Are you concerned about getting stuck in the snow, but can’t fit your entire family on the back of your Ski-Doo - opens in new window or tab.? We have a solution for you. The Chevrolet Snowcat Track Van for sale on eBay Motors - opens in new window or tab. is a vehicle that blends the best of all worlds: incredible cargo and passenger space, and a complete disregard for how many inches of white stuff might be sitting on the ground.
The gear sitting inside the track drives the vehicle forward, while the wheels help balance out the weight of the van and its passengers.
Sure, you could always just add winter tires to the minivan parked in your driveway - opens in new window or tab., but that won’t attract as much attention as parking this ‘93 conversion on the street in front of your house. Nor would it help you climb up the steep, snowy passes that you might encounter on your commute back from Yellowstone National Park, which is where this van pulled duty for decades shuttling tourists on “SnowCoach” tours.
You might notice a difference between this Chevy Snowcat conversion and more modern tracked vehicles, in that it doesn’t make use of the vehicle’s factory four-wheel-drive system. There’s a simple explanation: it doesn’t have one. The rear-wheel-drive van actually uses its back axle to drive the gear that interlocks inside its large track, and the rubber tires inside the track itself allow it to bear significant weight in the form of passengers and cargo.
There aren’t any brakes on this front hub, as the vehicle relies on the mechanical stopping power of the track itself to slow down.
The front hubs are attached to a set of skis that are used to help steer, which contrasts with the four discrete tracks that are often attached to recent SUVs—systems that are often temporary rather than the permanent design found with the vehicle on sale.
A Mobile Ice-Fishing Shack
The Chevrolet in this auction is outfitted with a lift at the back, which was originally intended to make the vehicle wheelchair accessible, but also serves as a cargo loader for anything too big to fit in through the side door. Why is this important? Well, it’s unlikely that you'll be able to license this Snowcat conversion for on-road use within city limits. But the vehicle is perfect for accessing a remote cabin, hunting camp, or logging area and delivering any gear you need to make it through the winter.
The seller also suggests using the van as an ice-fishing rig, which makes sense given that you wouldn’t even have to build a little shack to sit in—you could just fish from the van’s window and keep the heat (and the 5.7-liter V8 engine) running on the lake. Despite its age, the Chevrolet features fuel injection, which means you won’t have any trouble getting it started when the temperatures plunge below zero.
What would you do with a Chevrolet Snowcat conversion that we didn’t think of? Get the kids to school in a blizzard? Tow your snowmobile out into the bush and camp overnight between trail blasts? Start a winter revolution? The possibilities are endless.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.