How Not to Treat A Bedford Van

[Bedfordcrazy]

I have a 100 cruiser, my daily driver, and if I could combine the 2 I would, and one day i will. I can't be poor forever surely lol  one day...yeh
George.......

[Warren]

From memory ShaneJ was toying with a GQ patrol to go under a beddy, I think they had the same wheel base.

Then it would be registered as a rebodied Nissan

Warren

[MaTTe]

i was looking into the idea of a 4wd chassis under a bedford, and the GQs are a competent chassis- However, if you have a look on the net, you'll find quite a few cases of the chassis cracking, and not just around welds, some are in very dangerous places, and not necessarily from abusive off roading.
This changed my mind instantly on a patrol chassis, a cruiser might be ok, but in reality the f100/250 may not be as comfortable, or as capable, but it's tough as nails and how heavy would your 4wding needs be in a bedford? anything too severe will be damaging the body with the twisting forces of really rough terrain, the body would have to be strengthened all over. I wouldn't want to be scratching the paint going thru trees, i'd more use it to cruise up and down the beach, and go through the desert.. I don't mind sand and a bit of water, but for deep water crossings, you'll be needing much better seals too..
A bit of food for thought..

[Bedfordcrazy]

I agree Matte, after spending all hat doe, you would only want to do it once. Call me goofy, but I would be happy cruising around home just to show off. lol is that vane yeh lol  oh well, when I get $50,000-00 spare. 
George.................

[rossie]

Got on to the craigs list in the states and they got some realy cool 4x4 vans, chev and fords. There is a chev with 350/350, masive wheels, and the body looks the same length as a lwb beddy. the mind started going. $6800 they wanted, allow approx. $5000 to get it here. Convert the two togeather, about 10 slabs and hey presto It could be done and it would proberbly work out cheaper than tring to find the parts here cos the wheels and tyres would have to be worth $4000 here....  Any way craigslist, Losangles and type in 4x4van

[Bedfordcrazy]

The yanks have been building 4x4 vans for years, here in oz we just have no imagination. But your right it would be cheaper to get one and swap out the bodies. What we need is someone to get serious and put together a new VANCRAFT business, a one stop van shop. But everyone wants a bolt on / off industry, oh well, its a wonder we have a hotrod culture at all.
George................

[rossie]

There still is a few of the old school custom shops left, we got a couple of good ones here in Ballarat,a mate Hodgey does some grouse work. If its out in the left field he'll do it

[Bedfordcrazy]

True there are those individuals, but businesses they are dying. I had a mate who was into the off the wall stuff, he did all the custom thats on my van now, but the big C got him  a few yrs ago, so finding someone to finish his work has been a struggle. I am looking at this guy on the gold coast, so if he pans out I will post his details for those who need custom work done. I have a mate at redcliff who does a lot of custom fabrication, but thats about it. We need a vancraft in every state of oz 
George...................

[MaTTe]

hey george, that ford van i would say is running a f100/250 chassis.. from what i've researched so far, the f series chassis is the most straight forward conversion in terms of dimensions, it just comes down to securing the body on the new chassis.
The Fseries can be quite capable off road, they just use 'old' technology(depending on the year) 1970-1990 chassis seem to be the best fit, and they're reasonably priced so you wouldn't mind butchering one..

When i've got some cash and time spare, i'll look into it further..

[Bedfordcrazy]

Hi Matte, whom ever gets the money first, and starts first can keep the other up to date, fair enough ? 
George..........