Vannin' Home Forums Ford General Discussion 6bt nv4500 E350

Hey everyone. Mike in Iowa here.. Iv been lurking all over trying to buy a strong 4x4 van and finally made a offer and the deal was done. It's not 4x4.. But strong, and I just got started..

I know I need a donor truck with nv4500 4x4 and dana kingpin 60's. (found one minus the kingpin) But I'm wondering what kind of performance I might get with only a E locker or air locker. This van was bought to haul my 10k# toyhauler all over the county. But I also want to leave the toyhauler behind and continue up the steep rocky road with a dualsport bike on the back bumper. Weight..




You guys think a selectable locker on the rear might get me by, and suggestions on which one? I guess Id want the locker anyway even with the 4x4.

Thanks!

Rear locker will get you further than you think, just be sure to turn it off when going around corners in the snow. Send you in the ditch quick. Honestly you can't beat 4x4 but the extensive work you will have to put in to convert it yourself is far fetched unless your great with a tape measure and a welder. Quigley makes a 4x4 and few others but here's a, might be, easier option, (but I'm not too familiar with the ford rigs) get your hands on a 4x4 ford pickup and do a body swap, I think they would work together so long as you find the right pickup. Extended cab long bed something to that effect. Swap the motor if yours is good. You've got a lot of work ahead of you not matter what your plans

Thanks. Yes also thought a body swap would work but the drive line from the truck would have to be relocated to fit under the van. Van frame is straighter, different width etc. Iv seen one and didn't like fit and finish.

I Think I'm just going to do the locker but there are a few to choose from.

Also want to level the van with 2" front lift and 265/75 16's. Wouldn't mind going with a wider rear as long as it was the same diameter if I ever did the 4x4. How do I choose a wider tire but keep the same diameter as the front?

265 75 16s… if I remember correctly 265 is the tread width, 75 is the wall heighth and of course 16 being the rim size. With that, depending the width of your rear rims might be able to go as wide as 325 should fit rims as narrow as 8 inches. But I'm not 100% on that. Should be able to find out somewhere online, id send you a link or two but I'm doing this on my cell phone. The 265 tread width is measured in mm. But ultimately 265 is a good width but depends on the terrain you're looking at. But stick with some bead lock wheels and flexible yet strong tires, M/T baja claws are great but noisy on road and too soft for daily driving, and costly. Check out quigley offroad, make a call to them maybe they can give you some pointers, that's the best advice I csn give you for the 4x4 conversion. They might be able to do it for you too but for a high cost. If anything check into your local 4x4 shops and see if they have any pointers. They will know more about converting and the proper tires etc.

This MIGHT help with the tire sizing.

Online tire size thingy

Cool.. size thingy says 265/75-16's have a circumference of 99.4 and 285/70-16's are 99.6" close enough for 4x4 maybe.? I keep reading don't do it though.

I was thinking Toyo M/T even over the M55.

Quigley is now doing 4x4 conversions in used vans. Last I checked the conversion is around $7k but includes all new parts. The hardest part of the conversion if you choose to do it yourself is the front engine cradle. It needs to be modified to allow for the front pumpkin.

If you really want a 4x4 I'd suggest watching ebay and craigslist for a wrecked one or a rolling frame. I've seen them from time to time for about $1500