After seeing 4X4 vans for years and also wanting one, I finally found one. In September ‘96 a friend of mind in Swanzey, NH called me and told me that there was a rusting 4X4 window van sitting in a field. I negotiated with the owner and ended up being the proud owner of a 1978 Ford window Quadravan. Though not exactly what I wanted, it was a factory, excellent running, big block four wheel drive van (and I picked it up for $1000!!).

This van was bought as a dual purpose van. Half work truck, but still being able to go to van runs and sleep in it. Then, in December ‘96 I found another by accident. The van was for sale in the Want-Ads with an ad reading "1983 Ford van, for parts 4X4". I drove to Maynard, MA to have a look. When I saw this van, I knew I just had to have it. The van is a factory Quadravan conversion (though the guy didn’t know what he had!). Equipped with a 429ci, Dana60 rear and 411 gears I knew THIS was going to be my new work van. I drove the van home and have been driving it since for the investment of $500 (hee hee).

Gisele told me I didn’t need three toys, so I sold the ‘78 for $1800. Now my focus could be on driving my ‘71 mid-Ford van and my 4X4. Had a friend that owns a body shop and he owning a house that needed remodeling was going to work out perfectly and the van is currently in primer.

My windowless 4X4 bad-ass van is in paint.

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Last Updated January 19, 1999 by Barry Wickman and Dave ASTRO