4x4 Full Size Passenger Van Options

[TXFJ60]

I’m currently in a 2500 Suburban, but we’re looking to go bigger into a full size van to make it easier for all 5 kids to get to a seat. The options I’m aware of are Express/Savannah, Econoline, Transit, Nissan NV, Sprinter. I know this is the domestic full size forum, but I didn’t find a better spot to post. I’m looking for pros and cons of these platforms specifically for a passenger set up. This will be probably 90%+ for highway and around town. But I do want something that can handle Big Bend NP and SP.

Edit: I'm wanting decent ground clearance and 4WD. This will be an all around vehicle, but I do need it to perform when the time comes.

 

[vintageracer]

The Express/Savannah are old platforms. They do a good job just old. They have different wheelbase choices which is good. LS drivetrains are very good. Have rust issues over time.

Econoline is also old and does a good job. Lot's of aftermarket upgrades available for the Econoline. Godzilla engine in the Econoline is great however may only be available in cab/chassis van.

Ford Transit runs great with the 3.5 engine, solid drivetrain, lot's of room, different roof height choices, AWD available, different lengths available and very little ground clearance. Second Least capable of the bunch.

Nissan NV is now an "Orphan" no longer produced. Would stay clear of any "Orphan" vehicle.

Dodge Ram van is FWD, available with different roof heights and wheelbase lengths. Drivetrain questionable for anything off-road. Least off-road capable van of the bunch with poor ground clearance.

Sprinter is well built, now available in gas, diesels have emissions issues, different roof heights available along with different lengths, AWD available, good ground clearance with AWD, had rust issues over time and they are expensive.

That's my take on Van options in the market today.

Yes I have a van!

 

[deserteagle56]

FYI...last Econoline was built in 2014. The GM vans are still being made and a good choice. But for the usage you describe I'd go with the Transit. Around here all the mines now use them for transporting their crews.

I drove a GMC van 4wd conversion for 32+ years. For the past 18 years I've been in a 2007 Econoline, also a 4wd conversion, and it has been a very solid vehicle. Only thing I've had to do to it in all those years was to replace a faulty brake sensor that was causing the cruise control to randomly kick off. Powerful V10 engine that will pass everything but a gas station.............

 

[p nut]

Good thing about the Transit is the high roof where you can stand up inside. A friend of mine has an AWD version with high roof and loves it (as do his family members).

 

[86scotty]

I know this is the domestic full size forum, but I didn’t find a better spot to post

Umm, howbout the van forum?

If you want something roomy, fairly economical, safe and not over 10 years old then your options are Transit and Sprinter.

Doesn't sound like you need or would benefit at all from one of the older domestic vans in any way.

 

[TXFJ60]

The Express/Savannah are old platforms. They do a good job just old. They have different wheelbase choices which is good. LS drivetrains are very good. Have rust issues over time.

Econoline is also old and does a good job. Lot's of aftermarket upgrades available for the Econoline. Godzilla engine in the Econoline is great however may only be available in cab/chassis van.

Ford Transit runs great with the 3.5 engine, solid drivetrain, lot's of room, different roof height choices, AWD available, different lengths available and very little ground clearance. Second Least capable of the bunch.

Nissan NV is now an "Orphan" no longer produced. Would stay clear of any "Orphan" vehicle.

Dodge Ram van is FWD, available with different roof heights and wheelbase lengths. Drivetrain questionable for anything off-road. Least off-road capable van of the bunch with poor ground clearance.

Sprinter is well built, now available in gas, diesels have emissions issues, different roof heights available along with different lengths, AWD available, good ground clearance with AWD, had rust issues over time and they are expensive.

That's my take on Van options in the market today.

Yes I have a van!

What van do you have? I’d rather have a 4WD conversion over 2WD or AWD.

Umm, howbout the van forum?

If you want something roomy, fairly economical, safe and not over 10 years old then your options are Transit and Sprinter.

Doesn't sound like you need or would benefit at all from one of the older domestic vans in any way.

Am I missing it? I see a camper van forum, but the discussions are often about the buildout of the camper.

 

[86scotty]

You are correct that the van section here is mostly for home built camper vans but that's where the folks who know vans generally are. Offroading and camping types (read overlanders) are mostly what you'll find on this site.

I have an E350 Quigley but my priorities are offroading and camping way off grid with 2 people.

There are factory 4wd Sprinters (and AWD's) but only factory AWD Transits. There are a couple of 4wd converters for these, namely Quadvan in the PNW.

From the use case you mentioned seems like AWD would be fine but of course I have no idea exactly where you'd want to be going. As stated above your options for a true 4wd passenger van that isn't way old an inefficient for highway travel are pretty much going to be Transit and Sprinter.

 

[TXFJ60]

You are correct that the van section here is mostly for home built camper vans but that's where the folks who know vans generally are. Offroading and camping types (read overlanders) are mostly what you'll find on this site.

