Time for the Sprinter Defense Team to Spring into action . . .
Chip's right about the weight issue, especially as regards the previous generation View/Navions. The Occupant and Cargo Carrying Capcity (OCCC) was raised with the 2008 model, and is now up to 885 pounds, which still isn't good, but at least it's not overloaded from the get-go, which was pretty much the case with the T1N-based Views.
John Bendit at Upscale Automotive in Tualatin (south of Portland) Oregon has a decent business going making suspension modifications to the View/Navions; people have traveled many a mile to have the mods done. Check here for information . . .
http://sprinterstore.com/sprinter_suspension.htm.
John also does the one trouble-free 4x4 conversion for a T1N NAFTA Sprinter that I know of (has anyone actually been able to buy the mythical Salem-Kroger conversion?); it's based on the factory parts as put together by Sportsvans. Details are here:
http://sprinterstore.com/sprinter_4x4.htm
Contact John directly to see how it's going with the conversion for US-spec NCV3s.
Chip's point about the size is a good one . . . a View is a big piece of gear dimensionally, but it might still be credible in open area situations. However, the weight, a relatively-high center of gravity and the cost of the 4x4 conversion work against it as an optimum off-roader. Be nice, though, for modest snow situations and should you hit mud while fire-roading.
It's true a new View/Navion lists for over $100,000, but there have been huge discounts from many dealers over the past year or so, and the prices for lightly-used ones have been low. In any event, unless there's been a dramatic improvement (from a dealer's perspective) in just the past couple of months, don't think of a View as a $100K+ vehicle.
Chip's suggestion of a Lazy Daze is a fine one--they are a venerable manufacturer--and the conversion to 4x4 will certainly be waaay cheaper; about half the price, I'd guess. But from my own experience, I can tell you that Sprinters vs. Ford E-series vans is very much apples and oranges. The driving position, driving technique, etc. are very different, and one will definitely appeal more than the other.
FWIW, one intermediate option would be to consider the briefly imported (200 total, IIRC) Airstream Sprinter Westfalia. More room than the base van, but at just under 19 feet long, much more nimble than the Sprinter-based Class Cs. You'd need to find a used one (for probably $50-60K) and they won't appeal to everyone, but the European version (the James Cook) is an award-winning rig and for the right owner, the Westy has many strong points.
