I love the concept and design. The fact is, the original transit was on my list as options for my vehicle because I could easily fit a motorcycle inside it and build it into something I could sleep inside at the racetrack. But this... I'm all over this.
Carry a really good jack, maxtrax, and straps/shackles of appropriate strength. These things get stuck so easy with that 1WD.
A lot of makers are taking existing SUV models and then marketing them for some degree of off road use by raising ground clearance, larger tires, etc. Subaru, Honda, KIA, Toyota, etc. So I agree there is a market for "more rugged" vans as well - I have to believe Ford does some legit marketing research and understands it's target market - which is not the rugged bad *ss folks that need to go to the end of the trail and beyond, I see those Sprinters, Dodge and other vans frequently in campgrounds have to assume they for the most part meet the owners needs.
Subarus been doing it since the 90s. For the majority of its existence the outback was literally the exact same car as a legacy but with taller struts, subframe spacers, and bigger foglights. I've had subies on 30" tires in places 4x4 trucks had trouble with lol.
We already have all that stuff. And like I said, ours won't be going anywhere more intense than forest roads really.
Some time back I recall someone posted about taking their Ranger up the 4wd to Crystal Mill near marble CO, it is worth seeing should you be out this way, below taken from offroadpro re the road:
Some time back I recall someone posted about taking their Ranger up the 4wd to Crystal Mill near marble CO, it is worth seeing should you be out this way, below taken from offroadpro re the road:
If you plan to go to Crystal Mill anytime soon, be warned: you’re in for a dusty, bumpy ride. The trail is challenging even for experienced drivers. Also, you’ll need a high-clearance vehicle.
Past the mill itself are the remains of the old mining town, and there are several cabins people live in(seasonal) along with a small general store run by a nice lady in her 60s, a stream refrigs beverages (no electricity) and you can buy snacks, etc. Wife and I ran into the lady returning from a restocking run - in her Honda CR-V, I asked isn't it tricky going up that road, she laughed and replied she goes slow and traverses the bad sections and has been doing that for yrs.
Wife and I hiked up as we were fishing the crystal river - this was maybe 10 yrs back and the road was busy then, can't imagine the masses of vehicles on it nowadays. The mill itself was used to compress air to power mining equipment.
I was stoked to see them come out with this, but I believe it's pretty much an empty shell and you need to pick a package to install?
If that's the case I'd lean towards the Transit Connect. I think with some clever DIY packaging it could work and won't cost $70k like this thing. More weight over the drive wheels, better mpg, better driver and more of a stealth van too. I know most won't want a Connect but I always liked them.
Much smaller and won't go past a dirt road either. I see no use for it. Maybe as a small work vehicle, but that's it
He did it...
Like I said not for everyone. I think I could put together a cool one but it wouldn't be any kind of off-road van.
