Chinook RV

Did you do the work?
Contract some out?
Contract all of it out?

the all important question.. how much $ and time?

I haven't done one but the conversion would be roughly $15-20,000 and take weeks (lead time, etc.). Check out popular and reputable 4x4 van conversion companies like Quadravan and Quigley. They will use Ford factory components and proper suspensions. There is at least one Chinook owner on the Yahoo group that has done the conversion and posted about it.

I've been quoted a range of 11k-20k. I feel it's work about $10k to me (11k being close enough, but I've heard less than desirable things about that particular converted).
I'll go searching the yahoo group for that person's write up.. thanks!

I wasn't able to find a thread about 4x4 conversion on the yahoo group. I'm sure it's there somewhere.
Regardless though, I think I've found my 4x4 conversion. Colorado camper van conversions in Drake, Co.
http://www.coloradocampervan.com/4X4_Co ... rsion.html
They(He?) do coil springs instead of leaf springs and even offer the ESOF button to engage the hubs. Though, you still have a transfer case lever. Derek explained that part of the adaptation from F350 to E350 was a pain and problematic (I.e. Expensive I assume.. And since I'm in a bit of a budget.. I didn't push the issue.. A lever is fine as long as I don't have to get out of the warm van to lock hubs in the snow. Not that it's a huge deal.. But nice.
http://www.coloradocampervan.com/Suspen ... stems.html
Some custom control arms seems cool to me too (pretty much everything else is stock ford I think)

Manitou wrote:I wasn't able to find a thread about 4x4 conversion on the yahoo group. I'm sure it's there somewhere.

It was owlsinbog. One of his posts was this:

"Not sure about the 90. But they do E350s and E450s. It doesn't really matter what is mounted on the frame (whether CHinook or other manufacturers).

The conversion is fairly extensive - front cross member, complete new suspension, transfer case, new e-brake setup, new axle, larger brakes and 17" wheels to clear the new rotors. Most also opt for heavier suspension (Roadmaster anti-sway bars), etc. Generally I think that you are looking at around 15K depending on what options you get. You need to take a good hard look at how you will use the vehicle to figure out whether it is worth it. We lived in DC and made XC trips to PA quite a bit. We now live in Maine and we have always done a lot of winter camping and driving, so we found it worth the $$. Now, with the Glacier, we don't travel quite as much (we already live where people come to vacation!) and I have found that the heavier Glacier with 17" wheels and good all season tires does very well in the snow, so I have not converted this one. But I never regretted converting the Concourse.

One of the main differences with the new Quad Van design is that the vehicle does not have to be raised so much to clear the front differential due to their front cross member design. Also, they use the newer front axle with the larger brakes (definitely needed with these heavy vehicles). That is the one thing that I would love to have and may consider converting my front hubs to the larger brakes on my existing 2WD."

Manitou wrote:I think I've found my 4x4 conversion. Colorado camper van conversions in Drake, Co.
http://www.coloradocampervan.com/4X4_Co ... rsion.html

There are quite a few 4x4 conversion companies for the Econlines. Look at any rugged tourist area and there will be tour providers using a 4x4 converted econoline passeneger vans. But be sure to factor in the 10,000 weight of the motorhome in the conversion. That will have a factor on the suspension, construction, and components. Ask what experience the conversion company has with that kind of weight.

I have not been on the forum in a while so if you are trying to do it for under 10k then Ujoint is going to be your source as they are the only DIY provider unless you have the fab skills to chop an F 350 and fab into an E 350.

One of the most expensive components of the Ujoint conversion is the axle. You can get around this by sourcing a low mileage Dana 60 that has good everything and use that. More than likely you will have to source a more heavily used one, clean it up, and then replace the components. In order to match the rear gearing on your nook which should be 4.10 you will want to find a D-60 with 4.10's as that will save you from having to re-gear the thing.

Next comes transfer case for 4x. Again, you can get a re-built one from Ujoint or source your own and re-build what needs to be done.

You can then source the rest of the "kit" from Ujoint. Chris had been doing this a while and my advice is to spend more then you think you want to spend and have him provide most of the items. If you don't want to do this you can source everything and can likely save a few bucks but if you source incorrectly you will be buying twice. Leafs for example seem to give folks who do this trouble.

Again, all of this is predicated on your DIY skills and time-frame. Be prepared to have the nook sit in one place for longer then you expect once you hack the front axle off. Like the rest of us time seems to slip and when you go to do something and break a tool or have a question your day is often shot and when that happens with most of us that means a several day interval until you have a block of time.

Wheels and tires add up so factor that into your budget as those are not part of the conversion costs from any of the providers.

I go back and forth on having a 4x van/camper or not. If it were $5k to do then I would have one. Since it is $7k plus to do on your own (plus up to six months time) and $10k - $15k for a company to do it my nook will likely remain 2x. MPG's will drop as well. Not that big a deal as these things don't get that great of mileage but if you are seeing 11 mpg's expect 9 after conversion.

You're pretty much right on the money on all accounts. I opted to put a deposit on having mine converted at Colorado Camper Van conversions. It does require me to get bigger wheels and tires too. It's a coil spring conversion rather than leaf springs. Comfort is more important to me than durability. I'm not going to be doing off roading, I just want to safely get through snow. For no additional cost he is installing a switch to lock the hubs. They can be done manually too if they become problematic. It will still have a lever for the transfer case though. He says the electronics/labor needed to get rid of the lever is costly.
I should have 4x4 by November