Did you know that you can go to your local GM dealer and order an '06 solid-axle 1-ton 4x4? Yes, it's true, but you're not going to come home with a Silverado, Colorado, or Avalanche. Nope, you'llbe behind the wheel of a factory-equipped 4x4 van.
Yes, that's true, but it's not a factory in Detroit, but rather in the small town of Manchester, Pennsylvania, where Quigley Motor Company does four-wheel-drive conversions to Ford and GM vans before they go to dealerships. This means that not only is it a brand-new vehicle, but also a warranty-backed conversion. We had to find out firsthand what it was all about so we headed to south-central Pennsylvania to borrow a set of keys and take one for a spin.
We were trying to take it easy on this ultimate plumber's truck since we hate explaining to OEMs that we "lost" their running boards somewhere in the woods, but that didn't stop us from coating the underside with mud and grass while whoopin' it up in the back forty. Of course some real tires would've helped, as well as lockers and a bit more clearance than the front plastic air dam afforded, but remember we're testing what you can buy from the dealer, not what we would have built after a few grand on the Visa card and a few weeks in the shop. All in all it was a fun hauler that we can imagine on 33- or 35-inch muddies, cruising down Baja way with some boards on the top, bikes in the back, and brews in a giant cooler. | 
All the Ford van conversions come with a solid front Dana 60 with a coil-sprung five-link front. Meanwhile most of the GM conversions come with a near-factory GM independent front suspension system. However, what we were really excited about was this prototype solid-axle conversion under a GM van with a Duramax diesel. It also uses a brand-new Ford Super Duty Dana 60, but with the proper 8-on-6 1/2 lug pattern and the five-link/coil-sprung suspension. Because these are "factory installed" you can't order it with front lockers or lower gears, but all of these are available in the aftermarket along with custom bumpers, racks, and so on. | 
Unfortunately, this solid-axle GM wasn't available for loan-out, so we settled on an IFS Duramax work van, and logged a few hundred miles on it exploring backroads. The van rode excellently as would be expected from an IFS-equipped rig, but the high seating position takes a bit of getting used to if you are a stock pickup driver, and adding a lift would only compound the high-altitude vantage point. The Duramax was the quietest diesel we've ever cranked up, even in a giant coffee can like this work van, so we can imagine the volume would drop with an insulated passenger or camper-equipped four-by-van. |
Our first stop was the factory tour of Quigley Motor Company, where we found racks and racks of transfer cases (NV271 for the Fords and NV241 or NV261 for the GM swaps), as well as both GM 1-ton independent front suspension axles and Ford Super Duty Dana 60s. Quigley does 800 to 1,200 4x4 conversions a year for government agencies, commercial applications, and the recreational off-roader who wants a mobile base camp with go-anywhere assets. | 
From inside the only noticeable differences are the manual transfer-case shifter coming through the floor and the 4WD light on the dash. If you are ready to look for one of these off-road haulers, the best bet is to contact Quigley direct and find a dealer in your neighborhood who has dealt with them before. The upgrade to four-wheel drive carries an $8,500 to $9,500 price tag, but if you're a van man, then it's the way to go. | |