Question on 4x4 front axle

[68camaro]

Looking at 2001 concourse e-450. In 2003 Salem-Kroger did 4x4 conversion, seller has paperwork from Kroger, paperwork shows Concourse is 2001, conversion invoice dated 2003. Original paperwork from Chinook is missing.

Is it odd Kroger-salem did conversion in 2003 but Chinook is 2001 E-450. Since E-450 you would think it was ordered to be a 4x4 with factory 4x4 as option, but 4x4 paperwork is from Salem-Kroger?

[eporter123]

Ford didn’t sell factory 4x4, just had certified conversion companies. So, yours may have been converted right after sale. There are plenty of four-wheel-drive conversion companies that will gladly convert your fairly new van for you, at a cost…

[Blue~Go]

dporter's point is correct. Even now if you buy a brand new Transit van and want 4 x 4, they send it off to Quigley to do the conversion. As I understand it back in the day, conversions for Chinook were done by Quadvan and Salem-Kroger.

Another factor is that it is very common to have, say, a "2002" Chinook Concourse, but it's on a 2001 Ford E-Series chassis. That's because the changeover time for Ford wasn't the same as for Chinook. So maybe half of "2002" Chinooks are on a 2001 chassis, and the other half on a 2002 chassis. This is common for RV makers, not just Chinook. I realize yours is a two-year spread, but I could imagine a 2001 Ford chassis becoming a 2002 Chinook and then it being 2003 by the time Salem-Kroger converted it. Not saying nothing is hinky, but just... I could imagine a scenario where that would be fine.

Another factor is that I don't think I've heard of a non-4x4 21' Chinook being made on the E-450 chassis. 95% are on the E-350, and the few I've heard of on the E-450 were 4x4. So that could speak to the original buyer having 4x4 plans when ordering the Chinook.

Also, is it a "Baja" Chinook? (Crazy dripping stripe scheme.) I don't know if those were still being made in 2002, but often the "native" Chinook 4x4's were Bajas and had special paint, bumpers, etc. OTOH, someone could likely order one with 4x4 plans and just get the typical paint scheme.

[68camaro]

Paint was changed to match guys boat so not sure original color, I have Baja build info and it doesn''t apppear to have other Baja components and Kroger paperwork does not mention Baja.

[markatherton]

My research has indicated that some of the salem Kroger conversions used front leaf springs and some used front coils. You would probably be happier with coils, all things being equal.

[68camaro]

My research has indicated that some of the salem Kroger conversions used front leaf springs and some used front coils. You would probably be happier with coils, all things being equal.

Kroger work orders looks to have an "x" next to "heavy duty front springs". I did speak to original owner who said drive quality didn't change after conversion if left in 2wd. He used to drive it quite far and didn't notice anything negative.

[markatherton]

Is it coil or leaf?