Hey everyone, thanks for all the input/suggestions, appreciate it. If ya got some time, some additional background/context and replies to folks who commented:
I’ve been thinking about a camper vehicle for several years, probably a truck camper or a converted cargo van, been saving along the way. Intended main use of the vehicle is for mountain bike and snowboard road-trips and to access trailheads along reasonable forest roads throughout the US and Canada. Not really planning any serious off-road driving, just want to have decent capability for winter driving conditions. Also want to make the camper super insulated for comfortable use in cold climates. Need room for 2 plus dog and want to have mtb bikes stored internally. Ability to tow a snowmobile also.
Decided a van was probably the way to go for my needs and for the longest time was leaning towards a Sprinter 170 4x4 cargo. For various reasons (mostly the bs encountered when attempting to deal with MB dealerships…..), I recently decided there are too many compromises with the Sprinter when considering the money involved and so I’m kinda turned off them and actually sorta glad I wasn’t able to obtain one last year. Research into the issues Sprinter owners have with the diesel emissions systems/sensors have steered me away from diesel vehicles in general.
With Ford releasing the 2020 AWD Transit with an available gas engine this looked like the next option to consider. Cheaper base vehicle than a Sprinter for sure and hopefully cheaper to maintain/repair going forward. However, I’m a little leery of Ford reliability in general and there are a few reports of pretty suspect build quality on the Transits. I drove the same Toyota 4 Runner for 16 years and I like the reliability for sure. Ideally, I’d like to get a Toyota truck/van that is suited for a camper (of sufficient size) but it doesn’t exist unfortunately.
Recently came across the medium duty truck option and got interested. Based in North America (I’m in Oregon), it seems like the vehicle power/drive-train offerings are similar to the Sprinter inasmuch as 4x4 drivetrains are only offered with diesel engines, whereas rest of world often has multiple drivetrain/engine options. And, the FG isn’t currently available in the US. So, the Fuso V8 gas engine sounds good and the payload capacity for sure exceeds what I’d need for a camper, but only comes in 4x2 drivetrain - however, the price for a new one is significantly less than a Sprinter or Transit. Hence this post/discussion. I might get away with 4x2 for winter conditions with such a heavy vehicle and decent snow tires? Not sure, I have no experience driving medium duty trucks. If I try the 4x2 for a winter season and it doesn’t work out I’d like to know I can switch to a 4x4 drivetrain without incurring an astronomical cost…..
Hey biggoolies - cool rig you have there, enjoy Mexico! Interesting what you say about the Isuzu being heavier duty, I hadn’t heard this before. Hear what your saying about a used Fuso FG but I don’t want the diesel issues going forward. Prefer a gas engine option.
Hi gregmchugh, yabjana and carterd - thanks for all the excellent info guys, I was looking for details like that! I looked up all the components Earth Cruiser list for their conversions, agree they are fairly open about things, which is good of them. Don’t want to steal their business or anything, just trying to figure out if there’s a more DIY option that won’t require half a million dollaroonies. I’m definitely naive to some of the details around a 4x4 conversion but the cost of the Dynatrac equipment in particular looks kinda high - don’t get me wrong, I’m sure very high-end quality gear and you’ll get what you pay for in an Earth Cruiser. But does a lump of steel really need to cost $15-20K?!! You mention the option to recover a (more economical) axle from a used Chevy and this sounds reasonable but I’m also wondering if it’s possible to source a brand new axle suitable for 4x4 conversion on a Fuso that’s more in the $2-5K range? Sounds like it should be possible…..again, I wouldn’t need any fancy off-road gear, just an axle with the appropriate weight rating and 4x4. What alternatives are out there? Last, the programming needed for the new transmission doesn’t sound DIY friendly, more of a shop thing, but again I’m naive to these details right now.
Hi theartisan - I agree it depends on budget. There are some awesome rigs out there! As I outlined, considering the cost difference between a Sprinter and a 4x2 Fuso, there’s $15-20K to spare which sounds like a decent amount of money for an axle/T-case etc (ignoring labor perhaps). I read through the threads about the Angry Iron Metalworks conversions, man they look incredible, somebody got a deal on the $75K Isuzu with only 2200 miles on it! The price here had me encouraged but then the second build was an unlimited budget job and not sure I can go there…..
Hi dlh62c - thanks for mentioning the potential insurance issues with a DIY box, I need more info on that for sure. I’d like to go with your plan to try the 4x2 in case it works just fine for my needs, just like to understand the options for 4x4 conversion. At this point I pretty much have gone off the 4x4 Sprinter….too much bs
Anyway, facking long post but hey, it’s Corona-time and I got nuthin else pressin right now…..appreciate any more thoughts from y’all! Surely it’s possible to make a 4x4 Fuso conversion for < $20K!!!??
Cheers
Mr M.
