Vans will be a few of the most versatile automobiles on the market, however most are two-wheel drive. The addition of a 4WD system can rework a van from a household runabout or bundle hauler to an all-terrain escape pod. One of the best 4×4 vans convey a complete different stage of functionality to the vans already cavernous storage capability.
For years, 4WD vans have been taking individuals to some superb locations across the globe. Their capacity to double as a house on the highway has turn out to be extraordinarily standard with the #vanlife crowd.
And, whereas the time period van life could also be comparatively new and stylish, utilizing 4×4 vans to dwell out of and journey in isn’t something new. These vans can take individuals on extraordinary adventures off the overwhelmed path when outfitted correctly.
I’ve owned a number of 4×4 vans, traveled on a number of continents in a variety of journey vans, and written about off-road, overland, and vans for almost 2 a long time now. With that have as my background, listed here are my picks for the ten finest 4×4 vans of all time.
The ten Finest 4×4 Vans of All Time
- Chevrolet Astro AWD
- Toyota 4WD Van
- UAZ-452
- Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon
- Mitsubishi Delica Area Gear
- Ford Transit AWD
- Quigley Conversions GMC Savannah
- Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro
- Sportsmobile Traditional 4×4 (Ford Cutaway Chassis)
- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4×4
Chevrolet Astro AWD
In 1990, the North American minivan section was purple sizzling. The primary home automobile within the class to supply the flexibility to drive all 4 wheels was the boxy 1990 Chevrolet Astro.
All-wheel drive was an choice on Astros from 1990 all the best way up till 2005. Whereas it didn’t have a low-range switch case, the Astro provided a really high-up seating place and V-6 energy, with as much as 200 horsepower from the 4.3L engine. The Astro was facelifted in 1995, making it look extra like a full-size van.
These days, AWD Astros have a religious following of adventurers taking these Chevys on overland adventures and off-road treks. Curiously, these vans had a partial unibody development, with a partial body up entrance.
There are raise kits on the market that always contain spacers. Whereas not hardcore 4WDs, they make a great platform for a compact and budget-friendly camper that may “get on the market.”
Toyota 4WD Van
From 1987 to 1989 Toyota provided its van in 4WD. Merely known as the “Toyota Van,” this forward-control automobile had the driving force sitting atop the wheels with the engine in between the driving force and passenger.
These minivans have been out there with a real 4WD system, which included a low-range switch case for those who opted for the handbook transmission. Energy got here from a 2.2L 4-cylinder making 101 horsepower and 135 pound-feet of torque. You can get the van with an computerized or handbook transmission, in addition to computerized or handbook locking hubs.
Bought globally (and known as the Townace/Liteace abroad), the Toyota Van featured car-like unibody development, a strong rear axle with leaf springs, and unbiased entrance suspension with torsion bars. They might be had as a passenger van or as a cargo van with out home windows.
The Toyota Vans are recognized to run endlessly. And because of a few of the Toyota truck‘s underpinnings, it may be extra succesful off the pavement than you’d assume.
Nonetheless, components will be tough as a result of they have been solely provided for 3 mannequin years. However one factor’s for positive: within the occasion of a world nuclear occasion, the one two issues that’ll doubtless survive are cockroaches and Toyota Vans.
UAZ-452
It’s very doubtless you’ve by no means heard of the Ulyanovsk Vehicle Plant or UAZ-452 for those who don’t dwell close to Russia. However these Russian-made vans have been made for over 50 years. Spartan, robust, and formed like a loaf of bread, these vans have been transporting individuals round a few of the harshest situations on the globe for a really very long time.
Nonetheless being made at the moment, fashionable variations of those vans (with seating for as much as 11) have a 2.7L 4-cylinder engine making 112 horsepower and 146 foot-pounds of torque. Energy is put down by way of a five-speed handbook transmission. These 4×4 vans have a conventional two-speed switch case with 2WD, 4WD excessive, and 4WD low-range gears. Their prime velocity is listed at 127 km/h (79 mph), so don’t plan on getting anyplace too quick.
The tough-as-nails UAZ-452 has strong entrance and rear axles with leaf spring, in addition to an out there locking rear differential for max off-road traction. The steadfast design, no-frills nature, and Soviet-era design make the UAZ-452 a dwelling relic that you could purchase model new in a number of configurations, simply not in North America — except it’s over 25 years previous.
Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon
Like Toyota, Mitsubishi Motors North America had a forward-control unibody van within the late Eighties merely known as the van. It was solely 2WD, although. Different components of the world received this van with 4WD, and it was known as the Delica Star Wagon.
These overbuilt 4WD vans got here with a dizzying array of choices, trim packages, roof heights, and engine/transmission selections. They’ve been standard with adventure-seekers since their inception within the mid-’80s, and are nonetheless made in some SE Asian markets.
With a two-speed switch case and a really versatile inside, the Delica Star Wagons are nonetheless darlings of the campervan crowd in addition to Japanese home market (JDM) lovers. Many get constructed out for overland journey. And with their stout drivelines, out there diesel engines, and strong rear axle with leaf springs, they’re succesful off-road regardless of their excessive heart of gravity.
The flowery Crystal Lite roof, outdoor-themed Chamonix, and Jasper trim packages, in addition to sci-fi styling, make these super-cool 4WD vans globally swanky.
Mitsubishi Delica Area Gear
In 1994, Mitsubishi launched the second-generation Delica van known as the Area Gear. In comparison with the earlier Star Wagon mannequin, this variant had a a lot rounder model.
