Have you ever wished a stock van like VW Transporter Kombi could just have the capabilities of an off-road pickup truck to make your adventures more convenient? Luckily, you can get yourself an off-road van with a few upgrades.
While off-road pickup trucks are often the vehicle of choice for most adventure-seekers, they lack the capabilities and convenience that vans offer, such as bigger interiors. But how can a stock van overcome the rugged terrains and muddy roads of off-road terrains? What happens when you need a little more power to push harder off-road? The good thing is that it’s not rocket science to upgrade a stock van into an off-road Sprinter van.
9 Ways to Upgrade a Stock into an Off-Road Van for Adventure
Modified off-road vans bring in the convenience of more space while also delivering a similar feel to the off-road pick-up trucks when cruising over rough terrains. An upgrade makes your 2WD and 4WD vans more powerful machines with flexible suspension and better clearance for off-road escapades.
Here are 9 things to do to convert your stock van into a powerful off-road van.
1. Upgrading the suspension
The transmission and engine capability often steals the show if performance is on the table. But did you know that suspension is equally important? When driving a van off-road, you want better handling to navigate turns or unpredictable terrains. A suspension upgrade will also provide better ground clearance and enhanced articulation over rugged terrains. Here are several ways to upgrade your stock van suspension and create a reliable off-roading camper van out of it.
a) Replace the shock absorbers
Replacing the shocks is the fastest way to give your van better suspension capabilities. But take note though, it has to be special shock absorbers that can handle a great deal of stress. Going for highly reliable quality from trusted brands will eventually pay off. They will not only be durable, but will handle greater impact, handle corners, and enhance your ride quality for improved comfort.
Also, remember to replace the shocks in pairs for both the rear and front to avoid handling issues or uncomfortable rides. This comes in handy when navigating any sort of off-road terrain. Don’t forget to install the mounting kit and where needed, a protection kit for each of the shocks for prolonged life.
Ford Transit Custom Double Cab is among the comfortable vans with spacious interiors suitable for off-road adventure. Equipped with ergonomic seats, air-conditioning, and heating, replacing its factory shock absorbers with Fox shocks can incredibly improve its off-road performance.
b) Inspect and replace suspension components
Before rushing to do the shock upgrades, make sure you’ve carefully inspected the ball joints, sway bar, control arms, coil springs, and struts, among other components. When these crucial suspension components are worn out but reused instead, you’ll experience a tightened handling with a wobbly feel.
Replace every worn-out component, adequately grease them, and change the oil. If the handling still feels not right after all this, it means there’s a suspension component that requires attention.
2. Get a new set of wheels and all-terrain tyres
Capable shock absorbers are just a part of it, you need the right set of tyres to handle the off-road terrain. Your modified off-road van may have poor handling, traction, and load capability issues if the wheels and tyres aren’t right. Quality tyres will help the van navigate through a patch of mud or ice without slipping while the suspension aids with balance and recovery.
So, when choosing the right set of tyres, what should you consider? While there are many parameters to look at, it’s best to focus on the terrain that you’ll be frequenting the most. The all-terrain tyres capable of tackling diverse surfaces are the most ideal.
When choosing wheels, you should bear in mind the performance as well as the aesthetic aspect. Ensure the wheels are excellent with weight distribution and load handling. Another important aspect to consider is the bead grip grooves, which play a vital role when under lower air pressure to give the tire a firmer hold.
3. Protect the undercarriage with skid plates
When driving off-road, the terrain will be unpredictable and that means that your off-road van’s undercarriage will be at risk of collision with objects. Obstacles and rocks can easily damage vulnerable components like the oil pan, fuel tank, transmission, and engine. But skid plates can offer better protection ensuring that your off-road drive is free of worries.
There are a range of material choices when looking for skid plates, from plastic, aluminium, to steel. If you want longevity without adding extra load to the engine, the aluminium skid plates are the best. On the other hand, steel skid plates may come a little stronger on weight, but are durable and corrosion resistant.
Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic is highly resistant to corrosion, and chemicals, and offers less sliding resistance to the ground or obstacles. Their durability is a little lacking compared to steel and aluminium skid plates.
4. Install heavy-duty bumpers equipped with recovery points
Even with your suspension lifted, and all-terrain tyres installed, there’s still a chance of getting stuck in a pool of mud while driving off-road. When that happens, your off-road van should be equipped with recovery points to make it easier for a recovery vehicle to rescue it. Get a heavy-duty off-road bumper with reliable recovery points.
These bumpers will not only give your off-road sprinter van a rugged appeal but will also provide mounting locations for recovery gear. This makes it easier to be rescued as well as help fellow adventure-seekers in need.
5. Install recovery gear
One of the most crucial recovery gears to have while off-roading is a winch. When stuck in a pool of mud or on a challenging incline, a reliable winch will come in handy. When it comes to choosing a winch, it’s important to consider the power source as it determines the pulling capacity and durability of the motor.
Hydraulic winches are more powerful and reliable and therefore ideal for heavy-duty hauling. Since your van’s engine isn’t built for this type of performance, an electric winch will do just fine. A front-mounted electric winch on your off-roading camper van can effectively rescue other heavy 4X4 trucks out of tricky situations.
6. Equip your off-road van with a roof rack
One of the main reasons a van is a great off-road camping vehicle is its spacious interior. With a roof rack installed, you can give your off-road van more carrying capability. A sturdy roof rack will allow you to rack up camping gear, bicycles, kayaks, and a rooftop tent.
You can also go for interior storage solutions such as under-floor drawers to help you pack up anything else you might need while out in the wild.
7. Make the interior comfy and long-lasting
Off-road adventures come with their challenges, so make sure you’ve equipped your van’s interior to be more comfortable and durable. Upgrade your seats, cabinetry, and flooring to weather-resistant alternatives. Also, ensure that your van’s interior is properly insulated and ventilated for different climates.
8. Equip your van with off-road gear
You may have everything in position for off-road adventure, but you shouldn’t forget about essential off-road gear. Some of the include durable tow ropes, chains when driving in winter, and rescue boards when stuck in the sand.
In addition, don’t forget to carry a shovel as you may need it together with the rescue boards. A compressor onboard will also come in handy to deflate and inflate the tyres when required. Other than a compressor, you’ll also need a tyre plug repair kit to sort out punctures. Tyre plug kits are quite handy and can repair all types of punctures, from screws, nails, and other sharp objects. With the right set of gear and help, you can easily rescue your off-road van from any situation.
9. Add auxiliary lights for night navigation
When the night falls while still driving to your next stop point, a set of powerful aux lights can be a lifesaver. There’s the option of mounting your off-road LED lights on the roof rack or the front bumper. Alternatively, you may opt for light bars to illuminate your path.
Auxiliary lights are ideal for spotting hazards and obstacles ahead and avoiding them while also keeping you visible in the darkness. Plus, you can use the lights to light up your campsite and an aggressive appeal to your modified off-road van.
Summing it up
While a 2WD or a 4WD stock van can perform very well on highways when on a camping adventure, they’re not the most ideal for off-road escapades. Upgrading it to an off-road van can get you to any off-road campsite and provide the comfort that you can’t get from off-road pickup trucks.
An upgrade to an off-road sprinter van gives you more power and flexibility while getting that home-like experience on wheels. Your upgrade should take into consideration the suspension, wheels, tyres, aux lights, winch, heavy-duty bumpers, and skid plates among others.
However, the process can be demanding and requires proper planning. If you are looking for a one-time off-road adventure, it’s best to lease one from a company with a fleet of ready off-road vans.