which is just as good as 4WD for me as I have never been much of an off roader.?ÿ
I've driven more than my share of off road and bad road in 2WD, 4WD & AWD.?ÿ I actually prefer AWD, especially for general driving.?ÿ You never know when you are going to come around the corner and hit an icy or frosty patch in the winter.?ÿ As for AWD's ability's off road, at one point I had 1990 Range Rover for a crew rig.?ÿ The viscus coupler AWD was great, it was almost as unstoppable as my Series IIa Land Rover.?ÿ Unfortunately, the electronics were about as reliable as the IIa as well.
Its got a new timing belt. Good gas mileage.
https://monroe.craigslist.org/avo/d/west-monroe-f15-for-sale-clean-title/7341705528.html
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@john-putnam I??ll post something in six months how it??s working out. The AWD is essential here in winter. Quigley makes 4WD conversion kits. For a while Ford had done away with all but 2WD, to meet some government fuel efficiency mandate I was told. The Quigley conversion don??t ?ÿcome cheep but see quite a few around, but now they??re back to making an AWD, I??m in.
Just because I'm paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get me.
Here is my setup! I mostly do construction staking so hubs on the Ranger Design shelves on the left with paint and GPS boxes above that on the top shelf. Had my local fab shop custom build the aluminum boxes. 3 sets of legs on the left plus grade rod and range poles above that. On the right I have 4' lath and hammers and shovels. Above that 3 tri-brachs with 360 prisms (red bags on top). On the side to the left when you open the slider is where my robot and DC travel in that wood square then gets strapped down. We put another seat to run a 3 man crew back there as well. I've considered doing a desk back there but honestly I rarely do calcs in the field these days so don't think it's worth the trouble or space.
Here is my setup! I mostly do construction staking so hubs on the Ranger Design shelves on the left with paint and GPS boxes above that on the top shelf. Had my local fab shop custom build the aluminum boxes. 3 sets of legs on the left plus grade rod and range poles above that. On the right I have 4' lath and hammers and shovels. Above that 3 tri-brachs with 360 prisms (red bags on top). On the side to the left when you open the slider is where my robot and DC travel in that wood square then gets strapped down. We put another seat to run a 3 man crew back there as well. I've considered doing a desk back there but honestly I rarely do calcs in the field these days so don't think it's worth the trouble or space. Oh ya, I just picked up a supply of wood so disregard all that. We are able to walk throughout the back of the van.
@mark-mayer thanks! Ya that should do for a week! LOL
4WD or AWD is a must for me as well.?ÿ The conversion was not that much actually.?ÿ When I first started thinking about it several it was considerably cheaper to get a well outfitted 350 Transit with the Quigley conversion than an lesser appointed F250.?ÿ If I recall is was around $15K.?ÿ Ford also started using a conversion company based in Portland.
I did not realize that they ever had and 4WD or AWD version prior to this version.
What sized did you end up getting?
@john-putnam This is a Mercedes Sprinter 4wd 144
@t-ray Now that??s what I??m talking about. Sweet setup. I??m definitely going to have study your photos in detail. Thanks for sharing!
Just because I'm paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get me.
@john-putnam 250 Full-size Cargo van. Haven??t driven one, but what I??ve read suspension is favorable to the Sprinter. They need to go to build out in October when delivered to install cage, insulation and shelving, which is why I want to get a better handle on what layout would work best.
Just because I'm paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get me.
My dad had a GMC Safari with AWD and a 78 Chevy half ton with full time 4wd, both were the best in winter driving on bad roads.?ÿ
My Silverado has an auto 4x4 mode but it's not great...rear wheels have to spin slightly then the front kicks in and jerks you forward. Plus it's apparently hard on the transfer case so I stopped using it as I'm hoping to get 400k miles or more out of it.?ÿ
@t-ray?ÿ
Looks like an awesome setup, but my mileage income probably wouldn't even cover the repair costs for how long I'd keep it.?ÿ
@350rocketmike what do you mean by that?
I think vans are (were?) great for construction staking and operated out of one for several years, sometimes 3 man crews so we had a jumper seat in the back but it could still haul all our gear and plenty of wood, etc.
Rural boundary work is different.?ÿ Gotta have a capable semi-offroad rig so you can drive the owner's primitive roads confidently.?ÿ Not a badass 4WD with lockers, big tires and a lift; they'll eat you alive with bad highway mileage and invite you get stuck so bad a badder ass 4WD has to come and get you unstuck.?ÿ Just a 4door pickup with 2WD Positrack and a bed cover/rollouts etc. should suffice.?ÿ
Don't get me wrong there's a vehicle for every survey.?ÿ In my youth working for BLM & the USFS we used helicopters, STOL aircraft, Tracksters, horses, coastal speedboats (Monarcks & Boston Whalers), major vintage 4WD rigs like Broncos, Scouts and Powerwagons and of course hoofing it in on the cheap jobs. It's great when the client is providing transportation and you can drive it like it's a rental ????.
But vehicle decisions in small to medium sized shops?ÿ is a serious matter.?ÿ Buy/lease just enough rig to get the job done and minimize transpo costs.?ÿ Or not, get an F-250 so you can haul your river boat/trailer/toybox on weekends.
@t-ray?ÿ
They are just relatively expensive to repair like any Mercedes product. But that's to be expected.?ÿ
@350rocketmike Oh I see, Ya I went ahead and got the extended warranty and pre-paid maintenance for 160k miles so I'm good for a bit. They had 0% for 36 months so figured I'd do it right! FYI I average 17 mpg and on the highway usually get over 19 MPG
@t-ray?ÿ
I think the extended warranty would be a very worthwhile investment on these. If the payments are within your budget and you're going to replace it when the warranty runs out then it makes sense. It probably boosts productivity compared to something like my truck.?ÿ
Remember, if you are relying on $WD to get you in, you are just going to that much further in when you get stuck.