4x4 Passenger Van Options (Full Size)

[TXFJ60]

I'm looking to move to a full size 4x4 van platform from our K2500 Suburban. We have 5 kids, so I'm specifically looking at passenger set-ups. I'm not super familiar with the different platforms, so hoping I can get some good advice here. The vans I'm looking at are:

• MB Sprinter
• GM Express/Savana
• Ford Econoline
• Ford Transit
• Nissan NV

Our needs for this vehicle range pretty widely. It will be a grocery getter, road tripper, and off roader (think Big Bend). Budget is around $50k. These are my priorities:

• Reliability/serviceability
• Ground clearance
• 12 passenger capable
• Head room
• Parts availability

I don't want something brand new - probably looking up to around 15 years old if needed. Pros/cons, advice, criticisms appreciated. Photos are examples of what I'm picturing.

 

[ExpoMike]

I saw your post in the Full Size area but figured I would answer in the van area, since this is van related. I saw you had wanted something with a Hi/Lo range setup. With that in mind, your best choices are likely and Econoline or Express/Savana platform. Most of the conversion companies (Quigley, Advanced 4x4, Ujoint, etc.) are using a standard truck type transfer case setup. I think until recently Sprinters had a Hi/Lo option for their 4WD setup but I don't know at much about them. Since you are looking at something around 15 years old, that definitely puts you in the Econoline/Express/Savana era.

There are a lot of those with 4x4 conversions already done, for sale out there. I think you will find more Econolines with 4x4, as they seemed to be done in higher volumes. That doesn't mean you cannot find a Express/Savana, as they are out there and fairly common but a little harder to find. Finding these in pass versions isn't too hard either. We bought a 2013 Savana with Advanced 4x4 conversion with 84K miles. I had some very specific specs I was looking for, so it really narrowed my scope.

Something I would say if you have anyone riding as a passenger regularly, go drive some different models (even 2WD). We had to completely remove Econolines from our option list, due to the fact the engine dog house is offset to the pass side. The caused my wife to need to sit with her legs pushed over and that caused her pain in a short drive. No way that would work long term. The Express/Savana does not have that issue (unless you get the Duramax engine). She is very comfortable riding in it.

I don't know enough about the Transit or Pro Master nor what 4x4 conversions are being done, so I cannot weigh into those. I really like the Nissan high roof vans but at the time nothing was found in our price range and outfitted the way we wanted.

As for maintenance/repair costs, the Ford/GM platforms are going to be the cheapest. Sprinters, from what I read, can get pricey if not under warranty.

Hope that helps.

 

[TXFJ60]

I saw your post in the Full Size area but figured I would answer in the van area, since this is van related. I saw you had wanted something with a Hi/Lo range setup. With that in mind, your best choices are likely and Econoline or Express/Savana platform. Most of the conversion companies (Quigley, Advanced 4x4, Ujoint, etc.) are using a standard truck type transfer case setup. I think until recently Sprinters had a Hi/Lo option for their 4WD setup but I don't know at much about them. Since you are looking at something around 15 years old, that definitely puts you in the Econoline/Express/Savana era.

There are a lot of those with 4x4 conversions already done, for sale out there. I think you will find more Econolines with 4x4, as they seemed to be done in higher volumes. That doesn't mean you cannot find a Express/Savana, as they are out there and fairly common but a little harder to find. Finding these in pass versions isn't too hard either. We bought a 2013 Savana with Advanced 4x4 conversion with 84K miles. I had some very specific specs I was looking for, so it really narrowed my scope.

Something I would say if you have anyone riding as a passenger regularly, go drive some different models (even 2WD). We had to completely remove Econolines from our option list, due to the fact the engine dog house is offset to the pass side. The caused my wife to need to sit with her legs pushed over and that caused her pain in a short drive. No way that would work long term. The Express/Savana does not have that issue (unless you get the Duramax engine). She is very comfortable riding in it.

I don't know enough about the Transit or Pro Master nor what 4x4 conversions are being done, so I cannot weigh into those. I really like the Nissan high roof vans but at the time nothing was found in our price range and outfitted the way we wanted.

As for maintenance/repair costs, the Ford/GM platforms are going to be the cheapest. Sprinters, from what I read, can get pricey if not under warranty.

Hope that helps.

Good to know about the Econolines. That would get annoying for my wife. One of the things I like about the Nissan is with the drivetrain further forward, you don't have as much of a hump in the cab. I think you're right though, we'll need to just go and test drive all of them. Time is limited with 5 kids so was hoping to get some initial feedback here first. Thanks Mike!

 

[ExpoMike]

Good to know about the Econolines. That would get annoying for my wife. One of the things I like about the Nissan is with the drivetrain further forward, you don't have as much of a hump in the cab. I think you're right though, we'll need to just go and test drive all of them. Time is limited with 5 kids so was hoping to get some initial feedback here first. Thanks Mike!

