Hondo's 2006 Roadtrek 210 Popular Build

[Mat Mobile]

Originally Posted by cruising7388

What's your take on this shop for 4WD conversions? They're in Red Bluff, CA.

https://whitefeather4x4conversions.com/

There's one review thread on Expedition portal that kind of went sideways but there's not much else: link.

[Hondo]

Originally Posted by cruising7388

What's your take on this shop for 4WD conversions? They're in Red Bluff, CA.

https://whitefeather4x4conversions.com/

Don't know anything about them...they don't seem to convert Chevrolet.

[cruising7388]

Originally Posted by Hondo

Don't know anything about them...they don't seem to convert Chevrolet.

The website indicates they also convert GM but don't say whether that includes Chevy vans.

[Hondo]

I looked at a 2017 Express Van locally that had been converted to 4X4 by Advanced in SLC. The installation looked great though I wasn't sure if the floor shifter would be in the way of the front seat swivels, so I'll be stopping in there next week to talk to them directly.

[Hondo]

2 days ago, Shiprock, New Mexico...

[cruising7388]

Originally Posted by Hondo

2 days ago, Shiprock, New Mexico...

What platform rack are you using for the bikes? Does it require a hitch extender to provide clearance for the spare tire?

[Hondo]

Originally Posted by cruising7388

What platform rack are you using for the bikes? Does it require a hitch extender to provide clearance for the spare tire?

Its a Versahaul that I modified, build thread here...

Versahaul Motorcycle Carrier for the Roadtrek 210 Popular

[Hondo]

Installed a 360 Siphon Vent onto the open plumbing vent. The vent cover will not only help draw away odors while moving (venturi effect)
it will also keep out foreign objects (the silver maple tree that is near the Roadtrek 210 drops seeds & buds all over it).

Before, open to the elements -



And after installation- a little silicone held it in place-

[Hondo]

I bought a BMW G310GS to be my camping/offroad bike. The G310GS fits on the carrier fine and at 375 lbs wet not problem for the Versahaul -

[Bud]

Originally Posted by Hondo

I bought a BMW G310GS to be my camping/offroad bike. The G310GS fits on the carrier fine and at 375 lbs wet not problem for the Versahaul -

Very Nice Hondo!

FedEx is suppose to deliver my 'cycle' today, a 2500 watt mountain bike. I'll be using a Stowaway, so I can open the back doors of my 190P without removing the bike from the stowaway.

Will you be using a cover for the cycle?

Bud

[Hondo]

Originally Posted by Bud

Very Nice Hondo!

FedEx is suppose to deliver my 'cycle' today, a 2500 watt mountain bike. I'll be using a Stowaway, so I can open the back doors of my 190P without removing the bike from the stowaway.

Will you be using a cover for the cycle?

Bud

Hi Bud-

I probably wont be using a cover, that's kinda tricky with the straps.

[BBQ]

.

Nice ride.

[Hondo]

A Chevrolet dealer by my home has had 10+ 4WD conversions done to Express vans and yesterday I stopped by to check one out that was on a riser. Here is a pic I took of the front 9.25 IFS & torsion bar suspension...



I am dropping off my Roadtrek 210 in one month to have the conversion done, looking forward to it!

[Bud]

Hey young man,

You have that Very good looking bike to take you...........

Is this overkill? No, I suppose not.

Bud

[Hondo]

Young man... 56 years old there sport.


I'm sure the coach builders make a stock vehicle just for you. This section is for those that want more than stock.

[Hondo]

Installed a new Pioneer stereo (with Nav) & door speakers today....

AVIC-7200NEX



Kicker CS67 speakers -




after solving some issues with the rear speakers and a possible hidden amplifier for them.

I wasn't getting any audio output and found that both front speakers & their wires and one rear were showing the proper 4 ohms - one speaker in the back was showing a dead short. Disconnected those rear speaker wires from the harness and the front speakers worked just fine.

I'm not going to concern myself with the rear speakers as I wouldn't be listening to them in the back of the Roadtrek anyways.

So some install pics -

Dash removed -



Door panel off, stock Gm speaker about to be replaced with the Kickers -



GPS antenna on the dash -



Nice display, audio sounds great -



The AVIC7200NEX Navi works really well...get a nice red zone visual warning if you are speeding (audio warning available too but who wants that?) -

[Hondo]

I also installed a 12v accessory socket on the front of the dashboard tray area. Drilled a hole with a small holesaw -



Installed - cover closed -



Cover open -



This outlet will serve two purposes allowing me to power a radar detector and also connect a small solar charger to keep the chassis battery trickle charged (it's an always hot connection).

[Hondo]

Picked up the Roadtrek 210 Popular today after Advanced 4WD Systems in Salt Lake City completed the 4WD IFS conversion -




It drives and handles so good, feels very much like a smooth riding pickup truck. Shift on the fly 4WD -HI works great as does 4WD -LOW.

Beauty shot near Elk Mountain, Wyoming - (the shoulder of the road is uphill)



I'll post up some more photos tomorrow.

[Hondo]

Some pics of the 4 wheel drive conversion on the Roadtrek 210 -

1st, here is the front tire before the conversion, Boulder Offroad 4 inch lift knuckles -



After the Advanced 4WD conversion you can see that the wheel & tire are back inboard to the stock spacing after installing the stock steering knuckles -



The shifter in 2WD HIGH-



4WD HIGH



Advanced 4WD installed a small LED into the dash that lights up when 4WD is engaged -



Advanced wasn't sure if I wanted their decals on the Roadtrek so they gave me 2 of each size -



Some pics from underneath- in 4WD Low it climbed right up my Rhino ramps!



New upper and lower control arms, stock steering knuckles, Bilstien shocks, aluminum skidplate for the front axle - no coil springs as it uses torsion bars -



Better view of the lower control arm and the torsion bar & it's mounts -



Side view of the torsion bar mount, Advanced 4WD makes these -



Transfer case and the end of the new driveshaft -



New driveshaft -



View looking from the transfer case > forward -



And because somebody is going to ask...the rusty steering knuckles are the original pieces and the tie rods and ends are almost new, replaced last year.

[cruising7388]

Originally Posted by Hondo

Some pics of the 4 wheel drive conversion on the Roadtrek 210 -

Sure nice to see that the side skirts end up high enough to avoid kissing curbs when parallel parking. If lifts are not employed, does the conversion alone increase any forward ground clearance?

Cargo capacity of the 210 is already limited. What net capacity do you end up with this conversion?

Does this conversion replicate Quigley's conversion and if not, how does it differ? Did you have to remove the forward water tank?

The 4WD shifter position looks like it is right in the path of your right foot when moving into or from the driver seat.

The cross member under the transmission looks like it is welded in place. If the transmission needs repair how do you get it out and back in?