In order to choose the best 4×4 van, you must identify the purpose of the vehicle. Vans intended for daily driving are often much different than a 4×4 van that will be used to venture off-road on hunting and fishing trips; conversely, a van that will be used to work in a harsh off-road environment must also include special purpose-built options. Horsepower directly relating to engine size and type, transmission type and tire size should all be factored into the equation to deliver the best 4×4 van for any buyer. As you investigate equipment packages while searching for the best 4×4 van, axle gearing and differential style should also be added into the search criteria.
Four-wheel drive trucks have found a use in many different environments and duties, from daily-driven family transportation to hunting and off-road excursions as well as rough country work vehicles. One problem, however, has plagued the owners of the 4×4 truck: the lack of protection and the difficulty to reach cargo stored in the bed of the truck. The 4×4 van solves this problem by providing an enclosed body that is easily accessed by both side and rear- entry-doors in most body styles.
Manufacturers of the small, mini-type van models have offered a 4×4 van option to provide families with better traction during inclement weather. This 4×4 van option is different than an all-wheel drive package. In an all-wheel drive vehicle, the vehicle’s computer system or transmission will indicate when the all-wheel drive system is used. In a 4×4 van, the driver is able to select the 4×4 option at his discretion, commonly engaging the 4×4 drive system via a switch on the dashboard or a shift lever on the floor of the vehicle.
Outdoors-men, hunters, fishermen and campers alike enjoy the benefit of using a van over a pick-up truck due partly to the ability to sleep and dress inside of the van. With options such as auxiliary heaters, generators, refrigerators and beds, the van is well-suited to support an outdoor lifestyle comfortably. The large body also makes a suitable work platform because it is capable of housing large parts bins, equipment such as welders and pipe-threading machines and even accommodating large work crews. For these reasons, the 4×4 van is becoming an option that is being chosen by a wide array of purchasers.