It was additionally out there with extra highly effective engine choices and the corporate’s Tremendous Choose 4WD switch case. This gearbox had a viscous coupler. This allowed the van to function in 4WD excessive with an open heart differential, making it nice in snow and slippery situations. But, it is also shifted into high- or low-range 4WD when the path received further robust.
Just like the Star Wagon, it had unibody development. It additionally had a strong rear axle (with coil springs, nevertheless) and an unbiased entrance suspension with torsion bars.
It is also had in high- or low-roof configurations. Plus, it might be purchased in short- and long-wheelbase variations.
The Area Gear was made till 2007. Its mixture of energy, consolation, an elective lengthy wheelbase, and first rate aftermarket help proceed to make it a preferred world choice for campervan lovers, vacationers, and off-roaders alike.
Ford Transit AWD
Solely not too long ago did Ford’s full-size Transit van get AWD, but it surely additionally reworked the automobile. All-wheel-drive turned this supply runabout into an all-terrain transporter.
The Transit doesn’t have a low-range switch case. However, it does present full-time AWD and a very good platform for a campervan or all-weather adventuremobile.
The Transit’s measurement can enable house owners to face totally upright in some variations. This makes it a viable selection for individuals who need house, however not an enormous RV. There are three lengths, three roof heights, and two engine selections.
This consists of the highly effective 3.5L Ecoboost gasoline engine with 310 horsepower. Plus, being a brand new van, you get all the protection options of a contemporary automobile. There are a large number of outfitters that may rework the Transit right into a hard-working utility van or a globe-trotting camper.
Quigley Conversions GM Vans
Chevrolet and GMC vans don’t are available in 4WD, however for those who give one to Quigley, the corporate can convert it. Quigley isn’t new to this; it has been outfitting vans because the mid-Nineteen Sixties. And whereas it outfits plenty of automakers’ vans, it’s considered one of only some corporations constructing on the GMC Savanah/Chevrolet Specific.
There are eight completely different combos of wheelbases, engines, and transmissions to select from. Quigley will use engines starting from a 4.8L gasoline small-block V-8 to a 6.6L diesel powerhouse. It makes use of its personal distinctive torsion bar unbiased entrance suspension and pairs it with a solid-rear axle with leaf springs.
Quigley additionally implements a two-speed switch case. These wanting extra off-road functionality can go for its LIFS choice for 3 extra inches of floor clearance. The Pennsylvania-based firm has a protracted observe document of superior 4×4 van conversions.
Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro
For over 60 years, VW vans have been used as campers and journey rigs. It wasn’t till the Vanagon Syncro debuted that it received AWD functionality.
Vanagon Syncros have been provided within the U.S. from 1986 to 1991. These German-built vans had a 2.1L water-cooled flat “boxer” four-cylinder engine making 92 horsepower and driving all 4 wheels.
Syncros have been geared up with a five-speed handbook transmission and had a viscous coupler system for full-time AWD traction. These vans got here manufacturing unit geared up with elective locking rear differential making them exceedingly succesful proper out of the field. Add a set of off-road tires and Syncros carry out very properly off-road.
Today, Syncros, particularly in good situation, will be extraordinarily dear for what they’re. Fashions with the prized Westfalia campervan setup are generally thought to be the golden fleece of 4WD vans. If there’s an icon on this record, that is the one.
Area Van Ford Traditional 4×4
Area Van (beforehand Sportsmobile West), began all the best way again in 1989 and has constructed hundreds of camper vans. It is aware of a factor or two about find out how to construct a 4×4 van as properly. Arguably, they’re finest recognized for the 4×4 Ford E-Sequence van conversions.
Though the E-Sequence van is simply out there as a cutaway nowadays, Area Van nonetheless converts them. Its newest is the Traditional 4×4 on the Ford E-Sequence cutaway chassis. It’s for the discerning off-road van life fanatic.
Consumers get a number of premium off-road goodies. This consists of an Atlas II switch case, Dynatrac Professional-Rock 60 entrance axle, and Dana 60 rear axle, Fox 2.0 shocks, and your selection of open, limited-slip, or locking axles. That is the off-road van purchaser’s dream rig.
The Area Van Traditional 4×4 is provided with the 7.3L gasoline V-8 engine and Torqueshift five-speed computerized transmission. Most notably, Area Van now molds a steel-reinforced fiberglass shell behind the principle cab. The built-in penthouse prime drops flush into the shell for a streamlined look. There are limitless prospects with these vans, and so they can take you nearly anyplace.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter AWD
This van is arguably the trendy gold normal amongst new 4WD vans, particularly from a campervan perspective.
The Sprinter was first out there with 4WD in 2015 in North America. It might be optioned with a real 4×4 setup that includes high- and low-range drive modes. There are two lengths. One is a 144-inch wheelbase with normal or high-roof configuration. A 177-inch wheelbase mannequin with a excessive roof and extended-high setup can also be out there. There are three fashions to select from: cargo, crew, and passenger vans, all with completely different quantities of home windows and seats.
Beginning in 2019, the third-generation Sprinter dropped the selectable 4×4 system in favor of a full-time AWD system.
The Sprinter is the darling of the journey crowd nowadays. There are numerous outfitters keen to construct out the van for weekend warriors or world vacationers.
The Sprinter can also be a very world platform. The setup is offered worldwide. This makes it serviceable in lots of components of the world. It’s truthful to say that is undoubtedly one of many 10 finest 4×4 vans of all time.
