The ‘Choosing the right Vehicle’ category is for anything related to the discussions, questions, comparisons, & information about living in different types of vehicles.
If anyone has any input about or experience with:
- converting a box truck into full time living space
- converting box truck into 4x4 off-road vehicle
- buying a well maintained box truck for a low price
- what box truck brand, model, or engine is most reliable, efficient, and good for long term use
- choosing diesel over gas engines
I would be able to utilize it in my current situation.
My situation
I am currently a college student working to earn money to buy a box truck to convert into a full time living space as soon as possible.
I am choosing to look for a box truck because it is a good compromise between a small, extended van with a high roof, and a bigger bus “skoolie”, I also appreciate the cab over engine box truck design (like isuzu trucks) and the visibility, space, and function they provide, the customizability of a box truck and the ability to modify the box and cab.
I am in the researching stage and I am trying to learn about the best vehicle that is reliable, easy, as cheap as possible to maintain/repair/service, etc. with the best gas mileage possible.
I am looking for a vehicle that is about 15 ft of space which is about the medium size as box trucks can be very large or about the size of a van.
Brands and Models I am considering are:
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I have heard many good things about the Isuzu N series, wondering if I could get a recent year model (above 2000 at least) at an affordable price (my budget for the actual vehicle with the box is around 10000). Also wondering if they are very reliable and able to be easily and cheaply worked on in the US compared to ford, chevy, etc. box trucks or if they are just significantly better than those making it worth going with isuzu. Wondering where I can buy a well taken care of isuzu truck in my budget that will last many years and be reliable.
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Ford Models are another option I am considering because they are manufactured in the US and I expect that they would be easy to repair, maintain, upgrade, service, because of their domestic parts and shops. I am wondering if they are as reliable as isuzus or if they are a good option for a home conversion.
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the Hino brand is another brand I am wanting to learn about because it supposedly is a part of Toyota which makes what many consider to be the most reliable vehicles. Is Hino a good brand for Box trucks? Are Hino box trucks easy to get worked on and serviced and are they as reliable as toyota vehicles?
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Also considering Chevy, GMC, etc.
Also wanting to know what the best way to cheaply convert the box truck to a 4x4 offroad capable vehicle would be.