Ford Transit 4x4 parts

[James J Gardiner]

I'm looking at buying a Ford Transit 4x4 to convert into a basic but tough camper to take me to far away lands. I was originally planning on getting an Iveco Daily 4x4 but have been reliably informed that parts are rare and expensive and I am on a budget!
So my thinking was transit are very common so parts wont be an issue but obviously the 4x4 transits are not a common vehicle so can anyone enlighten me as to the part situation. Are they easy to find/ expensive etc. Also any thoughts on the Ford Transit 4x4 as a suitable vehicle (both positive and negatives) would be greatly appreciated.

The van I'm currently considering is a 1998 2.5 diesel with 125,000 miles on the clock. All mechanically sound according to owner and his garage.

[Niva Say Never]

My understanding is that the Transit 4x4's weren't built in the factory as a 4x4 but converted after manufacture.
I'm not 100% on this so stand to be shot down, but worth being aware of.
If that is the case, and combined with their rarity, i'd guess parts availability must be a nightmare.
Another issue is their lack of chassis. 4x4 vans like the Iveco are built on a ladder chassis which is inherently stronger than the Transits where things like shock absorbers are mounted directly to the thin sheet metal body.
Combine that with the inevitable rust around these mount points and i'd start looking at other options.


Happy travels

[graysworld]

Hi The Transit was converted back then by County Conversions. I looked into getting one but decided to get an Iveco for the reasons that they are factory built a lot of the spares are available from 2wd model. The 4wd stuff is expensive but it is available. there is a good yahoo support group and they seem to be tough trucks. I owned a 2wd transit from that year and although reliable was more of a rust bucket than the Iveco. The point about the chassis is very valid.

Graeme

[RogerM]

Buy a Merc, well represented in practically every country. You can get late 90s T1 Mercs with a diff lock which will take you almost as far as a 4x4 - maybe further in some instances. Have a look at www.mobile.de for some ideas - often see T1 campervans with a diff lock already fitted, I think the automatic versions of the 410s had a diff lock as standard.

[cedar]

Hi James

I did buy a 4x4 Transit, it was slow, noisy and the people who bought the spares stock off County (can't remember the name) have gone, I also thought the sub frame was very flimsy.

I then bought an Iveco, as Graeme said, much better vehicle.

There are a few Merc 614 4x4 around, they dont have a low range but should go most places.

Good luck!

Bruce