Vans will be among the most versatile autos 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 carry an entire different degree of functionality to the vans already cavernous storage capability.
For years, 4WD vans have been taking folks to some superb locations across the globe. Their potential to double as a house on the highway has develop into extraordinarily well-liked 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 folks on extraordinary adventures off the crushed path when outfitted correctly.
I’ve owned just a few 4×4 vans, traveled on a number of continents in a variety of journey vans, and written about off-road, overland, and vans for practically 2 many years now. With that have as my background, listed below 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 House Gear
- Ford Transit AWD
- Quigley Conversions GMC Savannah
- Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro
- Sportsmobile Basic 4×4 (Ford Cutaway Chassis)
- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4×4
Chevrolet Astro AWD
In 1990, the North American minivan phase was crimson scorching. The primary home automobile within the class to supply the power 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. Apparently, 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 very good 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 referred to 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 had been obtainable with a real 4WD system, which included a low-range switch case should you opted for the guide transmission. Energy got here from a 2.2L 4-cylinder making 101 horsepower and 135 pound-feet of torque. You would get the van with an automated or guide transmission, in addition to automated or guide locking hubs.
Bought globally (and referred to as the Townace/Liteace abroad), the Toyota Van featured car-like unibody development, a stable 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 identified to run endlessly. And because of among the Toyota truck‘s underpinnings, it may be extra succesful off the pavement than you’d assume.
Nevertheless, elements will be difficult as a result of they had been solely provided for 3 mannequin years. However one factor’s for certain: within the occasion of a world nuclear occasion, the one two issues that’ll possible survive are cockroaches and Toyota Vans.
UAZ-452
It’s very possible you’ve by no means heard of the Ulyanovsk Car Plant or UAZ-452 should you don’t dwell close to Russia. However these Russian-made vans have been made for over 50 years. Spartan, powerful, and formed like a loaf of bread, these vans have been transporting folks round among the harshest situations on the globe for a really very long time.
Nonetheless being made right this 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 via a five-speed guide transmission. These 4×4 vans have a standard two-speed switch case with 2WD, 4WD excessive, and 4WD low-range gears. Their high velocity is listed at 127 km/h (79 mph), so don’t plan on getting wherever too quick.
The tough-as-nails UAZ-452 has stable entrance and rear axles with leaf spring, in addition to an obtainable locking rear differential for optimum off-road traction. The steadfast design, no-frills nature, and Soviet-era design make the UAZ-452 a dwelling relic 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 Nineteen Eighties merely referred to as the van. It was solely 2WD, although. Different elements of the world bought this van with 4WD, and it was referred to 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 well-liked 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) fanatics. Many get constructed out for overland journey. And with their stout drivelines, obtainable diesel engines, and stable 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 House Gear
In 1994, Mitsubishi launched the second-generation Delica van referred to as the House Gear. In comparison with the earlier Star Wagon mannequin, this variant had a a lot rounder model.
It was additionally obtainable 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 bought further powerful.
Just like the Star Wagon, it had unibody development. It additionally had a stable rear axle (with coil springs, nonetheless) 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 House Gear was made till 2007. Its mixture of energy, consolation, an elective lengthy wheelbase, and first rate aftermarket help proceed to make it a well-liked international choice for campervan fanatics, vacationers, and off-roaders alike.
Ford Transit AWD
Solely not too long ago did Ford’s full-size Transit van get AWD, however it additionally remodeled 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 permit homeowners to face absolutely upright in some variations. This makes it a viable alternative for individuals who need house, however not an enormous RV. There are three lengths, three roof heights, and two engine selections.
This contains the highly effective 3.5L Ecoboost gasoline engine with 310 horsepower. Plus, being a brand new van, you get all the security 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 4WD, however should you give one to Quigley, the corporate can convert it. Quigley isn’t new to this; it has been outfitting vans because the mid-Sixties. And whereas it outfits various automakers’ vans, it’s considered one of just a few firms constructing on the GMC Savanah/Chevrolet Specific.
There are eight totally 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 an extended monitor file 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 bought AWD functionality.
Vanagon Syncros had 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 had been geared up with a five-speed guide 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 effectively off-road.
Nowadays, Syncros, particularly in good situation, will be extraordinarily expensive for what they’re. Fashions with the prized Westfalia campervan setup are generally considered the golden fleece of 4WD vans. If there’s an icon on this checklist, that is the one.
Discipline Van Ford Basic 4×4
Discipline 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 learn how to construct a 4×4 van as effectively. Arguably, they’re finest identified for the 4×4 Ford E-Sequence van conversions.
Though the E-Sequence van is just obtainable as a cutaway as of late, Discipline Van nonetheless converts them. Its newest is the Basic 4×4 on the Ford E-Sequence cutaway chassis. It’s for the discerning off-road van life fanatic.
Patrons get a number of premium off-road goodies. This contains an Atlas II switch case, Dynatrac Professional-Rock 60 entrance axle, and Dana 60 rear axle, Fox 2.0 shocks, and your alternative of open, limited-slip, or locking axles. That is the off-road van purchaser’s dream rig.
The Discipline Van Basic 4×4 is supplied with the 7.3L gasoline V-8 engine and Torqueshift five-speed automated transmission. Most notably, Discipline Van now molds a steel-reinforced fiberglass shell behind the primary cab. The built-in penthouse high drops flush into the shell for a streamlined look. There are limitless potentialities with these vans, they usually can take you nearly wherever.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter AWD
This van is arguably the trendy gold commonplace amongst new 4WD vans, particularly from a campervan perspective.
The Sprinter was first obtainable 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 commonplace or high-roof configuration. A 177-inch wheelbase mannequin with a excessive roof and extended-high setup can be obtainable. There are three fashions to select from: cargo, crew, and passenger vans, all with totally 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 as of late. There are numerous outfitters prepared to construct out the van for weekend warriors or international vacationers.
The Sprinter can be a really international platform. The setup is bought worldwide. This makes it serviceable in lots of elements of the world. It’s truthful to say that is undoubtedly one of many 10 finest 4×4 vans of all time.