Pick-up Truck to Cargo Van?

RJ Howell

Active member
I have my 2004 4wd pickup and working the frame and body. Debating some sort of overlander for woods running (like I do with it now). I built a simple topper that works fine, yet if I'm going to do all this body work..

Anyone actually cut in a van body on a Pick-up?
Am I nuts for even thinking like this?

The costs of a 4wd van (sprinter/transit/ etc..) is nuts!

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chet6.7

Explorer
If I am following, there is a picture on here somewhere of a Gen 1 Dodge truck with a VW van grafted on after the cab.
 

RJ Howell

Active member
That would be a direction. I just found a 1997 Ford Falcon Camper for small dollar that could work. I search a bit and see if I can find this Dodge.
 

RJ Howell

Active member
Well, I'm not totally nuts. I see some have done it before. Still having a time finding individuals though.. That Sunraider build is pretty awesome!Screen Shot 2019-11-12 at 3.54.07 PM.png
 

Wilbah

Adventurer
I think done right certain Van's could be really great. Unfortunately I think most either go the very expensive sprinter route or the "here hold my beer while I weld this X to Y" and look like it.

I think cutting the back off a pickup cab and trying to attach something to it would be difficult. But if you dont care about looks and instead just want solely functionality it could work. I guess the question is can you do it all yourself (design, welding etc.) vs paying someone to do it. If you have to pay someone to do it I think I would look for something already built and focus on upgrading systems, maintenance etc.
 

rruff

Explorer
I have my 2004 4wd pickup and working the frame and body. Debating some sort of overlander for woods running (like I do with it now). I built a simple topper that works fine, yet if I'm going to do all this body work..Anyone actually cut in a van body on a Pick-up?

So... you want a 4wd camper with more space and amenities than you have now? What exactly are you trying to acheive?

Yes, 4wd vans are overpriced and still not as good offroad as a truck. But I don't think grafting a camper on is going to be ideal. Is there a reason why putting a regular truck camper in the bed won't work? If you want it light and custom, you could always build your own.
 

RJ Howell

Active member
More space and amenities.. LOL Class B 4x4 is the goal. As I started looking into this I found an pretty decent deal on a Ford Falcon Camper. Body is in good shape and some of the appliances could be salvaged.

Screen Shot 2019-11-14 at 2.14.35 PM.png

Then it's; Can I use the body? Can I mount to my truck? Could I swap my suspension to this? Questions, questions and more questions.

So, here I am asking if anyone has gone this route? LOL.. I may have a few questions for them...

The sleeper cap I built was an exercise to see just what can be done building with foam. I'm impressed! I could have gone so much further! So that comes to pulling the bed off the pickup and doing a build frame up. That allows for wider (as well as longer). I could still cut through a passage cab to camper and have a faux class B.

Several directions I could go.. I just started with... Has anyone turned a pickup into a cargo van before?
 

Treenail

Adventurer
Look in the direction of a cutaway/box/cube van. Think of a small uhaul. Since many are built on Ford chassis you could buy the 4wd kit from one of the vendors.
 

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