75 Dodge Camper Van 4x4 conversion..

[tumwaterjeeper]

i had a question if anyone has any info...

Im going on my second 4x4 van project..i just sold my 76 chevy shorty 4x4 w/ pathfinder parts on it.

Now i just bought a 75 dodge maxi camper w/ a 318 in it w/ plans to 4x4 it.

Ive been looking for donor 4x4 trucks and found a 77 dodge powerwagon w200 4x4 (m880).

They are full-time 4x4 though.....any oppinions on this setup.

Besides only getting 9-14mpg do you foresee any other problems i may have?? I know the axles have to be greased alot and tire wear may suck.

The goal of this build-up is a camper that can be driven twice a month...with a general range of 300 square miles locally.

Any opinion on Full-time 4x4 vans would be much appreciated.
Thanks much

[Funrover]

Have you looked into the NP-205 T-case? It is a divorce case but you can have 2wd or 4wd. Just a thought

[Desert Dan]

I'm not sure on the years but some of the front hubs (absence of) had some issues

[xped]

I have a 78 Dodge van with the Pathfinder 4x4 conversion. It uses the fulltime 4x4 with a dana 44 front axle drivers side drop and np203 transfercase.
Unfortainately The older Dodge PU's were passenger side drop and because the vans have the engine offset to the passenger side it would be hard to use their componants.
Mine seems to have a axle and transfercase from a Ford.
I have dreamed about converting my whole set up to a 94 or newer Dodge diesel running gear but have found it's pretty expensive and alot of work.
Probably the easiest thing for converting yours would be to find a 4x4 Dodge van donor.
As for the fulltime 4x4, it sucks and I have read alot about wheel bearing problems. I checked mine and repacked them and for a weekend machine I don't worry to much.
As for building I would stay away from the fulltime setup.

[ujoint]

I would do everything possible to avoid the full time 4wd. Like Funrover said, a Ford NP205 is a great choice. A divorced unit will work ok, as long as there's enough room to get it mounted properly. It's a very heavy (and durable) t-case, and it needs a god sturdy mount. Divorced t-cases can also be tricky to dial in the perfect driveline angles.

[xped]

94 and newer Dodges have the drivers side drop axle and transfercase (gas or diesel). 94-95 used a hydraulic transmission I believe it's a 46rh which will swap out for the 727 giving you overdrive, just remember the older 360 is externally balanced using the magnum torque converter will cause vibration.
This website has the swap info and parts: http://www.transmissioncenter.net/SwapInformation.htm
I would just swap the whole motor, trans and tc, fuel injection has alot of advantages especially if your changing elevation and temperature alot.

[Icebox]

What seems to make sense to me would me a 94-up Dodge 2500-3500 doner with a Cummins but use a 4bt in place of the 6bt (because of length). I've never done it and don't know if it has ever been done, but if you can find a wreck/rust bucket, you could sell the 6bt and fund the 4bt with the $$$. Does that make sense?? Would the offset drivetrain line up well with the Dodge 60 frt???

[xped]

That is exactly what I want to do but nobody is letting that stuff go cheap. Right now someone on CL has the whole drivetrain from a 2002 Cummins and he wants $4500. With the popularity of the 4bt now they go for a good price also. Maybe in the rust belt you can find whole trucks cheaper. I've been looking for years everyday and the cheapest I've found was an old ranch truck with 250k on it for $3000. I also think the 4bt might be too tall, I came to the conclusion that if I were to do all the work I would want the 6bt. Since I also have a camper van which is pretty heavy.
I also like the Dodge d60 ideal for a front axle and have been trying to figure out how to put one on my van. The offset engine would probably cause the driveline to have a unwanted angle to it. I would check with a driveline guy to see if it would cause a problem.
All in all it's alot of work for an old camper van which is why I've decided to drive what I got until I find the perfect replacement.

[tumwaterjeeper]

lots of good points guys...
i have to scope the powerwagon setup out...
i have the truck so ill see if its going to mate up w/ out problems.
if so i'll let everyone know...!

[xped]

I just found this on Reno NV CL it has the pass. side drop.

http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1289395222.html

[tumwaterjeeper]

wish that dodge van wasnt in reno:drool: that would solve lotta my problems....
almost temped to get these..it would push me over my budget though

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/pts/1281175619.html

[tumwaterjeeper]

I have a 78 Dodge van with the Pathfinder 4x4 conversion. It uses the fulltime 4x4 with a dana 44 front axle drivers side drop and np203 transfercase.
.

What kind of fuel mpg are you getting with your current fulltime 4x4 setup?
Does it have a 318?

[xped]

What kind of fuel mpg are you getting with your current fulltime 4x4 setup?
Does it have a 318?

It has a 360 w/2bbl carb mostly stock with a cold air intake and dual exhaust. Last trip to the coast it got 12mpg, the lowest has been 9. It has 4.10 gears with 33" tires and I cruise it around 55-60 mph.
When I first got it I was going to do away with the fulltime setup but with the expense of changing it over really didn't add up to enough mpg savings.
I read somewhere there is only a 1 mpg difference between full and part time.
I think having an overdrive would help alot more than part time 4x4.
As for the bearing problems I checked all mine and with the little amount of use it gets I'm not worrying about it.
There is a part time conversion kit from milemarker but beware the np203 needs to be run it 4x4 (I read once a week for a daily driver) to keep oil in all the bearings. Failure to do so will wreck the transfer case.

[GYM]

Now i just bought a 75 dodge maxi camper w/ a 318 in it w/ plans to 4x4 it.



Wanna swap a 340 in place of that 318??

[ripsaw0000]

I have for sale a 79 dodge 4x4 van complete in running order
its the factory 4x4 conversion
not a van body on another truck frame
mine is rusty but complete
maybe get some pictures soon
let me know if anyone is interested
i think it is 8 lug version
360 v8 auto
4x4 works

[seekermclvn]

I have a couple of dodge 4x4 vans (not for sale) both are full time I personally like this system no hubs with sure grip you hardly ever have to lock in the transfer case it just goes, yes there are some quirks like the front wheel bearings and my favorite pet peeve the chain stretch but I am probably one of the few people that really like this four wheel drive system and wouldn't trade it for any of the others. Now if you have to use something else go with a ford 205 (married) or maybe a 241 from a dodge left side drop. they used it in 1992 or 1993 behind the magnum but it was right side drop 518 with t.case adaptors (318 internal balance and 360 external balance so you need the torque converter with the weight on it). Either stay with the 318 or go with the 360 (better choice) switch to a four barrel carb more power better fuel millage. don't go with 340 cool engine, to high stung for 4x4. go with leaf springs in front