I have an E350 Quigley but my priorities are offroading and camping way off grid with 2 people.

There are factory 4wd Sprinters (and AWD's) but only factory AWD Transits. There are a couple of 4wd converters for these, namely Quadvan in the PNW.

From the use case you mentioned seems like AWD would be fine but of course I have no idea exactly where you'd want to be going. As stated above your options for a true 4wd passenger van that isn't way old an inefficient for highway travel are pretty much going to be Transit and Sprinter.

10-4. I did go ahead and put a post there. I don't mind old vehicles. We're currently in a 30 year old Suburban. I'm wanting full 4x4 with hi/lo range and decent ground clearance for some of the places we camp.

 

[86scotty]

In that case I would highly recommend a Chevy Quigley LWB passenger van with the 6.0 or Duramax (but really hard to find). Fords are great too but you're going to be hard pressed to find a deal on one with anything bigger than the 5.4l which is a little underpowered for these heavy vans, especially a 4x4 loaded up with big family and gear. The V10s are great. I have one and have had a few, but hard to find these days and you'll probably pay a premium.

Unless you are pretty mechanically inclined be very careful about Ford 6.0l diesels. Read up online, no shortage of information on their particular needs and reliability.

I know where 4 white RB Ford 5.4l's are if you're interested but they are regular body (RB) white 5.4l's. Here's a link:

https://www.eddiesautosales.net/inventory/ford/e350-super-duty-8-passenger-van/s1359/

 

[Sparse Gray Hackle]

No recommendation, but a couple of thoughts…

If you’re thinking of a Sprinter platform, check for service availability. Friend who have them, complain that it’s difficult to find service.

The Ford vans mentioned above look interesting, but read up on Triton spark plug issues.

 

[deserteagle56]

The Ford vans mentioned above look interesting, but read up on Triton spark plug issues.

The spark plug issues were mainly in the pickups, not the vans. Pickups got a wonky spark plug with a long nose on it that would break off inside the engine when you tried to remove the plug. Different engine design in the vans. Problem with engine spitting out spark plugs was due to Ford's very light torque specifications. Torqued down to 2 or 3 times the recommended value and no more problems. There's several YouTube videos on the subject.

This is what a F series spark plug looked like:


Ford corrected their spark plug issues by model year 2007 if memory serves correctly.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Doesn't sound like you need or would benefit at all from one of the older domestic vans in any way.

How's that? GMC vans still being produced and have an AWD option and even an old Econoline can be built out once and reliable

 

[86scotty]

How's that? GMC vans still being produced and have an AWD option and even an old Econoline can be built out once and reliable

I was under the assumption the OP wanted something fairly new and safe for a big family with walk around space. Rereading his original post again I guess I assumed that. I elaborated a little in post 9 after he cleared things up in post 8.

I'm an E-series diehard and have had and loved a couple of Chevy vans as well but the technology in these things, either make, is way dated. You kind of have to accept that you're getting durability, not the creature comforts even a 10 year old domestic pickup offer. If I was traveling with a big family I would accept the trade offs of a Sprinter/Transit and go for one for the modern safety features, better economy and factory high roof without having to modify it.

 

[RVflyfish]

Except for a brief dalliance with an AWD Astro, I’m a diehard Econoline guy. Particularly the RB Chateau because it has power everything, cruise, and windows all around, which give more visibility than anything I’ve driven this side of a convertible. Here’s a Quigley 4x4 with a 6.0 diesel…

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1751648432175176/?ref=browse_tab&referral_code=marketplace_top_picks&referral_story_type=top_picks&__tn__=!

 

[PirateMcGee]

The Express/Savannah are old platforms. They do a good job just old. They have different wheelbase choices which is good. LS drivetrains are very good. Have rust issues over time.

Econoline is also old and does a good job. Lot's of aftermarket upgrades available for the Econoline. Godzilla engine in the Econoline is great however may only be available in cab/chassis van.

Ford Transit runs great with the 3.5 engine, solid drivetrain, lot's of room, different roof height choices, AWD available, different lengths available and very little ground clearance. Second Least capable of the bunch.

Nissan NV is now an "Orphan" no longer produced. Would stay clear of any "Orphan" vehicle.

Dodge Ram van is FWD, available with different roof heights and wheelbase lengths. Drivetrain questionable for anything off-road. Least off-road capable van of the bunch with poor ground clearance.

Sprinter is well built, now available in gas, diesels have emissions issues, different roof heights available along with different lengths, AWD available, good ground clearance with AWD, had rust issues over time and they are expensive.

That's my take on Van options in the market today.

Yes I have a van!

I disagree on the orphan thing...all models become orphans. They no longer make the ford 5.4, the 1st gen 4runner doesn't share parts with the 6th gen etc. NVs are the best deal overall but harder to find. Share lots of parts with the XD. Overall depending on budget I would go GMC for more offroad, Transit for gravel road stuff, and NV for in between.