Hi, I'm looking for info, sites etc to assist me in converting my van, 360 c.i, a727 auto trans to a 4x4
Any assistance at all would be greatly appreciated.

 

Actually, Dodge did make a 4x4 Ram Van for production. I can't remember the years, but it was in the latter 70's.

Dodge marketed the Ram Van as the Van Charger.

The Van Charger was a factory approved 4x4 Conversion done by Pathfinder Equipment Co. It was available only on the B300 Chassis. You had a choice of GVW ratings: 6400 lbs, 7000 lbs, 7700 lbs, and 8200 lbs.

While you were limited to the 127" wheelbase, you could order any one of four trim levels: Sportsman, Custom Sportsman, Royal Sportsman, and Sportsman LE.

Other required options included power assisted brakes and steering, the 727 auto transmission and a choice of several V8 engines.

Only the B300's were converted by Pathfinder, because those model vans came with large brakes, and full floating rear axles, assuring greater safety, and were available with 4.11:1 gears.

Selling the Van thru the Dodge dealer network allowed the conversion to be covered by factory warranty and financing.

source: WPC Museum



These are very rare indeed. Not many were built. Quigley did 4x4 conversions on Dodges up until '97.

Here's a link with detailed pictures on a 1979 version. http://www.eskie.net/superior/j-pages/vancharger.htm

 

Hi Steve, found these sites and all connected links very helpful. Haven't quite nailed down info on what I'll need just yet, but am definitely closer to my destination. Anyone else assist me on what parts, fabrications or problems I'll encounter? I really am quite the rookie.

 

You could try and contact Quigley Motors, as they do van 4x4 conversions. They only list Ford and Chevy on the website, but have done Dodges in the past. If they can't supply the parts, maybe they can at least tell you who does.

http://www.quigley4x4.com/pages/index.cfm?upID=26

 

Most of the van conversions that I have seen are body transplants onto an existing 4x4 chassis. that may be something you want to consider, rather than trying to build a 4x4 under a stock height van. You can possably look for a RamCharger, or Ram Pickup of a similar year.

If you do the conversion, you will need a transfercase that will hook to the 727. That is out of my experience. I do know that most of the off roaders I know prefer DANA axles. I figure the front suspension will have to be re-built to make room for an axle that goes all the way across.

I've had both 83 and 87 Ram Vans, and now own an 85 RC. My RC is 2wd, the engine is the same 318 in all of them. The RC used a NP435 in the 4WD Configuration but that is a standard trans. one major difference between the trucks and vans is that the stearing box is different.

As Alloro mentioned, Quigley did conversions, and as a service to their customers, they list vans that the customers want to sell, on their website. The reason I heard that Quigly stopped doing Dodge van 4x4 conversions is that Chrystler changed the location of gas tank and thus made the conversion too difficult to build.

Good luck.
IGadget

 

1998-2003 Gas Tank Location --

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Nelda Sue Butler and Donald W. Butler v. DaimlerChrysler, et al., Superior Court of Colquitt County, Georgia (11/14/00)

Product Liability / Auto / Post-Collision Fire
Cash Settlement

Defective 1997 Dodge Ram Van with a 35-gallon plastic fuel tank mounted approximately five inches from the rear bumper and hanging down into the impact zone below the rear bumper. Plaintiff, a 41-year-old woman, brought suit against Chrysler after she was severely burned when the Dodge Ram Van she was driving was rear-ended by another vehicle while the van was stopped at a highway construction site, causing explosion upon impact due to the failure of the vulnerable, bumper-mounted tank of the Dodge Van.

Plaintiffs proved that, as far back as 1978, Chrysler knew the rear-mounted tank was vulnerable and needed to be moved for safety but that Chrysler delayed moving the tank for almost twenty years, until the 1998 model year. At the time of Plaintiff's wreck, Chrysler was already selling a redesigned '98 model with the tank having been moved to a mid-ship's location, which Chrysler's own documents admitted was a move to a "protected" location. The amount of settlement is confidential at Defendant's request.

http://www.butlerwooten.com/CM/Verd...ttlements25.asp

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I'm glad that the Van isn't a Ford Pinto.

 

What I never understood about the Quigly reasoning at the time was that both ford and chevy alreay were putting the tank mid body. and the converson went ahead. *shrug* oh well.

Too bad that wasnt a class action suit. I had an 83 with that tank and location, I still have the tank if anyone wants it.

 

Dodge sold a 4X4 version called the Wrangler 1978 - early 80's.
Built by champion home builders co. (Motorhome Mfgr now out of business.)
Championfleetowners.com is the collectors site. They call it a surf van.
From my 1979owners manual:
360 CID 4 barrel carb
727 trans, NP 203 full time 4 WDtransfer case, Dana 44 front axle.
They built a sub frame to mount the front axle and raised the van about 3 to 5 inches.
Extensions on brake lines and cables. moved the shocks from inside the sprins to the axle connecting to upper frame body.
I have been driving mine for many years now and still going strong.
Considered selling a number of times, never got a price to interest me and the van runs fine, so why?
We used it for a ski vehicle and desert off roading.
it is not a good vehicle for rock climbing as in the Rubicon, We have a Jeep for that.
and in the woody areas it is way too big to negotiate dense growth.




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Nice picture, do you have any more?

 

Now You did it.
With that request I just had to clean it up & shoot some !
For tonight, here is the exterior.
I will add the undercarriage photos and interior at another time to address the original question.
By the way, I personally think it best not to attempt the conversion Yourself.
1. Way too costly for what you end up with.
2. The undercarriage needs a lot of modification and fabrication in order to have a decent roadability, stability and articulation for off road. Read that as $$$$ and a lot of experimentation and dangerif you are not an experienced off road builder.
3. You can buy one proffesionaly built cheaper and if you find a factory approved it is worth much more than a home mod or aftermarket.



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