Yeah, it was really annoying, since there are way more Econoline 4x4's out there in general and prices seem to be a little lower. Yeah, the Nissan would really had been a nice option. There is one in ExPo classifies that if we had not already bought something, I would seriously be looking at. It's not a passenger van, so likely not work for you but for my wife and I, it would have been great.

 

[Bikersmurf]

We’ve owned an E350 based type 3 Ambulance for about 11 years now. We’ve not found the somewhat smaller footwell on the passenger side to be a problem for my wife. I’m tall so I see where it could be a problem. Crestline extended the cabin to be about 10” longer than a standard cutaway van. So I wouldn’t automatically rule it out, but instead be aware that it is a potential problem.

Despite many people stating that Diesels are too loud, we’ve never found that to be the case. I can easily carry on a conversation with someone else in the front without raising my voice.

There had been some noise(howl) from the rear differential for as long as I can remember. It had probably gotten gradually louder over the last 10 years without us noticing a change. Replacing the differential bearings and adjusting the shims in the differential made it noticeably quieter. It was a maintenance issue and not related to it being a diesel. It was directly related to the truck having 250k miles.

Just a reminder to anyone reading…. check your drive flanges regularly for play. It had probably been a few years since I’d checked, and the only thing that brought my attention to it was the gear oil that was starting to leak at the pinion seal. Which I discovered two days before leaving for a 1500 mile road trip. Replacing the seal didn’t help and there wasn’t enough time to get replacement bearings. Fortunately the Dana 70 held up fine for the trip.

 

[86scotty]

I've never had a passenger in any Ford van complain about space. It is very different than any other vehicle but it's more than the doghouse. Vans have a completely flat floor and 'chair' like seats so you sit totally different in them. Any back issues, which my wife has as well, have always been solved by getting rid of the awful stock cushy seats which were not designed for anything but the landfill, IMHO.

 

[DirtWhiskey]

Depends on what you want to do. I would personally go Econoline or Express/Savanah all day. Much easier to service, known beast, ladder frame, Fords have common axles and drivetrain components etc. they take a lift nicely. For later models, it'll be gas unless you can find a unicorn Dmax Express. I'd avoid the 6.0 Powerstroke (sorry guys I've owned 3 of them). 7.3 PS is great but they're all over 23 years old now.

I've driven all of the above. Truly tragic Nissan abandoned the NV platform. Awesome truck/vans. Love the Ecoboost Transits, but only AWD but I think it's being converted by some company. Interior is cheap as heck though. I think lifting it and getting larger tires is a challenge, same for the Ram/Mercedes setup.

If you want a live ale habitat, I'd go towards a cab and chassis. Straight walls are so much easier to deal with in a built.

If above is not important to you, they are all great beasts serving thousands of people around the globe.

 

[whith]

I’ll chime in, I’ve got a wife and I’ve had vans….still have one of each to be clear. I’m 6’3”and my wife is 5‘8” and she’s never mentioned anything about foot space being a problem in the Ford we had or the Chevy we currently have and we’ve done a lot of really long days. And she knows how to mention something if she’s not happy about it….If you’re worried about your wife’s comfort and want 4x4 I’d look for a GM van, they ride much better than the solid axle Fords. Although I found my Quigley E350 to be completely fine after doing the Agile RIP upgrade. I’d guess the Nissan rides pretty well too but I have no experience there.
If you are serious I know a guy who is selling a low mileage Express 3500 Quigley with a Duramax…and no it’s not me. Mine just rolled over 165k and I don’t plan on getting rid of it. I don’t know how you’d beat it, but they do cost more. I also have 5 kids by the way both vans served us really well on family trips all over the west. The Chevy is just nicer to live with from a ride quality standpoint.

 

[whith]

He sold the white van you have in that picture above by the way to buy the Duramax one he has now. Looks almost exactly like that white one but is a dark blue.

 

[AbleGuy]

Nissan van:

Much better leg room for front passenger than my brother’s econoline

Sitting as a passenger in the econoline meant being in an uncomfortable twisted seating position due to the small footwell

We had a Chevy 1 ton camper van, it had slightly better front passenger leg room than the econoline

Nissan gets terrible gas mileage…maybe 12 mpg freeway driving

CCV in Colorado will put a pop up top on any of these IIRC

Nissan front end probably gives you better crash protection

 

[AbleGuy]

Not too far….Colorado

https://westslope.craigslist.org/cto/d/woody-creek-2021-nissan-nv3500-sl-4x4/7892364973.html

 

[ExpoMike]

Sitting as a passenger in the econoline meant being in an uncomfortable twisted seating position due to the small footwell

We had a Chevy 1 ton camper van, it had slightly better front passenger leg room than the econoline

Yes, this is exactly the issue we had. My wife is 5' 9" (and not petite) and found she would have to twist to the right, for her feet to be comfortable but that messed with her hips/back in very short order. Our Savana (i.e. Express) is laid out with better foot area that she does not need to twist and is very comfortable riding in it. We have another friend with an Econoline and has said passengers run into the same issue with her van. This is why I/we never buy a vehicle that we both have not been able to sit/ride in. There has been more than once something fit well for me but did not for my wife.