In the world of automotive enthusiasts, there’s probably no more passionate than the 4×4 off-road vehicle owner. These thrill seekers of the wilderness have a special desire for the rugged, indestructible vehicles that they drive. Many do most of the work themselves customizing a their 4WD Vans, cars and trucks to suit their own personalities.
Such is the case with the 4×4 cargo van lovers. Even though the hobby of customizing a typical passenger van for off-road activities is not a new one, the surge in new van conversions to four-wheel-drive has seen an increase in recent years.
The models that are converted mostly are the Ford Econoline, Chevy Express, and Dodge Caravan, but even many foreign made models are customized to suit the four-wheel-drive hobbyist owner. Off the showroom, the new models can come with a four wheel track style drive, but this is not considered a true 4×4 by many off road buffs. To get a real 4×4 van experience many seek out the help of a third party conversion shops to get just the right van experience.
These independent shops, made somewhat famous by the reality shows on cable networks like MTV, are capable of creating some truly incredible works of art from the average, typical passenger van. As with any four-wheel-drive setup, the conversion starts with the under suspension and lift equipment. The intention is for these vans to be off-road capable, subsequently the suspension is an integral part of any four-wheel-drive vehicle conversion.
But the fun doesn’t stop there as many optional accessories are worked into the 4×4 van conversion. Things like pop-ups on the roof, elaborate tow packages, and RV style interiors, are just some of the nifty tricks that the skilled customizers have worked into a four-wheel-drive cargo van conversion.














