a lot of information on his website. He may also render an opinion.

Ujoint quoted me rough cost of $20k with them doing conversion, I plan to head down there late August to get detailed quote and talk specifics. Quiqley is $13,900 but you need to find someone to do it, my shops charge $90 - $110/hr. Weldtec was $25 -$30k but I had not compared apples to apples to see why the difference.

Option - Lift with locker; Action Van has lift that averages about 5" for $2089 and you can add upgraded shocks and steering stabilizer for additional cost, add rear locker and new front bumber & Winch and I think you are under $10k.

Above doesn't include tires/brakes.

[markatherton]

Started up the Ford newly rebuilt v10 engine today. Pretty pleased with my mechanic work. Engine started immediately, purred like a kitten with no codes thrown. Used all Ford fluids as per Ford specifications; Have 3 year unlimited warranty on engine. Now if I could just get my rear leaf springs this thing will be finished. I have been waiting 7 weeks for the springs. Mark in San Diego.

[markatherton]

Finally after waiting 9 weeks the beautiful new rear 10 pack leaf springs were delivered last week. We installed them on Saturday. They look like the lift is perfect (4 inches) to match the front. The next step is to install the new drive shafts, double check torque values on all nuts and bolts , then take it for wheel alignment and new tires. Will post more pictures after that.